Description of the icon Mother of God"BURNING BUSH":
In church hymns, the Mother of God is often compared to the burning bush (unburnt thorn bush), which Moses saw on Mount Horeb (Exodus, chapter 3, verse 2). The similarity between the burning bush and the Mother of God lies in the fact that just as the Old Testament bush remained unharmed during the fire that engulfed it, so Holy Virgin Mary, who gave birth to Jesus Christ, remained a Virgin before and after Christmas.
The icon of the Mother of God “The Burning Bush” is depicted in the form of an octagonal star, consisting of two sharp quadrangles with concave ends. One of them is red, reminiscent of the fire that surrounded the bush seen by Moses; the other is green, indicating the natural color of the bush, which it retained when engulfed in fiery flames. In the middle of the octagonal star, as if in a bush, the Most Pure Virgin with the Eternal Child is depicted. At the corners of the red quadrangle there are depicted a man, a lion, a calf and an eagle, symbolizing the four evangelists. In the hands of the Most Pure Virgin is a ladder, leaning its upper end against Her shoulder. The ladder means that through the Mother of God the Son of God descended to earth, raising to Heaven all who believe in Him.
The icon of the Mother of God of the Burning Bush became most famous for helping in fires, especially after the events of 1822 in the city of Slavyansk, Kharkov diocese. That year, powerful, devastating fires from arson began to occur in the city, but numerous attempts to discover the arsonist were fruitless. Once upon a time, a pious old woman named Belnitskaya was revealed in a dream that if the icon of the Mother of God “The Burning Bush” was painted and a prayer service was served in front of it, then the fires would stop. The icon was immediately painted the best masters, and after the Liturgy a prayer service was performed before her.
Happened on the same day new fire, during which the arsonist, the crazy girl Mavra, was detained. After this, the fires stopped, and the grateful residents of Slavyansk built an expensive icon case for the Burning Bush icon with the inscription: “In memory of 1822 for saving the city from fire.” The tradition of praying to the Mother of God against fires in front of Her Burning Bush icon has been preserved to this day.
Before the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “The Burning Bush” they pray for deliverance from fire and lightning, from severe troubles, and for the healing of ailments.
Prayers to the Most Holy Theotokos in front of Her icon called “ Burning bush»
First prayer
Queen of Heaven, our Lady, Lady of the Universe, Most Holy Theotokos, undefiled, unblasphemous, imperishable, most pure, pure Ever-Virgin, Mary Bride of God, Mother of the Creator of creation, Lord of glory and Lord of all! Through you the King of kings and Lord of lords has come and appeared to us on earth. You are God's mercy incarnate. You are the Mother of Light and Life, just as you once carried Him in Your womb and in Your arms You had the Child, the Word of the Eternal, God, and so you have always carried Him with You. For this reason, according to God, we resort to You, as if to an unbreakable wall and intercession: look with mercy, O all-sung Mother of God, on our fierce anger and heal our souls and bodies of illness: drive away from us every enemy and adversary, deliver from famine, pestilence, from plagues, from many waters and harmful airs, and from sudden death; and like the three youths in the cave of Babylon, preserve and keep us, so that, like the people of God of old, all good things will come to us who honor Thee; Let all those who hate us be ashamed and put to shame, and everyone will understand that the Lord is with You, O Lady, and God is with You. In the days of autumn, bring us the light of Thy grace, and in the darkness of the night, enlighten us with light from above, making everyone useful: turn our sorrow into sweetness and wipe the tears of Thy servants who have sinned and are in need, fulfilling all their requests for good; You can do everything you want, Mother of the Word and Life. The Father has crowned the Daughter, the Son has crowned the Virgin Mother, the Holy Spirit has crowned the Bride, so that you may reign like a queen, standing at the right hand of the Holy Trinity, and have mercy on us as you wish, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Second prayer
Oh, Most Holy and Most Blessed Mother of our Sweetest Lord Jesus Christ! We fall down and worship You before Your holy and most honorable icon, with which You have performed wondrous and glorious miracles, saving our homes from fiery flames and lightning thunder, healing the sick, and fulfilling every good request of ours for the good. We humbly pray to You, O omnipotent Intercessor of our race, to grant us the weak and sinners Your maternal participation and care. Save and preserve, O Lady, under the shelter of Your mercy, the Holy Church, this monastery, our entire Orthodox country, and all of us who fall before You with faith and love, and tenderly ask with tears for Your intercession. She, the All-Merciful Lady, have mercy on us, overwhelmed by many sins and not having boldness towards Christ the Lord, ask Him for mercy and forgiveness, but we offer to You for supplication His Mother in the flesh: But You, All-Good One, stretch out Your God-receiving hand to Him and intercede for us before His Goodness, asking us for forgiveness of our sins, a pious, peaceful life, a good Christian death, and a good answer at His terrible Judgment. At the hour of the terrible visitation of God, when our houses are set on fire, or we are frightened by lightning thunder, show us your merciful intercession and sovereign help: may we be saved by your omnipotent prayers to the Lord, the temporary punishment of God here, and we will inherit the eternal bliss of paradise there: and with everyone let us sing to the saints the Most Honorable and Magnificent Name of the worshiped Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and Your great mercy to us, forever and ever. Amen.
