Feodorovskaya icon of God. The icon and prayer of the Feodorovskaya Mother of God helps in what

The Feodorovskaya - Kostroma Icon of the Mother of God was painted by the Evangelist Luke and is close in iconography to the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God.

The icon received its name from the Grand Duke Yaroslav Vsevolodovich (+ 1246), the father of Saint Alexander Nevsky, who bore the name Theodore in holy baptism - in honor of Saint Theodore Stratilates. It was acquired, according to legend, by his elder brother, Saint Yuri Vsevolodovich (+ 1238, comm. 4 February), in a dilapidated wooden chapel near the ancient city of Gorodets - later the Gorodetsky Feodorovsky Monastery was built on that place. Prince Yaroslav-Theodore, who after his death in the battle with the Tatars in the City of Saint Yuri, became the Grand Duke of Vladimir, in the next year, 1239, solemnly transferred his relics from Rostov to the Assumption Cathedral of Vladimir, and blessed his son, Saint Alexander Nevsky, who entered in the same year, married to the Polotsk princess Bryachislava.

Yaroslav-Theodore left a significant memory of himself in Russian history. Almost all the most significant events in the history of Russia in the first half of the 13th century are connected with him, the successor of the glorious traditions of his uncle - St. Andrei Bogolyubsky (Comm. 4 July) and his father - Vsevolod the Big Nest. He inherited Russia, burned and plundered in 1237-1238. Tatars. He raised it from the ashes, rebuilt and adorned it with cities, holy monasteries and temples. He restored the cities of the Volga region devastated by the enemy: Kashin, Uglich, Yaroslavl, Kostroma, Gorodets. The Church of Theodore Stratilates in Kostroma and the Theodorovsky Monastery near Gorodets were founded by him in honor of his Angel. For only eight years he stood at the helm of the great reign, but during this time he managed to direct the country along the only right path at that time - military-political balance with the Golden Horde in the east and active opposition to Catholic Europe in the west. The closest associate and successor of his state affairs was his son, Saint Alexander Nevsky.

The miraculous Feodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God - the blessing of the father - was constantly with St. Alexander, was his prayer image. After his death (the holy prince died on November 14, 1263 in Gorodets, in the monastery founded by his father), the icon, in memory of him, was taken by his younger brother Vasily.

Vasily Yaroslavich was the "little one", that is, the youngest (eighth), son of Yaroslav Vsevolodovich. In 1246, after the death of his father (the prince was poisoned in the capital of Mongolia - Karakorum), five years old, he became the prince of the Kostroma inheritance - the least significant in his father's possessions. But in 1272 God judged him to become the Grand Duke of Vladimir. The four years of his great reign (1272 - 1276) were filled with princely internecine strife, usual for that time. For several years he waged war for Novgorod with his recalcitrant nephew Dimitri Alexandrovich. Therefore, having become the Grand Duke, Vasily did not go to Vladimir, but remained under the protection of the miraculous icon in Kostroma, considering this place more reliable in case of new strife.

He had to defend Russia from external enemies as well. In 1272, during the next Tatar raid, the Russian army set out from Kostroma to meet them. Following the example of his grandfather, Saint Andrei Bogolyubsky, who took the miraculous Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God with him on campaigns, Prince Vasily went into battle with the miraculous icon of Feodorovskaya. Bright rays emanated from the holy image, burning enemies; Tatars were defeated and expelled from the Russian land.

Chronicles say that Grand Duke Vasily had a special love for the Church and the clergy. After the martyrdom during the storming of Vladimir by the Tatars on February 4, 1238, Bishop Mitrofan of Vladimir, for many years the Vladimir diocese remained dowager. This saddened the Grand Duke Vasily. In 1274, with his participation, a large church council was held in Vladimir. The immediate reason for it was the consecration of Bishop of Vladimir Saint Serapion (+ 1275, comm. 12 July), from the Caves abbots, by Metropolitan Cyril III (+ 1282) and the cathedral of Russian saints. The content of the conciliar acts was very broad - it was the first Council in the Russian Church since the time of the Mongol invasion. Many problems and turmoil had accumulated in church life; the Russian Church was just recovering from the disaster that had befallen her. But the main task was the revival of Russian church writing - the restoration of the traditions of the ancient Russian "princely structure". Without books, the salvific work of the Church would not have been possible; they were needed both for Divine services, and for preaching, and for the private admonition of monks, and for the home reading of believers. Through the labors of Metropolitan Kirill, Russian bishops and monastic monks-scribes, this task, which was the most important for the subsequent Christian enlightenment of Russia, was successfully completed. The Council adopted a new edition of the Pilot's Book - the main canonical code of Orthodox church life.

