Our Lady of Smolensk. How does the icon of the Smolensk Mother of God help?

The Virgin Mother is the boundary between created and uncreated nature, and Her, as the container of the incontainable, will be known by those who know God, and after God, those who sing of God will sing Her. She is the foundation of those before Her, and the eternal Intercessor.

St. Gregory Palamas

The Novodevichy Convent is one of the most beautiful monasteries in Moscow. It is beautiful in any weather, at any time of the year. From childhood and throughout my life I remember the unusually lush thickets of the monastery lilac (for some reason now almost all of it has been cut down). It is difficult to get used to this beauty, and every time you enter under the dark arches of the gate church, you involuntarily freeze and admire.

Inside the monastery walls, in a small wooden house there lived a real ascetic in the world - Pyotr Dmitrievich Baranovsky, the great architect-restorer of the twentieth century, who saved almost a thousand churches and ended his life here, in the main Moscow monastery of the Most Pure One - that is why the street from which the road to the monastery begins is called Prechistenka. Peace to your ashes, servant of God Peter!...

From the window of his room littered with books, folders with measurements and drawings, Baranovsky, while he could still see - in his old age he was completely blind - admired one of the most majestic churches in Moscow - the 16th century Cathedral in the name of Our Lady Hodegetria "called Smolenskaya", which kept a miraculous list with one of the greatest shrines of Rus' - Our Lady of Smolensk.

As long as there is faith in Rus', the Most Pure One preserves this destiny. The northern borders of our country were protected by the image of the Sign of Novgorod, the eastern borders by the Kazan Icon, and the western borders by the Smolensk Icon.

The prototype of the Smolensk Mother of God is very ancient and, according to legend, was written by the Apostle Luke himself for the Antioch ruler Theophilus. After the death of Theophilus, this image of Hodegetria the Guide returned to Jerusalem; in the 5th century, the blessed queen Pulcheria transferred it to Second Rome, to the Blachernae temple. From there the future Smolensk icon came to Rus'. Under what exact circumstances is not known for certain, but it happened no later than the middle of the 11th century. According to legend, the icon became a parental blessing for the daughter of the Byzantine Emperor Constantine Porphyrogenitus, who was married to the Chernigov prince Vsevolod Yaroslavich.

After the death of Prince Vsevolod, Hodegetria found a new guardian in the person of his son, the Grand Duke Kyiv Vladimir II Monomakh - commander, writer (his “Teachings” are still studied in the course of ancient Russian literature) and temple builder. In 1095, he transferred the miraculous from Chernigov (his first inheritance) to Smolensk, and in 1101 he founded the cathedral church of the Assumption here Holy Mother of God. Ten years later, Hodegetria was installed in this cathedral and from that time began to be called Smolensk - after the name of the city, the guardian of which this miraculous one remained for almost nine centuries.

In the 13th century, the hordes of Batu fell upon Rus', rapidly moving westward. Crying and praying, the Smolensk people fell to the intercession of their Guardian. And a miracle happened: the Most Pure One, through the image of Hodegetria of Smolensk, gave the city miraculous salvation. The Tatars were already standing several miles from Smolensk when a pious warrior named Mercury heard a voice coming from the holy icon: “I am sending you to protect My house. The ruler of the Horde secretly wants to attack My city this night with his army, but I prayed to My Son and My God for My house, so that he would not give it over to the work of the enemy. I myself will be with you, helping my servant.” Obeying the Most Pure One, Mercury raised up the townspeople, and he himself rushed into the enemy camp, where he died in an unequal battle. He was buried in the cathedral church of Smolensk and soon canonized. In memory of Mercury, on the day of his death, a special thanksgiving service was performed before the miraculous image of Hodegetria.

When in 1395 Principality of Smolensk lost its independence, becoming dependent on Lithuania. But just three years later, the daughter of the Lithuanian prince Vitovt was married to the Moscow prince Vasily Dmitrievich (son of the holy noble prince Dimitri Donskoy), and Hodegetria became her dowry. In 1398, the newly found shrine was installed in the Annunciation Cathedral of the Kremlin on the right side of royal gates. Muscovites reverently worshiped it for half a century, until in 1456 representatives of the Smolensk people arrived in the reigning city and demanded that the shrine be returned to them. Grand Duke Vasily the Dark (1415-1462), after consulting with bishops and boyars, ordered to “release” the miraculous to Smolensk, leaving her exact list in Moscow. On July 28, in the presence of almost all Muscovites, the icon was solemnly carried through the Devichye Pole to the ford at the steep bend of the Moscow River, beyond which the road to Smolensk began. Here a prayer service was served to the Guide, after which the prototype of the miraculous woman went to Smolensk, and the mourners took the list from Smolensk to the Annunciation Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin.

In 1514, Smolensk was returned to the Russian state (the assault on the city by Russian troops began on July 29 - the day after the celebration of the Smolensk Icon); in 1524 in memory of this event Grand Duke Vasily III founded the Novodevichy Convent on the very spot where Muscovites saw off the miraculous work in 1456.

