Icon of the Mother of God "Look at humility". The miraculous power of the image. Miraculous icons of the Mother of God

This icon of the 19th century is a list of the miraculous image of 1420, which appeared on Stone Lake in the Pskov region. The icon of the Mother of God “Look at Humility” was transferred to the Holy Vvedensky Monastery by Schema-nun Theodora, who kept it for 55 years.

In August 1993, the image of the Virgin and Child was strangely displayed on the glass, which covered the icon, but did not touch it. Kyiv scientists, after conducting a study, came to the conclusion that the image is miraculous, while they could not give a scientific explanation for the miracle that happened.

By order of the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of November 22, 1995, the holy image of the Mother of God "Look at humility" was recognized as miraculous.

According to a long tradition, the robes of such icons were decorated with valuable metal and precious stones. Therefore, in 1996, the holy face of the Virgin was set in a precious riza, which, according to experts, has a high artistic value.

At different times, lists (copies) were made from many revered icons. As for the icon “Look for humility”, few such lists are known. One list of the end of the XVII century. is still located in the Kiev Florovsky Ascension Convent, and the second - the icon of the Mother of God "Look for humility" - currently adorns the main church in the Kiev Holy Vvedensky Monastery.

Since there is no mention of it in the literature and archival documents of the pre-revolutionary period, it is almost impossible to accurately determine the time of its writing and establish the name of the undoubtedly talented icon painter who created this image. Presumably, the Kyiv icon was painted at the end of the 19th century.

The icon "Look for Humility" (XIX century) was presented as a gift to the Vvedensky Church in the autumn of 1992 by schema-nun Theodora. At that time, a community still existed at the temple, headed by Abbot Damian. The icon appeared in this holy monastery, in which the monastic life was barely glimmering, and the blessing in the person of the miraculous icon, which came to it by the Providence of God and consecrated the temple, served as a sign of the revival of the monastery and its further prosperity.

Schema-nun Theodora (in the world Totskaya Feodosia Dmitrievna) was born in 1906 in the village of Khreschatoe, Chernihiv province. From early childhood, she had a desire to enter the Kyiv Vvedensky Monastery, where her own aunt, nun Fotinia, carried her obedience. In Great Lent, together with a nun of the same monastery, a girl at the age of 12 came to the monastery and became a novice with the name Theodosius. Possessing a good ear, she carried the obedience of the regent, managed the choir, helped abbess Eliftheria in many ways, who took care of the education and upbringing of the girl. From an early age, Theodosia enjoyed the respect of the sisters. Over time, she took monastic vows with the name Feofaniya.

In the 1920s, the priest of the Vvedensky Convent was Father Boris Kvasnitsky, who lived at the convent with his family. This priest also owned the icon “Look at humility”. In the 1930s, after the monastery was closed, Father Boris was repressed. Shortly before his arrest, as if foreseeing his tragic fate, he turned to the nun Theophania with a request to take care of his family and save the icon. He also asked to return this icon to his son Michael under favorable circumstances. Fulfilling the order of her spiritual father, Mother Feofaniya helped send the priest's son to relatives in Moscow, and she carefully kept the icon with her.

After the closing of the Vvedensky Monastery, Mother Theophania was forced to remain in the world and worked as a housekeeper, and when, after the occupation of Kyiv by the Germans, in 1941 the monastery resumed its existence, she returned to the monastery, bringing with her the icon of the Mother of God.

In 1960, the monastery was closed for the second time, mother Theophania, having become a resident of the Florovsky Ascension Monastery, placed the icon in her cell. All this time, the nun kept in touch with the priest's son, Mikhail, who returned to Kyiv many years later with his family. He was so frightened by the execution of his father that, trying to protect his family from possible troubles, he never told anyone except his daughter about the tragedy. Mikhail often visited the Florovsky Monastery to see Mother Feofaniya and rejoiced that he had managed to save the icon. During all these years, the icon "Look for humility" was in the cell of a nun, who eventually took the schema with the name of Theodore. Every year, on September 16/29, on the day of commemoration of the icon, the akathist “Annunciation to the Most Holy Theotokos” was read in the mother’s cell in the evening, and in the morning, with the blessing of the abbess of the monastery, a prayer service with blessing of water was served, in which the inhabitants of the monastery took part. According to the recollections of Mother Magdalene, in the last year of the icon's stay in this monastery, an event occurred that was remembered by many. Schemanun Theodora, at that time already weak and blind, practically did not leave her cell. Her cell attendant, nun Magdalena, was putting her cell in order, preparing for the morning prayer service. It was late, she lay down to rest and did not notice how she fell asleep. She woke up suddenly, as if someone had pushed her in the side, and was horrified to see that the cell was filled with smoke. From a candle in front of the image in a massive candlestick, paper on the table ignited, and the wall next to it burned. The flame was already ready to spread to the curtains, and then the irreparable could happen. But the Mother of God averted misfortune, the fire was noticed in time and extinguished.

According to the stories of the old woman schema-nun Theodora, a deaf-mute maiden, who prayed with her grandmother, was healed at the icon of the Mother of God “Look for humility”. One day, the girl suddenly called: "Grandma." The surprised grandmother began to ask her granddaughter, how did this happen? - “This aunt blew on me,” the girl said, pointing to the miraculous image of the Mother of God.

Shortly before her death, the schema nun Theodora invited Michael to her place in order to decide what to do with the icon in the future. Mother offered to leave the icon in the Florovsky Monastery, since for many years it had been kept and revered here. But Michael refused. In memory of his murdered father, he wished that the image would find its rightful place in that temple, where it could become a truly revered shrine accessible to many believers. He knew that the Vvedensky Church had been reopened, divine services had resumed in it, and he handed over the icon to the revived monastery. Thus, the icon “Look at humility” ended up in the temple, where it had been before, and where it had been absent for a long and difficult 30 years.

A special kiot was made for the icon, 110x72 cm in size, and it was installed in the temple, to the left of the iconostasis.

The icon of the Mother of God "Look at humility" refers to the so-called type of image of the Virgin - "Hodegetria" (Guide), which was mentioned above. The type of image of the Hodegetria does not correspond either with the text of the Holy Scriptures or with the akathist of the Mother of God, which gives a certain freedom in deciding the composition of the icon. Therefore, there are options for depicting the Hodegetria, when the Infant can be on the right or left hand of the Virgin, depicted in full growth, or sitting on the Mother’s lap, in her hand she can hold a scroll or an attribute of royal power. The appearance of any version of the image could be separated by whole centuries.

Traditionally, on icons of this type, the Mother of God holds the Child on her left hand, and Jesus is depicted frontally, looking at the worshipers and blessing them with his right hand. In this majestic unity, noble harmony, the divinity of Christ, His unearthly power and strength are especially emphasized. The Kyiv icon “Look for Humility” corresponds to this type of depiction of the Virgin and Child. The image of the Virgin, endowed with Divine power, high spirituality, is solemn and strict. Everything in Her appearance is fanned by some amazing subtle beauty and sophistication. In a face that is almost classical in terms of correct proportions, her huge, attentive eyes that look at you, no matter where you are in the temple, attract special attention. There is so much depth and understanding in them, nothing can be hidden from this penetrating gaze. Moreover, the expression of the eyes is different: sometimes the Mother of God is strict and serious, and at other times Her eyes shine with kindness and participation, and a barely noticeable smile enlightens the Face. This is a touching image of maternal love, the fragility and illusory nature of maternal happiness in a cruel world. Tenderness is combined with thoughtfulness, anxiety and sadness of the Mother, anticipating the death of the Son. Such was the image of the Mother, who shared the thorny path of life with the Son, our ancestors, such She appears before the believers even now, a millennium after the adoption of Christianity.

