Modern miracles through prayers to the Mother of God. Goalkeeper Uglich (Unquenchable Candle) Icon unquenchable candle prayer
There are two icons with this name. One was revealed on Mount Athos. This is the most famous image of the Mother of God, which is revered not only in Orthodoxy, but also in Catholicism. The Goalkeeper icon is also located in one of the Russian monasteries, but it has a different composition and its own history.
History of the icon
The blessed island keeps many legends. According to one of them, the Mother of God had to leave Jerusalem when Christians began to be persecuted there. On the way to Cyprus, the Blessed Virgin stopped at Athos, which she called one of her destinies. There are several of them:
- Georgia (Iveria);
- Mount Athos;
- Russia (Kievan Rus);
- Diveevo (monastery founded by St. Seraphim of Sarov).
Our Lady has a special relationship with each of these places. For example, many miraculous icons were revealed on Mount Athos. One of them is the “Goalkeeper” icon. She came to the brothers of the Iversky Monastery straight from the depths of the sea in a pillar of fire. For a long time no one could get hold of the miraculous image until they called a Georgian monk - now known as Gabriel the Svyatogorets. He lived in seclusion, ate only herbs, washing them down with water. But one day the Most Pure One herself ordered him to return to the monastery to accept her image.
The monk did just that. After the prayer service, all the brethren went down to the shore, and Gabriel walked straight on the water, and the image moved towards him. The monks solemnly brought the shrine to the altar, but in the morning it ended up at the gate. Thus, the Mother of God showed her desire to protect the monastery and its inhabitants. Since then, the Iveron Icon has been called “Portaitissa,” that is, “Goalkeeper.”
Since that time, the image has been on Mount Athos, but there are also many miraculous copies of it. One of them is in Iveria itself (Georgia). Since the Mother of God was very sad that in one of her destinies people still had not accepted Christ, she decided to send the Apostle Andrew there. As a blessing, she gave him her image - she washed her face, put her face to the board, and miraculously an imprint remained on it.
Where else are miraculous icons kept?
The icon of the Mother of God “Goalkeeper” is also well known in the Diveyevo monastery. A healing spring has been flowing here for many decades. It is located near the chapel in the name of the Iveron Icon. Elder Alexandra dug a spring with her own hands so that the workers who built the Kazan Church for the monastery could drink water.
Here the local population prayed during dry periods and brought babies to bathe them in healing water. Already in our time, a pond was equipped so that you could plunge completely. Water helps against various diseases, as well as those who are possessed by evil spirits.
Meaning and interpretation of the icon
Each image of the Mother of God carries a common meaning - she embodies the unity of the Lord with his children, who are all Christians, regardless of gender, age, or nationality. But there are special blessings specifically for Russia: for example, the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Goalkeeper” (“Unquenchable Candle”). It is strikingly different from the usual iconography of the Virgin Mary.
- The Queen of Heaven stands in monastic robes.
- In her left hand she holds a rosary (an attribute of any monk), as well as a staff. This is a symbol of power and patronage, which can only be worn by bishops (higher clergy).
- In her right hand, the Mother of God holds a candle - a symbol of unceasing prayer.
The icon was discovered at the end of the 19th century. in the city of Uglich. A man came to the monastery there because the Queen of Heaven came to him in a dream. On her orders, he came from St. Petersburg to find an amazing image that was discovered in the closet. The visitor became completely healthy after the prayer service. In memory of this, he ordered an expensive frame for the icon, which is still in the monastery, lavishing healings.
How does the Goalkeeper icon help?
For Orthodox Christians, the Mother of God is like their own mother. They share with her any sorrows and sorrows. When a child is sick, it is necessary to find a new place of work, someone has been unfairly offended, a husband suffers from drunkenness - the “Goalkeeper” icon will help in each of these troubles. It can protect a home from enemies - it is not for nothing that the Mother of God returned her image to the monastery gates several times.
To this day, there is a wonderful lamp in front of the Athos icon: before tragic events, it begins to sway. This also happened during enemy attacks on the monastery, but not once did the Mother of God allow enemies into her monastery. Every believer has the right to count on such protection if he regularly prays and attends church.
According to pious tradition, Orthodox Christians purchase several icons for their home. Among the images, the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary is obligatory; “Goalkeeper” is a good choice. You can especially ask for protection for your home in your prayers, because there we keep all our property, for which we have worked for many years. Of course, the main concern of a Christian should be the achievement of the Kingdom of Heaven, but the Lord does not forbid having things and being a careful owner. The main thing is not to become attached to earthly values, not to make objects of worship out of them.
Where is the best place to hang the Iveron Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos (“Goalkeeper”)?
Based on the name, it is quite possible to place it above the doorway. This is usually done from inside the apartment to avoid theft or even worse - desecration of the shrine. You can glue a cross to the outside of the door itself.
A good place is a shelf in the hallway, right opposite the entrance. When leaving, you can pray in front of the icon, ask for good luck in your business, and sign the cross over your family and home. After returning, you must also cross yourself and thank the Lord for what you have preserved during the day.
There is no particular need to place icons near children's beds - the Lord protects them anyway. But this is not prohibited. The main thing is that the place is appropriate - either a separate shelf or a wall, free from decorations and worldly images. It will be good if a child is taught to pray before going to bed from an early age - an icon will be very useful for this. The main thing is for family members to understand that the power of God comes through prayers, and not through boards.
Prayer to the Goalkeeper icon
O Most Holy Virgin, Mother of the Lord, Queen of heaven and earth! Hear the much-painful sighing of our souls, look down from Thy holy height upon us, who with faith and love worship Thy most pure image. Behold, immersed in sins and overwhelmed by sorrows, looking at Your image, as if You were alive and living with us, we offer our humble prayers. Imams have no other help, no other intercession, no consolation except You, O Mother of all who mourn and are burdened! Help us, the weak, satisfy our sorrow, guide us, the erring, on the right path, heal and save the hopeless, grant us the rest of our lives to spend in peace and silence, grant us a Christian death and appear to us at the Last Judgment of Your Son, merciful Intercessor, yes We always sing, magnify and glorify Thee, as the good Intercessor of the Christian race, with all those who have pleased God. Amen.