In 1609, Smolensk was besieged by the Polish army, and after twenty months of siege, in 1611, the city fell to a superior enemy. The miraculous Smolensk icon was again sent to Moscow, and when the Poles captured the white stone one, it was sent to Yaroslavl, where it remained until the expulsion of the Poles and the return of Smolensk to the Russian state in 1654, during the reign of Alexei Mikhailovich. On September 26, 1655, the miraculous icon of Hodegetria returned to Smolensk.

The intercession of the Most Pure One for Her beloved destiny was again revealed a century and a half later, during the Patriotic War of 1812. Once again, Her miraculous image was taken out, first to Moscow - on August 26, on the day of the Battle of Borodino, the Smolensk, Iveron and Vladimir icons procession carried around Moscow, and on August 31, Iverskaya and Smolenskaya visited the wounded in the battle who were lying in the Lefortovo hospital. And when the Russian troops abandoned the Mother See, the Smolensk Icon was transported to Yaroslavl. However, through the intercession of the Most Pure One, Her presence miraculous image on the banks of the Volga it turned out to be short-lived: already on December 24, 1812, Hodegetria returned to the Assumption Cathedral in Smolensk.

The Moscow Novodevichy Convent also had to endure a lot. They sent here unwanted queens and princesses - Evdokia Lopukhina, Sophia; Napoleonic “twelve tongues” robbed and plundered it and even tried, before fleeing from Moscow, to blow up the monastery (it was saved by brave nuns who extinguished the already lit wicks). In 1922, Novodevichy was completely closed, dispersing its nuns. For opposing the predatory “seizure of church valuables”, Abbess Vera was sent to the camp; and in 1938, the last confessor of the monastery, Archpriest Sergius Lebedev, died a martyr on Butovo training ground, where the ashes of tens of thousands of those executed are buried. Back in 1925, there were 2,811 tombstones in the cemetery inside the monastery walls; now there are no more than a hundred of them left (including the graves of the historian Sergei Solovyov and his son Vladimir, the great Russian philosopher). The “Museum of the Emancipation of Women” was set up in the desecrated monastery, and in 1934 its buildings were transferred to the State Historical Museum.

Divine services in Novodevichy Convent resumed in 1945, when the refectory Assumption Church was reconsecrated here; since then, prayer has been heard here again before one of the Hodegetria lists. The revival of the monastery itself began in 1994, when the nuns returned to Novodevichy, led by Abbess Seraphima (Chernaya), the granddaughter of the martyr Saint Seraphim (Chichagov), who died in 1999; Her successor was Abbess Serafima (Isaeva).

...The last reliable news about the miraculous first image dates back to 1941. Closed in 1929, the Assumption Cathedral of Smolensk was not destroyed: its shrines and utensils remained intact until the start of the Great Patriotic War. On August 1, 1941, the German troops that entered the city notified their High Command that “a very ancient icon, attributed by legend to the Evangelist Luke, later rewritten, ... is in its original place and is not damaged. She... was recognized as miraculous and was a place of pilgrimage for believers.” But when Smolensk was liberated by Soviet troops two years later, the icon was no longer there. One can only hope that sooner or later her fate will begin to become clearer - just as it is happening with another miraculous woman who disappeared during that war, Tikhvin.

Until its disappearance, the prototype of Smolenskaya was never subjected to detailed scientific study. According to old descriptions, the board on which the icon was written was unusually heavy, primed with chalk and glue and covered with canvas; The Most Pure One is depicted at half height, waist-deep, supporting the Child with her left hand. The Savior blesses those praying with His right hand, and holds a scroll with His hand. The outer garments of the Virgin Mary are dark brown, the lower ones are dark blue; The Baby's clothes are dark green and gold. On back side The prototype was written with the Crucifixion with the Greek inscription “The King is crucified” and a view of Jerusalem. When painting was renewed in Moscow in 1666, figures of the Mother of God and John the Evangelist, which were not there before, were added to this Crucifixion. Features of the Smolensk icon are the frontal position of the Child; a very slight turn of the Mother of God towards His Child; Her head is slightly bowed; characteristic hand position.

The celebration of the Smolensk Icon takes place on July 28 according to the Christian calendar. Once upon a time, on this day, a procession of the cross from the Kremlin, along Prechistenka and Devichye Pole to the Novodevichy Convent took place in the Mother See. By the beginning of the twentieth century, there were more than three dozen miraculous and especially revered lists of Smolensk; churches dedicated to this image stood in many cities, towns and monasteries of the Russian land; in Moscow alone there were four Smolensk churches, in St. Petersburg - five. And today for everyone Smolensk churches Russia sounds the troparion to the Most Holy Theotokos in front of Her icon, called “Hodegetria”:

Troparion, tone 4

Let us now diligently approach the Mother of God, sinners and humility, and let us fall down in repentance calling from the depths of our souls: Lady, help us, having had mercy on us, struggling, we are perishing from many sins, do not turn away your slaves, for you are the only hope of the imams.

Kontakion, tone 6

The intercession of Christians is not shameful, the intercession to the Creator is immutable, do not despise the voices of sinful prayers, but advance, as if good, to help us, who faithfully call Thee: hasten to prayer and strive to supplicate, ever interceding, the Mother of God, those who honor Thee.