The ideal image of the Mother of God, along with the features of human sorrow, acquires an enlightened unearthly grandeur, which is conveyed in the compositional solution of the miraculous image. The icon is built on the basis of the text - each element is read as a sign, a symbol that has a certain meaning. The interpretation of miraculous icons reveals the spiritual significance of the Mother of God, contributes to the understanding of Christian virtues.

On the icon, the Mother of God is dressed in red maphoria - this is outerwear in the form of a quadrangular board that covered her head, wrapped her chest and fell on her back with a mantle. Maforium was part of the clothing of a married woman. The purple color of the maphoria of the Virgin means Her motherhood, and the blue color of the tunic, a long dress with embroidered narrow sleeves, is a symbol of chastity, virginity and heavenly purity. The purple color, (in Russian - crimson), was an expression of beauty, jewelry and belonging to the royal family. Purple clothes and shoes were worn only by emperors.

The ornamental border on the clothes of the Virgin is a sign of Her glorification, and three golden stars on the maphorium symbolize Her Ever-Virginity. On top of the maphorium there is a crown, which is a symbol of the Kingdom, the Mother of God is the Queen of Heaven, but this royal dignity is based solely on Her motherhood, on the fact that She became the Mother of the Savior and the Lord. Saint Cyril, Archbishop of Alexandria (5th century) called the Theotokos "the venerable treasure of the whole world, an inextinguishable lamp, the crown of virginity, the scepter of Orthodoxy, an indestructible temple." In her right hand, the Mother of God holds a rod, the scepter of Orthodoxy, which is also an attribute of royal power and evidence of descent from the royal family. With her left hand, She tenderly supports the Baby standing on her knees. The Savior is dressed in a white tunic. White color is a combination of all colors, a symbol of purity, purity, involvement in the Divine world. In the hands of Jesus, we see the power, which symbolized the royal power over the world. Golden haloes, radiating Divine light, serve as an expression of holiness and belonging to the world of eternal values.

Rare and incomprehensible, at first glance, the name of the icon, which can be interpreted in different ways. In a song of praise to God, the Blessed Virgin herself said this: “... as if looking at the humility of her servant” (Evang. from Luke, ch. 1, art. 48). The purest soul of the Blessed One was filled with the deepest humility, for which She was crowned with the highest glory. God looked, looked, noticed, appreciated the purity of this holy Maiden and granted Her great mercy - to embody the word of God, and through this made Her an abundant source of mercy and healing to all the suffering, destitute, in need of Her help. And the second interpretation is clear from the composition this miraculous image. Looking at the icon, we see how Christ took the Mother of God by the cheeks, as if saying to her: "Look at the humility of those who turn to you. Look, warm with your warmth, grant joy and peace, heal, have pity and bring their prayers to Me, and I will have mercy and save them." And those who worship the incomparable and radiant shrine of the Most Pure and Most Blessed Virgin Mary, those over whom Her image shining in humility has great power, let those honor Her with the most humility that She was full of. Let us be humble before God in order to feel all His blessings and be grateful to Him.

The icon, with its extraordinary beauty, attracted the attention of believers, who could stand in front of the icon for hours in prayer. Thanks to this icon, the Vvedensky temple itself became known in the city. But soon an event occurred that became outstanding in the history of this monastery and excited not only the parishioners, but the entire public of Kyiv.

In the summer of 1993, Abbot Damian, rector of the Vvedensky community, drew attention to the darkened colors of the icon, which was in a wooden frame under glass. It was decided to invite restorers to determine the reasons for the change in the paint layer.

However, on August 1, the day of remembrance of St. Seraphim of Sarov, when the frame with the glass was removed, everyone present saw that the tonality of the colors on the icon had not changed, and a wonderful silver imprint appeared on the glass on the reverse side, exactly repeating the silhouettes of the Mother of God and the Child. Many icons in the temple are under glass, this is an ancient tradition, which had as its goal the protection from damage and the preservation of holy icons, which were often decorated with precious salaries. But a similar phenomenon did not occur with the rest of the icons in the Vvedensky Church, although all canonical icons are sacred, due to their spiritual content and meaning. The Kiev miracle could be compared with the famous Shroud of Turin, which preserved the exact imprint of the body of Christ. The news of the miracle that had happened quickly spread throughout the city, not only pilgrims began to come to the temple to pray to the Heavenly Intercessor, but also people who had a very distant relationship to the church, who were brought here by simple human curiosity.

Holy Vvedensky Monastery in Kyiv

The attitude to the event from the very beginning was ambiguous. On the one hand, believers with great joy received the news of the sign that came from the icon of the Mother of God, and the phenomenon itself did not cause any doubt. While some Kyiv scientists were convinced that this was another falsification. They demanded a comprehensive study of the imprint on the glass, as well as the miraculous icon, in order to expose the deception. His Beatitude Vladimir (Sabodan) Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine gave his blessing for research work. At the same time, one condition was set that the icon and glass with an imprint were not taken out of the temple, for such an act would be a clear disrespect for the image of the Mother of God.

During the year, thorough research was carried out by employees of the Institute of Forensic Science, the Polytechnic and other scientific institutes. For this purpose, special equipment was brought to the temple. Many scientific hypotheses were expressed by scientists, however, it was found that science could neither explain nor reproduce the process that had taken place, since such a phenomenon at that time had not yet been encountered anywhere else. As a result of the study of the miracle by Kyiv scientists, it was found that the light gray imprint of the image on the glass of organic origin is a miraculous reflection of the Face of the Mother of God and the Child, which looks negative on a dark background, and positive on a white one. This is the conclusion of Ukrainian scientists who have at their disposal modern equipment and the latest methods of scientific research. Answers to many questions have not been found, but everyone was unanimous in the opinion that we are talking about one of the miracles of the 20th century. All these exciting events were captured in the video film "The Kiev Miracle" directed by A. Lesovoy, which can still be purchased at the monastery.

The mystery of such signs confuses many skeptics. Why do we always want to get to the bottom of everything, to explain everything? A miracle is a supernatural event, a direct action of the Providence of God in our earthly world, performed by the Lord according to His good will, through the intercession of His Most Pure Mother or the prayers of saints for our spiritual and bodily benefit. The miracle that happened in the Vvedensky Church is a reliable fact that happened in the real world around us. However, this event cannot be explained by any laws of nature known to us. Miracles are performed by God not to strike our imagination, but have the ultimate goal of strengthening faith and helping us correct our lives. St. Philaret of Moscow wrote: “The question may arise, how are some icons made miraculous, while others are not? To this I can answer simply - I do not know. And do not be ashamed to give such an answer. If we cannot explain the many operations and mysteries of nature, how can we be required to be able to explain the operations and mysteries of grace, which are undoubtedly higher and more intimate than the operations and mysteries of nature. Explain how the forces of nature in one and the same plant - lilies, give greenness to the leaf, and whiteness to the flower arising from the green stem? How can one explain how the power of grace extends its action through one chosen object and gives it the advantage of miracle-working, and leaves the other in the simplicity of natural action ... If there were no hidden and inexplicable, what would faith refer to? We believe the hidden and inexplicable, we simply know the open and explained.“

From the history of the church we know that the greatest miracles occur in times of upheaval, as was the case, for example, during the period of the first persecution of Christians. At that time, the Apostles and martyrs performed innumerable miracles of grace. There has never been a period in the history of the Orthodox Church when miraculous phenomena from icons were so numerous and followed one after another, as is observed in our time. For example, the Bar Icon of the Mother of God, which is now in the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, was renewed, and the Boyan Icon (the village of Boyany, Chernivtsi region) began to shed tears. The face of St. Spyridon in the Jerusalem temple and the full-length image of the Savior in the church in Simferopol were imprinted on the glass. Many more examples can be cited, since the miracles sent by the Lord in a mysterious and incomprehensible way through icons are countless and diverse, and give rise to joy and awe in a person from the nearness of the Lord, His participation in our lives.