Prayer three
Oh, Most Holy Virgin, Mother of the Lord Most High, Intercessor and Patroness of all who resort to You! Look down from Your holy heights upon me, a sinner, falling before Your miraculous face: hear my humble prayer and offer it before Your beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ: beg Him to enlighten my dark soul with the light of His Divine grace, and deliver me from all needs, sorrows and illnesses, may he grant me a quiet and peaceful life, physical and mental health, may he calm my suffering heart and heal its wounds, may he instruct me in good deeds, may he cleanse my mind from vain thoughts, may he guide me to fulfill His commandments, will deliver you from eternal torment and will not deprive you of His Heavenly Kingdom. Oh, Most Holy Theotokos, You are the “Joy of all who mourn,” hear me, too, who mourns. You, called “Quenching of Sorrow”, quench my sadness too. You are the “Burning Bush,” save the world and all of us from the harmful, fiery arrows of the enemy. You are the “Seeker of the Lost,” do not allow me to perish in the abyss of my sins. According to Bose, all my hope and hope is in You! Be my Patroness in temporary and eternal life and Intercessor before Your beloved Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. Teach me to serve Him with faith and love and reverently honor You, Most Holy Mother of God, Blessed Mary! I entrust myself to your holy prayers until the end of my days. Amen.
Prayer four
Oh, Most Holy Virgin Mother of the Lord, Queen of Heaven and earth! Hear the much-painful sighing of our soul, look down from Thy holy height upon us, who with faith and love worship Thy most pure image. We are immersed in sins and overwhelmed by sorrows, looking at Your image, as if You were alive and living with us, we offer our humble prayers. The imams have no other help, no other intercession, no consolation except You, O Mother of all who mourn and are burdened. Help us the weak, satisfy our sorrow, guide us, the erring, on the right path, heal and save the hopeless, grant us the rest of our lives in peace and silence, grant us a Christian death, and at the terrible judgment of Your Son, appear to us as an intercessor of mercy, and always We sing, magnify and glorify Thee, as the good Intercessor of the Christian race, with all those who have pleased God. Amen. Oh, Mother of God, Burning Bush, protect me from human misfortune, from the lord’s punishment, from unquenchable fire, from arrogant death, from eternal torment and cover me with Your Heavenly robe. Amen.
Troparion to the Most Holy Theotokos in front of Her icon called “The Burning Bush”
Troparion, tone 4
And in the bush, burning with fire and unburnable, Moses showed Your Most Pure Mother, O Christ God, the fire of the Divinity, unburned in her womb, and remaining incorruptible at Nativity: By her prayers delivered us from the flame of passions, and preserved Your city from the fiery incinerations, for You are Many-merciful.
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Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos in front of Her icon called “The Burning Bush”
Kontakion 1
To the chosen Voivode, the Most Pure and God-pleased Virgin Theotokos, whose fiery icons delighted the Church of Christ with Her appearance and with which she protected the faithful from the fiery incineration, we proclaim a praiseworthy song, O You, O Mother of God of the Bush, the unburnt bush, whom we call, as having an invincible power and much mercy, hasten to the aid of to us, who demand Your intercession, and from all troubles, free those who call to You: Rejoice, Gracious One, Unburnt Bush, who delivers us from the burning of fire.
Ikos 1
The Queen of the Angels and all creation, the Lady Lady Theotokos, who receives the singing of praise from the angelic faces, grant us, earthly and earthly, to lift up to You the voices of praise of thanksgiving for Your great mercy to the human race. And even if you are unworthy to sing Your praises according to your inheritance, yet You, as the Good One, do not disdain our inadequate praises: and as Your Son mercifully accepted the two mites of a widow, so kindly hear us crying out to You with tenderness: Rejoice, the Fire of the Divinity in Your womb is unburnt worn; Rejoice, you who gave birth to the Savior of fallen humanity. Rejoice, Thou who abolished the power of hell by Thy most pure Nativity; Rejoice, you who freed Adam and Eve from the ancient curse. Rejoice, thou who served immaculately for the incarnation of the One of the Trinity; Rejoice, you who without seed embodied the Creator of Heaven and earth. Rejoice, O Blessed One, Unburnt Bush, who delivers us from the fiery blaze.