In 1276, Prince Vasily completed his life, the most important milestones of which were overshadowed by the blessing of the Feodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God. He died in Kostroma and found his final resting place there. Since then, the holy icon has been in the Kostroma Cathedral of St. Theodore Stratilates.

The restoration of the memory of the Feodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God and the widespread veneration of her throughout Russia is connected with the events of the early 17th century - the end of the Time of Troubles. In 1613, Mikhail Romanov was blessed with the miraculous Feodorovskaya icon from the Kostroma Cathedral when he was elected king. In memory of this historical event, the universal celebration of the icon of the Theodore Mother of God on March 14 was established. Numerous copies of the Kostroma Feodorovskaya icon appeared, one of the first was commissioned and brought to Moscow by Tsar Michael's mother, nun Martha. Since the second half of the 17th century, the icon of the Feodorovskaya Mother of God with hallmarks depicting events from the history of the miraculous icon has become widespread.

In 1670, Hierodeacon Longin of the Kostroma Ipatiev Monastery wrote "The Tale of the Appearance and Miracles of the Feodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God in Kostroma". Not all the information contained in it coincides with the above, the people's memory has its own chronology, its own laws.

Feodorovskaya icon - two-sided. On the reverse side is the image of the Holy Great Martyr Paraskeva, depicted in rich princely attire. It is believed that the appearance of the image of Paraskeva on the back of the icon is associated with the wife of St. Alexander Nevsky.

The Theodorovskaya Mother of God, revered by the Russian Orthodox Church, is a longtime defender of Russia. The Mother of God on the icon is depicted with the baby Jesus in her arms. In the past, this icon was a prayer image of the legendary Prince Alexander Nevsky and the patroness of the Romanov royal family.

There are several versions of how the face of the Theodore Mother of God was acquired. However, the truth of each of them could not be established, just as it was not possible to disprove their authenticity. According to legend, the Feodorovskaya icon of the Theotokos was painted by the hand of the holy Evangelist Luke. In style, it is similar to the face of the Vladimir icon.

Presumably, the image got its name in honor of the Grand Duke of Kyiv and Vladimir Yaroslav Vsevolodovich, who was the father of the brave and pious Alexander Nevsky. Prince Yaroslav was baptized under the name Theodore in honor of the Christian martyr Theodore Stratilates, who lived in the III-IV century.

According to one of the popular versions, the miraculous face was found by the brother of Yaroslav Vsevolodovich, Yuri (baptized George), in a small chapel near the town of Gorodets. Subsequently, a magnificent temple was founded on that place. The image inexplicably survived during a strong fire, therefore it was recognized as miraculous.

Prince Yaroslav blessed his great son with the icon. Since then, the face of the Mother of God has always been with Alexander Nevsky. The noble prince often turned to him with a prayer, took him on all his campaigns and always won.

After the death of Alexander Nevsky, the image passed to his younger brother, Prince Vasily Yaroslavovich, who, according to the chronicles, had a strong love for spiritual life. The Theodorovskaya Mother of God showed many miracles before the prince, became his protection and symbol of faith. After the death of the prince, the shrine was transferred to the church of St. Theodore Stratilat, located in Kostroma.

The image is very unusual, as it has two sides. On one side is depicted the Mother of God, and on the other side is the martyr Paraskeva. According to some assumptions, the holy face on the back of the icon is associated with the wife of Alexander Nevsky - Alexandra Polotskaya.

Note! The Feodorovskaya icon is one of the main shrines of Russia. The first mention of it refers to the XII century. It is still unknown who and when brought her to the country.

Meaning and miraculous power

The significance of the icon for Russia is incredibly great. Many kings and rulers turned to the Theodore Mother of God. Her face was a family shrine of the legendary Romanov dynasty. Prince Alexander Nevsky always took the miraculous image with him on campaigns.

This face has never been left without prayers. The geography of his pilgrimage is greater than that of any other image of the Virgin. Throughout its existence, the icon has traveled to Moscow, Kostroma, Yekaterinburg, St. Petersburg and other Russian cities.