What you need to know about the Goalkeeper icon
Icon of the Mother of God Goalkeeper - meaning, what it helps with was last modified: July 8th, 2017 by Bogolub
So, Uglich, Alekseevsky convent, where the miraculous icon of the Mother of God is located - it became the goal of our next journey. This image is famous for its stories of miraculous healings. And the Wonderful Church, in which the icon now brings help and light to those who turn to it, is itself very beautiful.
This Uglich monastery occupied an important place in our travel program. Having left, we simply needed to somehow revive, and perhaps even sanctify, in order to switch our brains to the brighter side of life. 🙂
Alekseevsky is the oldest monastery in the city of Uglich. The monastery was located at the highest point of the city - on a hill where the temple of the Volga pagans - Keremet - was once located. From very ancient times this place was called “Ogneva Gora”.
The monastery was founded in 1371 by the monk Adrian with the blessing of Metropolitan Alexy and consent from Dmitry Donskoy.
Initially it was a men's monastery, and it was then called Uspensky. Later, in honor of the saint, it was renamed Alekseevsky.
All monastery buildings, like the walls surrounding them, were made of wood. It was this wooden fence that protected all possible approaches to the city from the border with Yaroslavl.
Only in 1534 was the first brick temple built here. But in the 19th century it was completely rebuilt. So, practically nothing has survived to this day.
Symbol of architectural perfection - Marvelous Church
In 1609, about 500 city residents and 60 monastic brethren stubbornly defended themselves from the foreign invaders who surrounded the monastery. The defense was long and stubborn.
Angered by such a long resistance, the invaders set fire to the monastery, killing most of those defending the city, and the rest, according to chroniclers, were walled up alive in the basement.
Later, the interventionists were expelled, and the city and the monastery began to come to life. The majestic Assumption Church, erected in 1628, became a monument to the dead Uglich residents. For her amazing beauty, people enthusiastically called her “Wonderful”.
This stunning temple became the first stone structure in Russia after the end of the Time of Troubles, when there was very little money in the state treasury.
Here are wonderful lines from a poem by Olga Berggolts, which was written in 1953:
And the church with all its facets
came out so beautiful that people
gave her his - unshakable - name, -
To this day he calls her “Wonderful.”
All three of her tents rise
so majestic, simple and powerful,
like the reflection of distant dawns
lies on them in the morning,
and in the hour of a thunderstorm
clouds overshadow them.
The building surprises with its unusual appearance: three chapters, like the teeth of a royal crown, are directed upward. This gives the Wonderful Church in Uglich lightness and grace. The temple part itself is small; the refectory church is adjacent to it.
Near the entrance on a hill there is a belfry with small bells.
Shrines that bring you back to life
The icon of the Holy Mother of God Goalkeeper of Uglich or the Unquenchable Candle is sacredly kept in the Assumption Church of the Alekseevsky Monastery in Uglich. On it, the Mother of God is depicted as a nun, holding a candle in her right hand, and a rosary and a staff in Her left.
Entire legends are told about this holy image. After all, until 1894 the icon lay in the church storeroom. In the summer of that year, a merchant arrived from St. Petersburg. Having met with the rector of the church, he said that he had seen the Mother of God in a dream, who told him to go to Uglich and pray to Her icon, promising to heal the merchant from a serious illness.
The icon was found and brought to the temple with great honor. The merchant prayed to her very fervently and after some time he became completely healthy. In gratitude, he made a magnificent silver-gilded chasuble.
From then until now, the icon “Candle of the Unquenchable Fire of the Immaterial” in the city of Uglich has been helping those who with faith and hope turn to it for miraculous help.
More than forty amazing cases of incredible healing are reliably known.
But the amount of gold jewelry that is located near this wondrous icon suggests that there are hundreds of times more cases in which prayers to the Mother of God were heard, and those asking received help, support and healing.
A gift from afar
In addition to the Uglich Icon of the Mother of God “Goalkeeper,” another very revered icon was presented to the monastery at the beginning of the 20th century by monks from Athos. An equally interesting story happened to her.
In the 30s, the monastery was closed, many church relics were sent to the museum. But this image - the icon of St. Nicholas - was hidden. One of the parishioners kept it, and then handed it over to her son for safekeeping.
For many years the young man prayed to the miraculous image, but the time came when he was forced to sell the valuables to an antiques store. The store went bankrupt, and the young man did not receive any money. But he continued to pray, to believe, and on one of his trips in a temple in another city he saw a familiar image to which he had prayed since childhood.
Arriving home, he told the whole story to Mother Magdalene, and together they went to where the icon was found.
It was a Moscow church, and it was the image of St. Nicholas that marked the beginning of its restoration. But on the reverse side there was an inscription that this icon was donated and now belongs to the Alekseevsky Monastery. In such a miraculous way the icon returned to where it was originally.
Temples of the monastery
The small, quadrangular Church of John the Baptist was built in 1681. This is a low, wide building with five domes standing on thin turrets.
In the 19th century, the painting of the temple was updated, so very few original frescoes have survived. But its tiled decoration is considered the best in Uglich!
Alekseevskaya Church was built at the beginning of the 16th century. After the Time of Troubles in the country, it also needed to be restored. It was then that the Epiphany chapel was added to it, and later the refectory. In the 30s of the 20th century it housed an art gallery.
Currently, the monastery has been revived and operates, but only as the Uglich Alekseevsky Convent. Many pilgrims who previously lived on the not very large territory of the monastery received apartments and continue to visit the temples of the monastery. There is an orphanage here where girls live, study, and also receive musical education.