Kontakion 2
When Moses saw a bush on Sinai that was burning with fire and was not consumed, he was horrified, and behold, a Divine Voice came to him from the bush: Break the boot from your foot: there is no place, on it you are standing, the ground is Holy. Having listened to this and we, in humility, the mystery of the incarnation of God the Word from the Most Pure Virgin, foreshadowed by the miracle of the Burning Bush, we confess and fearfully worship the place of the appearance of God, calling to the Creator of all: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
The human mind cannot comprehend the mystery of God's vision, from the formation of the world, the redemption of fallen humanity, predetermined in the Eternal Council of the Trinitarian Divinity: both by the Holy Spirit inspiration, the holy Prophets of God from afar foreseeing the miracle of miracles, as if the Creator would take on the form of a slave, even though he could save the work of His hands from eternal destruction, I proclaimed types and prophecies that were not false, that the redemption of the human race would be accomplished by the promised Redeemer. To Him You, the All-Pure One, having given flesh to each other, have You been vouchsafed to be the Matter of Your Lord, inspiring us to cry out to You: Rejoice, fiery Chamber of the Seated One on the Cherubim; Rejoice, luminous spoon of the Commander Seraphim. Rejoice, bed of the Great King at the top of the mountain of heaven; Rejoice, animated Throne, possessing those above and below. Rejoice, holy icon case of the Deity, Greater Holy of Holies; Rejoice, thou who art all-gold, in whom is the manna of salvation prepared, the flesh and blood of the Divine Lamb. Rejoice, O Blessed One, Unburnt Bush, who delivers us from the fiery blaze.
Kontakion 3
Acting by the power of the Most High, O Blessed Lady, you tame the power of the fiery nature with Your holy icon, and with it you perform many miracles in the universe. In the same way, the Christian race pleases You with voices of praise even in sudden troubles, and especially during a fiery blaze, it flows to You prayerfully, receiving timely help from You. For this reason, we cry out in gratitude to the King of Glory Christ, who glorified You: Alleluia.
Ikos 3
Having great love for people redeemed by the honest Blood of Thy Son and God, the Most Pure Mother of God, Thou hast received from Him the power to build and cover the Christian race: For Thou art a sinner, the Helper of their repentance before the Creator, the unreliable Hope of salvation, speedy Help for the needy, deceased Recovery sovereign, and protection for every world. To you, our merciful and benevolent Intercessor, repaying love with love, we humbly say: Rejoice, universal joy, by which tears are taken away from the eyes of the suffering and mourning; Rejoice, kindly refuge, in which one can be saved when overwhelmed by the storm of passions of the sea of life. Rejoice, almighty suppliant, righteously moving the wrath of God upon us; Rejoice, thou who extinguishes the flame of fire with the dew of Thy prayers at the Throne of the Almighty. Rejoice, preserving Thy heavenly intercession from thunder and lightning; Rejoice, Thou who bestow Thy holy help in good time to every soul that faithfully prays to Thee. Rejoice, O Blessed One, Unburnt Bush, who delivers us from the fiery blaze.
Kontakion 4
When a fiery storm suddenly finds us and the flames of hail and weight engulf us, then, O All-Merciful Lady, hasten to help us helpless and protect us with Your honest icon and deliver us from the fiery punishment, which we have created, worthy of sin for our sakes, for You are the sinners and imams Unashamed Intercessor, we place our trust in You and, glorifying the power of Your prayers, we call the Power of Peace born of You: Alleluia.
Ikos 4
We hear and see the great miracles that happen from Your icon, our All-Blessed Queen, which You have given us as consolation and protection in misfortunes: for even the all-consuming fire faints in its power, before the grace-filled power of Your Most Pure Image, as we have seen and tested so many times, the Burning Bush of You naming in the depiction of this Your image, and before it, chanting voices of praise to You: Rejoice, never-ceasing Prayer Book to Christ God, bowing His mercy to us; Rejoice, you avert God's punishment for our iniquities from our heads. Rejoice, Thy honorable robe that preserves us from all misfortunes; Rejoice, protecting our dwellings from fire and thunder with the maternal cover of Your bounties. Rejoice, All-Merciful Hearer of the voices of our prayer services in sorrow and situation; Rejoice, O sovereign, our Helper in the days of difficult trials. Rejoice, O Blessed One, Unburnt Bush, who delivers us from the fiery blaze.
Kontakion 5
The God-bearing star, Your all-honorable icon: Virgin Mary, all over the world with many miracles, it gracefully shines and enlightens the souls and hearts of men to the knowledge of the greatness of Your mercy, with whom You cover and intercede the Christian race, like a merciful Mother. For this, we who rejoice give thanks to Christ God, Your Mother according to the flesh and to us as Mother according to the spirit, and we call to Him with deep tenderness: Alleluia.
