Smolensk and Iveron icons of the Mother of God. What is Hodegetria? Description of the icon, its history and meaning. Return to Smolensk

The Icon of the Smolensk Mother of God is a miraculous image of the Blessed Virgin Mary, otherwise called “Hodegetria”. Hodegetria is the Greek name for the icon of the Smolensk Mother of God. Translated from Greek, “ogetria” means “guide”. This is one of the most ancient images in the history of Christianity. Holy Mother of God, because this icon, according to legend, was painted by the Evangelist Luke himself. The icon of the Smolensk Mother of God is associated with an ancient legend about how one day blind men, looking for the way to the temple, got lost, and then a bright image of the Most Holy Theotokos appeared to them.

The Most Holy Theotokos showed the blind man the way to the temple and helped them to see, for which she was called a “guide”, or “Hodegetria”. Copies of the miraculous icon of the Smolensk Mother of God are found in almost every church in Russia. This image of the Blessed Virgin Mary is especially revered, of course, in Smolensk. Through the prayers of believers, the icon of the Smolensk Mother of God helps to get rid of illnesses and family problems, and to overcome various kinds of difficulties.

List of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God: what it helps with

Orthodox Christians of any gender, age, profession go to the temple to the icon of the Smolensk Mother of God to pray with trepidation before the image of the Most Holy Theotokos about their many everyday problems and needs. Many copies of the ancient image of Hodegetria that are in Russian churches are considered miraculous. In Orthodox literature you can find descriptions of a variety of miracles that occurred through prayers before the icon of the Smolensk Mother of God.

This miraculous image Hodegetria is of great importance for Orthodox Christians. The Mother of God, like a kind mother, hears people’s tireless prayers and certainly helps, saving believers from problems and illnesses. Prayer before the image of Hodegetria is of great importance for Orthodox Christians. It is traditionally believed that a copy of the ancient icon of the Smolensk Hodegetria, which is found in almost every Russian church, helps not only to heal from various diseases, but also to solve many family problems. According to the prayers of Christians, Hodegetria helps:

This is not a complete list of troubles and misfortunes from which Our Lady of Smolensk protects people. In order for the Mother of God to hear prayers, you must go to her with a pure heart, without holding a grudge against anyone. If for some reason it is not possible to go to church, you can download a photo of the miraculous icon from the Internet, print it and put it in the red corner at home. Attention: the image of the Virgin Mary printed on paper must be protected from contamination, since any shrine requires respect. In this regard, it is best to design such a printed icon in a frame or passe-partout, having previously placed it in a plastic file.

How to pray before the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The miraculous copy from the ancient icon of the Smolensk Mother of God can be recognized very easily. The icon depicts the Mother of God in her traditional attire. The Mother of God looks directly at the person praying and holds in her arms a baby who sits with a straight back. This icon differs from other popular images of the Mother of God (for example, it depicts the Mother of God with the infant Christ clinging to her breast, and the Mother of God of the Sign depicts Holy Virgin with the unborn child inscribed in her womb).

In order for the Mother of God to hear prayers and help get rid of illnesses, problems, and family troubles, prayer must, first of all, be sincere. In order to ask the heavenly intercessor for help, you can:

You need to go to the Mother of God with a pure heart. You can ask Our Lady of Smolensk to help preserve the health of your family and friends, relieve you of worries and worries, and help with solving complex financial issues. The main thing is not to wish harm on anyone, because the Mother of God is a shining example of comprehensive kindness, humanity, and mercy. In order for the Mother of God to truly help and hear our prayers, it is not enough to simply go to church and ask for her help in everyday needs.

If a person considers himself Orthodox, he must certainly attend confession and partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ, live a spiritual life and work on correcting his soul. And then the Mother of God will certainly hear and help. If a person tried not to sin and suddenly stumbled again, the most important thing is not to lose heart. The Mother of God sees all the attempts of people to become better and will definitely help, the main thing is to make efforts yourself.

Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God: miracles through the prayers of believers

Orthodox literature (books, magazines, thematic brochures) describes many miracles that occurred through the prayers of the icon of the Smolensk Mother of God. Pilgrims who visit the temple in order to venerate the great shrine of Orthodoxy - the miraculous image of Hodegetria, leave numerous reviews of the miracles that happened to them shortly after praying in front of the holy image. Here are the most interesting cases that happened to modern pilgrims from different cities of Russia:

Miracles through prayers before the icon of the Smolensk Mother of God happen every day, because the Mother of God does not leave a single request unattended.

Icon of the Smolensk Mother of God: features of veneration

The Icon of the Smolensk Mother of God is traditionally revered in many regions of Russia. One of the days of her memory is August 10. On this day, many Russian churches hold festive liturgies in honor of Hodegetria of Smolensk, and in churches that are named after this icon, solemn festive services are held with the participation of bishops of the local diocese. You can express your respect to our heavenly intercessor as follows:

Holy image of Our Lady of Smolensk

The main thing is to do all this with a pure heart. and with all my heart. And then Our Lady of Smolensk will certainly hear prayers. She helps everyone who is waiting for this help. Smolensk Hodegetria not only helps believers in everyday needs, but also helps people become kinder, more merciful, softens people's hearts and reduces anger, irritation, softens anger and turns hatred into brotherly love. For those who believe with all their heart, nothing is impossible.

The miraculous image of the Mother of God of Smolensk is undoubtedly one of the most revered images of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Russia. Its popularity is associated with ancient history, as well as with numerous miracles that occurred through the prayers of the heavenly intercessor. For that to ask the Blessed Virgin for help, it is enough to mentally turn to her with the most secret request. And she will definitely hear and help. Perhaps this is why there are so many Orthodox churches in Russia named after the icon of the Smolensk Mother of God, both large cathedrals and small rural churches.

The Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God is one of the most revered images of the Mother of God throughout Russia. Praying at this miraculous icon, the blind received their sight; following her call, great warriors won great victories; Kutuzov blessed his troops with it during the War of 1812, and the number of revered lists from it is incalculable...

1. The prototype of the icon: the Evangelist Luke, the blessing of the Mother of God and further history

According to legend, the prototype of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God, from which all revered copies were made, was written by the Evangelist Luke during the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary, that is, before 45 AD.

When the Evangelist Luke humbly presented this and two other images to the gaze of the Mother of God, She said: “The grace of Him who was born of Me and My mercy be with these icons.”
And so it happened. The image, which later received - around the beginning of the 12th century - the name of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God, became miraculous.

The further fate of the icon was no less interesting: before getting to Smolensk - and to Rus' in general - the icon managed to visit Jerusalem and perform its first miracle - more on that below - in the Blachernae Church of Constantinople.

In Rus', the icon appeared during the time of the Kyiv prince Vsevolod Yaroslavich, who married the daughter of the Greek emperor Constantine Monomakh, Anna. It was with this icon that Emperor Constantine blessed his daughter - and with it Anna Konstantinovna blessed her son, Vladimir Vsevolodovich Monomakh.

Detail: in the photo above is the prototype (!) of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God in the Smolensk Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin, lost after 1941. The photograph was taken in 1912 by the pioneer of color photography Sergei Mikhailovich Prokudin-Gorsky (1863 - 1944).

2. The first miracle. Hodegetria

The first miracle associated with the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God happened in those days when the image painted by the Evangelist Luke was still kept in the Blachernae Church of Constantinople and, of course, was not called the Smolensk Icon.

According to legend, one day the Mother of God appeared to two blind men and told them to go and venerate this icon in the Blachernae temple. The blind men did not dare to disobey the Blessed Virgin and did everything as they were told. On the same day, both blind people regained their sight, and from then on the miraculous image began to be called Hodegetria, which translated from Greek means “Guide”.

Detail: in the photo above is a modern church on the site of the legendary Blachernae Cathedral, destroyed by fire in 1434.

3. The appearance of the icon in Rus'. The first miracle in Smolensk and forced “moves” from the city

So, in Rus' the icon appeared during the time of the Kyiv prince Vsevolod Yaroslavich (1030 - 1093, in the miniature above).

It is known that the wedding of Vsevolod Yaroslavich and the daughter of Emperor Constantine Monomakh Anna took place in 1046, which means the icon appeared in Kyiv at the same time - it was with it that Emperor Constantine blessed his daughter.

Half a century later, in 1097, the son of Vsevolod Yaroslavich and Anna Konstantinovna Vladimir Monomakh became the Prince of Smolensk, and in 1101, on his order, the Assumption Cathedral was erected in the city - the icon was placed there. It was from this moment that the image painted by the Evangelist Luke began to be called the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God.

In Rus', the voice of the icon sounded for the first time in 1238. According to legend, the image of the Mother of God addressed the Russian warrior Mercury with the command to protect the city from the troops of Batu Khan approaching Smolensk. The brave warrior, under the cover of darkness, made his way into the enemy camp and killed many enemies, among whom was the strongest warrior of the detachment. Mercury himself was unable to return from the battle alive and was glorified as a saint.

The icon was kept in the Assumption Cathedral of Smolensk for 300 years, and only at the beginning of the 15th century did it temporarily leave its place for the first time - the city was captured by Lithuanian troops, and it was decided to transport the miraculous image to the Moscow Annunciation Cathedral. The icon returned to Smolensk in 1455, and the next time it left the city a century and a half later - in 1609, during the Russian-Polish war.
During the War of 1812, the icon was also transported from Smolensk to Moscow. On the day of the Battle of Borodino, she, along with two other revered icons of the Mother of God - Iverskaya and Vladimir - was carried around the White City and the Kremlin. Also, by personal order of Kutuzov, the icon of the Smolensk Mother of God was placed around all the ranks of the troops.

4. The disappearance of the icon

The prototype of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God disappeared from the Assumption Cathedral immediately after the capture of the city by Nazi troops. In 1943, the city was liberated, but the icon was never found and its further fate is unknown. Today, the Assumption Cathedral in Smolensk houses a copy of the miraculous icon, made in the 16th century. Apparently, the author of this work was the artist Postnik Rostovets.

Other famous copies of the miraculous image include an icon by Dionysius, painted in 1482 (pictured above).

5. Iconographic features of the image

It is likely that the prototype of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God is a copy from an earlier Blachernae icon, also attributed to the brush of the Evangelist Luke and considered the first image in the world belonging to the type of Hodegetria - “Showing the Way”, “Guide”.

Icons of this type are characterized by a half-length depiction of the Mother of God holding the infant Christ in one hand and pointing to Him with the other hand. The center of the composition is Christ, and the Blessed Virgin, pointing to Him, carries the main meaning of this image - it speaks of the appearance of the “heavenly king and judge” in the world.

Prayer to the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God:

Oh, Most Wonderful and Above All Creatures, Queen Theotokos, Mother of the Heavenly King Christ our God, Most Holy Hodegetria Mary!

Hear us, sinners and unworthy, who at this hour pray to You with sighs and tears before Your Most Pure Image, and tenderly say: Lead us from the pit of passions, Good Hodegetria, deliver us from the spirit of sorrow and sorrow, protect us from all adversity and evil slander and from the unrighteous slander of the enemy.