The Theodorovskaya Mother of God has long been considered the heavenly patroness of women, helping the fair sex in various life situations:

• for young girls who dream of a happy marriage, the Mother of God arranges a meeting with future spouses;
• gives long-awaited children to childless couples;
• helps pregnant women in a safe delivery.

What else does this miraculous face help with. The Mother of God is also often asked for health and healing from a serious illness. The Mother of God helps not only in the birth of babies and recovery, but also in the upbringing of pious children, the establishment of peace in the family and the establishment of mutual understanding between spouses. Each person turns to the model with what excites him most.

Interesting! A large number of cases of the miraculous help of the face of the Theodore Mother of God are known.

A childless couple from the Nizhny Novgorod region dreamed of a child for 7 years, but the spouses did not succeed. They decided to turn to the Mother of God. Every day for one year, the husband and wife prayed before the image, not missing a day. A year later, happiness came to the spouses. They learned that soon there will be a child in their family. Thanks to the help and mercy of the Virgin, they had a beautiful boy.

What prayers to read

Before the Theodore Mother of God, you can read absolutely any prayer dedicated to the Mother of God. However, you should not treat them as some kind of conspiracy or even a spell. Prayer is a secret conversation with God or with the Mother of God. Therefore, we must pray sincerely and from a pure heart. Only in this case can we hope that the petition will be heard.

What do they pray to the Mother of God. You can turn to the Mother of God with absolutely any request that concerns worldly and spiritual life, health, loved ones, spiritual development, the search for truth, cleansing from sin. After reading the prayer, you must definitely thank the Mother of God for her mercy and intercession before the Lord. It is also necessary to ask for the gift of strength to overcome all the difficulties and trials that will arise on the path of life.

If there are not enough words and spiritual experience, then you should not independently come up with the text of an appeal to the Mother of God. You can resort to ready-made prayers from the prayer book.

The akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos has special power, which is recommended to be read before the icon of the Theodore Mother of God daily.

Before reading an akathist, you must:

1. Precisely formulate a request that will be addressed to the Virgin.
2. The petition should not contradict the Christian commandments.
3. Cleanse the soul by confessing and taking communion in the church.
4. Let go of all negative and selfish thoughts.
5. Accept God in your heart and sincerely believe in the help of the Mother of God.

Do not expect that only after one prayer the desired will be fulfilled. Sometimes it can take years for a request to be fulfilled. Perhaps the person is not yet ready to receive what he asks, or perhaps the Lord is testing him to what extent the request is true and desirable.

Prayer for the gift of a child

The Feodorovskaya Mother of God is often approached by married couples who are already desperate to have children. This holy image is able to work true miracles. Thanks to daily conversions, fasting and humility, many couples have received the mercy of the Mother of God in the birth of a healthy child. The Mother of God gave a child even to those spouses who were not able to help modern medicine.

Good to know!: a wonderful life and the meaning of his icon.

Before prayer, you should cleanse your mind and heart, cross yourself and read "Our Father". It is advisable to read a prayer book in front of the face of the Virgin and a lit candle, the flame of which will help to concentrate your attention. The text of the appeal to the Mother of God is best learned by heart. However, it is not forbidden to pray in your own words.

Prayer before the icon of the Mother of God "Feodorovskaya" can also be read by women during pregnancy and before childbirth. It will help to safely endure and give birth to a healthy child. It is necessary to read it daily, without missing a single day.

Note! It is advisable not only to pray daily, but also to attend services in the temple, make pilgrimages to sacred places and dip in holy springs.

Image location

Until 1929, the image was kept in the Assumption Church in Kostroma. After that, the miraculous face was transported to Moscow for restoration. During the restoration work, it was revealed that most of the ancient painting was lost and it would be very difficult to restore it. After the destruction of the Assumption Cathedral, the miraculous face was transferred to the church of St. John the Theologian, and then to the church of St. John Chrysostom.

Today, the original icon of the Theodore Mother of God is kept in the Epiphany-Anastasia convent in the city of Kostroma.

Its authenticity was confirmed by the commission of the museum department of the People's Commissariat of Education of the RSFSR at the beginning of the 20th century. The face of the Mother of God is currently framed with a precious riza made of silver and gilding, which fully corresponds to the high status of the shrine.

Prior to that, he was dressed in a luxurious golden riza with precious stones (diamonds, rubies, yachts and emeralds), made at the expense of donations from the inhabitants of Kostroma.