Ikos 5
We see Your icon, Lady, like a truly unburnt Bush, unburnt in fires, and with Your presence making human habitations inflammable: For You were given grace from above, the power of nature in Your womb unburntly contained, sowing grace and Your most pure image appeared to be involved, thus but from the faithful it was called the Burning Bush, we honor it splendidly, and we cry out in praise to You: Rejoice, ever-burning light, ever-burning in prayers for us at the Throne of the Lord; Rejoice, igniting our cold hearts with the fire of God’s love. Rejoice, thou who coolest the heat of our passions in the shade of Thy prayers; Rejoice, in the hour of sorrow and bewilderment, who sends down to us thoughts that are beneficial to our souls. Rejoice, in times of our helplessness, when we are in distress and there is no one who helps us, who hastens to help us; Rejoice, in times of sudden misfortunes, by Your sovereign hand you snatch us from destruction. Rejoice, O Blessed One, Unburnt Bush, who delivers us from the fiery blaze.
Kontakion 6
The Church of Christians preaches Your miracles, Mother of God, like the sand of the sea and the stars of heaven: from the east to the west it is praiseworthy your name miracles and there is no city or country where You have not accomplished the action of the power of God for the deliverance and salvation, enlightenment and healing of people named after Christ, especially through Your Holy icons You have the habit of working miracles, pouring out from them streams of mercy and generosity to needy and sick humanity. For this reason, let us praise You with the voices of spiritual songs, and cry out to Your Son and our God: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
You have shone in the light of divine glory, holding the Virgin, Child and Eternal Lord Jesus Christ in Your hand, and surrounded by the face of the power of Angels, as we see You depicted in the icon, the burning Bush of Moses, mysteriously named, from which you bestowed gifts of grace to the faithful, from the fire and you save thunder, you heal the sick, you console the sorrowing, and you send down to everyone all that is good and beneficial for your soul, as silent voices sing to you: Rejoice, for in Her the Council of Angels and the human race rejoice and triumph; Rejoice, whose glory surpasses earthly and heavenly praises. Rejoice, thou who, from the heights on high, watches over the entire Mother Universe with Thy love; Rejoice, thou who visitest the earthly vale of many sorrows through Thy good deeds. Rejoice, Thy innumerable goodness does not leave the despised and rejected; Rejoice, through Your compassion you snatch away the hopeless from the pit of destruction. Rejoice, O Blessed One, Unburnt Bush, who delivers us from the fiery blaze.
Kontakion 7
Although the Lord showed His love for people redeemed by His Blood, He gave us His Immaculate Mother for protection and protection and created this kind refuge for every Christian soul, grieving and embittered, in need of help and mercy. Considering such merciful service to Your human race, O All-Blessed Lady, we raise our eyes to You in sorrow, and stretch out our hands in prayer, asking for the only consolation from You, that You may save us by Your intercession from temporary and eternal sorrows, and grant us joy on earth to the living saints sing to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
Thou hast wondrously glorified by miracles the icon of Thy holy Burning Bush, called the Virgin Mother of God, with whom Thou hast preserved the cities and weights from the burning of fiery and lightning thunder, and blessed the houses of the faithful, in them the likeness of Thy Most Pure Face is reverently honored. For this reason, as a gift of great value, Your gracious image is joyfully accepted, we honor You with due veneration, and we dutifully please You with these blessings: Rejoice, O alavaster of healing for every ailment containing medicine; Rejoice, O world-maker of the fragrance of Christ, who has fragrant fallen humanity. Rejoice, you who loosen the bonds of sin for repentant sinners; Rejoice, captives of passions, crushing those who strive for purity. Rejoice, quiet joy of virgins and Mothers of the Child; Rejoice, merciful care for the Intercessor of widows and orphans. Rejoice, Blessed One, Burning Bush, burning us with fiery flames.
Kontakion 8
It is strange to see that your icon, Lady, written on the board and by nature subject to its fiery action, reveals more than natural power and tames the power of fire with its presence, all knowing the power of God and the effect of your prayers, we magnify the Creator of all God, who exalted you, for joy and the consolation of us who has given your miraculous image and through it saves us from fiery ignition, may we ever call upon Him with gratitude and praise: Alleluia.
Ikos 8
The whole Christian world glorifies Your name, Most Blessed Mary Theotokos, and it is sweet and comforting for every faithful to gaze upon Your Most Pure Face, to which You are wont to show many and glorious miracles. Behold, we too, in humility, seeing Your holy icon, we adore it magnificently and kiss it with love, expecting from it the help and intercession of Your sovereign, especially in times of our helplessness, when sin for our sake suddenly finds a fiery blaze upon us, so that we may be saved by You from the destructive flame With grateful lips we cry out to You: Rejoice, unmade tabernacle of God the Word, surpassing the Cherubim and the Seraphim in holiness and purity; Rejoice, thou in the light cloud of the Sun of Truth, in whom the Heavenly One has come to the dark, and will lead us to Heaven with Him. Rejoice, thou who opened the doors of heaven to fallen humanity through Thy holy Nativity; Rejoice, Heaven and earth united in one song of silent praise to You and to Him who was born of You. Rejoice, Divine Source, who has flowed forth the water of life; those who drink from it do not die; Rejoice, blessed vine, the grape of salvation that has grown, the wine of immortality that is drawn by man. Rejoice, O Blessed One, Unburnt Bush, who delivers us from the fiery blaze.
