In the Orthodox Church are taken to venerationseveral types of icons of the Virgin, one of them - "Tenderness". On the icons "Affection" (in the Greek tradition - Eleusa), the Blessed Virgin is usually depicted to the waist. She holds the baby Savior in her arms and tends to her Divine Son with tenderness.

Serafimo-Diveevskaya icon "Affection" differsfrom the rest, on her the Mother of God is depicted alone. Her arms are cross-shaped on her chest, and the whole face conveys a state of deep humility and love. This image does not belong to the type of iconography of Eleus, nevertheless bears the identical name.

"Tenderness" - the icon of the Mother of God of Pskov-Pecherskaya

Pskovo-Pecherskaya icon of the Mother of God "Tenderness"(the photo is located below) is a list of "The Virgin of Vladimir". It was written by monk Arseniy Hitrosh in 1521. In the Pskov-Pechersky Monastery the icon was brought by pious merchants in the years 1529-1570, when the rector of the monastery was Reverend Cornelius. This holy icon to the whole world became famous for its miraculous help, supporting and defending Orthodox Christians in difficult life moments.

"Tenderness" - the icon of the Mother of God of Pskov-Pecherskaya- refers to the iconographic type of "Eleusa", which is the most common in Russian icon painting. Here is depicted the Virgin Mary holding in her arms her Son Jesus Christ. The baby presses her cheek to the Mother of God, showing the highest degree of filial love.

This type includes such icons of the Virgin,As Donskaya, Vladimirskaya, Yaroslavskaya, Feodorovskaya, Zhirovitskaya, Grebnevskaya, Pochaevskaya, The recovery of the dead, Akhren, Degtyarevskaya, etc. One of the images of this type is the icon of the Mother of God "Tenderness" of Pecherskaya.

The history of the glorification of the miraculous icon

In 1581 the Polish ruler King StefanBatory attempted a siege of Pskov. From the bell tower of the Mirozhsky Monastery, the soldiers of the opposing side dumped the roasted cores, one of which fell into the icon of the Virgin "Affection", which hung on the top of the city wall. But the image was miraculously preserved, and the nucleus fell near him, without causing any damage. After losing in this war, the Lithuanian principality was forced once again to conclude a truce with Russia.

Thanks to the help of the Virgin Mary,the French took away the city of Polotsk. The event occurred on October 7, 1812 during the Patriotic War with the invasion of the troops of Napoleon Bonaparte. The commander of the I Corps ascribes his victory to the help of the Virgin and her holy image "Tenderness". The icon of the Mother of God with its miraculous power helped to win another victory.

There are numerous cases of assistance to this iconwith the miraculous healing of blind people. A widow who prayed to the Blessed Virgin Mary received a recovery after a hot prayer before the "Affection" icon. The icon of the Mother of God was glorified by a great miracle. The woman was blind for almost three years, and after a hot prayer before the miraculous image she saw. Also from the blindness was healed and a peasant who had not seen before six years. In addition, various cases of recovery from severe illnesses, which occurred with the help of the Virgin after praying before this holy image, were noted.

"Tenderness" - Serafimo-Diveevskaya icon

The Icon of the Mother of God "Tenderness" is considered one of thethe main relics of the Seraphim-Diveevsky Monastery. Nuns and women of the convent consider it their Heavenly Mother Superior. This icon was in the cell of Seraphim of Sarov. He very deeply esteemed this icon, calling it "All Joys of Joy." Standing on the prayer before the image of the Mother of God, the monk peacefully departed to the Lord. Even during the life of the saint, an icon lamp burned in front of the icon, with oil from which he anointed all the people coming to him, healing from mental and bodily ailments.

An interesting fact is that the iconographic typeThis icon is more characteristic of Western Christianity than of the Eastern tradition of writing. The Most Holy Theotokos is depicted here at a young age, at that moment of Her life, when the Archangel Gabriel announced the good news of the incarnation of the Son of God. The face of the Holy Virgin Mary is thoughtful, her hands are cross-shaped on her chest, her gaze is turned down. Above the head is an inscription of the words from the Akathist: "Rejoice, Bride Nenevest!"

History of the icon

The history of writing and the author of this icon are unknown,its origin dates back to the late 18th century. After the death of Seraphim of Sarov, the image was transferred to the Holy Trinity Cathedral of the Diveevo Convent. For this purpose, a special chapel was built, and the icon was placed in a special elegant kiot. Since that time, there is a tradition: to all the women of the monastery during the service to stand for the kyot of the Mother of God.