The miraculous face of the Mother of God does not always stay within the walls of the Cathedral of the Epiphany. From time to time it is brought to various churches of the country so that believers from all over Russia have the opportunity to bow and honor this great shrine. In 2013, the image traveled to Moscow. For several weeks he was on the territory of the Donskoy Monastery. The Epiphany Cathedral in Kostroma, where the original face of the Theodore Mother of God is located, is located on Simanovsky Street.

Important information! Days of veneration of the image: March 27 and August 29. Every believer can bow to the Mother of God in the Kostroma Cathedral at any time of the year.

Photo

A photo of the Theodore Mother of God and a description of this miraculous face can be seen on Orthodox sites. This is an amazing image of the Virgin and Jesus Christ, filled with mercy and love. It pacifies, gives hope and enlightenment. It is necessary to look at him with respect and prayer in the heart, glorifying the great Mother of God.

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Summing up

The Theodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God is one of the oldest and most revered Russian icons. Her age is many centuries. The walls of many Orthodox churches in Russia keep evidence of the miracles created with its help. To date, the original image of the Theodore Mother of God can be seen in the Cathedral at the Epiphany Monastery in Kostroma.

The entire history of the Russian Orthodox Church is inextricably linked with the veneration of icons, especially those that became famous for the miracles revealed through them. They are called miraculous. One of such miraculous images is the icon of the Mother of God Fedorovskaya. This is the oldest image of the Queen of Heaven. Its authorship is attributed to the Evangelist Luke. When and how he got to Russia is unknown, but many legends and traditions are associated with his stay in Russian lands.

The first information about the miraculous icon

The first information about this miraculous icon dates back to the beginning of the 12th century. It is known that it was kept in a chapel near the legendary city of Kitezh, in the Gorodets monastery. This continued until the hordes of Batu passed through the Russian lands. Gorodets, and with it the monastery, were completely looted and burned. The miraculous image also disappeared without a trace. Those who were lucky enough to survive the invasion of the Tatars believed that it was hopelessly lost, but after a while something happened that is now commonly called the first of its known miracles.

By the will of the Creator, having survived in the fire of conflagrations, the image was again revealed to the Russian land. The legends present us with several versions of this event, and they name the names of various historical persons who were the first to take the newly acquired shrine into their hands, but one thing is indisputable - the Queen of Heaven, by the appearance of a miraculous image, testified to her persistent help and support to all who, with deep faith, rely on her.

Finding the image of Prince Vasily

In connection with this event, Prince Vasily Kostroma is most often mentioned. It is said that one day while hunting, he saw the image of the Mother of God in the branches of a tree. With great honor and accompanied by the clergy, the find was transferred to Kostroma and placed in the city church. There were those who immediately recognized in this icon an image that was considered to have died in the fire.

Soon another miracle happened, which served as a reason to name the icon as it is customary today. One day, the astonished inhabitants of Kostroma witnessed how a certain wonderful warrior in the form of the Holy Great Martyr Theodore Stratelit marched through the city, carrying in his hands a recently acquired icon. It was from that time on that she began to be called - the icon of the Mother of God Fedorovskaya.

New disasters and wonders

Further, church tradition tells of new disasters that befell the inhabitants of Kostroma, and of new manifestations of miraculous powers. So, it is mentioned that shortly after finding the icon, the wooden temple where it was located burned down, but when the inconsolable townspeople began to rake up the still smoking ashes, they suddenly discovered a completely intact and undamaged image. And this was not the last case when the icon of the Mother of God Fedorovskaya miraculously remained untouched by fire.

In those days in Russia, buildings were most often built of wood, and therefore fires were not uncommon. After some time, the newly rebuilt cathedral church flared up. When the townspeople rushed to save their shrine from the fire, they suddenly saw how the icon, slowly rising from the fire, hung in the air and was ready to disappear into the sky forever. It became clear to everyone that the Queen of Heaven was leaving them for the sins committed by people. Everyone fell on their knees and tearfully repented before the shrine. Only after that the icon, floating in the air, sank down on the city square.

Saving Kostroma from the Tatars

It is difficult to list all the miracles revealed by the Mother of God through this miraculous image of her. Suffice it to recall how in 1260, when hordes of Tatars again approached the city, the icon saved Kostroma from inevitable death. Carried out of the temple on the hands of the city's defenders, she blinded the enemies with a powerful radiance emanating from her. Enemies mad with horror rushed to run and did not return. By order of Prince Vasily, the icon was installed in the Assumption Cathedral in Kostroma and decorated with a precious riza. She stayed there until 1929. An akathist to the Fedorov Icon of the Mother of God was compiled.