Kontakion 9
Thy glory surpasses all praise, Most Blessed and Glorified Mother of our Lord: for even the minds of the incorporeality of singing Thee according to the inheritance are perplexed, all the more it is inconvenient for us earthly and earthly people to eat this, but overcome by love for Thee, we dare to bring Thee all possible singing, praise and thanksgiving for much Thy mercy to the human race, which thou hast loved and never ceases to do good to them, striving at every age of the faithful to cry out to the Savior Christ who was born of Thee: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
The branches of man are exhausted from comprehending the great mystery of Your Ever-Virginity, Mother of God, which the Lord hid from the wise of this age, by faith revealing to the humble and reverent, the inquisitive test of strangers, from them, Orthodoxy and undoubtedly, before Christmas and at Christmas, and after Christmas, the Virgin is preached. Accept then, O Mother and Virgin, our all-soulful confession about this and strengthen us to follow You with an immaculate life and purity of heart, so that we may be able to gladly sing to You the songs of the blue: Rejoice, snow-white crescent of virginity and purity, unfadingly blooming mountain; Rejoice, unto virginity and purity, invisibly guiding those who live hereafter. Rejoice, You who wonderfully combined Motherhood and virginity in Yourself; Rejoice, having kept Yourself blameless and holy in both ways; Rejoice, leader of the monastic faces in purity of soul and body; Rejoice, O Blessed One, Unburnt Bush, who delivers us from the fiery blaze.
Kontakion 10
By arranging the salvation of mankind, One from the Trinity will be incarnate from You, the Bride of God, the Lady of human nature, glorifying human nature by sitting at the right hand of the Father on the Throne of the Divine, as the Only Begotten Son, the same and Thy Son was born in the flesh and glorified You with Himself with a glory that exceeded all glory, which is overshadowed by kindness, not forgetting The human race is merciful, but you prayerfully intercede before the Creator in the One Trinity, for all who faithfully sing His praises: Alleluia.
Ikos 10
You are the wall of virgin faces and monastic councils, the Virgin Mary, all who fervently flock to You in prayer, and reverently honor Your holy icon: You alone have been granted from the Lord the grace of universal intercession, and the faithful in virginity and purity of affirmation. In the same way, stewards of an immaculate life, under Your Mother’s protection, from the storm of passions, and find peace of mind, according to You, crying: Rejoice, monks and nuns of the pious, a fair Patroness and warm Intercessor to God for them; Rejoice, ever-present Helper of God’s servants among the world, and ever-present Helper in spiritual labors. Rejoice, young Teacher of chastity and abstinence; Rejoice, reverent elders, ecstasy and joy. Rejoice, thou who overshadows the homes and families of Christians with Thy good protection; Rejoice, thou who have made every age of the faithful worthy of Thy merciful care. Rejoice, O Blessed One, Unburnt Bush, who delivers us from the fiery blaze.
Kontakion 11
The saint incessantly brings you singing praises Christ Church, All-sung Lady, proclaiming Your mercies and miracles, in whose image the whole universe has been enriched. Truly, since You are quick to listen to our prayerful petitions, but You are also in the habit of anticipating even our very requests, being merciful and gracious to those who require Your holy help, so do not deprive us, the humble ones, who at this hour sing to the glory of Your name and cry out to God: Alleluia .
Ikos 11
Your luminous icon, the Most Pure Mother of God, enlightens our souls darkened by sins with the radiance of Divine miracles, in them we recognize God’s omnipotent power and Your innumerable mercy, ever ready to assist us in repentance and conversion from evil deeds to the path of salvation. We pray to You, O All-Merciful One, do not leave us to go astray in the wilds of sins and passions, but lead us to a quiet refuge of a pious and God-pleasing life, so that we can worthily bring You these hymn gifts: Rejoice, who does not allow it to be possessed over us by the violence of this mortal body; Rejoice, for the demons fear and tremble at Your Holy Name. Rejoice, for Thy honorable icon will drive away all the power of the devil with its presence; Rejoice, strengthening ascetics of piety in spiritual battles with the enemies of human salvation. Rejoice, at the hour of death, helping love and faith to those who have You: Rejoice, Gracious, Burning Bush, who delivers us from the fiery incineration.