You can, O our Gracious Mother, not only save Your people from all evil, but also provide and save Your people with every good deed, since other intercessors for You in troubles and circumstances and warm intercessors for us sinners to Your Son, Christ our God, are not imams .

Pray to Him, Lady, to save us and grant us the Kingdom of Heaven, so that through Your salvation we may glorify Thee in the future, as the author of our salvation, and extol the All-Holy and Magnificent name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, glorified and worshiped God in the Trinity, forever and ever. . Amen.

The Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God is an icon of the Mother of God revered in the Orthodox Church. Belongs to the Hodegetria icon painting type. The Mother of God appears in this image as the Guide of a person going to God. She is presented frontally, looking straight at the worshipers. On her left hand the Mother of God holds the Infant Christ, and with her right hand she points to him as the Savior. The Baby Himself stretches out one hand to the Mother, and in the other holds a rolled up scroll - His teaching. The characteristic features of Hodegetria include a very slight turn of the Mother of God towards the Son.

The prototype of the Smolensk Mother of God is very ancient and, according to legend, was written by the Apostle Luke himself for the Antioch ruler Theophilus. After the death of Theophilus, this image of Hodegetria the Guide returned to Jerusalem; in the 5th century, Queen Eudokia, the wife of Emperor Theodosius, moved him to Constantinople, to the Blachernae Temple. From there, the future Smolensk icon came to Rus' in the 11th century. Perhaps the icon became in 1046 a parental blessing for the daughter of the Byzantine Emperor Constantine the Ninth Monomakh Anna, who was married to the Chernigov prince Vsevolod Yaroslavich, the son of Yaroslav the Wise.

However, there is historical evidence that the Constantinople icon was destroyed by the Turks, who divided its precious frame, during the siege of Constantinople in 1453. Therefore, most researchers are inclined to believe that the icon brought to Rus' in the 11th century is a copy of an ancient Constantinople icon.

After the death of Prince Vsevolod, Hodegetria found a new guardian in the person of his son, the Grand Duke of Kyiv Vladimir II Monomakh - commander, writer (author of the famous “Instruction”) and temple builder. In 1095, he moved the icon from Chernigov (his first inheritance) to Smolensk, and in 1101 he founded the cathedral church of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary here. Ten years later, Hodegetria was installed in this cathedral and from that time began to be called Smolensk - after the name of the city, whose guardian remained for almost nine centuries.

In the 13th century, the hordes of Batu fell upon Rus', rapidly moving westward. Crying and praying, the people of Smolensk turned to the intercession of their Guardian. And a miracle happened: the Mother of God, through the image of Hodegetria of Smolensk, granted the city miraculous salvation. The Tatars were already standing several miles from Smolensk when a warrior named Mercury heard a voice coming from the holy icon: “I am sending you to protect My house. The ruler of the Horde secretly wants to attack My city this night with his army, but I prayed to My Son and My God for My house, so that he would not give it up to the work of the enemy. I myself will be with you, helping my servant.” Obeying the Most Pure One, Mercury raised up the townspeople, and he himself rushed into the enemy camp, where he died in an unequal battle. He was buried in the cathedral church of Smolensk and was soon canonized. In memory of Mercury, on the day of his death, a special thanksgiving service was performed in front of the miraculous image of Hodegetria.

In 1395, the Smolensk Principality lost its independence, becoming dependent on Lithuania. But just three years later, the daughter of the Lithuanian prince Vytautas Sophia was married to the prince of Moscow Vasily Dmitrievich (son of Prince Dimitri Donskoy), and Hodegetria became her dowry. In 1398, the newly found shrine was installed in the Annunciation Cathedral of the Kremlin on the right side of the royal gates. Muscovites reverently worshiped it for half a century, but in 1456 a representative of the Smolensk people, Bishop Mikhail of Smolensk, arrived in Moscow and demanded the return of the shrine. Grand Duke Vasily the Dark (1415-1462), after consulting with bishops and boyars, ordered to “release” the miraculous to Smolensk, leaving her exact list in Moscow. On July 28, in the presence of almost all Muscovites, the icon was solemnly carried through the Devichye Pole to the ford at the steep bend of the Moscow River, beyond which the road to Smolensk began. Here a prayer service was served to the Guide, after which the prototype of the miraculous woman went to Smolensk, and the mourners took the list from Smolensk to the Annunciation Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin. On this day, July 28 (August 10), the Smolensk Hodegetria is celebrated. In Moscow, it was customary to make a religious procession from the Kremlin, along Prechistenka and Devichye Pole to the Novodevichy Convent, which was founded in 1525 by Grand Duke Vasily III on the very place where in 1456 Muscovites escorted the miraculous icon.

In 1609, Smolensk was besieged by the Polish army, and after twenty months of siege, in 1611, the city fell. The miraculous Smolensk icon was again sent to Moscow, and when the Poles captured Moscow, then to Yaroslavl, where it remained until the expulsion of the Poles and the return of Smolensk to the Russian state in 1654, during the reign of Alexei Mikhailovich. On September 26, 1655, the miraculous icon of Hodegetria returned to Smolensk.

The Smolensk Hodegetria appeared again in Moscow during the Patriotic War of 1812. On August 26, on the day of the Battle of Borodino, the Smolensk, Iverskaya and Vladimir icons were carried in a procession around Moscow, and on August 31, the Iverskaya and Smolenskaya icons visited the wounded in the battle who were lying in the Lefortovo hospital. When Russian troops left Moscow, the Smolensk icon was transported to Yaroslavl. However, already on December 24, 1812, Hodegetria returned to the Assumption Cathedral in Smolensk.