Elevation to the reign of Mikhail Fedorovich

But the most striking event in Russian history, in which the Fedorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God played an important role, was the accession to the reign of the founder of the Romanov dynasty, Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich. It is known for certain that the embassy of the Zemsky Sobor, which arrived from Moscow to Kostroma, with the aim of declaring young Mikhail about the great mission entrusted to him, brought with him two icons - the Mother of God of Vladimir and the icon of Moscow miracle workers.

Residents of Kostroma, having met the embassy with the Fedorov Icon, went to the nearby Ipatiev Monastery, where the future sovereign was at that time with his mother, nun Matryona. It is known how stubbornly mother and son opposed the adoption of the royal scepter, and only by the will of the Queen of Heaven, imprinted on the miraculous icon, their consent was obtained.

It was in front of the Feodorovskaya icon that nun Matryona fell to her knees, blessing her son Mikhail Fedorovich to the kingdom. It happened in the memorable year of 1613. He put an end to a difficult period in the history of the country - the Time of Troubles. From this year began the three-hundred-year countdown of the reign of the reigning house of the Romanovs.

Icon kept by God's providence

In the 20th century, with all its upheavals and troubles, the Fedorov Icon of the Mother of God was preserved by God's providence. How does the Blessed Virgin Mary help people? In what they ask her in fervent prayers. So the Most Pure One saved her image, heeding the prayers of many, many Orthodox Christians who suffered in the era of atheistic theomachism.

Now this miraculous image is kept in the Kostroma Cathedral, and in St. Petersburg, the restored and restored Church of the Fedorov Icon of the Mother of God opens its doors daily. It is located in the center of the city, not far from Nevsky Prospekt, and is always full of people. People come here to pray in front of one of the lists of the icon, also famous for miracles. As it is said in the Gospel, everyone receives according to his faith. The Fedorov Icon of the Mother of God also brings help to true believers.

How does she help and what is it customary to ask her for?

Before this image of hers, the Most Holy Theotokos can be addressed with any requests - the Lady of Heaven will hear them, and if it is her will, she will help. But most often, the prayer to the Fedorov Icon of the Mother of God is offered by women during pregnancy and childbirth. It is especially necessary to ask for her help in cases where, for one reason or another, childbirth can be difficult. As in all cases of life, there is no more reliable support and protection than the Protection of the Most Pure Mother of God and her help, revealed through miraculous icons, one of which bears the name of Fedorovskaya.

FEODOROVSKAYA ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD

Feodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of Godfor three centuries she was the patroness of the Royal House of Romanovs, the sovereign Intercessor of the Russian state. It is this icon that personifies the end of the Time of Troubles and the beginning of the restoration of the Russian state after many years of humiliation and disorder.

According to legend, the Feodorovskaya icon was painted by the holy Evangelist Luke and is close in iconography to the Vladimir one, but unlike the latter, the left leg of the Infant Christ is naked to the knee.

The Feodorovskaya Icon received its name from Grand Duke Yaroslav Vsevolodovich, father of Saint Alexander Nevsky, who bore the name Theodore in honor of Saint Theodore Stratilates in holy baptism. According to legend, it was acquired by his elder brother, Saint George (Yuri) Vsevolodovich, in a dilapidated wooden chapel near the ancient city of Gorodets - later the Gorodetsky Feodorovsky Monastery was built on that site.

It was in this image of the Mother of God that Grand Duke Yaroslav Vsevolodovich in 1239 blessed his son, the right-believing Grand Duke Alexander Nevsky, to marry Princess Bryachislava of Polotsk. This is confirmed by the peculiarity of the Feodorovskaya icon: on its reverse side there is an image of the holy martyr Paraskeva, called Pyatnitsa - the heavenly patroness of the Polotsk princely house.