The day of the appearance of a miracle in the Vvedensky monastery was the beginning of an unceasing holiday, an enduring joy because from now on we, like our ancestors not long ago, have the opportunity to partake of another miraculous image of the Mother of God, this great and inexhaustible source of graces and bounties to the human race. The mercy of God, even manifested in one place, belongs to all. The temple, as if illuminated by its light, was transformed. The display glass was installed in the icon case next to the icon.

On November 22, 1995, a meeting of the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church was held in the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra under the chairmanship of Metropolitan Volodymyr (Sabodan) of Kyiv and All Ukraine. The Holy Synod heard a message from Metropolitan Nikodim about a miraculous phenomenon from the icon of the Mother of God “Look at Humility” in the Kiev Svyato-Vvedensky Monastery and subsequent healings that occurred both from the image itself and from the imprint on the glass. The Holy Synod decided to consider the Kyiv icon of the Mother of God "Look at humility" - miraculous, with the celebration in her honor on September 16/29. Every year, July 19 / August 1, on the day of memory of St. Seraphim of Sarov, the day of the miracle is also solemnly celebrated in the monastery.

Candles are lit in front of the icon, they kneel, they reverently venerate it, asking for grace-filled help in all life's hardships. Since ancient times, there has been a custom to decorate the Holy icons with salaries - rizas. The beauty of the salaries of the Mother of God icons speaks of the richness, purity and holiness of the soul of the Mother of God, adorned with many spiritual gifts. This is evidence of a special love and veneration for Her in the Orthodox people, for constant prayers to the Lord for salvation, enlightenment and purification of human souls. The setting of the miraculous icon is distinguished by special craftsmanship and beauty of execution. The finest filigree ornament covers the field of the icon, leaving the figures of Christ and the Mother of God open.

The presence of a miraculous icon in the temple spreads a special grace. The main reason for venerating the image as miraculous has always been the certified gift of specific help, be it healing, salvation, etc. One of the first confirmations of the miraculousness of the image was the case of the healing of a young woman who fell ill with hepatitis (jaundice) at a time when she was preparing to become a mother . The doctors who monitored the patient were unanimous in their opinion that the disease would have a detrimental effect on the health of the baby, so they demanded that the pregnancy be terminated immediately. But the young woman, being a believer, was afraid to take upon herself the sin, to commit murder in the womb of her own child. For three days she prayed before the image of the Virgin, praying for help. Soon, repeated tests were made, which showed the absence of the hepatitis virus in the blood, which meant a sudden suspension of the disease. The born girl was completely healthy, and hegumen Damian christened the baby in the Presentation Church.

But most importantly, the icon brings spiritual healing, it helped many people to return to the temple, to attend services, to confession and communion. The news of the grace-filled help of the Queen of Heaven quickly spread not only throughout our city, but throughout the country. Pilgrims from all over the world began to flock to her. Guests from abroad, Catholics and Protestants, also come here to honor the Orthodox shrine, and remain deeply moved by the meeting with the miraculous icon.

Many parishioners have the opportunity to purchase holy oil from the miraculous icon. The anointing with oil from the icon imposes on us the obligation to be merciful in our actions. Holy oil also has the gift of bodily healing. And a clear confirmation of this was the case of the healing of a boy from Boryspil, who received 60 percent of the body burn.

Every day in the church during divine services, hymns are sung, praising the greatness and glory of the Mother of God. At the end of the liturgy, after the prayer beyond the ambo, the canon “paraklisis” is read before the icon of the Mother of God. “Theotokos and Mother of Light” is proclaimed before the miraculous icon. On Friday, according to the 6th ode of the canon, the akathist “The Unbrideed Bride” is read at Matins, and a part of the akathist is read before the miraculous icon for the Praise of the Most Holy Theotokos before the miraculous icon. It has become a tradition, on Sundays, after the liturgy, to perform prayer singing with the reading of an akathist dedicated to the icon "Look for humility."

There are more than 20 akathists to the Mother of God, some of them relate to events from the grace-filled life of the Mother of God, others were written in honor of some of Her miraculous icons. Akathists to the Annunciation and Dormition of the Mother of God were the first to be composed in Constantinople. The further development of this type of Orthodox church hymnography is connected with the historical existence of the Russian Church. An akathist composed by Archimandrite Damian and Priest Anatoly Sheremetiev was also dedicated to the Kyiv miraculous icon “Look for Humility”. The Most Pure Mother of God is glorified by prayers and the singing of an akathist, and in miraculous words one can hear not only admiration for Her, but also joy because our city is not forgotten by the Queen of Heaven and that it again has a good Intercessor, reliably protecting its peace.

In recent years, the miraculous icon has stayed by invitation in many places in Ukraine and Russia. And wherever she was, the power of the grace of God from this holy icon was manifested in the healing of the sick, which the Mother of God gave from her multi-healing image. The icon made its very first journey in Zaporozhye, where the first church-secular conference dedicated to the 2000th anniversary of the Nativity of Christ took place, not only in our country, but also in the world, which was called “If possible, be at peace with everyone.” For the delegation from Kyiv, which was headed by Metropolitan Vladimir of Kyiv and All Ukraine, Motorsich Airlines provided a special aircraft, the flight of which did not take place at the appointed time due to unfavorable weather forecast. Due to a snowstorm, the Zaporozhye airport also did not accept the plane. The participants of the conference, including the Governor of Zaporizhzhia A.S. Golovko and prominent businessmen, were offered to make their journey by train, but in this case the delegation would not have had time to start the forum. “Let’s fly, the Most Pure One is with us,” said His Beatitude Vladyka. And in the evening, at 18 o'clock, the plane still took off. The flight was successful despite the bad weather. The Most Pure One herself accompanied her icon, and the plane landed safely in Zaporozhye, where the shrine was solemnly received by the Archbishop of Zaporozhye and Melitopol Vasily, the episcopate and numerous believers. In the morning, a prayer service was served before the icon, and the conference solemnly opened, at which the miraculous icon itself was a symbol of peace and love.

On the same day, airport workers said that they had witnessed a phenomenon that they had not had to deal with until today. Radars that monitored the flight of the aircraft, in which the miraculous icon was located, showed that the airliner was flying in an air corridor, around which the elements were raging. Participants of the event fully confirmed this story.

In Zaporozhye, the Miraculous Icon visited all the churches of the city and many churches of the region, where she bestowed special communion with herself and performed many miracles. So, a woman who suffered from toxicosis during pregnancy received healing from the icon. Then, in Volnyansk, a blind woman was healed, who was usually taken to church by her granddaughter. Having kissed the icon, the woman turned to the people with the words: “People, now I see you all!”