Smolensk icon Mother of God is one of the most revered images of the Virgin Mary throughout Russia. Praying to this miraculous icon the blind received their sight; following her call, great warriors won great victories; Kutuzov blessed his troops with it during the War of 1812, and the number of revered lists from it is incalculable...

1. The prototype of the icon: the Evangelist Luke, the blessing of the Mother of God and further history

According to legend, the prototype of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God, from which all revered copies were made, was written by the Evangelist Luke during the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary, that is, before 45 AD.

When the Evangelist Luke humbly presented this and two other images to the gaze of the Mother of God, She said: “The grace of Him who was born of Me and My mercy be with these icons.”
And so it happened. The image, which later received - around the beginning of the 12th century - the name of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God, became miraculous.

The further fate of the icon was no less interesting: before getting to Smolensk - and to Rus' in general - the icon managed to visit Jerusalem and perform its first miracle - more on that below - in the Blachernae Church of Constantinople.

In Rus', the icon appeared during the time of the Kyiv prince Vsevolod Yaroslavich, who married the daughter of the Greek emperor Constantine Monomakh, Anna. It was with this icon that Emperor Constantine blessed his daughter - and with it Anna Konstantinovna blessed her son, Vladimir Vsevolodovich Monomakh.

Detail: in the photo above is the prototype (!) of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God in the Smolensk Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin, lost after 1941. The photograph was taken in 1912 by the pioneer of color photography Sergei Mikhailovich Prokudin-Gorsky (1863 - 1944).

2. The first miracle. Hodegetria

The first miracle associated with the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God happened in those days when the image painted by the Evangelist Luke was still kept in the Blachernae Church of Constantinople and, of course, was not called the Smolensk Icon.

According to legend, one day the Mother of God appeared to two blind men and told them to go and venerate this icon in the Blachernae temple. The blind men did not dare to disobey the Blessed Virgin and did everything as they were told. On the same day, both blind people regained their sight, and from then on the miraculous image began to be called Hodegetria, which translated from Greek means “Guide”.

Detail: in the photo above - modern church on the site of the legendary Blachernae Cathedral, destroyed by fire in 1434.

3. The appearance of the icon in Rus'. The first miracle in Smolensk and forced “moves” from the city

So, in Rus' the icon appeared during the time of the Kyiv prince Vsevolod Yaroslavich (1030 - 1093, in the miniature above).

It is known that the wedding of Vsevolod Yaroslavich and the daughter of Emperor Constantine Monomakh Anna took place in 1046, which means the icon appeared in Kyiv at the same time - it was with it that Emperor Constantine blessed his daughter.

Half a century later, in 1097, the son of Vsevolod Yaroslavich and Anna Konstantinovna Vladimir Monomakh became the Prince of Smolensk, and in 1101, on his order, the Assumption Cathedral was erected in the city - the icon was placed there. It was from this moment that the image painted by the Evangelist Luke began to be called the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God.

In Rus', the voice of the icon sounded for the first time in 1238. According to legend, the image of the Mother of God addressed the Russian warrior Mercury with the command to protect the city from the troops of Batu Khan approaching Smolensk. The brave warrior, under the cover of darkness, made his way into the enemy camp and killed many enemies, among whom was the strongest warrior of the detachment. Mercury himself was unable to return from the battle alive and was glorified as a saint.

The icon was kept in the Assumption Cathedral of Smolensk for 300 years, and only at the beginning of the 15th century did it temporarily leave its place for the first time - the city was captured by Lithuanian troops, and it was decided to transport the miraculous image to the Moscow Annunciation Cathedral. The icon returned to Smolensk in 1455, and the next time it left the city a century and a half later - in 1609, during the Russian-Polish War.
During the War of 1812, the icon was also transported from Smolensk to Moscow. On the day of the Battle of Borodino, she, along with two other revered icons of the Mother of God - Iverskaya and Vladimir - was carried around the White City and the Kremlin. Also, by personal order of Kutuzov, the icon of the Smolensk Mother of God was placed around all the ranks of the troops.

4. The disappearance of the icon

The prototype of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God disappeared from the Assumption Cathedral immediately after the capture of the city by Nazi troops. In 1943 the city was liberated, but the icon was never found and further fate her is unknown. Today, the Assumption Cathedral in Smolensk houses a copy of the miraculous icon, made in the 16th century. Apparently, the author of this work was the artist Postnik Rostovets.

Among others famous lists miraculous image - an icon by Dionysius, painted in 1482 (pictured above).

5. Iconographic features of the image

It is likely that the prototype of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God is a copy from an earlier Blachernae icon, also attributed to the brush of the Evangelist Luke and considered the first image in the world belonging to the type of Hodegetria - “Showing the Way”, “Guide”.

Icons of this type are characterized by a half-length image of the Mother of God holding the infant Christ in one hand and pointing to Him with the other hand. The center of the composition is Christ, and Holy Virgin, pointing to Him, carries the main meaning of this image - it speaks of the appearance into the world of a “heavenly king and judge.”

Prayer to the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God:

Oh, Most Wonderful and Above All Creatures, Queen Theotokos, Mother of the Heavenly King Christ our God, Most Holy Hodegetria Mary!