One of the most significant events in the history of our country is also associated with the name of the Feodorovskaya Icon. On February 21 (according to the old style), 1613, at the Zemsky Sobor in Moscow, Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov, the first Russian tsar from the boyar family of the Romanovs, was elected sovereign of all Russia. The 16-year-old youth was the son of Fyodor Nikitich, (monastic Filaret, the future Patriarch of Moscow), and Xenia Ivanovna (monastic Martha) Romanovs. On March 14, 1613, an embassy from the Zemsky Sobor arrived at the Ipatiev Monastery in the city of Kostroma to notify Mikhail Feodorovich and his mother, nun Martha, of their election to the throne. At the same time, the Feodorovskaya icon was brought to the monastery from the Assumption Cathedral in Kostroma. After much persuasion, the ambassadors of the Zemsky Sobor managed to convince the young Mikhail Romanov and his mother to accept the election to the throne. Nun Martha blessed her son with the Feodorovskaya Iconto the kingdom with the words: Behold, to You, O Mother of God, Most Pure Mother of God, in Your Most Pure Hand, Lady, I commit my child, and if you wish, arrange for him useful and all Orthodox Christianity».

Since that time, the Feodorovskaya icon has become one of the main family relics of Russian sovereigns and their families. Since the end of the 18th century, German princesses, marrying Russian grand dukes and accepting Orthodoxy for this, according to tradition, in honor of the Feodorovskaya icon, received their patronymic Fedorovna. These include Maria Feodorovna (wife of Paul I), Alexandra Feodorovna (wife of Nicholas I), Maria Feodorovna (wife of Alexander III), Alexandra Feodorovna (wife of Nicholas II) and Elizabeth Feodorovna. This tradition dates back to the 17th century, when, in honor of the same icon, the “dissonant” patronymic of Tsarina Evdokia Lopukhina was changed from “Illarionovna” to “Fedorovna”, and when Tsar Ivan Alekseevich married Praskovya Saltykova, they not only changed the patronymic, but also changed the name her father from Alexander to Fedor.

Many members of the royal family, including all Russian emperors, starting with Nicholas I, considered it their duty to visit Kostroma - the "cradle of the Romanov dynasty" - and bow to the miraculous Feodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God. The patroness was especially revered under Tsar Nicholas, and his whole family prayed before her. In Tsarskoe Selo (1909-1912), on the site chosen by the monarch himself, the Feodorovsky Sovereign Cathedral was built in honor of the shrine. At the site of the death of the holy martyrs, in the house of Ipatiev (Yekaterinburg), a list of the Theodore Icon of the Theotokos was discovered, which belonged to the martyr Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna.

Church history has preserved many miracles of updating icons. But with the Feodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God, the opposite miracle happened. Shortly before the abdication of the martyr Tsar Nicholas II, the image darkened and became almost black.

The celebration in memory of the miraculous acquisition of the icon has been known since the 13th century and had a local character. However, starting from 1620, which is associated with the return from captivity of Patriarch Filaret, the royal father, this holiday is fixed on March 14 and immediately becomes very solemn and significant in the royal family.

Under the first Romanovs, the date of the celebration, which fell on the days of Great Lent, was strictly observed and was transferred to other days only in exceptional cases. The celebration of the icon was notable for its splendor, atypical for Lenten services, and was equated with the feast of the Annunciation. It was performed in the Assumption Cathedral, dressed in white robes, and served the all-night vigil and the liturgy of John Chrysostom. From the second half of the 18th century, the holiday began to be moved to the next Sunday, which already reduced its status. In the modern liturgical charter, the celebration of the icon is performed according to the usual Lenten rite.

Twice the Kostroma Cathedral survived the fire, and both times the icon was unharmed.During the second fire, the inhabitants of Kostroma could observe a miraculous phenomenon. When the flame of fire destroyed the temple, the face of the Mother of God was seen above the flame in the air.After these fires, Prince Vasily decided to build a special temple for the Icon of Our Lady Theodorovskaya - the Assumption Cathedral with a side chapel in the name of the Great Martyr Theodore Stratilates. The altar was turned not to the east, but to the north - to the place where the icon was found. The Theodore Icon stayed in this cathedral until 1929.

The genuine Feodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God, fortunately, has not been lost, which was confirmed, surprisingly, by the expedition of the People's Commissariat of Education in 1919. She never left the church walls, prayer never stopped before her. In the recent history of the Russian Orthodox Church, this case can rightfully be called unique. During the years of persecution against the Church, after the closure and destruction of the Assumption Cathedral, it was first kept in the Church of St. John Chrysostom, and then in the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ on Debre.On August 18, 1991, the icon was transferred to the cathedral Epiphany- Anastasiin the cathedral Kostroma diocese.