In the monastery courtyard there is a place where until 1917 there was a cemetery. Famous residents of the city and monks were buried there. After the revolution, of course, it was all destroyed and looted. Roses are blooming here now. Throughout the entire territory of the convent, the nuns planted about 1,300 species of rose bushes. So beauty and indescribable aroma reign here!
The active monastery where it is located
The monastery is located at the address: Yaroslavl region, Uglich, Sharkova street, 27.
Coordinates: 57.52603, 38.33118.
We didn't see a service schedule anywhere. We arrived here in the daytime, it was deserted. Only one Assumption Church was opened. Therefore, in silence, we were able to stand near the miraculous icon of the Mother of God, light candles and ask for the most secret things: each for his own.
Come, come. Stay at least a few minutes in this amazing and blessed place!
You can find the Alekseevsky Convent on the map of Uglich.
Well, we are going to the most significant place in the city: the Uglich Kremlin.
Our trip to Uglich took place on July 13, 2016. Other attractions of the Yaroslavl region, where I was able to visit, are on this map.
The custom of placing a candle in front of an icon is very ancient. Everyone knows that this should definitely be done, but not everyone knows about the reasons why this ritual is performed. One of the first divine commands to Moses from the Lord was to build a lamp with seven lamps. And after this, services were often held by candlelight. But the meaning of this is much deeper than just illuminating the place where services were held, although during the period of persecution of Christians, when they had to hold their meetings secretly, the light of a candle really became a guide.
You need to light candles in the temple. After all the flickering light of YOUR candle burning in front of the face of the Savior is your personal communion with God - your mysterious life of the soul, naked before the Lord God...
A candle has several spiritual meanings: it is a voluntary sacrifice to God and His temple, a testimony of faith, a person’s involvement in the Divine light and the flame of his love for the one at whose face the believer places a candle.
When you buy a candle in a temple, it becomes your voluntary offering, a symbol of your faith and love.Thanks to the purchase of a candle, we do not put money in the priest’s pocket, but give it to the needs of the temple - repairs, payment for heating, electricity, etc. By buying candles, we help the existence of the temple of God on earth. And this is already a sacred matter.
Church lamps
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Church candles are usually placed in candlesticks on a high stem, which are placed around the church near the holy icons.
Church lamps are different. Candlesticks of all types, in addition to practical purposes, symbolize that spiritual height, thanks to which the light of faith shines on everyone in the house, on the whole world.
Chandelier(multi-candlesticks, translated from Greek), descending into the central part of the temple, with many of their lights mean the Heavenly Church itself as a collection, a constellation of people sanctified by the grace of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, these lamps descend from above into that part of the temple where there is a meeting of the earthly Church, called to spiritually strive upward, to its heavenly brothers.
The Heavenly Church illuminates the earthly Church with its light, drives away the darkness from it - this is the meaning of the hanging chandeliers.
What does a church candle mean?
A church candle is a symbol of prayerful burning before the Lord, His Most Pure Mother, before the holy saints of God,a sign of voluntary sacrifice to God and His temple and a symbol of a person’s involvement in the divine light.
The 15th century liturgist, Blessed Simeon, Archbishop of Thessalonica, explains the symbolic meaning of the candle: “pure wax means the purity and innocence of the people bringing it. The softness and pliability of the wax shows our readiness to obey God, and the burning of a candle symbolizes the deification of man, his transformation into a new creature and purification by the fire of Divine love.”
A burning candle is a visible sign that expresses ardent love and goodwill towards the one to whom the candle is placed. This is actually a sacrifice, a spiritual act, your personal prayerful connection with God. And if there is no this love and favor, then the candles have no meaning, the sacrifice is in vain. Therefore, you cannot light a candle formally, with a cold heart. External action must be accompanied by prayer - at least the simplest one, in your own words. You don’t want your loved one to shove something in your face and then run on in a hurry. So it is before God. You have ten minutes, buy a candle, light it, place it in front of the icon and spend the remaining five minutes with God, with the Blessed Virgin Mary or with the saint to whom you are praying. Talk to the Lord, complain, cry to Him. He will accept any prayer, the main thing is that it is sincere, from a pure heart.
What does the candle placed in front of the icon symbolize?
The light in an Orthodox church is an image of heavenly, Divine light. In particular, it signifies Christ as the Light of the world, Light from Light, true Light, which enlightens every person coming into the world.
The fire of a candle symbolizes eternity, a prayerful appeal to God, to the Mother of God, to the saints. The fire always rushes upward, no matter how the candle is tilted, so a person, in any life circumstances, must turn all his thoughts and feelings to God.
On what occasions are candles lit in church?
Candles are lit for health and peace. “For the repose” are usually placed in the church on a special memorial table - the eve - in front of which or on which the Crucifix is placed. This is the only place in the temple where candles are lit for the repose.
It is advisable, if you light a candle for the departed, to say a prayer to yourself “Remember, Lord, Your departed servant (name) and forgive his sins, voluntary and involuntary, and grant him the Kingdom of Heaven.”
You can light one candle for everyone you remember, or you can light it for each one separately.
The deceased for whom you pray must be baptized, inveterate according to the canons of the Church and, accordingly, not suicides or other people for whom you cannot pray in church (Satanists, active heretics, fighters against God, etc.). If a person was Orthodox, albeit of little faith, one can and should pray for such a person. This rule, in addition to, of course, suicides, also applies to the living.
Candles for health They are lit anywhere in the temple, except for the eve, and are placed for various reasons: in gratitude for something, to help with a difficult decision, before a serious trip, a risky undertaking, and so on.
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When praying for ourselves or for the health and well-being of our loved ones, after lighting a candle, we must definitely invoke the name of the saint or saint in front of whose icons we place candles.
For example: “Most Holy Theotokos, save us!” or “Reverend Father Sergius, pray to God for me and for the servants of God (name)”
You cannot light a candle for the remission of sins. Candle - this is a symbol, in itself it does not absolve from sins . Sins are forgiven only at Confession after a sincere, detailed confession of all of them in the presence of a priest and the reading of a prayer of permission to him.