Hear us, sinners and unworthy, who at this hour pray to You with sighs and tears before Your Most Pure Image, and tenderly say: Lead us from the pit of passions, Good Hodegetria, deliver us from the spirit of sorrow and sorrow, protect us from all adversity and evil slander and from the unrighteous slander of the enemy.

You can, O our Gracious Mother, not only save Your people from all evil, but also provide and save Your people with every good deed, since other intercessors for You in troubles and circumstances and warm intercessors for us sinners to Your Son, Christ our God, are not imams .

Pray to Him, Lady, to save us and grant us the Kingdom of Heaven, so that through Your salvation we may glorify Thee in the future, as the author of our salvation, and exalt the All-Holy and Magnificent name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, glorified and worshiped God in the Trinity, forever and ever. . Amen.

Dmitry Merkulov

SMOLENSK ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD, CALLED “HODEGETRIA”

The miraculous icon of the Most Holy Mother of God, called the Hodegetria of Smolensk, has been known in Rus' since ancient times. "Hodegetria", translated from Greek language, means “Guide”. There are several versions of the origin of this name, but the fact that the Most Holy Theotokos is a guide to all Orthodox Christians eternal salvation, an undeniable truth.

According to Church tradition, the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God, called “Hodegetria,” was painted by the holy evangelist Luke during the earthly life of the Most Holy Theotokos at the request of the ruler of Antioch, Theophilos, for whom he wrote an essay about the earthly life of Christ, known as the Gospel of Luke. When Theophilus died, the image was returned to Jerusalem, and in the 5th century, the blessed Empress Eudokia, wife of Arkady, transferred Hodegetria to Constantinople to the emperor’s sister Queen Pulcheria, who placed the holy icon in the Blachernae Church.

The image came to Rus' in 1046. The Greek Emperor Constantine IX Monomakh (1042-1054), marrying his daughter Anna to Prince Vsevolod Yaroslavich, son of Yaroslav the Wise, blessed her on her journey with this icon. After the death of Prince Vsevolod, the icon passed to his son Vladimir Monomakh, who transferred it at the beginning of the 12th century to Smolensk Cathedral Church in honor of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary . From that time on, the icon received the name Hodegetria of Smolensk .

Assumption Cathedral (Smolensk)

History of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God

In 1238 The army of Khan Batu approached Smolensk. In that army there was a giant warrior who, according to legend, alone was worth almost an entire army. All Smolensk residents came out to pray in front of the icon Smolensk Hodegetria-Guidebooks. The Tatars had already come almost close to the city, no more than 30 kilometers remained by today’s standards, when a certain sexton in the Pechersky Monastery outside the city saw in a vision the Mother of God, who ordered him to bring a warrior named Mercury to Her. Entering the Pechersk Church, Mercury saw with his own eyes the Mother of God sitting on a golden throne with the Child in her arms and surrounded by angels. The Mother of God said that Mercury must save Her own destiny from desecration, which once again indicated Her special protection over the Smolensk land. She also told him about the emergency martyrdom him, and that She Herself will not leave him, but will be with him to the end.

Following the command of the Mother of God, selfless Orthodox warrior Mercury raised all the townspeople, preparing them for the siege, and at night he entered Batu’s camp and killed many enemies, including their strongest warrior. Then, in an unequal battle with the invaders, he laid down his head on the battlefield. His remains were buried in the Smolensk Cathedral. Soon, Mercury was canonized as a locally revered saint (November 24), the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God was also declared locally revered, and the legend “The Tale of Mercury of Smolensk,” which dates back approximately to the 15th - 16th centuries, was written about his feat. Moreover, the legend says that after the burial, Mercury appeared to the same sexton and ordered the shield and spear that belonged to him during his life to be hung at his resting place.

Sandals of the Holy Martyr Mercury - one of the shrines cathedral Smolensk

In 1395 The Principality of Smolensk came under the protectorate of Lithuania. In 1398, in order to avoid bloodshed in Moscow and soften the bitter relations between the Polish-Lithuanian rulers and Moscow, the daughter of the Lithuanian prince Vitovt Sophia was married to the son of Dmitry Donskoy, Grand Duke of Moscow Vasily Dimitrievich (1398-1425). The Smolensk Hodegetria became her dowry and was now transferred to Moscow and installed in the Annunciation Cathedral of the Kremlin on the right side of the altar.

Annunciation Cathedral (Moscow Kremlin)

In 1456, at the request of the residents of Smolensk, led by Bishop Misail, the icon was solemnly returned to Smolensk with a religious procession. On June 28, according to the old style, at the Monastery of St. Savva the Consecrated on the Maiden Field in Moscow, with a large crowd of people, the icon was solemnly escorted to the bend of the Moscow River, from where the path to Smolensk began. A prayer service was served. Half a century later, in 1514, Smolensk was returned to Rus' (the assault on the city by Russian troops began on July 29, the day after the celebration of the Smolensk Icon).

In 1524, in memory of this event, Grand Duke Vasily III founded the Mother of God of Smolensk Monastery, which we know better as Novodevichy Convent . The monastery was consecrated and began operating in 1525. From this period, the all-Russian glorification of the icon began, officially established by the Church.