The icon was repeatedly decorated with precious salaries. At the beginning of the 19th century, at the expense of the inhabitants of Kostroma, a new gold setting was made for the icon, in which precious stones were placed from the previous one. Later, a golden riza weighing about 10 kg was made for the icon. She decorated the icon until 1922, when the riza was requisitioned as part of a campaign to confiscate church valuables. In 1948, Patriarch Alexy I wished to decorate the icon with a new precious robe, worthy of the spiritual greatness of the shrine. Fundraising took several years, and in the spring of 1955, Moscow craftsmen made a silver-gilded setting for the icon. In 2003, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II gave his blessing for the development of the project and the production of an exact copy of the lost precious riza (1891), and the Kostroma diocese began collecting donations.

In 1869 in Church of St. Nicholas in Klenniki Moscow honorary citizen Anna Vasilievna Levina donated a list from the ancient Kostroma icon of the Theodore Mother of God. St. Righteous Alexy (Mechev) greatly honored this image, he used to perform a prayer service before him every Wednesday after Vespers with the reading of the canon. Once, on the eve of the events of 1917, during the service of such a prayer service, tears fell from the eyes of the Queen of Heaven. St. rights. Alexis was shocked by this.

The Monk Ambrose of Optina blessed women who are expecting a child to resort to prayer before the Feodorovskaya Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos. And now women who carry a child in their womb pray before this image of the Mother of God, ask Her help in a safe resolution from the burden, andgirls pray for happiness in marriage e.

Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos before the icon of Her "Feodorovskaya":
Oh, Most Holy Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, the only hope for us sinners! We resort to You and pray to You, as if you had great boldness before the Lord God and our Savior Jesus Christ, who was born of You according to the flesh. Do not despise our tears, do not disdain our sighs, do not reject our sorrow, do not disgrace our hope in Thee, but implore the Lord God with your motherly prayers, may He grant us, sinful and unworthy, to be freed from sins and passions of the soul and body, die to the world and let Him alone live all the days of our life. O Most Holy Lady Theotokos, travel and protect and protect those who are traveling, deliver the captives from captivity, free those who suffer from troubles, comfort those who are in sorrow, sorrow and misfortune, alleviate poverty and all bodily malice and grant everyone everything that is needed for the stomach, piety and temporary life. Save, Mistress, all countries and cities and this city, even if this miraculous and holy icon of Yours is given as consolation and protection, deliver me from famine, destruction, coward, flood, fire, sword, invasion of foreigners, internecine strife and turn away all anger, rightly moved upon us. Grant us time for repentance and conversion, deliver us from sudden death and at the time of our exodus appear to us, appearing to the Virgin Mother of God, and deliver us from the airy ordeals of the princes of this age, vouchsafe the right hand at the terrible Judgment of Christ and make us heirs of eternal blessings, let us glorify forever the magnificent Name of Your Son and our God, with His Father without Beginning, and the Holy, and the Good, and His Life-Giving Spirit, now and forever, and forever and ever. A min.

Troparion, voice 4:
With the advent of Your honest icon, the Mother of God, the God-protected city of Kostroma, rejoiced today, like ancient Israel to the Kivot of the Covenant, flows to the image of Your face and our God incarnated from You, and by Your Maternal intercession to Him ever intercede to all under the shade of Your shelter, peace and great mercy .

Kontakion, tone 8:
Giving thanks to Thy servants, the Theotokos, about everyone, in the image you have done good to our city, from the depths of our souls we cry out to You, and have mercy on us: do not stop, Mistress, Maternal to Your Son and our God, with prayers, give all that is good and saving to everyone with faith and love crying Ty: Rejoice, Virgo, praise of Christians.

According to legend, during the life of the Mother of God, the evangelist Luke painted about seventy of her images, one of which was later called the Fedorov Icon of the Mother of God.

Description of the icon

According to the iconography, it belongs to the “Tenderness” type: the Baby clung to the Mother’s cheek and hugs Her, but there is no smile on Her face, only grief and endless love for the Son, who will be sacrificed for all mankind. The color of the robe of the Mother of God is purple, which symbolizes royal power, and in the Christian tradition, the Passion of Christ. The bare legs of the Infant are reminiscent of His forthcoming suffering.

The Fedorov Icon of the Mother of God has one amazing feature that distinguishes it from other images of the Mother of God: on the reverse side of it is an image of St. martyr Paraskeva Pyatnitsa, who in Russia was the patroness of brides and weddings.

The history of the icon goes back centuries, and over these centuries it has repeatedly shown its miraculous power.