Before the start of the Great Patriotic War, the Smolensk Icon of Hodegetria remained in its historical place - in the Assumption Cathedral of Smolensk, which was not destroyed even after its closure in 1929. The latest reliable news about the icon of the Smolensk Mother of God dates back to 1941, when the city was occupied by the Nazis. Two years later, Smolensk was liberated by Soviet troops, but the icon was not in the cathedral.

Now in the Assumption Cathedral of Smolensk, in a place of honor there is a copy of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God.

One of the most revered lists of icons in Moscow is located in the Moscow Novospassky Stauropegial Monastery.

Troparion, tone 4

Let us now diligently approach the Mother of God, sinners and humility, and let us fall down in repentance calling from the depths of our souls: Lady, help us, having had mercy on us, struggling, we are perishing from many sins, do not turn away your slaves, for you are the only hope of the imams.

Kontakion, tone 6

The intercession of Christians is not shameful, the intercession to the Creator is immutable, do not despise the voices of sinful prayers, but advance as good help to us who faithfully call Thee: hasten to prayer and strive to entreat, interceding ever since, the Mother of God, who honor Thee.

Lists of Hodegetria of Smolensk

Hodegetria Smolenskaya Mglinskaya

One of the most complete descriptions of the Miraculous Icon of Hodegetria Mglinskaya is presented in the bookPictures of church life in the Chernigov Diocese from its 9th century history. Kyiv, 1911:

I. T. Tokmakov in his book “Historical and statistical description of mountains. Mglina” writes that the icon of Hodegetria was given as a blessing to the wife of the Chernigov prince Vsevolod Yaroslavich, captured in the Chernigov region by the Poles and thrown near the battle site. At the bottom of the icon of Hodegetria, an ancient inscription has been preserved: “To the Rock of God 1664 msetis on September 2, the image was found of the Most Holy Theotokos... between Drokovo and Nivnoye, in a swamp”...

For some time the icon was in Kostenichy, then moved to the Mglin church, and on March 2, 1832, with religious solemnity, it was installed in Mglinsky Assumption Cathedral e.

Materials used from Wikipedia and sites:

http://silbermanfod.livejournal.com/96654.html

Http://www.vidania.ru/icony/icon_smolenskaya.html

Http://lib.pstgu.ru/icons/index.php?option=com_alphacontent&ordering=11&limitstart=3180

The Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God "Hodegetria" is considered one of the icon painting types. According to legend, the icon was painted in ancient times by the Evangelist Luke. In Russia, "Hodegetria" appeared only in the 11th century. Only in the 12th century did it begin to be called Smolensk, when it was placed in the Smolensk Church of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary.

What do they pray to the icon for?

The Smolensk prayer has been revered by many Christians for many centuries and helps incredible miracles happen. Smolensk "Hodegetria" is considered the patroness of travelers; they ask her to protect them from unpleasant situations, various diseases, and unforeseen troubles along the way. All those who suffer also pray to her, asking her to protect and preserve their home from ill-wishers and enemies. Throughout history, Christians have asked for help from the Smolensk Mother of God in times of severe mass epidemics.

Icon type

The name of the icon is the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God "Hodegetria". Otherwise they call it “Guide”. This is not the only specific icon; this is the name of one of the types of writing of the Virgin Mary compositions.

Iconography is divided into several types of scripture:

• Eleussa - Tenderness.
• Oranta - Praying.
• Hodegetria - Guidebook.
• Panahranta - Most Pure.
• Agiosoritissa (without Child).

In other words, everything is divided into groups, each of which has its own characteristic features of writing images. To identify an icon, you just need to determine how in space the faces of the Child Christ and the Mother of God are depicted on it.

What is characteristic of the Hodegetria icon? Here the image of the Baby is slightly distant from the image of the Mother. Christ either sits in her arms or stands nearby. The Christ Child holds his right hand raised in a blessing gesture. With his other hand he holds a book or scroll, which symbolizes the Law of God. One of the versions why the icon is called “Guide”: it indicates to believers that the true path is the path to Christ. The Mother of God points with her hand to the Child as the “Truth, the Path to Life,” to which all believers who want to be saved should strive.

Description of the ancient icon

According to church traditions, the miraculous icon of the Smolensk Mother of God was painted during the earthly life of the Virgin Mary. The masterpiece was created by the holy evangelist Luke. The work was commissioned by Theophilus, the ancient ruler of Antioch. From Antioch the icon was delivered to Jerusalem, and only then Empress Eudokia presented it to the sister of Emperor Pulcheria in Constantinople. Here the icon was kept for a long time in the Blachernae Church.

The board that was used to write the icon has changed a lot under the pressure of time. Now it is difficult to determine what kind of wood it is made of. It is very heavy in weight. The Mother of God is depicted from the waist up. With her left hand she supports the Baby Jesus, her right hand rests on her chest. The Divine Infant holds a book scroll in his left hand, and makes a blessing gesture with his right hand. The clothes of the Virgin Mary are dark coffee-colored, Jesus's are dark green with gilding.

Who does the Mother of God help?

The Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God “Hodegetria” will help preserve peace and tranquility on earth and in every home. The prayer offered to the Holy Virgin protects people in military service, all who defend the tranquility of the Motherland. They also pray to her during outbreaks of various diseases. “Hodegetria” protects everyone who is on the way, protects them from helping them find the right path.