Novodevichy Mother of God-Smolensky Monastery on the Maiden Field in Moscow

However, Muscovites were not left without a shrine - two copies of the miraculous icon remained in Moscow. One was placed in the Annunciation Cathedral, and the other - “measure in moderation” - in 1524 in the Novodevichy Convent, founded in memory of the return of Smolensk to Russia. In 1602, an exact copy was written from the miraculous icon (in 1666, along with ancient icon a new list was taken to Moscow for updating), which was placed in the tower of the Smolensk fortress wall, above the Dnieper Gate, under a specially constructed tent. Later, in 1727, a wooden church was built there, and in 1802 - a stone one.

The Smolensk miraculous image again showed its intercession during the Patriotic War of 1812 . On August 5, 1812, when Russian troops abandoned Smolensk, the icon was taken to Moscow, and on the eve of the Battle of Borodino this image was carried around the camp to strengthen and encourage the soldiers for a great feat.

Prayer service before the Battle of Borodino

On August 26, the day of the battle in Borodino, three images of the Mother of God - the ancient image of the Smolensk Hodegetria together with the Iverskaya and Vladimir icons The Mother of God was taken in a procession around the capital, and then sent to the sick and wounded soldiers in the Lefortovo Palace, so that they could venerate the shrines, thank the Mother of God for their intercession and ask for recovery.Before leaving Moscow, the icon was transported to Yaroslavl.

After the victory over the enemy, on November 5, 1812, by order of Kutuzov, the Hodegetria icon, along with the illustrious list, was returned to Smolensk to its native Assumption Cathedral.

In 1929, the Assumption Cathedral was closed, but was not subject to desecration and destruction, like many other temples and churches during that period. Intelligence, which can be considered reliable, about the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God - prototype of other, subsequent lists ends in 1941, after the capture of Smolensk by German troops. Then, at the beginning of August 1941, the German command headquarters received a message that the list of icons attributed to historical information brushed by the Evangelist Luke, is in the same place, in good condition, the icon is considered miraculous and its location is a place of worship and pilgrimage. Nothing more is known about that icon.

Now in the place of the missing icon there is a list from the middle of the 16th century, which is not inferior to its predecessor in the number of miracles and in popular veneration, but Hodegetria of the apostolic letter is still awaited in Smolensk, they still believe that the time will come and she will reveal herself from some a hiding place, where it was miraculously preserved all these years, as it once was.

Icon of the Mother of God Hodegetria of Smolensk Gateway, copy from the famous Smolensk Icon. Once it hung above the gates of the Smolensk Kremlin; now it is kept in the cathedral on the site of the Smolensk icon lost in 1941.

Lists with icons

There are many revered copies of the miraculous Smolensk Hodegetria. Many copies of that original but lost icon became miraculous (more than 30 in total) - Igretskaya Pesochinskaya, Yugskaya, Sergievskaya in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, Kostroma, Kirillo-Belozerskaya, Svyatogorsk, Solovetskaya, etc.. All these images in different times and demonstrated their miraculous properties to varying degrees.

Iconography

There is little information left about the iconographic features of the image, since the icon, as is known, was lost in 1941, and therefore no one studied it. It was only known that the icon board was very heavy, the ground was made of chalk with glue, as was done in ancient times, and covered with canvas.

The Mother of God holds the Child in her left hand, the Lord’s right hand is raised in a blessing gesture, and in His left hand is the “scroll of teaching.” On the reverse side were written a view of Jerusalem, the Crucifixion and an inscription in Greek - “The King is crucified.” In 1666, the icon was renewed, and later images of the Most Pure Mother and John the Evangelist appeared at the Crucifixion.

The iconographic image of the Smolensk Icon is very similar to the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God, but differs in the severity of the arrangement of the figures and the expression of the faces of the Mother of God and the Infant.

The meaning of the icon

The Holy Icon of the Mother of God Hodegetria is one of the main shrines of the Russian Church (along with Vladimir and Kazan).

Amazing historical material is associated with the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God, which, through the paths of her wanderings across Western Russian lands, marks all the most important events in the history of Russia up to the last century. It can be said that not a single event where the intercession of the One depicted on it was required was accomplished without Her intervention. Hodegetria the Guide pointed out and defended our west from the aggressive interests of neighboring states that sought to establish their influence in Russian state both military and political means. But even retreats that were accompanied by a transfer miraculous shrine from its main destiny - the Assumption Cathedral in Smolensk, were only a strategic necessity, and in no way an agreement with the presence and rule of foreigners and the prevailing Latin faith on our land. Cathedral prayers before her, the Smolensk and Muscovites bore their wonderful fruits - sooner or later the enemy was expelled, and the Smolensk Hodegetria returned home to Smolensk.

Believers received and receive from her abundant gracious help. The Mother of God, through Her holy image, intercedes and strengthens us, guiding us to salvation, and we cry out to Her: “You are the All-Good Hodegetria to the faithful people, You are the Smolensk Praise and all the Russian lands are the affirmation! Rejoice, Hodegetria, salvation for Christians!”

Celebration

The celebration of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God takes place three times a year - July 28/August 10 , established in 1525, when the miraculous image was transferred from Annunciation Cathedral The Moscow Kremlin in the Mother of God-Smolensk (Novodevichy) Monastery, founded by Vasily III in gratitude to the Mother of God for the return of Smolensk to Rus' during the Russian-Lithuanian War. The festival was established in memory of the arrival of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God to Rus' in 1046.