The acquisition of the icon in Russia

From the 1st century AD, when the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos of Fedorovskaya was painted, and until its acquisition at the beginning of the 13th century in the small Russian town of Gorodets, its history is shrouded in darkness. It is only known that when the Mongols burned Gorodets in 1239, the icon disappeared, but after some time it was miraculously acquired by Prince Vasily Kostroma, the younger brother of Prince Alexander Nevsky.

It happened like this: while hunting, Prince Vasily noticed an icon on the branches of a tree, but when he tried to get it, she rose into the air. Surprisingly, at exactly the same time, many Kostroma residents saw an unknown warrior walking through the city with an icon in his hands. This warrior looked like St. Great Martyr Theodore Stratilates, in his honor a cathedral was erected in the city.

A huge procession headed by the clergy moved to the place where the icon of the Mother of God was found. After a long kneeling prayer, it was solemnly transferred to the cathedral church of Kostroma, and the icon was given the name Feodorovskaya in part of the appearance of Theodore Stratilates, the patron saint of warriors.

The meaning of the Feodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God

Shortly after finding the icon, Alexander Nevsky received from his father, Grand Duke Yaroslav Vsevolodovich, a blessing for marriage with Alexandra Bryachislavna, the daughter of the Polotsk Tsar.

During the seven centuries of its stay in Kostroma, the Feodorovskaya Icon has performed many miracles. So, the Kostroma Cathedral, where she stayed, twice engulfed the fire, and both times the flame did not affect the miraculous.

When in 1260 the Mongol army approached Kostroma, threatening the complete destruction of the city, the prince opposed the enemies with the Feodorovskaya icon, which was carried in front of his small squad. Suddenly, in the midst of the battle, the face of the Most Holy Theotokos began to radiate a dazzling radiance that forced the enemies to flee from the battlefield. The lake, not far from which the battle took place, was named St., and on the site of the miracle, the prince ordered to build a cross first, and then a stone chapel.

The Feodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God played a special role in 1613, when the first representative of the Romanov dynasty was called to the kingdom. Only the appeal of the archbishop to her broke the resistance of the nun Martha, the mother of the future Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich, and forced her to give her son a blessing for the reign. Falling to her knees, she turned to the image of the Virgin:

May Your will be done, Lady! I commit my son into Your hands: guide him on the true path, for the good of Yourself and the Fatherland!

Since then, Kostroma has been considered the "cradle of the Romanov dynasty", who regularly went there to bow to the icon, including in 1913, when the 300th anniversary of the royal dynasty was celebrated. It is noteworthy that many foreign brides of the heirs to the throne, who adopted the Orthodox faith, received the patronymic “Fedorovna” at baptism, as a sign that the Mother of God herself acts as their Receiver and Patroness.

Even during the years of Soviet power, the Fedorov Icon of the Mother of God was not touched, which became a unique phenomenon in the recent history of the Russian Orthodox Church, and in the new millennium, believers in many Russian cities were able to bow to her and ask for help.

What helps the Fedorov Icon of the Mother of God

It is traditionally believed that this icon patronizes girls who want to get married and expectant mothers, as well as peace in the family and overcoming disagreements between loved ones. There is especially a lot of information about the miraculous healings of women who could not get pregnant for a long time - after everyday sincere prayers before the Theodore Icon, they were granted the happiness of motherhood.

Prayer icon

To whom will I call, Lady, to whom will I resort in my sorrow; to whom I will bring my tears and sighs, if not to You, the Queen of Heaven and earth: who will cast me out of the mire of sins and iniquities, if not You, O Mother of the Belly, Intercessor and Refuge of the human race. Hear my groaning, console me and have mercy in my sorrow, protect me in troubles and misfortunes, deliver me from bitterness and sorrows, and all sorts of ailments and diseases, from enemies visible and invisible, die the enmity of those who torment me, may I be delivered from slander and human malice ; so free me from your own flesh of vile customs. Cover me under the shade of Your mercy, may I find peace and joy and cleansing from sins. I entrust myself to your motherly intercession; wake me Mati and hope, cover, and help, and intercession, joy and consolation, and an ambulance in everything Helper. Oh wonderful mistress! Everyone flows to You, without Your almighty help does not depart; for this sake, and I am unworthy of you, I resort to you, so that I will be delivered from sudden and fierce death, gnashing of teeth and eternal torment. I will receive the Kingdom of Heaven and I will be honored with You in the tenderness of the heart of the river: Rejoice, Mother of God, Our zealous Intercessor and Intercessor, forever and ever. Amen.