Why is the image of the mother of God with seven arrows different. Seven-shot icon: what helps and where to hang in the house. Where to hang the Seven Arrow Icon of the Mother of God

The "Seven Arrows" Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos is one of the well-known Orthodox shrines. She is revered as a Charm for the space of the dwelling, she is prayed for reconciliation and softening of hearts, as well as for healing from diseases. This is a fairly ancient example of icon painting, which was discovered for the first time in the 17th-18th centuries on the territory of Russia.

Description

This shrine is also called the Icon of "Softener of Evil Hearts". It is revered as miraculous and healing not only from diseases, but also from anger, intolerance, feelings of anxiety.

Prayer to the Queen of Heaven, depicted on the image, gives a feeling of peace and tranquility, protects from bad thoughts and negative-minded people who came into the house, from scammers and thieves.

Every truly believing Christian has an icon of the "Seven Arrows" Mother of God. Usually they carry it with them (in a small format) or place it in the house opposite the entrance.

History

According to legend, the image was found on the bell tower of the temple in the vicinity of Vologda - on the river Toshni.

One peasant had a dream in which the Mother of God asked to find the icon among the boards that were placed on the landing leading to the roof of the church, where the bells were.

The rector of the temple believed this poor man only the third time. When the Icon of the “Seven Arrows” of the Mother of God was indeed found, cleansed of dirt and bird droppings, believers felt grace, and some of them, including a good peasant, found mental and physical healing.

And in the 30s of the 19th century, when cholera raged everywhere, the image of the Virgin protected from illness all those who came to the temple to pray before him. Since then, the shrine has also been a protector from serious infectious diseases.

Meaning

The Seven Arrows icon depicts the Mother of God being pierced by 7 (sometimes 6) arrows. This is a symbol of the pain that Mary experienced in her earthly life, when Jesus Christ was subjected to the most severe condemnation and execution - for preaching the good news about God.

This face reflects all the pain and torment for each person that the Queen of Heaven endured together with the Son.

According to spiritual teaching, as well as the laws of Orthodoxy, the number of arrows (swords) - seven (sometimes there are six) also have their own sacred meaning:

  1. It is a symbol of fullness, abundance, wealth.
  2. Sins from which a person needs to be healed (pride, anger, despondency, adultery, envy, greed, gluttony).

It is in this that the meaning of the “Seven Arrows” Icon is manifested (in which it helps) - to “see” the vicious in every converted heart and help get rid of it, as well as strengthen the positive qualities and areas of life of a believer.

Where is located

Several miraculous images are in the temples of the Russian Federation:

  • in the Moscow monastery of the Archangel Michael;
  • in the church, which is in the village of Bachurino (Moscow region);
  • in Vologda - in

The shrines were miraculously found, they are taken to different cities and villages of Russia, and pilgrims come to the faces every year.

The icon of the "Seven Arrows" Mother of God or "Softener of Evil Hearts" is in one of the Venetian chapels.

important shrine

Modern Christians consider the icon one of the most important images of the Mother of God, and everyone keeps it in their home, workplace space.

After all, the face protects:

  1. From enemy swords that can threaten a loved one who is in a war zone.
  2. From outbreaks of envy, irritation, anger and despondency.
  3. From gluttony and lack of patience in relation to something or someone.
  4. From the meanness of ill-wishers who intend to destroy the well-being of a person, humiliate, rob.
  5. It protects the dwelling (especially if the icon is placed opposite the entrance), "chasing out" or softening everyone who comes into it with bad intentions.
  6. From disbelief in God - sincere and ardent prayer before the image helps to return to a person who has gone astray from the righteous path, who has lost faith for a while.
  7. From diseases of the physical plane, infections, severe illnesses.

Every woman has a special advantage in life - she is given the opportunity to help (relatives, acquaintances, all people) through a prayer appeal to God, the Mother of God and other Saints. The main thing is to do it with a pure heart and with a sincere desire to help, without wanting anything in return.