Having heard our earthly prayers, the mistress helps us to reach out to God, her Son, and begs us to forgive our sins and save us from the wrath of the righteous. Hodegetria is a strong assistant and protector, but who does she help?

Only those who fear God, those who are God-loving, and those who pray, are helped by the Mother of God and protected from terrible misfortunes and evil. Those who have no fear of the Lord and the corrupt will not come to the aid of the Mother of God. Nothing surprising about this. With their lawlessness and sinful actions, people crucify the Truth of Christ a second time. Well, what kind of mother would help her son’s enemies? The Mother of God has mercy on repentant sinners, on those who come to God with repentance and ask for help with tears and prayers. The Mother of God helps such sinners, everyone who wants to take the right path, correct their mistakes, and begin a righteous life. She cares about those who repent, about those who, like the prodigal son, return to the faith of Christ, confess and ask for forgiveness and deliverance from the burden of sin. Those who do not repent of their sins, do not care about their souls, are not cared for by the Most Holy Virgin Mary.

Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God. History of appearance in Rus'

At the beginning of the second millennium, the Byzantine emperor Constantine IX (1042-1054) gave his beautiful daughter Anna in marriage to the Russian prince Vsevolod Yaroslavich. On the long journey he blessed her with the “Hodegetria” - a miraculous icon. She accompanied the princess on her journey from Constantinople itself to the Principality of Chernigov. According to one version, this is why the icon was called “Hodegetria,” that is, the Guide.

The son of Vsevolod Yaroslavich, Vladimir Monomakh, was always considered a far-sighted, wisest and diplomatic statesman of his time. He became famous as a peacemaker in his native land. He did not rely only on earthly forces and turned to the Most Holy Theotokos with prayers for help, asking for help to direct his reign in the right direction. With great reverence, he transferred the miraculous “Hodegetria” to Smolensk from the city of Chernigov. There they placed it in the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which was founded in 1101. From that time on, “Hodegetria” received the name - Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God. With God's help, Vladimir Monomakh managed to humble the rebellious princes and become a great ruler in Rus', where peace and quiet were established.

Miracles from the icon. Feat of Mercury

There were many miracles from the Hodegetria icon, but the most remarkable thing for Smolensk is considered to be its salvation from the Tatar invasion. In 1239, it was the miraculous icon of the Smolensk Mother of God that saved the city from enemy invasion. The residents understood that they would not be able to repel the formidable attack of the Tatars and turned to the Mother of God with warm prayers and petitions for peace. The Great Intercessor heard their prayers. The Tatars stopped not far from the city walls.

In those days, one pious Slav named Mercury served in the Smolensk squad. He was chosen by the Mother of God to save the city. On the night of November 24, in the Temple where the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God was kept, the sexton had a vision. The Mother of God appeared to him and ordered him to tell Mercury that he, armed, would boldly go into the enemy’s camp and destroy their main giant.

Hearing these words from the sexton, Mercury immediately hurried to the Temple. He fell in prayer before the Holy Icon and heard the Voice. The Mother of God turned with a request and instructions to Mercury so that he would protect her Smolensk house from the enemy. The hero was warned that it was on this night that the Horde giant decided to attack the city and ruin it. The Mother of God begged her Son and her God to protect and not betray her native lands to the enemy. By the power of Christ, Mercury had to defeat the giant, but with the victory, a martyr’s crown also awaited him, which he would receive from his Christ.

Joyful tears appeared from the eyes of Mercury, praying passionately, calling on the power of the Lord for help, he went to the enemy’s camp and defeated their giant. The Tatars relied only on his unknown strength before the battle. Enemies surrounded Mercury, he fought with incredible strength, seeing the face of the Holy One in front of him. After a tiring battle, the hero lay down to rest. The surviving Tatar, seeing Mercury sleeping, cut off his head.

The Lord did not allow the martyr’s body to be desecrated by the enemy; he gave him his last strength. Mercury, as if still alive, entered the city and brought his severed head. His body was buried with great honors in the cathedral church. Mercury was canonized as a Saint. In memory of his feat, accomplished with the help of the Mother of God in the name of saving the city, every year on this day (November 24) a thanksgiving prayer service and an all-night vigil are held before the image of the Hodegetria. To this day, the Smolensk Epiphany Cathedral contains the shoes and iron cone that Mercury was wearing on that fateful night.

Arrival of the icon in Moscow

The Tatar-Mongol yoke had not yet been completely defeated, but a new enemy was already pushing Rus' from the west. On the western border, Smolensk became one of the significant objects. The Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God “Hodegetria” became the patroness and defender of the city in those hard days.

For a short period of time in the 14th century, Smolensk came under the control of the Lithuanian princes, and “Hodegetria” ended up with the heterodox.

But even here God’s providence preserved the image. The daughter of one of the Lithuanian princes Vytautas Sophia married Vasily Dmitrievich (1398-1425), Grand Duke of Moscow. She brought a holy image with her to Belokamennaya. This is how the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God “Hodegetria” ended up in Moscow in 1398. It was installed in the Annunciation Cathedral, to the right of the Royal Doors.

Moscow residents immediately felt the grace emanating from the ancient “Hodegetria”. For more than half a century they worshiped her and honored the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God. But by the will of God, the Mother of God was destined to return to her home in Smolensk - to the Church of the Assumption, in order to protect the Orthodox there, oppressed by the Lithuanian princes and missionaries.