The trip around the Kyiv and Chernigov regions was marked by the joyful expectation of a meeting with the revered image of the Mother of God, which pilgrims were waiting for in many churches, sketes and monasteries.

Memorable was the journey of the miraculous icon around the Yelisavetgrad diocese at the invitation of Archbishop Vasily of Yelisavetgrad and Alexandria. The icon's visit to this diocese was also marked by numerous healings, and people who suffered from hand diseases received special grace.

Bishop Job of Kherson and Taurida expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Vicar of the Holy Vvedensky Monastery, Archimandrite Damian, for the opportunity to visit the Kherson diocese with the icon, which contributed to the spiritual well-being of the diocese and protection from schismatics. For almost a month, the miraculous image stayed on the Volyn land, which occupies a vast territory and includes several dioceses. Invitations were received from Bishop Simeon of Vladimir-Volyn and Kovel, Archbishop Nifont of Lutsk and Volyn, and Archbishop Bartholomew of Rivne and Ostroh. During this time, the icon visited over 300 churches in various parts of the region.

In October 1998, the believers of the Dnepropetrovsk diocese had great joy to see the image of the Mother of God on the glorified miraculous icon. Here she was at the invitation of the Archbishop of Dnepropetrovsk and Pavlograd Iriney. The icon visited all the main churches, in which a huge number of Orthodox Christians gathered during this period, with one single desire, at least to see the shrine.

“By the end of the stay of the holy image in our city, people really understood what a great mercy of the Mother of God it was. It is not only that a multi-colored rainbow shone very brightly over the cathedral, there was another radiance - in the hearts, human souls, ”said Archbishop Irenaeus. The stay of the Icon in the Dnepropetrovsk diocese was widely covered in the press, as well as those miracles and healings that were sent down by the Grace of God. So, Father George, rector of the church in honor of St. Prince Vladimir Equal to the Apostles, said that on the day when the icon was brought to the church, the weather was very bad, it was raining with sleet, and only there was not a cloud over the church.

All the people flowing to the Icon, exhausted from adversity, having lost faith in their own strength, came to the last hope and received God's Grace. The inflammation on the girl's arm disappeared after vaccination. Parents attached a copy with the image of the Virgin to the miraculous icon and then wrapped their hand with this copy.

Solemn was the completion of the stay of the miraculous image “Look for humility” in the diocese. Not a single person was left without consolation, the believers with honor and gratitude were able to send the icon to Kyiv.

She still has a long way ahead, she is invited to Russia, to Belarus, and perhaps, “... this icon will indeed accomplish a great holy enlightening mission among the peoples of Holy Rus', which began in unshakable unity and remains spiritually so to this day,” said the Archbishop Dnepropetrovsk Iriney.

Usually in winter, the icon stays at home, in the temple, in which she showed a miracle to everyone. From early morning until late at night, while the temple is open, people constantly come to the icon with their troubles and joys, stand in front of the Icon for a long time, trustingly addressing the Heavenly Intercessor, as if they were their own mother, confiding their secrets to her and hoping for her intercession and warm participation. And the enlightened faces of many say that they are leaving with hope and consolation, in order to return here again soon, because they are sure that the Mother of God is ready to listen and give Her help to those who ask Her about it. Over time, such a tradition developed, before starting an important work, to come to the miraculous icon for the blessing of the Mother of God on one's labors. The immeasurable grace of the Virgin Mary is expressed in response to the prayer of a deeply believing person who calls to her from the depths of his heart. And as a rule, such a prayer to the Mother of God resonates.

Icon of the Mother of God "Look at humility"

Icon of the Mother of God "Look at Humility" Vvedensky Monastery

Kiev miracle Look at humility About the miraculous icon of the Mother of God

The icon of the Mother of God, called "Look at humility", was revealed in 1420 in the Bezhanitsky region of the Pskov land, on the Kamenny lake.

The circumstances of the miraculous phenomenon are unknown, but it can be assumed that the holy icon was found as a consolation and encouragement to the people of Pskov during a period of great calamity during the reign of Vasily II Dmitrievich: the “pestilence” (famine and epidemic) that then broke out over the Pskov land, and the invasion of the Lithuanian prince Vitovt, who came to conquer the Pskov lands. Then blood began to flow from the right eye of the Virgin. Thus, the Most Pure Virgin gave the people of Pskov a sign - she grieves for them and is ready to rush to help.

There are two testimonies about the holy icon in the Pskov Chronicle. One of them reads: In the summer of 6934 (1426), behind old Kolozh, on Lake Kamen, there was a sign: blood was coming from the icon of the Holy Mother of God, the month of Septevria on the 16th day; this is a sign, show the presence of the filthy prince Vitovt and much shedding of Christian blood y". In another, more complete reference to the miraculous sign from the image, it says: “In the summer of 6934 (1426), the same autumn, there was a sign from the icon of the Holy Mother of God, on Kamen Lake, at Vasily’s courtyard: there was blood from the right eye, and on the place was dripping, where it stood, and blood was flowing on the way, as they were carrying it, from the icon to the ubrus, as they brought the icon of the Most Pure One to Pskov, the month of September at 16. In memory of the Holy Great Martyr Euphemia.

From the chronicle it follows that the icon was transported to Pskov and placed in the cathedral church in the name of the Life-Giving Trinity. They began to make processions with her and offer fervent prayers for an end to disasters. Through the intercession of Bomother, the pestilence ceased.

In memory of this transfer, the celebration of the miraculous icon on this day was established ( September 16/29).

Iconography

Iconographic image of the Mother of God "Look at humility", belongs to the type "Hodegetria" ("Guide").

The type of image of the Hodegetria does not correspond either with the text of the Holy Scriptures or with the akathist of the Mother of God, which gives a certain freedom in deciding the composition of the icon. Therefore, there are options for depicting the Hodegetria, when the Infant can be on the right or left hand of the Virgin, depicted in full growth, or sitting on the Mother’s lap, in her hand she can hold a scroll or an attribute of royal power. The appearance of any version of the image could be separated by whole centuries.

The icon “Look for Humility” depicts the Most Holy Theotokos crowned with a crown. In Her right hand is a scepter, and with her left hand She supports the Divine Infant, standing on Her knees. The Christ Child with his right hand gently touches Her cheek, and with his left hand he holds a small ball - a power, a symbol of power over the world. This version of the icon probably differs from the prototype of the icon of Latin origin, where the Divine Infant raised his hand as an orator (orator), speaking in court in defense of all the unjustly accused and suffering. The name of the Icon comes from the words of the Gospel of Luke "as if looking at the humility of His servant." The Savior, holding the Mother of God by the cheek, turns Her face to those who pray, as if saying: “ Look at the humility of those who turn to You with prayer, who so ask for Your intercession.».

miraculous lists

Unfortunately, the ancient image of “Look for humility” has not survived to this day. In the 19th century, in the inventory of the vestry of the Trinity Cathedral, there is no longer any mention of the ancient icon. Since Pskov in the times described was often subjected to devastating fires, it can be assumed that the ancient miraculous icon of the Mother of God died during one of the natural disasters that befell the cathedral church.

The image of this icon in the Sretensky Church of the Holy Dormition Pskov-Caves Monastery was cell icon of the elder Archimandrite John (Krestiankin). After his repose, this icon was transferred from the cell of the elder to the Sretensky Church.

At present, the list of the icon is located to the right of the altar in Trinity Cathedral of the Pskov Kremlin.