How to properly place candles in a temple?
Ideally, it is advisable to come to the temple in advance - before the service, in order to have time to buy candles, light them, give notes to the altar, and then calmly stand at the service, prayerfully delving into it, without distracting either yourself or others. Not good disturb the decorum of the temple, passing candles during a service or squeezing into a candlestick, distracting those praying. Those who are late for the service should light candles after it ends.
Approaching the candlestick, you should cross yourself twice and bow to the shrine (usually with a bow from the waist).Candles are lit from one another , burning, and place it in the candlestick’s nest. The candle should stand straight without falling. You should not use matches or lighters in the temple. , if there are already burning candles in the candlesticks. You should not light a candle from a lamp so as not to drip wax into the oil or accidentally extinguish the lamp.
If there is nowhere to put the candle, you can put it on a candlestick. Those who put two candles in one cell or remove someone else's candle to put their own do it wrong.
To renounce earthly things, look for a while at the flickering flame of a candle, calm down, forget about worldly things and read the prayer mentally or in a whisper . The main thing is prayer. Read from the heart, it will reach the Lord and be properly accepted by Him.
Before without haste to leave, sign yourself with the sign of the cross and bow.
It may happen like this: the candle you just lit was extinguished by a church minister for some reason. Do not be indignant not only in word, but also in spirit. Your sacrifice has already been accepted by the All-Seeing and All-Knowing Lord.
In the temple one must follow the established order, and not do as one pleases.
Who should light candles and how many?
The question often arises: which icons and which saints should we light candles for? There are no mandatory rules about where and how many candles to place. Their purchase is a voluntary sacrifice to God. First of all, it is good to light a candle to the “holiday” (central analogue) or to a revered temple icon, then to the relics of a saint (if they are available in the church), and only then - about health (to any icon) or about repose (on the eve - square or rectangular table with a Crucifix). They often light candles for their patron saints.
Candles for health are usually lit for the Savior, the Mother of God, and saints to whom the Lord gave the grace to heal illnesses. They also often pray for the health of the sick and light candles in front of the icon of the great martyr and healer Panteleimon.
If the required icon is not in the church, then you can put a candle in front of any image of the Lord, the Most Holy Theotokos, or in front of the icon of All Saints and say a prayer. You can pray in your own words, as long as they are sincere.
Anyone who wants to receive anything from the Lord or from the saints must not only pray them, but also to build your life according to the commandments . Through the Gospel, God appeals to everyone with a request to be kind, loving, humble, etc., but people often do not want to listen to this, but themselves ask Him to help them in business.
For prayers to be successful, You must pray with words coming from the heart, with faith and hope for God’s help. And it should be remembered that not everything that a person asks from the Lord is useful for him. The Lord is not a machine that fulfills all desires; you just have to press the right button, that everything He sends is aimed at the benefit and salvation of the soul, although sometimes people think this is unfair.
Remember: the candle you light in the temple is your personal worship.
Church of the Life-Giving Trinity on Sparrow Hills
Descriptions of the icon
Description of the Goalkeeper icon
Source: Disc "Orthodox Church Calendar 2011" by the Moscow Patriarchate Publishing House
On the icon “Goalkeeper” (“Unquenchable Candle”) the Most Holy Theotokos is depicted as a nun with a rosary and a staff in her left hand and a candle in her right. The miraculous image was located in the Alekseevsky Monastery in the city of Uglich, Yaroslavl province. Until June 23, 1894, the holy icon was in the monastery's storeroom. But after one sick visitor from St. Petersburg approached the abbot of the monastery, telling him about the Mother of God who appeared to him in a dream and commanded him to go for healing to Uglich, where Her holy icon was located, and to pray before it, the image was treated with great honor and triumph. moved to the Assumption Church of the monastery. Having prayed before the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, the patient received complete healing. In gratitude for this, he donated a silver gilded robe to the icon. Since then, healing and consolation were given to everyone who resorted to the Queen of Heaven with faith in Her intercession before God.
Icon of the Goalkeeper (Unquenchable Candle) - description
Source: Website "Miracle-Working Icons of the Blessed Virgin Mary", author - Valery Melnikov
This icon should be distinguished from the Iverskaya icon, which is also called the Goalkeeper. This same icon is sometimes called the Uglich icon, since it became famous in the Alekseevsky Monastery in the city of Uglich in 1894. On June 23 of this year, a St. Petersburg merchant arrived in Uglich, who had been suffering from a serious illness for a long time. The merchant told the abbot that the Mother of God appeared to him in a dream and ordered him to go to Uglich, where he should pray before Her icon. Since the merchant described in detail the image of the Mother of God in which She appeared to him, the required icon was found very quickly. She was in the monastery's storeroom. At the direction of the abbot, the image was solemnly transferred to the Assumption Church of the monastery, and the sick merchant, having prayed in front of the image, was immediately healed. In gratitude for his miraculous cure, the merchant covered the icon with a gilded silver robe.
Description of the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos Goalkeeper (Unquenchable Candle)
A candle of unquenchable fire of immaterial fire (goalkeeper). One day the robbers decided to rob the monastery. They began to follow him and saw that the watchman with a lit candle walked around the outside of the monastery every evening. And after some time they came to the monastery to repent (fear suddenly attacked them). The abbess knew that their watchman never walked around the monastery, especially with a candle, and she realized that it was the Mother of God herself who protected their monastery. In 1894, a peasant dreamed of this icon so that he would pray in front of it and get well. The image was found in the monastery's storerooms. “Our Lady of the Goalkeeper,” because she protected the monastery. The Akathist is read to the Iveron Icon, as it is written on the back of the found icon.
“The Lord led to healing, although the doctors already refused to help, they advised me not to work: I experienced persistent pain in my leg, no medical remedies helped. Now I can walk freely and, I hope, I bring benefit to people: I work as a tour guide, I often visit monasteries, I try to join the Orthodox faith myself and help others. Save me, God!"