Kontakion 12
We partake of the grace of God, confessing Your holy icon, God-Graceful Virgin, and brightly celebrating the feast of Her appearance in the image of the burning bush, appearing, and the action also shows His miracles, preserving our dwellings from the fiery flame and preserving our homes with His presence. For this reason, like a shield and visor that belongs to You, we please our sovereign Helper with song praises and cry out to our Savior born of You: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
We sing to Thee, Mother of God, our only hope and hope, we preach Thy mercy and do not hide Thy miracles, we glorify Thy innumerable goodness to the Christian race, we bless the name Your sacred The myrrh that is truly poured out is for those who love Thee, filling pious souls with a spiritual fragrance. Bless us too, O Lady, who are reeking of spiritual passions, and grant us with a pure heart and undefiled lips to cry out to You: Rejoice, you who flow myrrh into something sweet and soul-saving, with which God-loving hearts are anointed; Rejoice, you who heal mental and physical ailments with a single touch of Your holy icon. Rejoice, Good Leader, guiding repentant sinners on the path of pleasing God and salvation; Rejoice, thou who by the ladder of virtues leads the ascetics of Christ to the gates of the Kingdom of Heaven. Rejoice, you who crown humble and patient sufferers with grace-filled consolation; Rejoice, you who innocently delight the expelled and persecuted with the anticipation of the bliss of heaven. Rejoice, O Blessed One, Unburnt Bush, who delivers us from the fiery blaze.
Kontakion 13
Oh, All-Singing Mother, who gave birth to all the saints, the Most Holy Word, and the Burning Bush from us, unworthy, called: listen to the voice of our prayers and singing, before Your holy icon, earnestly offered to You, and with Your warm prayer to the Lord of the temporal and eternal fire, deliver us who praise Your name and glorifying Your wonders, crying out to Your Son and our God: Alleluia.
(This kontakion is read three times, then ikos 1 and kontakion 1)
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Also read on our website:
Earthly life of the Virgin Mary- Description of the life, Christmas, Dormition of the Mother of God.
Apparitions of the Virgin Mary- ABOUT miraculous phenomena Mother of God.
Icons of the Mother of God- Orthodoxy’s view of fortune-telling, extrasensory perception, the evil eye, corruption, yoga and similar “spiritual” practices.
Superstitions- Description of some superstitions.
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The subject of our study in this article will be the icon of the Burning Bush, what it helps with, and we will now tell you how to pray and read in front of it.
The history of the icon and what is depicted on it 
- Once upon a time, Moses saw a bush on Mount Horeb that was shrouded in flames. Interestingly, this bush remained unharmed after the fire was extinguished. It was later called the Burning Bush. And later people began to go to this bush and pick branches from it, which then protected the home from fires.
- Later it was found out that this plant was sacred and an icon was painted in honor of it, which depicted the Mother of God, who is in the center of the icon. And around the Mother of God was depicted an eight-pointed star, formed from two rectangles with curved sides and pointed corners. The red color in the icon is a symbol of the fire that enveloped the bush. A green color- this is the natural color of the sacred bush.
Where to hangicon of the Burning Bush?
How does this icon help and how to pray in front of it?
“Lord Almighty, deliver us, your people, from the fiery scourge. Let the fiery tongues not touch our forests and fields. May there be calm and peace in globe is going on. Yes, no trouble will touch us. Guide people on the true path, but don’t let someone start a fire on purpose. Protect nature from fires and destruction. Let everything around you be green and beautiful. Amen!"
- This icon can protect firefighters. It will be useful for them to keep it both at home and at work. Even in fire truck You can place a small Burning Bush icon. It is usually their wives and mothers who pray for the health of firefighters.
- The icon also helps to get rid of one’s sins and black thoughts. As church ministers say, a prayer addressed to the Burning Bush icon will help burn out everything bad from the human soul with holy fire.
This is the meaning of the Burning Bush icon, why it helps, we told you and we hope that this icon will bring you a lot of benefit.
You should conduct a dialogue with the Lord in church or at home. Also, do not forget that there must be at least one icon in the red corner.
Believers are told to pray, and the more often the better, mainly saying words of thanksgiving to the Lord for the gift of life. The “Burning Bush” icon is also suitable.
But with this icon there are a number of nuances that should be reviewed, starting with history and ending with the places where you can meet the Mother of God.
And what does this icon protect from?
The icon is famous for its help:
- in case of fires, various injuries;
- in battles and in the army for recruits;
- in regression of the degree of mental illness;
- safe at home from accidents.
How did the icon appear?
The icon appeared in 1822. One day, in one city, severe fires began to appear due to arson, devastating everything in their path. Attempts to find the culprit were fruitless. Suddenly, providence appeared to the pious elderly woman Belnitskaya at night. It read: “the fire will stop if they paint the icon of the Mother of God “The Burning Bush”” and serve a prayer service. The icon was painted instantly by professionals.