There are few other lists of the icon "Look for humility". One of them, from the end of the 17th century, is located in Kyiv Florovsky Ascension Convent, and the second is placed in the main temple of the Kyiv Holy Vvedensky Monastery(another mosaic image is displayed on the wall of the temple).

List of the Holy Vvedensky Monastery in Kyiv according to legend, it was written by a certain princess who took the schema under the name of Mary. She not only had the talent of a painter, but also carried ascetic feats invisible to the world, for which the Lord honored her with painting the Face of His Immaculate Mother. Women are not allowed to touch the relics, but this icon painter, by special permission of the highest clergy, was granted such a right. She painted the icon with a bone from holy relics, dipping it in paint mixed with holy water, making the Jesus Prayer. After the coup in 1917, the icon ended up in the custody of Archpriest Boris Kvasnitsky. In 1937 he was repressed. Before his arrest, he managed to hand over the icon to his spiritual daughter, the novice of the Vvedensky Monastery, nun Feofania, who kept the shrine for 55 years. When the monastery was dispersed in 1961, the nun Feofaniya and the rest of the mothers moved to the Florovsky Monastery, where for 30 years she kept the holy icon in her cell.

The icon performed its first miracle back in the Florovsky Monastery: healing deaf girl. While the adults went about their business, the baby was waiting for them in the cell. When they returned, they found the child, sick from birth, speaking and hearing. " Auntie breathed on me”, the little one explained as best she could, nodding at the Blessed One.

5 years before her death, the keeper of the icon took the schema with the name of Theodora. And 2 years before his death, in 1992, schema-nun Theodora (†1994) donated the icon just opened Vvedensky Monastery. Thus the Queen of Heaven returned to Her home, bringing with Her into the temple the grace that had rested on Her. The image, installed in a special kiot, attracted many believers with its extraordinary beauty.

In 1993 the icon, which was kept behind glass, was decided to be given for restoration, as the image had become dull. On August 1, 1993, the glass was removed from the icon. It turned out that the icon remained clear, as it had been before, and only the glass covering it became cloudy. On it, strictly along the contour, as if with light chalk strokes, the silhouette of the Mother of God with the Child was imprinted. The image on the glass was a negative: dark places became white, light face, hands, folds became dark. It is noteworthy that it could not be an imprint, since the glass did not adhere closely to the image, but was at a distance from the icon. Everyone who saw the miraculous image on the glass was visited by a feeling of joy.

Nevertheless, distrust of this miraculous phenomenon arose, there were suspicions. They tried to accuse the abbot of the temple of fraud and forgery. Experts came to investigate the display. Scientists from the Kyiv Center for Nuclear Physics took scrapings of plaque on glass, conducted scientific research, trying to find out the composition and nature of this unusual oily coating. After conducting research, Kyiv scientists came to the conclusion that the image on the glass is miraculous, while they could not give a scientific explanation for the miracle that happened. Nuclear physicists gave their conclusion that the composition of the plaque-imprint on the glass of the icon is of an organic nature!

Glass with a wonderful display was installed in the icon case next to the icon. Numerous healings began to occur from the icon itself and from Her imprint on the glass.

Holy Vvedensky Monastery

By the Decree of the Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church on November 9 (22), 1995, the icon of the Mother of God "Look for humility", staying in the Kiev Svyato-Vvedensky Monastery, recognized as miraculous.

One of the first confirmations of the miraculous nature of the image was the case of the healing of a young woman who fell ill with hepatitis (jaundice) at a time when she was preparing to become a mother. The doctors who monitored the patient were unanimous in their opinion that the disease would have a detrimental effect on the health of the baby, so they demanded that the pregnancy be terminated immediately. But the young woman, being a believer, was afraid to take upon herself the sin, to commit murder in the womb of her own child. For three days she prayed before the image of the Virgin, praying for help. Soon, repeated tests were made, which showed the absence of the hepatitis virus in the blood, which meant a sudden suspension of the disease. The born girl was completely healthy, and hegumen Damian christened the baby in the Presentation Church.

Evidence of the grace-filled help to people and the healing of the sick, who turned to the Most Holy Theotokos with prayers, are the numerous decorations of the icon.

In front of the icon of the Mother of God “Look at Humility,” they pray to the Most Holy Theotokos for the gift of humility and repentance both for themselves and for sinners who do not want to repent and therefore suffer from illness and spiritual hardships, for easing the fate of the deceased, for protection from false and crafty teachings . Through the prayers of the Mother of God in front of the icon of Her “Look at Humility”, help is given to all the oppressed, persecuted, desperate, weak in faith, the truth is revealed and slander and slander are exposed, the innocent are justified. Through the intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos, healings from cardiovascular diseases and women's diseases take place. Prayers in front of the icon also help in solving housing issues.

Prayer
Oh, Most Holy Lady, Virgin Mother of God, the highest Cherubim and the Most Honorable Seraphim, the God-chosen Maiden! Look from the height of heaven with Your merciful eye on us, Your unworthy servants, with tenderness and tears praying before Your Most Pure image; do not deprive us of Your intercession and protection of the Sovereign in this earthly journey, many-sorrowful and many-rebellious. Save us in the perdition and sorrow of those who exist, raise us up from the depths of sin, enlighten our mind, darkened by passions, and heal the ulcers of our souls and bodies. Oh, the All-Generous Mother of the Humanitarian Lord! Surprise us with Thy rich mercy, strengthen our weak will to do the commandments of Christ, soften our petrified hearts with love for God and neighbor, grant us contrition of the heart and true repentance, but having cleansed ourselves from the filth of sin, we will be honored with a peaceful Christian death and a good answer in the Terrible and the impartial Judgment of our Lord Jesus Christ, to Him with His Beginningless Father and the Most Holy, Good and Life-Giving Spirit, all glory, honor and worship is due, now and ever and forever and ever. Amen.

Troparion, tone 4
The invincible wall is Your image and the source of miracles, as if Your intercession was given to the city of Pskov from Him, so now graciously deliver us from all troubles and sorrows and save our souls, like a loving Mother.

Kontakion, tone 3
Immaculate Virgin, displaying the face of Your honoring grateful gifts, you accept gifts, help the living and the dead, save our city and country, and bring prayers before your Son, and save us all.

magnificence
We magnify Thee, Blessed Virgin, God-chosen Maiden, and honor the holy icons of Thy wonderful image.

Icon of the Mother of God "LOOK FOR HUMILITY"

September 16/29 - celebration in honor of the miraculous icon of the Mother of God "Look at humility"

History of the icon

The icon of the Mother of God, called "Look at humility", was revealed in 1420 in the Bezhanitsky region of the Pskov land, on the Kamenny lake.

The circumstances of the miraculous phenomenon are unknown, but it can be assumed that the holy icon was found as a consolation and encouragement to the people of Pskov during a period of great calamity during the reign of Vasily II Dmitrievich: the “pestilence” (famine and epidemic) that then broke out over the Pskov land, and the invasion of the Lithuanian prince Vitovt, who came to conquer the Pskov lands. Then blood began to flow from the right eye of the Virgin. Thus, the Blessed Virgin gave a sign to the people of Pskov - she grieves for them and is ready to rush to help.