Among other things, prayers addressed to the “Seven-shot” Icon, of which there are several, help.

One of them especially protects travelers who are going on a long journey, in which there may be dangers. It begins with an appeal to the Queen of Heaven, the Lady of the "Seven Arrows". This is followed by a request to protect from the arrows of sadness, anger, sorrow, temptation, persecution, languor and illness. About protection from all sinful thoughts and deeds that are objectionable to God, from bad people. About intercession before God.

Another strong prayer helps to get protection from damage and the evil eye. It begins with the words of an appeal to the Lady of the Mother of God. This is followed by a comparison with arrows that fly past, so the mourning and spoiled thoughts bypass a person without causing harm. A request for protection and patronage at any time of the day or night from demonic attacks and all evil.

celebration

The churches of the Russian Federation and the entire Orthodox world have their own days of festive services - in honor of the "Seven-shot" Icon or "Softener of Evil Hearts" (also "Simeon's Prophecy"). These images are of the same type, and therefore the dates of the celebration are identical:

  • 13 and 26 August;
  • 9 Sunday after Easter;
  • 1st Sunday of Trinity.

These days Akathist, Kontakion and Troparion are sung. And also read special - holiday prayers.

In total, there are two prayers in the text of the Akathist:

  1. In the first, there is an appeal to the much-sorrowful Mother of God, who suffered more suffering than any other person. What follows is a plea for protection under the Shroud of Grace, which is not to be found anywhere else. Asking for help and salvation through prayers and singing praises in the Trinity to God.
  2. The second prayer to the Icon of the "Seven Arrows" says that every believer wants to please the Virgin Mary, to sing of Her mercy to people. A request to protect from evil, to dissolve the hearts (of one's own and of enemies), to send an arrow that will pierce the world to the persecuting believers and prayers. The petition of the Mother of God to accept and send love. Give strength to patience and soften the hearts of people. A prayer to ask the Lord to humble the hearts of people and send peace to them. Chanting of the Wonderful and Blessed Virgin, who is protection from enemies through filling people with love for each other and eradicating all malice and enmity.

Conclusion

Each of the images of the Mother of God is strong and blessed in its own way. And sincere prayers fill with powerful energy and calm. And it is especially important for a person to remember this in the most difficult days of his life and turn, ask the Queen of Heaven for help.

The “Seven Arrows” Icon is no exception, which really softens the heart, protects against bad thoughts and attacks (including energy ones) from other people.

Icons depicting the Mother of God are present in the homes of all deeply religious people. What helps one of the most powerful - the Seven-shot icon of the Mother of God - is of interest to people touched by the torments of the depicted Virgin.

The meaning of the icon of the Seven Arrows Mother of God?

The icon of the Theotokos Seven Arrows has an interesting history. It is not known when it was written, but it was acquired after a prophetic dream of a peasant from the Vologda province. This peasant suffered from a serious illness for many years, limped and could hardly move, the vision he saw promised healing if he found the icon on the bell tower of the Ivano-Theological Church and prayed before it. Not immediately, but the peasant found the icon, which was taken by the ringers for an ordinary board and put in place of the rotten step. After the peasant, the long-awaited healing came, and the shrine took its place of honor in the temple.

Another miracle associated with the Seven Arrows Icon of the Mother of God occurred at the beginning of the 19th century, when a cholera epidemic raged in Vologda. The inhabitants of the city earnestly read prayers before the icons of the Mother of God of Semistrelnaya and Semigradskaya, made a procession around the city with them, and the disease receded.

Unlike most of the Mother of God icons, the Mother of God of Seven Arrows is painted alone, without Jesus Christ. The chest of the Mother of God in the image is pierced by seven arrows that personify her earthly suffering, as well as the sins and passions of mankind, which she sees and which cause her pain. According to Holy Scripture, the number seven in this case means the limit, the fullness of her torment, i.e. it is simply impossible to suffer harder.