The celebration takes place for the second time November 5/18 in honor of Russia's victory in Patriotic War 1812.

November 24/December 7 We celebrate the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God, remembering the victory of the inhabitants of Smolensk over the troops of the Golden Horde common prayer people in front of Her icon - the Smolensk Hodegetria.

The Smolensk Mother of God helps everyone who turns to her with prayers for healing from incurable diseases, in search of family peace and in other difficult and insoluble situations, as the first intercessor for us before God.

Troparion, tone 4
Let us now diligently approach the Mother of God, sinners and humility, and let us fall down in repentance calling from the depths of our souls: Lady, help us, having had mercy on us, struggling, we are perishing from many sins, do not turn away your slaves, for you are the only hope of the imams.

Kontakion, tone 6
The intercession of Christians is not shameful, the intercession to the Creator is immutable, do not despise the voices of sinful prayers, but advance, as if good, to help us, who faithfully call Thee: hasten to prayer and strive to supplicate, ever interceding, the Mother of God, those who honor Thee.

In Kontakion, tone 6
There are no other imams of help, no other imams of hope, except You, the Lady: Help us, we hope in You and we boast in You: We are Your servants, let us not be ashamed.

Prayer
O Most Wonderful and Above All Creatures Queen Theotokos, Mother of the Heavenly King Christ our God, Most Pure Hodegetria Mary! Hear us sinners and unworthy at this hour, praying and falling before Thy To the Most Pure Image with tears and tenderly saying: deliver us from the pit of passions, O Most Blessed Lady, deliver us from all sorrow and sorrow, protect us from all misfortune and evil slander, and from the unrighteous and cruel slander of the enemy. You may, O Our Blessed Mother, save Your people from all evil and provide and save You with every good deed; Do You need other Representatives in troubles and circumstances, and warm Intercessors for us sinners, not imams? Pray, Most Holy Lady, Your Son Christ our God, that He will honor us with the Kingdom of Heaven; For this reason, we always glorify Thee, as the Author of our salvation, and extol the holy and magnificent name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, glorified and worshiped God in the Trinity, forever and ever. Amen.

Second prayer
To whom shall I cry, Lady? To whom shall I resort in my sorrow, if not to You, Lady Lady Theotokos, Queen of Heaven? Who will accept my cry and my sighing, if not You, O Most Immaculate One, the Hope of Christians and the Refuge for sinners? Bend, O Most Pure Lady, Thy ear to my prayer, Mother of my God, do not despise me, requiring Thy help, hear my groaning and inspire the cry of my heart, O Lady Theotokos Queen. And give me spiritual joy, strengthen me, who is impatient, sad and careless towards Your praise. Enlighten and teach me how You should pray, and do not leave me, the Mother of my God, for my grumbling and impatience, but be my protection and intercession in my life and lead me to the quiet haven of blessed peace, and count me among Your chosen flock and there deign me to sing and glorify You forever. Amen.

Documentary film “Seekers. TRACE OF HODIGITRIA" (2014)

The Assumption Cathedral is one of the most impressive buildings in Smolensk. It was here that the famous icon of the Smolensk Mother of God - the ancient Hodegetria - was kept from the day the temple was built. She, according to legend, saved the city more than once and was considered miraculous, disappeared during the Second World War. There are quite a few versions regarding the fate of Hodegetria. Many researchers are inclined to believe that the legendary image still exists, which means it makes sense to look for it!

To reach a goal, a person needs a map or a guide. IN spiritual world Similar laws - you can achieve certain successes under the guidance of an experienced mentor. The Blessed Virgin is the universal guide for Christians. There is even a very ancient type of icon of the Mother of God, called “Hodegetria” (from Greek - indicating the way).

History of appearance

Iconography has a difficult fate - in the first centuries after its appearance, Christianity was not numerous, it was considered an incomprehensible sect, which was despised by both Jews and Romans. Christians had to hide, they were persecuted by emperors - they were thrown to lions, stoned, their heads were cut off for refusing to make sacrifices pagan gods. For the Romans, this was tantamount to refusing to serve Caesar.

Therefore, at first, images of Christ and saints were very rare and were preserved mainly only in the catacombs. Most often, they were symbolic - the church canon was just being formed at that time, many objected to trying to express with drawings what is inaccessible to human understanding. After all, Christ is God, and Christians are just people. Instead of Jesus, they painted a shepherd or a fish.

The first icons of the Mother of God, according to legend, were painted by the Apostle Luke - including the Hodegetria. Church texts also claim that the Most Pure One herself blessed the creation of the images. Not a single one of those created directly by the hand of the evangelist has reached our time. But it can be argued that today's images are fairly accurate copies of the first.

On wooden boards icons began to appear from the 3rd century. - this period is considered the beginning of icon painting as an art. Then in the 8th century. a period of iconoclasm began, during which they were mercilessly destroyed. 60 years later Council of Nicaea officially established the veneration of holy images. All these years, Christians carefully collected and preserved icons of Christ and the Mother of God.