In 1902, the holy emperor Nicholas II presentedas a gift to the monastery precious gilded chasuble on the icon "Affection" and a silver decorated lamp. In the year when Seraphim of Sarov was glorified, several accurate lists were made from the icon of the icon of the Mother of God, which were sent to different Russian monasteries.

In the post-revolutionary period, when Diveevskayathe monastery was closed, the Icon of the Mother of God was taken to Mughom by the Diveevo Mother Superior of Alexander. In 1991, the miraculous image was given to Alexy II - the Patriarch of Moscow, who placed the icon in the patriarchal church, where it is now. Once a year the miracle-working image is carried to the Epiphany Cathedral for worship. Attend to him you can all those who want Orthodox Christians. In Diveesk Monastery now there is an exact copy of the miraculous image.

Novgorod icon "Tenderness"

Residents of Novgorod for almost 700 years have been honoring another icon of the Mother of God "Tenderness". It is known due to the numerous miracles that occurred from the prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos.

The Blessed Virgin protected the city from fires,ruin and wars. Thanks to the warm heart prayer in front of this holy way, many people received healings from spiritual sorrows and bodily diseases. The celebration of the icon takes place on 8 July.

Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God "Tenderness"

On the Smolensk theotokos icon "Affection"The Holy Virgin is depicted with arms cross-shaped on the chest. She admires her Divine Son playing in the folds of Her clothes. The face of the Blessed Virgin is filled with deep love and simultaneous sorrow for His Son.

The image is known to the world since 1103. And he became famous because of the miraculous intercession of the Blessed Virgin, who defended Smolensk from the attack of Polish soldiers in the early XVII century.

Miraculous Icon "Affection" of the Mother of God, meaning for believers

When praying to the Most Holy Theotokos"Pity" many Christians ask for the strengthening of faith, for the reconciliation of the warring, for deliverance from the invasion of enemies and for the preservation of the Russian state. But most often young girls and women come to her, pouring out numerous requests for a safe marriage, healing from infertility and the birth of healthy children. Any icon "Tenderness" depicts the state of the holy soul of the Theotokos: its endless love for people, great purity and holiness.

Many Christians after committing a sincereprayers before the holy image mark a deep calm, faith and hope in the miraculous power of the Blessed Virgin. The icon "Affection" of the Mother of God helps in this. The meaning of this holy image is the help of the Virgin to everyone asking for it.

Many Orthodox Christians embroider iconsThe Most Holy Theotokos. Recently, for this purpose, glass beads have become more common. There is a pious tradition to devote this work to the Blessed Virgin. During the embroidering, believing women pray and work with a sense of repentance. In a request to give birth to healthy children, some mothers take the trouble of sewing icons. When the icon of the Mother of God "Tenderness" is ready to bead, it is enclosed in a glass frame and consecrated in the Orthodox church. After that they pray before the image in the hope of receiving the petition.

Hymnography

There are many prayers dedicated toThe Most Holy Theotokos. Before the icon "Affection" believers read an akathist. Prayer for the Icon of the Mother of God "Tenderness" contains a profound meaning: the Orthodox praise the Blessed Virgin, calling Her the Protector and Defender of our Country, the Beauty and Glory of the monastery, and also asking to save people from evil, save Russian cities and protect the Orthodox people from invasion of enemies, earthquakes, flood, from evil people and other misfortunes. This prayer is said to be spoken, seeking help to the Blessed Virgin Mary, in the hope of Her heavenly help and support.

Akathist

Akathist to the Icon of the Mother of God "Tenderness" containsmostly laudatory texts. It contains 13 icons and kondaks, which illuminate some historical events related to the appearance and glorification of the holy icon. The akathist also sets out various requests to the Most Holy Theotokos for help, protection and prayer for the sinful human race. In the end, the final kneeling prayer, filled with requests to the Blessed Virgin Mary for the salvation and protection of all people, is always read.

Conclusion

There are several different types of Orthodox icons of the Mother of God, called "Tenderness": there are miraculous, local-revered and revered images.
Despite the fact that all these images are different, they have one thing in common - they always convey the boundless love of the Most Holy Theotokos to Orthodox Christians and all people.

Temple of the Icon of the Mother of God "Tenderness" in Moscowis located at the center of social forensic psychiatry. VP Serbsky. This is a house operating temple, located at Khamovniki, Kropotkinsky Lane 23. There are always waiting for believers who want to pray and find peace of mind.