There are two testimonies about the holy icon in the Pskov Chronicle. One of them reads: “In the summer of 6934 (1426), behind old Kolozh, on Lake Kamen, there was a sign: from the icon of the Holy Mother of God there was blood, the month of Septevria on the 16th day; this is a sign of the presence of the filthy Prince Vytautas and much shedding of Christian blood. In another, more complete reference to the miraculous sign from the image, it says: “In the summer of 6934 (1426), the same autumn, there was a sign from the icon of the Holy Mother of God, on Kamen Lake, at Vasily’s courtyard: there was blood from the right eye, and on the place was dripping, where it stood, and blood was flowing on the way, as they were carrying it, from the icon to the ubrus, as they brought the icon of the Most Pure One to Pskov, the month of September at 16. In memory of the Holy Great Martyr Euphemia.

In memory of this transfer, the celebration of the miraculous icon on this day was established ( September 16/29).

Iconography

Iconographic image of the Mother of God "Look at humility", belongs to the type "Hodegetria" ("Guide").

The icon “Look for Humility” depicts the Most Holy Theotokos crowned with a crown. In Her right hand is a scepter, and with her left hand She supports the Divine Infant, standing on Her knees. The Christ Child with his right hand gently touches Her cheek, and with his left hand he holds a small ball - a power, a symbol of power over the world. This version of the icon probably differs from the prototype of the icon of Latin origin, where the Divine Infant raised his hand as an orator (orator), speaking in court in defense of all the unjustly accused and suffering. The name of the Icon comes from the words of the Gospel of Luke "as if looking at the humility of His servant." The Savior, holding the Mother of God by the cheek, turns Her face to those who pray, as if saying: “Look at the humility of those who turn to You with prayer, who so ask for Your intercession.”

miraculous lists

At present, the list of the icon is located to the right of the altar in Trinity Cathedral in the Pskov Kremlin.

List of the Holy Vvedensky Monastery in Kyiv according to legend, it was written by a certain princess who took the schema under the name of Mary. She not only had the talent of a painter, but also carried ascetic feats invisible to the world, for which the Lord honored her with painting the Face of His Immaculate Mother. Women are not allowed to touch the relics, but this icon painter, by special permission of the highest clergy, was granted such a right. She painted the icon with a bone from holy relics, dipping it in paint mixed with holy water, making the Jesus Prayer. After the coup in 1917, the icon ended up in the custody of Archpriest Boris Kvasnitsky. In 1937 he was repressed. Before his arrest, he managed to hand over the icon to his spiritual daughter, the novice of the Vvedensky Monastery, nun Theophania, who kept the shrine for 55 years. When the monastery was dispersed in 1961, the nun Feofaniya and the rest of the mothers moved to the Florovsky Monastery, where for 30 years she kept the holy icon in her cell.

The icon performed its first miracle back in the Florovsky Monastery: healing deaf girl. While the adults went about their business, the baby was waiting for them in the cell. When they returned, they found the child, sick from birth, speaking and hearing. "Auntie breathed on me"- as best she could, the little one explained, nodding at the Blessed One.

5 years before her death, the keeper of the icon took the schema with the name of Theodora. And 2 years before his death, in 1992, schema nun Theodora (†1994) donated the icon just opened Vvedensky Monastery. Thus the Queen of Heaven returned to Her home, bringing with Her into the temple the grace that had rested on Her. The image, installed in a special kiot, attracted many believers with its extraordinary beauty.

Glass with a wonderful display was installed in the icon case next to the icon. Numerous healings began to occur from the icon itself and from Her imprint on the glass.

Holy Vvedensky Monastery

Evidence of the grace-filled help to people and the healing of the sick, who turned to the Most Holy Theotokos with prayers, are the numerous decorations of the icon.

Material prepared by Sergey SHULYAK

Church of the Life-Giving Trinity on Sparrow Hills

Troparion, tone 4
The invincible wall is Your image and the source of miracles, as if Your intercession was given to the city of Pskov from Him in ancient times, so now graciously deliver us from all troubles and sorrows and save our souls, like a loving Mother.

magnificence
We magnify Thee, Blessed Virgin, God-chosen Maiden, and honor the holy icons of Thy wonderful image.

For the first time, the icon of the Mother of God “Look at Humility” showed miracles of healing upon its appearance in 1420 on Stone Lake in the Bezhanitsy region of the Pskov land during the “plague epidemic” from the epidemic and the invasion of the knights of the Lithuanian prince Vitovt. In the Pskov Chronicle there is a mention of a miraculous sign:
“In the summer of 6934 (1426), the same autumn, there was a sign from the icon of the Holy Mother of God, on Kamen Lake, at Vasil’s courtyard: blood was flowing from the right eye, and it dripped to the place where it stood, and blood flowed on the way, how they took the icon from the icon to the ubrus, how they sent the icon of the Most Pure One to Pskov, September 16, in memory of the Holy Great Martyr Euthymia.
The icon was transported to Pskov and kept in the Cathedral Church of the Trinity. In memory of this transfer, the celebration in honor of the icon was established on September 16 (September 29 according to the new style). However, the ancient image of "Look for humility" has not survived to this day. In the 19th century, there is no longer any mention of the ancient icon that was in the Trinity Cathedral, and, possibly, died during one of the natural disasters. Currently, the copy of the icon is located to the right of the altar in the Trinity Cathedral of the Pskov Kremlin. Few other lists of the icon of the Mother of God “Look at Humility” are known. One of them is from the late 17th century. is still in the Kiev Florovsky Ascension Convent. The second one is currently decorating the main temple in the Kiev Svyato-Vvedensky Monastery (another mosaic image is displayed on the wall of the temple).
The list of the Holy Vvedensky Monastery in Kyiv, according to legend, was written by a certain princess who accepted the schema under the name of Mary. She painted the icon with a bone from holy relics, dipping it in paint mixed with holy water, making the Jesus Prayer. After the coup of 1917, the icon was preserved by the nun Theodora and returned to the Vvedensky church of the monastery after the fall of the godless regime. In 1993, the icon, which was kept behind glass, was decided to be given for restoration, as the image had become dull. On August 1, 1993, the glass was removed from the icon. It turned out that the icon remained clear, as it had been before, and only the glass covering it became cloudy. On it, strictly along the contour, as if with light chalk strokes, the silhouette of the Mother of God with the Child was imprinted. The image on the glass was a negative: dark places became white, light face, hands, folds became dark. Kyiv scientists, after conducting a study, came to the conclusion that the image on the glass is miraculous, while they could not give a scientific explanation for the miracle that happened. Numerous healings began to occur from the icon itself and from Her imprint on the glass. On November 22, 1995, the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church decided to consider the Kyiv icon of the Mother of God "Look at humility" miraculous. The icon was covered with new glass, which was already at a distance from the image. In 2001, the appearance of a miraculous display of the icon on the glass covering It was again recorded.

Prayer of the Mother of God in front of Her icon, called "Look for humility."

Oh, Most Holy Lady, Virgin Mother of God, the highest Cherubim and the Most Honorable Seraphim, the God-chosen Maiden! Look from the height of heaven with Your merciful eye on us, Your unworthy servants, with tenderness and tears praying before Your Most Pure image; do not deprive us of Your intercession and protection of the Sovereign in this earthly journey, many-sorrowful and many-rebellious. Save us in the perdition and sorrow of those who exist, raise us up from the depths of sin, enlighten our mind, darkened by passions, and heal the ulcers of our souls and bodies. Oh, the All-Generous Mother of the Humanitarian Lord! Surprise us with Thy rich mercy, strengthen our weak will to do the commandments of Christ, soften our petrified hearts with love for God and neighbor, grant us contrition of the heart and true repentance, but having cleansed ourselves from the filth of sin, we will be honored with a peaceful Christian death and a good answer in the Terrible and the impartial Judgment of our Lord Jesus Christ, to Him with His Beginningless Father and the Most Holy, Good and Life-Giving Spirit, all glory, honor and worship is due, now and ever and forever and ever. Amen.