Characteristic features of the image

The icon, unlike an ordinary painting, has a different purpose - according to the holy fathers, it is a window to another world. In a similar way, the icons of the Mother of God are not just an image of two personalities - through them the meaning of the Incarnation of God is revealed. The Hodegetria icon is one of the most common types; its theological significance is the revelation of the relationship between God and man. To do this, icon painters use composition, gestures, and colors.

• The Mother of God and Christ look directly at those praying.
• Jesus is depicted at the age of a youth (Emmanuel).
• There is a scroll in the Savior's hand.
• The image can be either half-length or shoulder-length (the “Kazan” icon also belongs to the “Hodegetria” type).

The divine nature of Christ is especially emphasized here; the composition is not devoid of greatness. The Mother of God is always depicted in an omophorion - emphasizing both the royal greatness of the Virgin and her role in the plan of the Incarnation. Right hand The Virgin Mary is directed towards Jesus. The meaning of this gesture of the Mother of God on the Hodegetria icon is as follows - she points to Christ as the only way to salvation.

But the Queen of Heaven herself is a guiding star - she was the first perfect person, she was able to sinful world to preserve the vision of God that most people lack. After all, Adam and Eve could talk with the Lord personally, but today the human race has become so alienated from the Creator that it can die from His mere sight. Therefore, Christians should not waste their lives on vanity and entertainment, but prepare for the transition to another world.

The joint image of the Lord and His Mother also has a deeper meaning. The incarnation of Christ as man was not possible without Mary. Moreover, only thanks to the implementation of this divine plan, people can now paint icons. Previously, it was forbidden to depict God because no one could see Him. But having been born from earthly woman, Christ became incarnate as the Person who is depicted in images.

Shrine from Byzantium

Most icons of the Mother of God depict her together with Jesus - the icon of Hodegetria of Smolensk is no exception. The icon has ancient origin, was brought to Rus' from the East. It immediately began to be revered as a shrine, visited different cities, and was firmly connected with the military victories of the Russians. From the 11th century The Orthodox kept this image and built a special temple for it. But during the Great Patriotic War the shrine disappeared.

Now in the place where the ancient Hodegetria icon was located, there is a list made at one time by the prudent guardians of the image. A rich salary speaks of national veneration, which has been going on in Russia for several centuries. Fortunately, quite a few miraculous copies have survived, there are several dozen of them. Some are in museums:

• in Moscow, im. A. Rubleva;
• in Vladimir, museum-reserve;
• in Kostroma, historical and architectural museum;
• in the Novgorod Kremlin.

Also in our country there are several hundred temples in the name of this famous image. In almost any church you can find “Hodegetria”, put a candle near it, ask for help in spiritual development, raising children, everyday affairs.

In the 18th century Queen Elizabeth ordered the construction of a small church in the cemetery - those who died during the construction of St. Petersburg were buried there. The temple was consecrated in the name of the Icon of the Mother of God “Hodegetria” of Smolensk, and over time it developed. Instead of wood, they built a stone one - simple in shape, but with graceful lines, light, with a high bell tower. Side chapels were added, new shrines appeared in the church. Miracle List The Smolensk icon is in the main iconostasis.

Prayer Requests

Orthodoxy gives the Queen of Heaven such honors that are no longer given to saints or even angels. Above it is only Christ Himself. Prayer requests to it are taken from the Gospel texts. Even the wording of church hymns stands out - only the Mother of God is told “save us.” In this way, the church testifies to its admiration for the Mother of God.

She was able to rise to such a level of holiness that only a mortal can reach, with the help of the Holy Spirit. The people simply love her, like a Mother - an inexhaustible source of love, understanding, and patience. An image that is close to everyone, accessible for comprehension. It is through him that it is easier to understand God’s love for people. Therefore, it is not surprising that in prayer practice appeals to the Mother of God are very frequent.

The first akathist was written specifically to the Mother of God; it can also be read in front of the Hodegetria icon. This song of praise contains many epithets that the Queen of Heaven is worthy of. The Byzantine akathist is so perfect in style that it is included in the liturgical cycle. Reading it regularly will help you receive many spiritual gifts. But also short prayers The Mother of God will benefit the believers.

The Akathist is very easy to read - thanks to its small volume and easy-to-perceive form. The expressive syllable touches every corner of the soul, conveys the whole gamut of feelings that Christians have for the Mother of God. Such a prayer does not require large quantity time.

How does the Mother of God help believers? The Hodegetria icon provides an answer to this question. She makes the aspirations of the soul high so that nothing vain disturbs it. Experiencing fear, dissatisfaction with oneself or others, and harboring hatred, a person moves further and further away from the Lord. A bright, pure soul is determined to give joy to others. She perceives even the difficulties that exist in the life of any person with gratitude.

You can also ask for help in worldly matters, but only after praise has been given to the Lord. Even if there is no gratitude in the heart, we must offer it with our lips and ask God to soften the hard heart. For this purpose, repentant psalms are read. Prayers for parents, children, and friends are appropriate. It is especially worth praying for those who cause offense - after all, the Lord commanded to pray even for enemies. The results of prayers depend not so much on diligence (although they should be regular) but on faith.