Many of us know from personal experience the power of the intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos, and many are yet to learn this. As one of the modern elders says: “The Mother of God always is and will be with those who are faithful to Her Divine Son, who follow His call along the path of eternal salvation. She, according to St. John Chrysostom, is the first Successor of Divine gifts and the first Distributor of these gifts and blessings to people who seek help from the Lord and mercy from Her. It will always be this way, until the last hour and moment of the life of the world. And may our believing heart, knowing the great power of the intercession of the Mother of God, always fall at the feet of the Mother of God with its sighs, needs, sorrows, in all trials and in moments of crying over sins. And She, the Joy of all who mourn, our Heavenly Mother, extending Her sovereign Cover, will intercede and save and have mercy on us all.”
Great is the intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos, revealed also from the miraculous icon “The Goalkeeper of Uglich”, which, through the efforts of Yaroslavl Archbishop Micah (d. 2005), returned to the newly opened - now female - Alekseevsky Monastery, returned to once again shine on the world with the Unquenchable Candle of the immaterial fire of God's love.
Today, with faith, hope and love, believers come to the image of the Most Holy Theotokos “The Goalkeeper of Uglich”, or the “Unquenchable Candle”. And by their faith they receive help. The abundance of miracles is evidenced more eloquently than any words by the jewelry brought in gratitude for the miraculous help of the Mother of God, with which the image of the “Unquenchable Candle” is abundantly decorated. For several years, the sisters of the monastery collected written evidence of miracles, which may serve us all to strengthen our faith. 
It is unknown whether there would be a cure for the eternal problem of most women - cellulite, which neither regular diets, nor pills and capsules, nor, sometimes, even physical exercises, can help get rid of.
1. Assistance during childbirth.
N from Uglich says: “When I was expecting a child, I was advised to go to the Alekseevsky Monastery, where the icon “The Unquenchable Candle” is located, since It helps everyone. Two months before giving birth, I came to the icon and asked the Mother of God to help me give birth without complications. And, indeed, I gave birth quickly, without pain, without complications, to a healthy baby. Now I always go, thank and ask Her for the health of my loved ones.”
2. Healing the leg.
Evgenia Sidyakova from Moscow reported the following: “I had a shot in my left leg from the hip to the foot. I was treated for several months and could not even walk with a cane. After I venerated the “Unquenchable Candle” icon, prayed, ordered a prayer service - I felt that the wand was in the way and that I didn’t need it. To the glory of God I still walk without a stick.”
3. Healing of female illness.
In gratitude to the Mother of God for her recovery, Tatyana Belyaeva from Dmitrov writes: “When I was vacationing in the Uglich sanatorium two years ago, the gynecologist most likely suggested that I had a serious female disease. Arriving home, I was examined, and the diagnosis was not confirmed. I thank the Mother of God for the intercession. After all, after the doctor diagnosed me, I was in the Alekseevsky Monastery and prayed in front of Her icon for my recovery.”
4. Healing the wound.
Servant of God Irina testified that she received “healing from the icon of the “Unquenchable Candle of the Immaterial Fire.” I had a wound (abscess) that did not go away for six years, after praying in front of the icon I was healed two days later - the wound healed. Glory to God and the Mother of God!”
5. Enlightenment of the icon.
Marchenko Galina from Moscow writes: “I thank You, Lord, that during a difficult period of my life You brought me to this Wonderful Church. This was more than 20 years ago. Then the church was destroyed. Coming often to the city of Uglich, every time I came to this church and believed that someday I would be able to enter it and pray. And a miracle happened. She rose from the ruins so that the icon of the Mother of God “Goalkeeper” could return to her home. At first, the icon had a slightly “scary” appearance - the image was dark and stern. Several years have passed, and today I saw the icon illuminated; it glows from within and radiates extraordinary warmth. In the monastery there is grace, light and joy. My soul has never felt so good anywhere. I always strive to come to Uglich at least once a year, to my Wonderful Church and pray here.”
6. Strengthening faith.
Nina Shidyavina from Moscow says: “The Alekseevskaya Convent for me is the brightest place where I can be with myself, feel faith and love. Communication with God, which is so necessary for our people now, can be felt very close here. Each icon inspires faith. The miraculous icon of the Mother of God “Goalkeeper” is a symbol of the gates that are open to every person who comes to the temple. I believe that people will pray and be healed by this icon. Thanks God! Save, preserve and have mercy on this blessed place.”
7. Returning peace to the family.
E. Rusanova from Moscow came to the icon “The Unquenchable Candle” with the blessing of the priest. Her son fought in Chechnya. Returning from the war, he got married and had a child. But his wife’s parents were opposed to the young man because he suffered from combat veteran syndrome and could not get a job. The grieving mother went to church, turned to priests and psychologists. Nothing helped. One priest advised me to go, perhaps more than once, to Uglich, to pray before the icon “The Unquenchable Candle.” Gradually the situation began to change. My son’s combat veteran syndrome has almost disappeared, he has a job, and his relations with his wife’s relatives have improved. The mother of the former soldier gratefully told the sisters of the monastery about this miracle.
8. Healing the paralytic.
Tatyana from Uglich reported that her 14-year-old son Alexei suffered a severe viral infection, after which he could not walk for a long time, and even ate while lying down. He was brought to the miraculous icon “The Unquenchable Candle” at the Alekseevsky Monastery. Immediately after the prayer at the icon, the son perked up and began to walk.
9. Another leg healing.
Alevtina from Yaroslavl came to the Alekseevsky Monastery to order a prayer service in front of the “Unquenchable Candle” icon of the Mother of God and said the following: “At the end of August, she served a prayer service with an akathist to the Mother of God in front of the “Unquenchable Candle” icon and about health for six months. Relief came sooner. The Lord brought about healing, although the doctors already refused to help and advised me not to work: I experienced persistent pain in my leg, no medical treatments helped. Now I can walk freely and, I hope, I bring benefit to people: I work as a tour guide, I often visit monasteries, I try to join the Orthodox faith myself and help others. Save me, God! Help all believers and those who are trying to join the faith.”