Icon of the Mother of God Look at humility - what helps

An interesting miraculous image, ancient, but updated in our time thanks to a miracle, is the icon of the Mother of God “Look at humility”. Learn about help from the icon and wondrous signs.

Icon of the Mother of God Look at humility - the help of the Virgin

Among the icons of the most common type of "Hodegetria" - "Guidebook", the icon of the Mother of God "Look at humility" is considered an interesting miraculous image. It has unconventional interesting features, which, however, are within the canon. The history of the image is interesting: it has been venerated since the 15th century in the Pskov region, but after a few centuries a new wave of veneration of this iconographic type arose: the Kyiv list of the icon, located in the Holy Vvedensky Monastery of the ancient city, became famous. So the image, which has an ancient origin, became widely known.

The meaning of the icon

Many images of the Virgin have been painted over the centuries. Her first icons, according to Holy Tradition, were created by the holy apostle and evangelist Luke, a physician and icon painter. He painted three main iconographic types of images of the Mother of God: Hodegetria (translated into Russian - the Guide or Pointing the Way), Eleussa (Gracious, Tenderness), and Oranta (Intercessor). Type - these are icons united by one composition, clothing and pose of the Virgin and the Divine Infant. According to legend, the Evangelist Luke painted 70 icons (most likely, this is a legend). He painted from nature - that is, the Mother of God herself posed for the icons - and on the boards from the table at which the Last Supper took place, the last supper of Christ with the apostles on earth, when He established the Sacrament of Communion.

Most likely, the icon painter and evangelist Luke created only a few icons of the Mother of God, but many iconographies of the Virgin appeared on their basis: each icon with a separate name has differences in composition, the pose of the Mother of God or the Infant, their clothes. Recall that each icon, which has its own name, is miraculous. This means that through prayers to the Mother of God, miracles are performed through this icon, which are documented and recognized by the Church.

The image of the Most Holy Lady “Look for humility” belongs to the iconographic type “Hodegetria” - in Russian this Greek word is translated as a Guide or Pointing the Way. Type - these are icons united by one composition, clothing and pose of the Virgin and the Divine Infant. There are three main iconographic types, the creator of the first icons of which is considered to be the holy apostle and evangelist Luke. The iconographic type of Hodegetria also includes many other miraculous icons, for example, Tikhvin, Smolensk, Kazan.

The theological meaning of the icon “Look at humility” is similar to other images of the Hodegetria. The Mother of God, with a gesture of her right hand, points to those praying to Christ, Who is the Way, Truth and Life. She reveals to people the Royal Divine Infant, showing that only through faith in Christ can one find the true path of life, the road to the Kingdom of Heaven. And the earthly path must be passed with dignity in order to achieve salvation.

In addition, the Mother of God Herself represents the road to God. She becomes a companion for people through prayers to Her; She is also the bridge that connected man and God, because it was through Her that the Lord assumed human nature.

Iconography of the image

Since the type of Hodegetria, like others, allows a number of additions, many images were created on its basis, including the icon of the Virgin “Look for humility”. But her image sometimes changes somewhat in different temples.

The main sign of the icon is the royal clothes of the Mother of God and the Child, the presence of a crown on the head of the Virgin and its absence on the head of Christ.

The little Christ with his right hand usually touches the Mother's cheek, as if turning Her to those praying in front of the icon, calling on Her to help people.

The baby can be placed both on the left and on the right hand of the Blessed Virgin, He sits on his knees or stands, holding in his hands a sphere with the letters "IS XC" (Jesus Christ) or a scroll, symbolizing the stay of the fullness of knowledge in the hands of God and hidden from people purpose: after all, no one except the Mother knew that the Infant Jesus is the Son of God, who came into the world to save all people.

In the right hand of the Mother of God is a scepter - a symbol of royal power, with her left hand she holds the Divine Infant.

It is important that both the Theotokos and Her Divine Son hold the symbols of power, as if ruling the universe together, sharing the Divine glory. However, only the Virgin Mary is crowned with a crown - perhaps, the icon painter, by divine inspiration, emphasized the importance of the personality of the Virgin Mary for the entire human race: of all people, it was Her virtues and birth from the righteous, who endured many sorrows for Her parents, who were rewarded by God with the dignity of the Mother of His Son. While the Little Christ was growing up, it was his Mother who was the support of the Lord Himself: this is reflected in the pose of Christ, who usually stands on straight legs on the icon “Look for humility”, and does not sit, as is usually depicted on icons such as Hodegetria.

The meaning of the name of the icon

The name has several meanings:

The Great Lord in the Holy Trinity contemplated (from Church Slavonic - looked at a person and fulfilled a prayer) the humility and meekness of the young Virgin Mary, virtuous and obedient to the commandments of God.

Humility is a virtue that means acceptance of God's will for oneself. The Lord expresses it in the circumstances of life. But at the same time, we can ask the Lord to ease our suffering and difficulties, most importantly - not with a rebellious, but with a humble heart. Therefore, we ask the Lord and His Mother to “look at our humility, our difficulties” and help us. It is also worth praying for a calm, humble acceptance of difficulties and life circumstances at the icon “Look for humility“.

Finally, the name of the icon refers the worshiper to Psalm 30, translated into Russian: “I will rejoice and rejoice, thanks to Your mercy, because You, Lord, looked (looked) at my humility, saved me from disasters.” This means that the Lord saves a person in trouble, sees him always. In addition, the symbols of royal power in the hands of the Virgin and Christ refer to this meaning: the fate of the world is in the hand of the Lord, and He will always help the needy and repentant.

History and meaning of the icon

According to legend, the icon "Look at humility" was revealed, that is, it showed its miraculous properties in Pskov. In 1420, during a pestilence, an epidemic of an unknown deadly disease, and famine due to this misfortune, the people of Pskov, led by the clergy, prayed a lot during divine services. It was noticed that from the eyes of the image of the Mother of God, who was in a certain small temple on Stone Lake, bloody tears flowed. People understood that the Mother of God Herself sympathizes with them and will help them in trouble. Indeed, when the image was transferred to the Sato-Troitsky Cathedral of the Pskov Kremlin and they made a procession with it around the city walls, the spread of the disease stopped, many patients were healed.

After such miraculous help, the day of remembrance of the icon of the Mother of God "Look for humility" was established - September 29th.

On this day, the image is taken to the middle of each Orthodox church. On the eve of September 28, the All-Night Vigil is performed, on the very day of the holiday - the Divine Liturgy, short prayers are read at both services - troparia and kontakions to the icon of the Mother of God “Look for humility”. They can be read online or by heart at any time, with life's difficulties.

Your image has become an indestructible wall and a source of miracles, which in ancient times through it Your intercession to the city of Pskov You gave Thou, Mother of God, so now graciously deliver us from all troubles and sorrows and save our souls, Loving Mother of the human race.
Immaculate Virgin, You always accept grateful prayers before the image of Your face, help the living and the dead, save our city and country, and bring prayers to Your Son, saving us all from troubles.

It is known that after the 19th century, information about the original image disappeared from the documents describing the property of the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Pskov. Perhaps the miracles of the icon were forgotten, having removed the aged image due to inattention. Perhaps the image died in one of the many fires in Pskov.