What does the Seven-shot Icon of the Mother of God help believers from?

One of the main purposes of the Seven-Arrow Icon is to deliver a person from bad thoughts about revenge and other atrocities. The Mother of God with a heart pierced by arrows is a symbol of humility, patience, mercy and love. There is an icon very similar to the Seven Arrows, which is called "Softening Evil Hearts." Its difference lies in the fact that the arrows in the image are arranged differently: three on both sides and one on the bottom. This icon is prayed at the manifestation of evil sinful thoughts.

But humility is far from all that the icon of the Seven Arrows helps with. Many people have heard that it is this holy image that contributes to the courage of people with unclean thoughts from the house. Believers who are afraid of thieves, scammers and simply envious people are advised to hang the icon of the Mother of God of the Seven Arrows at home.

It is also necessary to pray to the icon of the Seven-shooter in those cases when discord occurs in the family and. The Mother of God has long been the protector of the family hearth, she returns harmony, mutual understanding, love and trust to the family. The icon of the Seven Arrows improves relations between spouses and between parents and children.

Where to hang the seven-shot icon?

The seven-shot icon of the Mother of God differs from others in that it is placed not only on the iconostasis, but also in other places in the house. To protect against ill-wishers, the Seven-shooter icon is hung in front of the front door or above it. When danger arises, especially if the inhabitants of the house are threatened with hostilities, prayers are read in front of the icon of the Seven-shot with a request for peace.

The icon of the Mother of God of the Seven Shooters can be hung in the main room of the house, then it will more contribute to the reign of peace in the family. Placed in the patient's bedroom, the icon of the Seven Arrows will contribute to the recovery of a suffering person. The only thing to consider when placing an icon in rooms is that posters, photographs or paintings that distract attention from the holy image should not be hung next to it, as well as a TV or computer should not be placed.


Some revered holy faces can be seen both in churches, monasteries, and in Christian dwellings. These include the miraculous Seven-Arrow Icon: where is the best place to hang the image of the Most Pure Theotokos in the house, read on.

Icons depicting the Savior, the Mother of God, Christian saints are not an item for interior decoration and not ordinary amulets. Orthodox images are real shrines through which believers turn to God. They occupy a special place in the heart of a person, in his house, they are carefully stored and passed on from grandfathers, fathers to children. Traditionally, iconostases were created in Christian homes, which were made up of the most revered, strong and important images for a particular family. Icons were placed in a prominent place of honor.

Seven-shooter Icon of the Blessed Mother of God

An ignorant person, looking at the face of the Mother of God of the Seven-shooter image, may be surprised. The Virgin Mary appears alone in the image, her gaze expresses restrained grief, her head is slightly inclined to the side. Most striking is the image of seven arrows, which are directed directly into the heart of the Virgin. Three arrows (or swords) are written on the left side, and four on the right (although the opposite arrangement is also possible).

There is also an icon on which there are three arrows on the right and left, the seventh one is below. The last option is another icon, known by several names "Softener of Evil Hearts" or "Simeon's Prophecy". The images have almost identical meaning and prayer power.

Prophecy of Elder Simeon

To understand the meaning of the Seven-shot image, one should turn to the gospel narrative. The holy elder Simeon the God-Receiver, who was engaged in the translation of sacred texts, was destined to die only after he saw the Messiah. The old man has been waiting for this hour for almost 270 years. And then the Holy Spirit appeared to Simeon with the message that the covenant day had come and he should go to the Temple of the city of Jerusalem.

On the fortieth day after the birth of the Christ Child, the Blessed Virgin Mary, together with her husband, the righteous Joseph the Betrothed, brought him to the Jerusalem Temple for consecration, as required by the traditions of the Old Testament. On the threshold of the Holy Family with the Messiah, expected by all the people of Judea, Simeon met. He took Jesus in his arms and blessed him. Then, turning to Mary, the prophet uttered the words that thanks to this Baby, some will ascend, others will fall, and the very same sharp weapon will pierce the soul of the Mother of God.