Return to Smolensk

In 1456, the icon of the Mother of God of Smolensk returned home. It had enormous significance for its people. All residents waited for her return like a miracle. And so a delegation headed to Moscow was headed by Bishop Misail. They tearfully asked the Grand Duke to let the Mother of God of Smolensk go home. The prince held a council with the boyars, after which he decided to fulfill the request. Before "Hodegetria" went to Smolensk, the exact list was removed from it.

A lot of people then gathered in the Church of the Annunciation. First there was a prayer service and liturgy. The entire princely family gathered at the icon: the prince, princess and their children - Boris, Ioan and Yuri, carried little Andrey in their arms. With reverence they all venerated the icon. After this, with tears in their eyes, the prince and the metropolitan took the shrine out of the icon case and handed it over to Bishop Misail. Other icons that had once been brought from there were also given to Smolensk, although the bishop did not ask about this. The Metropolitan asked to leave only one icon for the princely family - the Mother of God with the Eternal Child. The entire princely family was blessed by her. The prince joyfully accepted the icon and kissed it.

After this, a procession of the cross carried the Smolensk icon to the monastery of St. Savva the Consecrated, which is located on Here and the last prayer service was performed, after which the icon went to Smolensk.

At the order of the prince, the icon given to him was placed in the Church of the Annunciation in the exact place where the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God “Hodegetria” stood for many years. Every day a prayer service was held here. The list made from the Smolensk icon was left by the Grand Duke in his family.

An exact copy of the Smolensk icon was made in 1602. In 1666, he and “Hodegetria” itself were taken to Moscow for renovation. The list was installed on (in the tower) directly above the Dnieper Gate. In 1727, a wooden church was erected here. In 1802 a stone church was built. For many years this icon protected the city from the most terrible troubles and misfortunes.

War with Napoleon 1812

When the hordes of Napoleon attacked the Russian land in order to protect the Shrine from desecration, the Smolensk Bishop Irenaeus transported the ancient Greek image of the Hodegetria to Moscow, where it was kept in the Assumption Cathedral.

After the Russian troops left Smolensk, the miraculous copy of the Hodegetria, completed in 1602, was taken with them from the city.

On the eve of the Battle of Borodino, the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God helped the soldiers gain confidence in their victory and be inspired to perform a feat. “Hodegetria” was carried through the camp of the Russian army, the soldiers, looking at it, prayed at it and gained faith and spiritual strength.

On the day when the Battle of Borodino took place, the Smolensk icon, along with the Iverskaya and Vladimirskaya icons, was carried around Belgorod and Kitai-gorod, after which they were sent to where the wounded were located. Before leaving Moscow, the icon was transported to Yaroslavl for storage. At the end of the war on November 5, 1812, she was returned to Smolensk. In memory of the liberation of enemies, this day began to be celebrated annually.

XX century

A little more than a hundred years passed, and again foreign invaders invaded Russia. The Great Patriotic War claimed the lives of millions of Soviet people. Smolensk stood in the way of the enemy. Despite the fact that anti-religious propaganda was carried out in the country, thousands of believers, faithful to their patriotic duty, asked for help from the protector of their “Hodegetria”. The Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God "Hodegetria" helped the people invisibly. It is unknown where the ancient image is located now; after the occupation, the Greek “Hodegetria” disappeared. In the place where it was located, to this day there is a list of the Mother of God, made in the 17th century. For many years he protects the city from troubles, wars, destruction, and blesses believers for righteous deeds.

Back in Moscow

At the beginning of February 2015, the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God "Hodegetria" was located in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. After the restoration, which lasted almost three years, believers were able to see the image of “Hodegetria” without the heavy silver frame. The frame weighing 25 kg was made in 1954 with donations from Smolensk residents. In the difficult post-war years, donations to save the icon could be called invaluable public help, so in memory of this, the frame will be preserved and displayed separately in the Assumption Cathedral.

The icon stayed in Moscow until February 10. On February 15, after a long absence, she was greeted again in Smolensk; renewed, she took her former place to once again protect her hometown.

This is the ancient, interesting story that the Icon of the Smolensk Mother of God tells us. The photos confirm the many varieties of “Hodegetria”; they all contain a sacred sacrament, help believers gain spiritual strength and believe in the Truth of the Son of God.

The miraculous icon of the Most Holy Mother of God, called the Hodegetria of Smolensk, has been known in Rus' since ancient times. "Hodegetria" translated from Greek means "Guide". There are several versions of the origin of this name, but the fact that the Most Holy Theotokos is a guide to eternal salvation for all Orthodox Christians is an undeniable truth.

According to Church tradition, the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God, called “Hodegetria,” was painted by the holy evangelist Luke during the earthly life of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the request of the ruler of Antioch, Theophilus, for whom he wrote an essay about the earthly life of Christ, known as the Gospel of Luke. When Theophilos died, the image was returned to Jerusalem, and in the 5th century, the blessed Empress Eudokia, wife of Arkady, transferred Hodegetria to Constantinople to the emperor’s sister Queen Pulcheria, who placed the holy icon in the Blachernae Church.

The image came to Rus' in 1046 . The Greek Emperor Constantine IX Monomakh (1042-1054), marrying his daughter Anna to Prince Vsevolod Yaroslavich, son of Yaroslav the Wise, blessed her on her journey with this icon. After the death of Prince Vsevolod, the icon passed to his son Vladimir Monomakh, who transferred it at the beginning of the 12th century toSmolensk Cathedral Church in honor of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary. From that time on, the icon received the nameHodegetria of Smolensk.