10. Another leg healing.
A letter was sent to Mother Magdalene: “Save you, Lord, Mother Abbess! Sorry if I addressed you incorrectly. My name is Natalya, I turned 56 years old in August, I probably came to faith when I was forty years old, and maybe even earlier. This year, my husband and granddaughter, I was lucky enough to travel along the Volga from Moscow to Cheboksary and back. We visited many temples and monasteries. On the 24th of August we stayed in Uglich. We visited the church of Tsarevich Dimitri, and then headed to your monastery. We were taken to the Church of the Assumption. Mother, who was in the book row, told us about your miraculous icon, said that not long ago a woman was healed from it. My husband and I asked my mother twice and remembered the name “Candle” (sorry if it’s wrong). Please don’t judge me, my forgetfulness is not due to indifference and disrespect for sacred things, but due to sclerosis. All of us, including the granddaughter, kissed your icons and went to the ship. On this day, my right leg hurt so much that I could barely get to your temple, and then back I had to crawl; and suddenly, when we moved away from the walls of the monastery and crossed the road, a gentle, slightly warm cloud appeared near the right side, this state lasted probably for a minute, it was an extraordinary feeling, I can’t describe it - my leg went away completely. I stopped and said to my husband and granddaughter: “The pain in my leg has completely gone, it was the Mother of God who healed me.” Mine were surprised and delighted. Glory to God and the Mother of God!”
11. Healing from infertility.
Natalya from Moscow writes: “I thank the Lord our God Jesus Christ! You brought me to this temple to the miraculous icon “The Unquenchable Candle” at a difficult moment. My daughter, who was diagnosed with infertility, was expecting a child, but there was still a high risk of miscarriage. After she venerated this shrine just once, her health miraculously changed and she gave birth to a healthy girl. Thank God for everything! I, a sinner, do not have words that could express the joy and awe that I feel. Thank you!"
12. Finding loss.
Tatiana from Moscow came to the Alekseevsky Monastery to thank the Most Holy Theotokos and said: “We are relaxing in the Uglich sanatorium.” My granddaughter Daria lost her cross today and was very sad. I consoled her:
God willing, you will find it. My granddaughter went to lunch, and I began to pray in front of the icon of the Mother of God “Candle of the Unquenchable Fire of the Immaterial.” She asked the Most Holy Theotokos to sanctify her path and lead her to the lost cross. Dasha came back from lunch in a great mood, cheerful, joyful, and said that she had found a cross. The administrator, seeing her, said: “Go, your cross is hanging on the door of the fourth floor.” The Most Holy Theotokos, like the “Unquenchable Candle,” shone on the path to the lost holy thing. I thank You, Lord, I love and believe in You.”
13. Safe birth.
Lyubov Rakitina from Uglich reported: “My daughter Yulia unexpectedly went into labor. I rather went to the temple and began to pray at the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Candle of the Unquenchable Fire of the Immaterial.” She prayed that her daughter would be safely delivered of her pregnancy and give birth to a healthy baby. I received the news of the birth of my granddaughter right here in the temple. And today we brought our girl to be baptized. I thank You, Lord, for Your mercy!”
14. A trace of grace in the soul.
The sisters of the Alekseevsky Monastery often receive letters from different parts of Russia from people who have taken from Uglich a spark of God’s grace in their hearts. Thus, Tatyana Shatalova from Kashin writes: “We went to Uglich with the priest on a pilgrimage. I really liked your monastery, and the “Unquenchable Candle” icon became my favorite icon. I visited you only once, I would like to come again, but there is no way. I beg you, if possible, send me a small icon “Unquenchable Candle”. She stands before my eyes all the time.”
15. Mysterious Guest.
A woman named Olga said that three years ago she had surgery on her thyroid gland to remove a cancerous tumor. The night before the operation, the Most Holy Theotokos appeared to her in black clothing. She walked up to the bed and seemed to calm Olga down. The operation was successful. A year later, Olga and her family went to Uglich and went to the Alekseevsky Convent. Her surprise knew no end when she saw the icon of the Mother of God, dressed in black clothes. Before this incident, Olga had not only never seen, but had never even heard of the “Goalkeeper” icon of the Mother of God, which gave her peace in difficult times. Now Olga has this icon at home, she considers it her keeper and always turns to it in difficult times.
16. Healing an elderly person.
Lyubov Kuznetsova from Moscow saw the icon “The Unquenchable Candle” at the exhibition “Orthodox Rus'”; later she sent a letter of gratitude to the Alekseevsky Monastery: “At the exhibition “Orthodox Rus'” I ordered a magpie about the health of the very ill servant of God Nicholas, my father, as well as a prayer service to the Alekseevsky Convent of the Queen of Heaven, Her miraculous icon “Candle of the Unquenchable Fire of the Immaterial.” I was warned that they would start praying on the 14th, upon arrival at the place. And a miracle happened, namely - from the 14th I noticed a sharp improvement in my father’s health, he began to recover before our eyes. He is now fully 88 years old, his health is satisfactory. I thank the Lord God and the Mother of God and Her miraculous icon for their help! I also express my gratitude to the praying sisters of the monastery.”
17. Help in acquiring virtues.
Some letters reveal the secret of “the hidden heart of a person”: “A letter of gratitude! Prosperity, joy, happiness, grace of God to the Church of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Uglich. Having visited it in the summer and venerated the icon “The Unquenchable Candle,” I gained new strength. The Mother of God greatly helped me in life to endure, humble myself, endure and love. Returning here in winter, I offer modest thanks in front of the “Unquenchable Candle” icon and again feel grace and help. With low bow and gratitude and reverence on the days of the Holy Nativity of Christ. A. Petrova."