The last words about weapons, like many other moments in the life of Jesus Christ, have many meanings. First of all, this is an allegorical description of the severe hardships, suffering, sorrow that the Blessed Virgin Mary had to endure, seeing the crucifixion of the Savior Christ. The very number seven in the Christian tradition denotes the fullness, the fullness of something. Icons depicting a story with seven arrows (swords) piercing the heart of the Mother of God are illustrations of this prophecy, but carry a broader meaning applied to the human race. Seven sharp arrows are an allegorical image of the seven deadly human sins that cause suffering and pain to the merciful heart of the Holy Intercessor.

Finding a miraculous image

Today, no one can accurately determine when the image of the Seven-shot Virgin appeared, and also who exactly was the author of the icon. The first time the image appeared to people in the 15th century, this event was not without Divine Providence.

Not far from the city of Vologda (Kadnikovsky district) lived a peasant who had long suffered from incurable lameness and painful weakness. He tirelessly turned to God with a request for healing, since other tried methods did not help. Once in a dream, the Most Pure Mother of God appeared to him. She ordered the peasant to find Her miraculous image in the bell tower at the church of St. John the Theologian, pray with great faith before him, and healing would be granted.

Not daring to disobey and believing in the power of the Mother of God image, the peasant twice went to the specified temple. But they did not want to let him in, simply not believing the story. And only on the third time they were allowed to go to the bell tower. The icon with the Mother of God, pierced by seven arrows, was found very quickly, it was located face down at the turn of the stairs. The monks and bell-ringers felt dismay, because, unknowingly, they stepped on the icon many times. The seven-shot image was cleaned of contamination. They brought to the temple, served a prayer service. The peasant, with faith, knelt down and prayed to the Mother of God for healing, intercession - and the illnesses were gone.

This was the first miraculous healing, the fame of which quickly spread for many kilometers from Vologda. Other cases followed. In 1830, outbreaks of cholera suddenly appeared in the villages of the Vologda region. The epidemic quickly spread, then people began to fervently pray to the Seven-Arrowed Icon of the Mother of God, they walked around the temple in a procession. After that, the disease began to fade, and the people began to recover. Since then, the icon has gained fame as an assistant in the fight against cholera and other terrible diseases.

Where to place the Seven Arrow Icon

Favorite Orthodox icons are most often hung above the front door, at the head of the bed, or in a special place such as the iconostasis. The seven-shooter image of the Most Holy Theotokos is one of the most powerful, so it is often chosen for their homes.

There are no strict rules about the place of the icon, but some advice given by priests should be heeded:

  • It is advisable to place the Seven-shot image of the Virgin on one of the eastern walls of the apartment / house. If this is not possible, hang at the head of the bed, above or better opposite the front door.
  • If you are going to select a corner to equip a home iconostasis, make sure that the place is within easy reach for cleaning. Icons should be kept clean.
  • There should be no household items (cosmetics, jewelry, toys, talismans, aroma lamps, souvenirs) on the shelf or on the wall next to the icon or home iconostasis.
  • Personal photographs, paintings also have no place near the icons. When saying prayers, turn to the Mother of God, Jesus, saints, and not to archival photos of even people very dear to you. Store such photos in other places or hang them on another wall. Next to the shrines, even paintings on biblical themes are out of place.
  • If you want to have a large number of icons at home, do not put them on one small shelf. Relics should not cover one another. Plan a composition on the wall, try to place the images symmetrically so that everyone is clearly visible, open to access.
  • Traditionally, you should not hang one icon of the Seven Arrows above the dining table. Here the image of the Savior will be more appropriate. In Christian families, before eating, the Lord's Prayer is read. Sometimes cooked food is also consecrated with Gratitude to the Lord.
  • The seven-shooter icon is similar in content to the image “Softener of Evil Hearts”, so it can be hung in the nursery next to or instead of the face of the Guardian Angel or the patron saint of the child.