Assumption Cathedral (Smolensk)

History of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God

In 1238, the army of Khan Batu approached Smolensk. In that army there was a giant warrior who, according to legend, alone was worth almost an entire army. All Smolensk residents came out to pray in front of the image of the Smolensk Hodegetria Guide. The Tatars had already come almost close to the city, no more than 30 kilometers away by today’s standards, when a certain sexton in the Pechersky Monastery outside the city saw in a vision the Mother of God, who ordered him to bring a warrior named Mercury to Her. Entering the Pechersk Church, Mercury saw with his own eyes the Mother of God sitting on a golden throne with the Child in her arms and surrounded by angels. The Mother of God said that Mercury must save Her own destiny from desecration, which once again indicated Her special protection over the Smolensk land. She also told him about his imminent martyrdom, and that She Herself would not leave him, but would be with him to the end.

Following the command of the Mother of God, the selfless Orthodox warrior Mercury raised all the townspeople, preparing them for the siege, and at night he entered Batu’s camp and killed many enemies, including their strongest warrior. Then, in an unequal battle with the invaders, he laid down his head on the battlefield. His remains were buried in the Smolensk Cathedral. Soon, Mercury was canonized as a locally revered saint (November 24), the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God was also declared locally revered, and the legend “The Tale of Mercury of Smolensk,” which dates back approximately to the 15th - 16th centuries, was written about his feat. Moreover, the legend says that after the burial, Mercury appeared to the same sexton and ordered the shield and spear that belonged to him during his life to be hung at his resting place.

Sandals of the Holy Martyr Mercury - one of the shrines of the Smolensk Cathedral

In 1395, the Principality of Smolensk came under the protectorate of Lithuania. In 1398, in order to avoid bloodshed in Moscow and soften the bitter relations between the Polish-Lithuanian rulers and Moscow, the daughter of the Lithuanian prince Vytautas Sophia was married to the son of Dmitry Donskoy, Grand Duke of Moscow Vasily Dimitrievich (1398-1425). The Smolensk Hodegetria became her dowry and was now transferred to Moscow and installed in the Annunciation Cathedral of the Kremlin on the right side of the altar.

Annunciation Cathedral (Moscow Kremlin)

In 1456, at the request of the residents of Smolensk, led by Bishop Misail, the icon was solemnly returned to Smolensk with a religious procession. On June 28, according to the old style, at the Monastery of St. Savva the Consecrated on the Maiden Field in Moscow, with a large crowd of people, the icon was solemnly escorted to the bend of the Moscow River, from where the path to Smolensk began. A prayer service was served. Half a century later, in 1514, Smolensk was returned to Rus' (the assault on the city by Russian troops began on July 29, the day after the celebration of the Smolensk Icon).

In 1524, in memory of this event, Grand Duke Vasily III founded the Mother of God of Smolensk Monastery, which we know better as Novodevichy Convent. The monastery was consecrated and began operating in 1525. From this period, the all-Russian glorification of the icon began, officially established by the Church.

Novodevichy Mother of God-Smolensky Monastery on the Maiden Field in Moscow

However, Muscovites were not left without a shrine - two copies of the miraculous icon remained in Moscow. One was erected in the Annunciation Cathedral, and the other - “measure in moderation” - in 1524 in the Novodevichy Convent, founded in memory of the return of Smolensk to Russia. In 1602, an exact copy was written from the miraculous icon (in 1666, together with the ancient icon, a new copy was taken to Moscow for renewal), which was placed in the tower of the Smolensk fortress wall, above the Dnieper Gate, under a specially constructed tent. Later, in 1727, a wooden church was built there, and in 1802 - a stone one.

The Smolensk miraculous image again showed its intercession during the Patriotic War of 1812. On August 5, 1812, when Russian troops abandoned Smolensk, the icon was taken to Moscow, and on the eve of the Battle of Borodino this image was carried around the camp to strengthen and encourage the soldiers for a great feat.

Prayer service before the Battle of Borodino

On August 26, the day of the battle in Borodino, three images of the Mother of God - the ancient image of the Smolensk Hodegetria, together with the Iveron and Vladimir icons of the Mother of God, were carried around the capital in a procession of the cross, and then sent to the sick and wounded soldiers in the Lefortovo Palace, so that they could venerate the shrines and thank before them the Mother of God for intercession and ask for recovery. Before leaving Moscow, the icon was transported to Yaroslavl.

After the victory over the enemy, on November 5, 1812, by order of Kutuzov, the Hodegetria icon, along with the illustrious list, was returned to Smolensk to its native Assumption Cathedral.

In 1929, the Assumption Cathedral was closed, but was not subject to desecration and destruction, like many other temples and churches during that period. Information that can be considered reliable about the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God- prototype of other, subsequent lists ends in 1941, after the capture of Smolensk by German troops. Then, at the beginning of August 1941, the headquarters of the German command received a message that the list of the icon, attributed according to historical information to the brush of the Evangelist Luke, is in the same place, in good condition, the icon is considered miraculous and its location is a place of worship and pilgrimage. Nothing more is known about that icon.

Now in the place of the missing icon there is a list from the middle of the 16th century, which is not inferior to its predecessor in the number of miracles and in popular veneration, but Hodegetria of the apostolic letter is still awaited in Smolensk, they still believe that the time will come and she will reveal herself from some a hiding place, where it was miraculously preserved all these years, as it once was.

Icon of the Mother of God Hodegetria of Smolensk Gateway, copy from the famous Smolensk Icon. Once it hung above the gates of the Smolensk Kremlin; now it is kept in the cathedral on the site of the Smolensk icon lost in 1941.