18. Another healing from infertility.
S.V.V. from Uglich testifies: “Last year I found out that I was seriously ill, and local doctors were powerless to help me. I went to Yaroslavl, where they offered me an operation. But they warned me that if it didn’t end well, I would remain infertile. I came to this church, prayed before the Uglich Icon of the Mother of God “Goalkeeper,” and the Mother of God helped me. The operation was successful and now I can have children.”
19. Another healing from infertility.
The pious pilgrims sent the following letter to the Alekseevsky Monastery: “Thank you! Our family will always thank you for helping us in our difficulties. We came to you with a request for the health and well-being of our beloved daughter Anastasia. Doctors said that we could wait a very long time for children, or that our young people might not have them at all. But we came to you and prayed to the Mother of God at the “Unquenchable Candle” icon. And a miracle happened! Immediately upon arrival from your sacred temple, it turned out that our daughter was pregnant, and now we are looking forward to our first grandchild! Thank you! The Dubaev family and the Sorokin family.”
20. The miracle of the healing of a baby and the conversion of his parents to faith.
Pilgrims from Moscow left a story of amazing depth in the book of miracles: “Lord! Thank you! Following Your inscrutable path, we arrived in the city of Uglich in 2005. We came to this temple and saw the icon of the Mother of God “The Unquenchable Candle.” The icon sank into my soul. The Mother of God looked as if she were alive. I wanted to cry with happiness, which, unfortunately, rarely happens. We are just beginning to visit churches with faith.
In general, this is a long story, but I know one thing for sure - that the Mother of God once saved our son. For two weeks, doctors could not make an accurate diagnosis; they offered many mutually exclusive drugs. Our whole house was filled with medicines. My son, he was 4 years old at the time, was not getting better: asthmatic breathing, it was difficult to inhale and exhale. The doctors, losing patience, ordered a blood test from a vein. The night before going for analysis, I had a dream. Usually dreams are not remembered, but here everything was completely different. I dreamed of the city of Uglich, I dreamed of a monastery. I dreamed of this icon, a wonderful face that amazed me. At that time I didn’t even remember what this icon was called, only the image was imprinted in my soul. This wonderful face was with me all night. In the morning we began to get ready for the hospital, and I, crying, turned to Mother the Most Holy Theotokos: “Mother, what should we do?”
Suddenly the child began to cough heavily. I rushed to him, and suddenly my son handed me a large piece of a foreign body in his wet palm. We finally took him to the clinic, where the doctors stated his complete recovery; asthmatic syndrome has passed. Two weeks of continuous inhalations, pills, instillations for a small child, which did not improve, we were then exhausted, the parents will understand this. And for us, people of little faith at that time, the Mother of God’s instant help to my desperate prayer shook us to the depths of our souls. It was such a bright shock, a miracle! From this incident we began to think about God, read books written for the glory of God. Everything has become different!
We thank you, Lord! Mother Most Holy Theotokos, thank you! We came this year to worship You with our son. Volkovy Natalya Nikolaevna, Konstantin Alekseevich and Nikolai.”
21. Assistance during surgery.
Galina Domracheva from Chashnikovo, Moscow region, arrived in Uglich on the ship “Alexei Vatchenko” in May 2006 and testified as follows: “I was in your city on an excursion in 2005, visited your monastery. I was about to have an operation; on the advice of my mothers, I prayed to the Mother of God in front of Her icon “The Unquenchable Candle” and took Her icon with me. With this icon “The Unquenchable Candle” I went to the hospital, where the operation was performed. God saved me... And I am grateful to you for your participation, for blessing me and for the fact that everything turned out well. Good health to you all."
22. Healing a baby in the womb.
R. Gerasimova from Uglich prayed to the Most Holy Theotokos in front of the “Unquenchable Candle” icon, to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and the Great Martyr Panteleimon for the healing of her unborn granddaughter, who, according to doctors, was supposed to be born sick. And on June 24, 2006, a completely healthy girl was born into the world.
23. Healing from cancer.
Anna Alexandrova from Moscow was seriously ill; documents confirming her cancer diagnosis were preserved. She received healing from the icon “Candle of the Unquenchable Fire of the Immaterial.” The icon was applied to the sore spot, and the tumor disappeared.
24. Help in solving the housing problem.
Alevtina from the village of Sera, Myshkinsky district, came to the Alekseevsky Monastery to thank the Mother of God, who, through prayer before Her miraculous icon “The Unquenchable Candle,” helped Alevtina’s children in purchasing housing.
25. Getting rid of skin disease.
Natalya Sergeevna Krasnova testified that the Most Holy Theotokos helped her get rid of skin irritation and acne.
26. Another relief from skin disease.
Galina Gurskaya from Moscow testified that she received healing from eczema from the miraculous icon “Candle of the Unquenchable Fire of the Immaterial.”
27. Healing of the tumor.
Yakovlev Vladimir Mikhailovich and Yakovleva Raisa Semenovna from Balashikha, Moscow region, prayed in front of the icon “Candle of the Unquenchable Fire of the Immaterial” and her husband, Yakovlev Vladimir Mikhailovich, lost a tumor on his hand.
28. Healing and strengthening faith.
Nina from Staraya Kupavna, Moscow region, writes: “Alekseevsky Monastery is a holy place. I came here for the first time in the summer of 2006. I especially prayed to the Mother of God at the “Unquenchable Candle” icon for the health of Vladimir, who was under the supervision of doctors with a suspected serious illness. At the end of August the diagnosis was removed. Now I’ve come again to thank and pray for recovery: my relative Anatoly is seriously ill. I ask the Lord and the Mother of God for help. I believe in healing. I leave the monastery with hope. And, of course, I want to be here as often as possible.”
29. Healing of body and soul.
Servant of God Nina received healing from a skin disease by turning to the Most Holy Theotokos “The Unquenchable Candle.” “And, most importantly, I understood,” writes Nina, “that we must repent of our sins. It's not so simple - all our diseases. I thank the Intercessor, the Most Holy Theotokos!”