And after some time a new fire broke out. That's when they caught the offender - a crazy girl. After which the fires completely stopped disturbing the population. People made a golden frame for an icon with a speech of praise to the Holy Face. Many years later, the tradition of praying to the icon to save one’s house from fire remained.
Also known is the most ancient history the origin of the icon, which was also mentioned in the Bible. Moses, a shepherd, was tending sheep near Mount Sinai and saw fire on the horizon. As he approached the fire. There was a thorn bush burning there, but not physically smoldering. Then the Lord emerged from the fire, speaking instructions to Moses on how to free the Israelites from the yoke. Then a great event happened - humanity received the Ten Commandments.
In our century, the monastery of St. Catherine was erected near this bush and every believer should visit it.
Prayer from fire
Holy Mother of God! Through you the Lord will descend and appear to people. You are peaceful. Why do we come to You as an indestructible wall: see mercy, all-encompassing, for our strong anger and heal us materially and spiritually from all misfortunes: take rude people away from the enemy, deliver us from poisoning and from exhaustion, and from accidental death; Let those who hate everything become ashamed and afraid before the flame, so that everyone will understand that if the Lord is not with You, O Lady, then with You and with us.
In the autumn time, bestow upon us Your gratitude, in the darkness, dedicate us to the dead and fallen with a sacred ray from the sky, necessary and terrifying to all: exchange our tears for happiness and protect us from tears, Your sinful servants, who fulfill all promises for the good of peace and love.
ABOUT, Holy Mother of God! We bow to your knees and to your wonderful image, may your deeds be wondrous and wonderful, from the devilish and all-consuming fire that killed our crops and native places, who healed the illness of the Lord’s servants and fulfilled every noble request of ours for the good of the world and the holy spirit. As we die, we pray to You, our mighty protector.
Shelter and protect, Lady, under Your wing the church, as well as the entire country. Lady All-Merciful, forgive us, who cast many sins into the world and do not have the courage to be rude to Christ the Lord, and forgive Him. And when the day of the terrible coming of God into the kingdom of mortals comes, when all our houses are set on fire, show us Your merciful wing and Your friendliness. In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, may Your great selflessness descend upon us forever. Amen.
Do you want to see the icon with your own eyes?
To date, many painted images of the Mother of God have been irretrievably lost. But the oldest image has been preserved; now it is in the Armory Chamber in the Kremlin.
The Holy Face can also be found in other temples listed below:
- Cathedral of Peter and Paul (in the Urals);
- Neopalimovskaya Church (in the Leningrad region);
- Holy Mother of God Neopalimovsky Cathedral (in Ulyanovsk).
At the intersection of Yurlovsky Proezd and Dezhnev Ave. in Otradnoye, a temple was built for the “Burning Bush” icon. In the middle of the hall in the temple there is an icon. In the center of the image is a drawing of the image of the Mother of God next to the symbolic attribution. The entire image is enclosed in a star with eight points.
Now any believer can enter into communication with the Lord in this temple and pray for the well-being, protection and safety of their home and their relatives.
The Burning Bush icon, which protects a house from fire, is a rather complex composition that sums up the Orthodox believers’ idea of the Mother of God-Church-Sophia. The burning bush is a fireproof bush engulfed in fire, which Moses saw on Mount Horeb. The icon depicts a star with eight corners, which is formed from two intersecting quadrangles with concave sides and sharp corners. The one below is painted red, and this symbolizes the fire that engulfed the bush on Mount Horeb. The other quadrangle is green, which symbolizes the natural color of the bush, which, despite burning, is preserved. There are also options where this object is painted blue or Blue colour. In the center is the Virgin Mary and the Child. In the corners of the red quadrangle are depicted: a man, a lion, a calf and an eagle, which symbolize the evangelists. More important symbol image - in the hands of the Virgin Mary there is a ladder, which leans against her shoulder. This means that it was through the Mother of God that the Son of God descended to earth. It is worth noting one more detail, the “Burning Bush” icon, which has special meaning– on some images, the letters A.D.A.M. are added at the ends of the red quadrangle. According to the Greek legend, the Archangels compiled the name of the first man according to the stars, which were taken from the four cardinal directions. Initially, the “Burning Bush” was simply imagined as a bush on fire, in which the image of the Mother of God was enclosed, and the prophet Moses was kneeling next to it.
History of the Burning Bush icon
They first learned about this image in Rus' in 1390, when Palestinian monks brought it to Moscow. According to legend, it was painted on the rock where Moses saw the burning bush. Priests turn to the icon during severe thunderstorms to protect the temple from fire. When Moscow was on fire, the famous miraculous icon carried around the houses of church parishioners, which helped protect them from fire.