A number of lists have come down to us on Pskov land - one of them was in the cell of Archimandrite John (Krestyankin), the elder of holy life, confessor of the Pskov-Caves Monastery, famous throughout the country for his miracles and wise instructions. After his death in 2006, this list is in the same Trinity Cathedral of Pskov.

New miracles icons

Another copy of the icon became famous in the 20th century in Kyiv. Here, in one of the women's monasteries, in the 19th century there lived a certain princess who became a monk with the name Maria. She did not emphasize her high origin in any way, on the contrary, she lived in ascetic deeds, standing out only for the talent of icon painting. She created a list of the image “Look at humility”, using part of the holy relics and diluting the colors with holy water, she wrote the icon with unceasing prayer. The Mother of God herself especially blessed this image: those who prayed before it received consolation and healing. It is difficult to look at this icon without spiritual awe: the eyes of the Mother of God seem to pierce the soul; from whatever point of view they look at the Blessed Virgin - Her eyes are fixed on the beholder.

In 1917, with the beginning of the revolution and the persecution of the Church, the pious resident of Kiev, the priest Boris Kvasnitsky, who gave the miraculous image to the nun Theophania before his arrest, hid the icon “Look at Humility”. She guarded it for more than 55 years - the image stayed in several Kyiv monasteries, including the women's Frolovsky, where a deaf-mute girl was healed by prayer in front of the icon - and then, according to the will of schema-nun Feofania, was transferred to the Holy Vvedensky Monastery. This happened around 1993-1994.

In 1993, the abbot of this monastery decided that the icon needed to be restored: the colors of the image became cloudy. Having called for restorers, the priests removed the glass from the icon. What a surprise it was when it turned out that on the glass that covered the icon, but did not come into contact with it, there was an imprint of the image - like a negative, a black-and-white image or an engraving on glass.

It was obvious that a miracle had been revealed - however, there were also skeptics who believed that the image was man-made. Then scientists were invited directly to the monastery, the glass with a miraculous imprint was given for examination, which lasted several years. The following is known today:

The imprint on the glass is not man-made.

The image is of organic origin (the structure of the material, the glass on which it was created has been changed).

The light gray figures of the Mother of God and the Child on a dark background create a negative image, and on a light one - a positive one.
- Already in 1995, the Synod of the Ukrainian Autonomous Church of the Moscow Patriarchate recognized the Kyiv list of the icon “Look for Humility” as miraculous.

The image on glass is stored next to this icon and is transported along with it. The icon as a great shrine is taken for worship to the nearest countries: Belarus, Moldova, Georgia, to many cities of Russia - from St. Petersburg and Moscow to the Urals. The image is worshiped by residents of all countries, despite the tense relations between Russia and Ukraine. They pray to the Mother of God before this icon for peace in Ukraine.

All miracles are documented (with the addresses and contacts of people who have been healed and received other help from the Mother of God), so everyone can be convinced of the miraculous power of the icon.

Also, the image is known for the gifts brought to it - the image of the Virgin across the clothes is covered with jewelry and other brought gifts that hang on it separately. These votive decorations, which abound in the image, testify to the miracles of the Most Holy Theotokos through prayers before Her icon. Votive gifts (from the Latin name for a vow, dedication to the gods - votivus) are any things brought as a gift to God by vow, for the fulfillment of prayer and in gratitude for help. Their tradition comes from ancient sacrifices. But the Lord Jesus Christ does not need bloody sacrifices, as it was in paganism: the Mother of God and Her Son help people free of charge, asking only for life according to the commandments of God, love for other people and union with God in the Church Sacraments. Votive gifts have turned into bringing their things according to the movement of the soul. They shine amazingly in the light of candles at the service. Sometimes, near the icon of the Mother of God, one can see children's toys, jewelry, and military orders - people of all ages and classes thank the Mother of God for her help.

What helps

It is known that the first healed by the Mother of God through the new Kyiv list of the icon "Look for humility" were a pregnant woman and a deaf-mute girl. The girl spoke, and the woman was ill with hepatitis and was afraid of the birth of a seriously ill child - but after praying in front of the icon, she was completely healed of the disease and gave birth to a healthy baby.

The granddaughter brought the blind grandmother to venerate the image - after praying and kissing the icon, the woman regained her sight.

With oil from the lamp that burned in front of the miraculous icon, the parents with a prayer anointed the burns of the boy, who was badly injured in the fire, the wounds healed.

An amazing incident occurred with a drowning little girl: while walking, the child fell into a deep pond, people rushed to help, but could not lift her out of the water. Mother, remembering the miracles of the Virgin through the icon “Look at humility”, fervently prayed to Her - and the girl herself rose unharmed from the water.

Thus, it is known that the image helps parents and children a lot, as well as the sick and the elderly. They also pray to the Mother of God in front of the icon "Look at humility"

When planning a pregnancy;

About the treatment of infertility;

In requests for a particular gender of the child;

About alleviating toxicosis and difficulties in carrying a baby;

About saving a child with a threat of miscarriage;

About overcoming psychological difficulties during pregnancy: fears, depressions, self-doubt, dissatisfaction with one's appearance;

About the correction of fetal defects, the healing of the child in the womb, if the analyzes show deviations in its development;

About safe and timely childbirth;

About the easy transfer of children's diseases by children - measles, rubella;

On the healing of diseases of the female organs;

On the improvement and healing of diseases of speech and hearing;

About justification in case of injustice and slander;

On the strengthening of faith in times of persecution and sorrow.

There is a magnification of the icon “Look for humility”, which mentions the image reflected on the glass, you can read it online in gratitude for the help:

We magnify You, Blessed Virgin, Chosen by God from a young age, and we honor Your holy icon with a wonderful image.

How to pray in front of an icon

You can visit any Orthodox church or purchase an icon for home prayer. This image is revered today, so finding the icon is not difficult.

When praying at home or in a temple, light a church candle bought in the temple in front of the image.

After the prayer, venerate the icon: cross yourself twice, kiss the hand or the edge of the garment of the image on the icon, cross yourself again (kissing the icon means “attaching” to it).

Read the prayer with attention, be in dialogue with the Mother of God, address Her as if she were alive. Tell in your own words about trouble and sorrow, ask for help.

Oh, our Most Holy Lady, the Virgin Mother of God, who is higher than the Cherubim and has more glory than the Seraphim, Chosen by God Himself from a young age! Look mercifully from heavenly heights at us, Thy unworthy servants, with tenderness, diligence and tears praying before Thy Most Pure Image; do not leave us without Your intercession and protection in the earthly journey of our life, full of sorrows and difficulties.
Save us in the midst of danger and death, in grief and trouble, raise us from the abyss of sin, enlighten our mind, darkened by passions and vices, heal our physical and spiritual ulcers.
Oh, Generous Mother of the Lord of God, who loves people and everything that exists! Give us your amazing, marvelous and rich gifts, strengthen our weak will so that we fulfill the commandments of Christ, soften our hardened and hardened hearts with love for God and neighbors, give us true repentance and heartfelt repentance, so that, having been cleansed of sinful dirt, we are worthy of peaceful Christian death and a good answer at the Terrible and impartial Judgment of our Lord Jesus Christ, Whom may we glorify forever with His Father, Beginningless and Infinite, with His Holy, Good and Life-Giving Spirit, worshiping the Most Holy Trinity. Amen.

Through the prayers of the Most Holy Theotokos, may the merciful Lord keep you!