30. Another healing from cancer.
Olga from Uglich testifies: “I thank the Mother of God for healing my father through prayer at the icon “The Unquenchable Candle.” The doctors diagnosed her with cancer, stage four, incurable. And now he is on the mend.”
31. Healing trauma.
Svetlana Delectorskaya from Moscow said: “In the fall, I was in a car accident and injured my leg. Nothing could heal the wound. In January, I vacationed at the Uglich sanatorium, came to the Divnaya Church and purchased oil from the “Unquenchable Candle” icon. I started smearing the wound daily. After two weeks everything healed. Now I specially came from the village of Pokrovskie Gorki (we have had a house there for 30 years) to thank the Mother of God, pray and buy more oil, since I fell and severely injured my leg again. I hope you can help."
32. Healing from mental trauma.
Larisa arrived at the Alekseevsky Monastery with great sorrow. She said: “I want to get rid of the memories of the years I lived with my ex-husband. There was everything: happiness, joy, pain, lies, and betrayal. It was not possible to improve the relationship, I understand that both are to blame. You can’t erase the 16 years that we were together from your life; I’ve been divorced for 9 years, but my soul and thoughts return to him. How I dreamed of putting everything in order, fixing everything, being more tolerant of his betrayals and humiliations, but in vain. I came to the Uglich land to at least a little clear myself of thoughts and thoughts, in order to get at least a small “push” to a new life without anxiety, fear and disbelief in a pure relationship between husband and wife. I give the holy icon “The Unquenchable Candle” my wedding ring. I believe that the Mother of God will help me get rid of pain.”
33. Another relief from skin disease.
T. Tishchenko could not cure her facial skin for a long time. She asked the Mother of God for help from the “Unquenchable Candle” icon and received a miraculous healing.
34. Healing from drunkenness.
Olga from Moscow turned to the Mother of God in front of Her icon “The Unquenchable Candle” for help for her brother, so that he would stop craving alcohol and go to the doctor. Before this, the brother had never wanted to resort to the help of specialists, but when Olga prayed and asked the Mother of God, he himself decided to give up alcohol and agreed to treatment.
35. Help in starting a family.
Nadezhda from Mytishchi turned to the Mother of God in front of the image of the “Unquenchable Candle”, asking for help in finding family happiness for her daughter. The request was heard. “I thank you,” writes Nadezhda, “and I constantly pray to the Mother of God for the preservation of this gift of Hers.”
36. Healing the hip.
Valentina from Uglich came to the Alekseevsky Monastery and asked the icon of the “Unquenchable Candle” for a successful operation for her son Andrei, who had a broken hip. The mother's pleas for help were heard by the Mother of God. The son has recovered.
37. Deliverance from death.
Tatyana from Elektrostal, Moscow region, reports: “During a trip along the Volga, my son Alyosha, then 14 years old, suffered from peritonitis. They took me off the ship, operated on him, and the doctors said there was little hope. The Mother of God, Her icon from the Alekseevsky Monastery “The Unquenchable Candle,” helped. After the operation in the intensive care unit, this icon was located near my son’s bed. Even the nurse reassured me that if he was Orthodox (he had a cross) and had such an icon, then he would survive. By the grace of God, the son survived and is now finishing college.”
38. The story of the nun Juliania, resident of the Alekseevsky Monastery.
In 2006, in early June, with the blessing of Elder Father Blasius, I came to the Alekseevsky Monastery for obedience. I came here with terrible radiculitis, I couldn’t tilt my head, I was dragging my leg, and I kept thinking - what am I going to do here? Why was I blessed to join the monastery? In addition, osteochondrosis was very severe: I could not raise my arms, the pain was excruciating. In general, I got sick all over. And my father, the confessor, told me that here the miraculous icon is the “Candle of the Unquenchable Fire of the Immaterial.” You, he says, come to her, pray, ask. I went up to the icon, prayed, asked, and forgot that all this hurt me. And then a week later I remembered, and nothing hurts me! Some time passed, my hands began to hurt, the Mother of God asked, venerated the miraculous icon, and was healed again. So you go up to her all the time, asking. Yes, all of us, all the sisters, come up to her, just a little bit - bodily weakness or some kind of grief.
39. Help with a business matter.
Vladimir from Moscow received a blessing from the “Unquenchable Candle” icon for the sale of a house in the Moscow region. For a long time, more than four years, he was unable to collect documents and find a buyer. Having received the blessing, within two months he registered the house and completed the sale transaction. After which he came to the Alekseevsky Monastery to thank the Lord and Mother of God and testified about the miracle.
40. Once again about help in starting a family.
Valentina from Moscow visited the Alekseevsky Monastery on Maslenitsa in 2006 and asked the Mother of God at the icon of the “Unquenchable Candle” for the successful marriage of her daughter Photinia. In 2008, the daughter got married and gave birth to a son. “Repeatedly,” writes Valentina, “I turned to the bright image of the Mother of God - and all my prayers were answered. I thank the Lord and Mother of God!”
41. Help in illness, sorrow and finding faith.
Servant of God Tatiana writes: “I thank the Mother of God, through the icon of the “Unquenchable Candle,” while still unchurched, I received a miraculous healing from mastopathy. Here, at the icon, she found consolation in extreme sorrow - the loss of her son and husband. And most importantly, I found true faith. Most Holy Theotokos, save us!”
42. Healing during a religious procession with the miraculous icon “The Unquenchable Candle.”
I, Ksenia Nikolaevna Puchkova, testify to the healing that happened to me during the procession with the icon of the Mother of God “The Unquenchable Candle,” which took place on July 6, 2010. I was diagnosed with a polyp on my vocal cord and ordered to have surgery to remove it. I have been singing in the temple of God for 30 years and was very afraid that the operation would prevent me from singing further, and I prayed for healing, which I received. Glory to God and His Most Pure Mother!
Next: Alekseevskaya monastery - custodian of the image of the “Unquenchable Candle”