Before the Seven-shot Shrine, one should pray for an end to turmoil, quarrels, she will give peace and tranquility to every home, preserve and strengthen family ties, improve relations, mutual understanding of spouses. Prayer appeals to this image of the Most Pure Virgin Mary help to soften the hearts of unkind people, envious people, ill-wishers. The Mother of God will protect from serious illnesses, injuries, and if an ailment has appeared, she will help to overcome it faster. The main thing to remember is that it is not enough to buy an icon you like, hang it on the wall. Sincere constant prayer is needed with faith in the mercy and power of the Heavenly Queen. And according to faith, prosperity and healing will be granted to everyone.

Orthodox all over the world strive to get to the icon of the Mother of God with arrows depicted on it. The day of this icon is celebrated on August 13. Why is the Seven Arrow Icon so popular among believers? What is its meaning and what miracles have already been performed with the help of the shrine? You will learn about this from this article.

Description of the Seven Arrow Icon of the Mother of God

According to pre-revolutionary sources, the Mother of God of Seven Arrows has been worshiped for more than a century. There is reason to believe that the age of the shrine is about five hundred years. The legend says that a peasant who lived in the Kadnikovsky district found an image near a river called Toshnya. The image was discovered by this man at the top of the bell tower. I had to say goodbye to the icon in 1917, then it was found again. Here is what you will see when looking at the icon up close, in the church:

  • the image of the Virgin, bowing her head;
  • a halo around the saint's head;
  • seven arrows piercing the body of the Virgin Mary;
  • the saint's hands folded on his chest.

There is also the icon "Softener of Evil Hearts", which is visually similar to the image discussed in this article. The second name of the shrine is "Simeon's Prophecy". Both shrines belong to the same iconographic style, but have a number of minor differences. For example, the location of the arrows and the background of the image.

The meaning and interpretation of the icon

The image of the Mother of God of the Seven Arrows has a deep symbolic interpretation. It is important to understand that the Mother of God went through severe trials, she suffered the death and resurrection of her son. The Mother of God, pierced by arrows in her heart, hints at these sufferings and hardships. Is there any other meaning? Here are the three most common interpretations:

  1. Knowing yourself and others. The idea is that the Mother of God will allow you to consider friends and enemies, to see evil thoughts and sins from a distance. Arrows (in some variations - swords) are associated with mortal sins. The icon of the Mother of Seven Arrows is a kind of Ariadne's thread in the labyrinth of evil.
  2. Literal interpretation. Some theologians see in arrows (swords) a direct meaning - security. The Mother of God can be asked for intercession against any weapon. If you install an icon in your own house opposite the front door, it helps to soften the hearts of unexpected robbers and intruders. If your relative is fighting in a war, the icon of the Seven Arrows can protect him in battle.
  3. Suffering. In Orthodox culture, swords are a symbol of suffering. "Seven" is a number associated with wealth and fullness. Therefore, the third meaning of the image tells us about the inevitability of obstacles in the process of moving towards your goal.

Those who regularly pray in Orthodox churches can offer their own vision of the symbolism of the Seven Arrows Icon. The Virgin Mary, pierced by arrows, personifies humility, mercy, patience and love. The Mother of God of Seven Arrows will soften your heart and help you make a difficult life decision.

Icons of miracles

Over the course of five hundred years of its history, the icon of the Seven Arrows struck people's minds with miracles. The first miracle of the Mother of God is associated with the healing of a lame man who discovered the holy image in the church. Initially, the icon, unaware of its significance, was used as a step leading to the top of the temple bell tower. The step was covered with dirt and dust, no one guessed its true purpose. The lame peasant, who saved the icon of the Seven-Armed Mother of God from desecration, received health as a reward.

The second known miracle dates from the 19th century (first half). The story took place in the Vologda region, during the outbreak of the plague epidemic. The priests decided to take the Seven-shooter Icon out of the temple in order to organize a procession with it. Everyone they met prayed for recovery, as a result, the plague receded. Now the image is hung at the bedside of the sick to avert misfortune.