Lists with icons

There are many revered copies of the miraculous Smolensk Hodegetria. Many copies of that original but lost icon became miraculous (more than 30 in total) - Igretskaya Pesochinskaya, Yugskaya, Sergievskaya in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, Kostroma, Kirillo-Belozerskaya, Svyatogorsk, Solovetskaya, etc.. All these images at different times and demonstrated their miraculous properties to varying degrees.

Iconography

There is little information left about the iconographic features of the image, since the icon, as is known, was lost in 1941, and therefore no one studied it. It was only known that the icon board was very heavy, the ground was made of chalk with glue, as was done in ancient times, and covered with canvas.

The Mother of God holds the Child in her left hand, the Lord’s right hand is raised in a blessing gesture, and in His left hand is the “scroll of teaching.” On the reverse side were written a view of Jerusalem, the Crucifixion and an inscription in Greek - “The King is crucified.” In 1666, the icon was renewed, and later images of the Most Pure Mother and John the Evangelist appeared at the Crucifixion.

The iconographic image of the Smolensk Icon is very similar to the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God, but differs in the severity of the arrangement of the figures and the expression of the faces of the Mother of God and the Infant.

Meaning of the icon

The Holy Icon of the Mother of God Hodegetria is one of the main shrines of the Russian Church (along with Vladimir and Kazan).

Amazing historical material is associated with the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God, which, through the paths of her wanderings across Western Russian lands, marks all the most important events in the history of Russia up to the last century. It can be said that not a single event where the intercession of the One depicted on it was required was accomplished without Her intervention. Hodegetria the Guide pointed out and defended our West from the aggressive interests of neighboring states, which sought to establish their influence in the Russian state by both military and political means. But even the retreats, which were accompanied by the transfer of the miraculous shrine from its main inheritance - the Assumption Cathedral in Smolensk, were only a strategic necessity, and in no way an agreement with the presence and rule of foreigners and the prevailing Latin faith on our land. The cathedral prayers of Smolensk and Muscovites before her brought their wonderful fruits - sooner or later the enemy was expelled, and the Smolensk Hodegetria returned home to Smolensk.

Believers have received and are receiving abundant gracious help from her. The Mother of God, through Her holy image, intercedes and strengthens us, guiding us to salvation, and we cry out to Her: “You are the All-Blessed Hodegetria to the faithful people, You are the Smolensk Praise and all the Russian lands are the affirmation! Rejoice, Hodegetria, salvation for Christians!”

Celebration

The celebration of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God takes place three times a year - July 28/August 10, established in 1525, when the miraculous image was transferred from the Annunciation Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin to the Mother of God-Smolensk (Novodevichy) Monastery, founded by Vasily III in gratitude to the Mother of God for the return of Smolensk to Rus' during the Russian-Lithuanian War. The festival was established in memory of the arrival of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God to Rus' in 1046.

The second time the celebration takes place on November 5/18 in honor of the victory of Russia in the Patriotic War of 1812.

November 24/December 7 We celebrate the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God, remembering the victory of the inhabitants of Smolensk over the troops of the Golden Horde through the common prayer of the people before Her icon - the Smolensk Hodegetria.

The Smolensk Mother of God helps everyone who turns to her with prayers for healing from incurable diseases, in search of family peace and in other difficult and insoluble situations, as the first intercessor for us before God.

Troparion, tone 4

Let us now diligently approach the Mother of God, sinners and humility, and let us fall down in repentance calling from the depths of our souls: Lady, help us, having had mercy on us, struggling, we are perishing from many sins, do not turn away your slaves, for you are the only hope of the imams.

Kontakion, tone 6
The intercession of Christians is not shameful, the intercession to the Creator is immutable, do not despise the voices of sinful prayers, but advance as good help to us who faithfully call Thee: hasten to prayer and strive to entreat, interceding ever since, the Mother of God, who honor Thee.

In Kontakion, tone 6
There are no other imams of help, no other imams of hope, except You, the Lady: Help us, we hope in You and we boast in You: We are Your servants, let us not be ashamed.

Prayer
O Most Wonderful and Above All Creatures Queen Theotokos, Heavenly King Christ our God Mother, Most Pure Hodegetria Mary! Hear us sinners and unworthy at this hour, praying and falling before Your Most Pure Image with tears and tenderly saying: lead us from the pit of passions, O Most Blessed Lady, deliver us from all sorrow and sorrow, protect us from all adversity and evil slander, and from the unrighteous and cruel slander of the enemy. You may, O Our Blessed Mother, save Your people from all evil and provide and save You with every good deed; Do You need other Representatives in troubles and circumstances, and warm Intercessors for us sinners, not imams? Pray, O Most Holy Lady, to Thy Son Christ our God, that He may make us worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven; For this reason, we always glorify Thee, as the Author of our salvation, and extol the holy and magnificent name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, glorified and worshiped God in the Trinity, forever and ever. Amen.

Second prayer
To whom shall I cry, Lady? To whom shall I resort in my sorrow, if not to You, Lady Lady Theotokos, Queen of Heaven? Who will accept my cry and my sighing, if not You, O Most Immaculate One, the Hope of Christians and the Refuge for sinners? Bend, O Most Pure Lady, Thy ear to my prayer, Mother of my God, do not despise me, requiring Thy help, hear my groaning and inspire the cry of my heart, O Lady Theotokos Queen. And give me spiritual joy, strengthen me, who is impatient, sad and careless towards Your praise. Enlighten and teach me how You should pray, and do not leave me, the Mother of my God, for my grumbling and impatience, but be my protection and intercession in my life and lead me to the quiet haven of blessed peace, and count me among Your chosen flock and there deign me to sing and glorify You forever. Amen.