Prayer to the Hodegetria icon

Oh, Most Holy Lady Theotokos, you are the supreme angel and archangel of all, and all the most honest creatures, you are the helper of the offended, the hopeless, the poor intercessor, the sad comfort, nursing for the hungry, clothing for the naked, healing for the sick, salvation for sinners, help and intercession for all Christians. Oh, All-Merciful Lady, Virgin Mother of God, by Your mercy save and have mercy, the most holy Orthodox patriarchs, the most reverend metropolitans, archbishops and bishops and all the holy monastic and monastic rank, and all Orthodox Christians through the robe of Your honest protection; and pray, Lady, from You, the incarnate Christ our God, that He may gird us with His power from above, against our invisible and visible enemies. Oh, All-Merciful Lady Theotokos! Raise us from the depths of sin and deliver us from famine, destruction, from coward and flood, from fire and sword, from the presence of foreigners and internecine warfare, and from vain death, and from the attack of the enemy, and from harmful winds, and from deadly plagues, and from all evil. Grant, Lady, peace and health to Your servants, all Orthodox Christians, and enlighten their minds and the eyes of their hearts, even to salvation; and we are worthy, Thy sinful servants, of the Kingdom of Thy Son, Christ our God; for His power is blessed and glorified, with His Beginning Father, and with His Most Holy, and Good, and Life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

What you need to know about the holy image

The Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God, called "Hodegetria", which means "Guide", according to Church tradition, was painted by the holy evangelist Luke during the earthly life of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Saint Demetrius of Rostov suggests that this image was painted at the request of the Antioch ruler Theophilus. From Antioch the shrine was transferred to Jerusalem, and from there Empress Eudokia, wife of Arcadius, transferred it to Constantinople to Pulcheria, the emperor’s sister, who placed the holy icon in the Blachernae Church.

The Greek Emperor Constantine IX Monomakh (1042-1054), marrying his daughter Anna to Prince Vsevolod Yaroslavich, son of Yaroslav the Wise, in 1046, blessed her on her journey with this icon. After the death of Prince Vsevolod, the icon passed to his son Vladimir Monomakh, who transferred it at the beginning of the 12th century to the Smolensk Cathedral Church in honor of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary. From that time on, the icon received the name Hodegetria of Smolensk.

In 1238, following a voice from the icon, the selfless Orthodox warrior Mercury entered Batu’s camp at night and killed many enemies, including their strongest warrior. Having suffered a martyr's death in battle, he was canonized by the Church (November 24).

In the 14th century, Smolensk was in the possession of the Lithuanian princes. The daughter of Prince Vytautas Sophia was married to the Grand Duke of Moscow Vasily Dimitrievich (1398-1425). In 1398, she brought the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God with her to Moscow. The holy image was installed in the Annunciation Cathedral of the Kremlin, on the right side of the royal gates. In 1456, at the request of the residents of Smolensk, led by Bishop Misail, the icon was solemnly returned to Smolensk with a religious procession, and two copies of it remained in Moscow. One was placed in the Annunciation Cathedral, and the other - “measure in moderation” - in 1524 in the Novodevichy Convent, founded in memory of the return of Smolensk to Russia. The monastery was built on the Maiden Field, where “with many tears” the Muscovites released the holy icon to Smolensk. In 1602, an exact copy was written from the miraculous icon (in 1666, together with the ancient icon, a new copy was taken to Moscow for renewal), which was placed in the tower of the Smolensk fortress wall, above the Dnieper Gate, under a specially constructed tent. Later, in 1727, a wooden church was built there, and in 1802 - a stone one.

The new copy took on the beneficial power of the ancient image, and when Russian troops left Smolensk on August 5, 1812, they took the icon with them for protection from the enemy. On the eve of the Battle of Borodino, this image was worn around the camp to strengthen and encourage the soldiers for a great feat. Ancient image The Smolensk Hodegetria, taken temporarily to the Assumption Cathedral, on the day of the Battle of Borodino, together with the Iveron and Vladimir icons of the Mother of God, was carried around the White City, Kitay-Gorod and the Kremlin walls, and then sent to the sick and wounded in the Lefortovo Palace. Before leaving Moscow, the icon was taken to Yaroslavl.

Our ancestors so reverently guarded these sister icons, and the Mother of God protected our Motherland through Her images. After the victory over the enemy, the icon of Hodegetria, along with the illustrious copy, was returned to Smolensk.

The celebration in honor of this miraculous image on July 28 was established in 1525 in memory of the return of Smolensk to Russia.

There are many revered lists from the Smolensk Hodegetria, which are celebrated on the same day. There is also a day of celebration of the Smolensk Icon, which became famous in the 19th century - November 5, when this image, by order of the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Army M. I. Kutuzov, was returned to Smolensk. In memory of the expulsion of enemies from the Fatherland, it was established in Smolensk to celebrate this day annually.

The Holy Icon of the Mother of God Hodegetria is one of the main shrines of the Russian Church. Believers have received and are receiving abundant gracious help from her. The Mother of God, through Her holy image, intercedes and strengthens us, guiding us to salvation, and we cry out to Her: “You are the All-Blessed Hodegetria to the faithful people, You are the Smolensk Praise and all the Russian lands - affirmation! Rejoice, Hodegetria, salvation for Christians!”