Who and what helps the icon

If ill-wishers and envious people weave intrigues against you, feel free to use the icon described above. Pray regularly before the face of the Virgin, and the intrigues of bad people will not be afraid of you. The image also helps in other difficult situations:

  • when a person was struck by a serious illness;
  • if a large-scale epidemic struck the city;
  • when you are afraid of thieves and robbers;
  • if hard times come;
  • when your soul is tormented by bad forebodings;
  • if your relative went to war.

Installing the icon of the Seven-shot Mother of God in any dwelling will bring peace and grace to the owner. Your household will be joyful and happy. People who cross the threshold of your house with evil intentions will give up evil thoughts. Diseases will recede, the right choice will be made. No one is safe from troubled times, therefore an Orthodox person should have one Seven-shooter relic.

If you have organized a home iconostasis, you should not move the relics too often. But the priests do not recommend forgetting about cleanliness either. The Mother of God helps those who take care of the icons, regularly wipes the dust and puts them in order. If there are lamps and candlesticks nearby, you also need to look after them. If you place fresh flowers in front of the icons, this will serve as an additional help.

How to pray for help. Prayer

Wherever the relic is located, before installing it, you must read the akathist. After this ritual, the atmosphere in the house becomes healthy, and unwanted guests stop visiting you. The Akathist to the Theotokos must be recited in several cases:

  • there is an urgent need to get rid of oppression and hardness of heart;
  • the conflict situation cannot be resolved without divine intervention;
  • warring loved ones need reconciliation;
  • your home is in danger.

As a prayer, the fourth voice from the Troparion is ideal for the icon - with its help you get the opportunity to soften hearts.


The Mother of God can be appeased with another prayer - "The Long-suffering Mother of God." Offer prayers, looking at the icon, think about the goodness and power of the Almighty.


In rare cases, icons are prayed lying down - these liberties are allowed for seriously ill believers.

Where to place the icon of the house

So, where is it customary to place the Seven-shooter images? There are certain Orthodox canons of the organization of the iconostasis, they must be adhered to in every possible way. If someone hangs icons in the "wrong" places, he risks weakening the power of their impact on reality. The following items should be kept away from the icons:

  • photographs;
  • household appliances;
  • secular literature;
  • diplomas and awards;
  • souvenirs.


Speaking of icons, we should not remember something vain. Therefore, images of saints are not located next to clocks and calendars. You need to hang images with the Virgin just above the middle of the wall - then you will look at the shrine from the bottom up. Stick to the following hierarchy:

  1. The Mother of God is installed in the center, to the right of the image of the Savior.
  2. Less significant relics are located in the bottom row.
  3. Above the image of the Mother of God, it is allowed to install a crucifix or an image of the Trinity.
  4. It is customary to decorate the iconostasis with fresh flowers.
  5. When choosing between shelves for icons and a wall, give preference to shelves.

Traditionally, the Mother of God is depicted at all with little Jesus Christ or other saints. On Seven Arrows, where she is pierced by seven swords, she is all alone. Swords piercing the Mother of God from both sides and in the middle, the pain and sadness that the Blessed Virgin Mary had to endure on earth. It is believed that this one is able to create seven miracles - but only to those people who have knowledge of the keys of Solomon. Those who know the royal Solomon's key can find out from the Seven-Arrowed Icon the future for seven years in advance.

Before the icon with the Mother of God, pierced by seven swords, it is customary to light at least seven candles.

The seven-shooter icon softens hearts - therefore, they pray before it for peace during the war, for appeasing irreconcilable enemies, sending patience, as well as healing from cholera and lameness. The number "seven" was chosen for her not by chance - Saint Simeon the God-bearer prophesied about the test with a weapon through which the soul of the Mother of God must pass. Seven swords - the unbearable spiritual sorrow that Mary experienced during the crucifixion, torment and death of her divine son.

Miracles of the Seven Arrow Icon

For the first time, the “Seven Arrows” icon showed a miracle to a hopelessly lame peasant who heard a mysterious voice in a dream, telling him to go to Bogoslovskaya and find the Mother of God on its bell tower. The servants did not believe the peasant, but he was persistent - therefore, from the third time, they nevertheless let him into the bell tower. Imagine the surprise of the clergy when one of the steps of the bell staircase turned out to be a trampled and dirty icon of the Most Holy Theotokos.

After the icon was cleansed and restored, it was installed in the church, where the peasant prayed before it for his healing and received it.

Then the miraculous find was forgotten for many years. The Seven-strelnaya showed its second miracle during the cholera epidemic raging in the Vologda region. The icon was transported to Vologda and placed Dmitry Prilutsky. The believing townspeople made a religious procession around the city with the "Seven Arrows" at the head of the procession, after which the cholera suddenly stopped mowing people and disappeared. After the revolution that took place in 1917, the "seven-shooter" icon was stolen from the Church of St. John the Evangelist.

Today, the icon of the Mother of God, pierced with seven swords, is in the Moscow Archangel Michael and from time to time.

Icons are one of the interesting phenomena of the culture of the Russian Middle Ages. Icons are always next to a person in difficult times. But the icon is not a talisman. There is nothing occult in this symbol, and at the same time, the icon is the door to mystery.

background

The institute of iconography appeared in the Old Testament. In Christianity, and more precisely in the Orthodox faith, icons were initially treated with caution. But nevertheless, church images have entered the life of most Russian people, and it is difficult to imagine a traditional Russian house without icons.

It is unlikely that it will be possible to talk about all the icons, there are a huge number of them, but there is a clear gradation of icons according to their continuity.

First, let's deal with the "ranks". There are several types of holidays in the Church. These are the Twelfth Lord's and Mother of God feasts. Great and holy.

The Twelfth are holidays, of which there are 12 in a year. Each is dedicated to some event from the life of Christ and the Virgin: Christmas, Ascension, Assumption, etc. Easter is a special holiday. This is a separate celebration, which is not even among the twelve annual ones, but, as it were, above all. Each holiday has its own image.

The same applies to the Great Days and the memory of the saints. In the icon, as in a photograph, various events are “recorded”.

Usually the icons we use are images of saints or angels. On some you can see several saints standing under the Protection of the Virgin or the Savior.

So, let's start with the Lord's. They are Easter and Trinity. Easter icons show the Resurrection of Christ. And the real Resurrection is the Descent into Hell. Because the Savior did not just, but resurrected everyone with Himself and saved them from torment. But there are also icons in which Christ is depicted with a banner in his hands.

Trinity icons - combined icons of different holidays:
-Theophany, when Christ was baptized by John the Baptist, and the witnesses heard the voice of the Father and the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove;
-actually, the Trinity - three Angels or the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles;
-Transfiguration, when Christ began to glow with an unusual light, brighter than the sun;
-Ascension, when Christ bodily ascended into heaven.

Christmas. There is also the Meeting of the Lord, when the holy elder Simeon the God-bearer received the baby Jesus from the hands of Mary. Exaltation of the Holy Cross. In the 9th century, the Cross was found and placed for worship in Jerusalem.

Theotokos - icons depicting the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Entry into the Temple, the Annunciation, the Assumption. Icons of the Great Holidays are images on which famous saints: Prince Vladimir, the Baptist of Russia, various icons of the Virgin, etc.

Probably the most famous and sought-after icons now are Kazan, Vladimir, Guardian Angel. Many people revere Bishop Luka of Krymsky, a famous Soviet surgeon, a saint of our day. His relics are in the cathedral in Simferopol.

You can talk about Orthodox icons ad infinitum. The best option is to go to the temple and ask all your questions.

Sources:

  • What do the icons mean (symbolism of the icon)