To further understand what the Burning Bush icon means, it is worth telling the story in which it became especially famous. This happened in 1822 in the city of Slavyansk, Kharkov diocese. At this time, huge fires began to break out in this area, and no one could find the culprit of these tragedies. One night, a phenomenon came to the pious old woman in a dream, and a voice said that she needed to paint an image of the Mother of God and serve a prayer service. All this will help stop the spread of fires. The icon “The Burning Bush” was painted and prayers were read in front of it without interruption. On the same day, a new fire broke out, but people managed to detain the culprit, who turned out to be the crazy Mavra. After this, fires no longer tormented the residents of this city and a miracle happened.
How does the Burning Bush icon help?
As already mentioned, this image helps protect the house from fires. They turn to the icon to ask for intercession for those who have dedicated their lives to protecting other people and cities from fires, including military fire. The icon helps to protect oneself from the evil actions and intentions of enemies. In front of the image, people ask for the salvation of the soul from earthly vices. Christians believe that the bush fire can cleanse and burn it out of a person. There is evidence that people who turned to the icon were able to be healed of physical and psychological ailments. Sincere prayers before the image will help you find correct solution and getting out of difficult situations.
“To the Queen of Heaven, our Lady, Lady of the Universe, Most Holy Theotokos, undefiled, unblasphemous, incorruptible, most pure, pure Ever-Virgin, Mary Bride of God, Mother of the Creator of creation, Lord of glory and Lord of all! Through you the King of kings and Lord of lords has come and appeared to us on earth. You are God's mercy incarnate. You are the Mother of Light and Life, just as you once carried Him in Your womb and in Your arms You had the Child, the Word of the Eternal, God, and so you have always carried Him with You. For this reason, according to God, we resort to You, as if to an unbreakable wall and intercession: look with mercy, O all-sung Mother of God, on our fierce bitterness and heal our souls and bodies of illness: drive away from us every enemy and adversary, 
deliver from famine, pestilence, from plagues, from many waters and harmful airs, and from sudden death; and like the three youths in the cave of Babylon, preserve and keep us, so that, like the people of God of old, all good things will come to us who honor Thee; Let all those who hate us be ashamed and put to shame, and everyone will understand that the Lord is with You, O Lady, and God is with us with You. In the days of autumn, bring us the light of Thy grace, and in the darkness of the night, enlighten us with light from above, making everyone useful: turn our sorrow into sweetness and wipe the tears of Thy servants who have sinned and are in need, fulfilling all their requests for good; You can do everything you want, Mother of the Word and Life. The Father has crowned the Daughter, the Son has crowned the Virgin Mother, the Holy Spirit has crowned the Bride, so that you may reign like a queen, standing at the right hand of the Holy Trinity, and have mercy on us as you wish, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen".
Those shrines that depict Immaculate Mother of God with a baby in their arms, have powerful force. One of them is “The Burning Bush”. The shrine symbolizes not only that Mary was born on the land of sinners and was not like the people living there, but also virgin birth Son of God from the Holy Spirit. What is the meaning of the Burning Bush icon, and how does the Mother of God help if you fall before Her face?
The shrine symbolizes the immaculate conception of the Son of God from the Holy Spirit
The icon “The Burning Bush” depicts 2 rhombuses, overlapping each other, in the center of which sits the Mother of God herself and Little Jesus. The red diamonds symbolize the fire that cannot touch Mary and Her Son. In their corners are depicted a calf, a lion, an angel, an eagle, personifying the images of the servants of the gospel, which are spoken of in the revelation of St. John the Theologian.
In addition, the icon depicts archangels holding in their hands various items, symbolizing gifts, and Saints telling people about the miracles performed by the Mother of God.
“Oh, Most Holy and Most Blessed Mother of our Sweetest Lord Jesus Christ! We fall down and worship You before Your holy and most honorable icon, with which You have performed wondrous and glorious miracles, saving our homes from fiery flames and lightning thunder, healing the sick, and fulfilling every good request of ours for the good. We humbly pray to You, O omnipotent Intercessor of our race, to grant us the weak and sinners Your maternal participation and care. Save and preserve, O Lady, under the shelter of Your mercy, the Holy Church, this monastery, our entire Orthodox country, and all of us who fall before You with faith and love, and tenderly ask with tears for Your intercession. She, the All-Merciful Lady, have mercy on us, overwhelmed by many sins and not having boldness towards Christ the Lord, ask Him for mercy and forgiveness, but we offer to You for supplication His Mother in the flesh: But You, All-Good One, stretch out Your God-receiving hand to Him and intercede for us before His Goodness, asking us for forgiveness of our sins, a pious, peaceful life, a good Christian death, and a good answer at His terrible Judgment. At the hour of the terrible visitation of God, when our houses are set on fire, or we are frightened by lightning thunder, show us your merciful intercession and sovereign help: may we be saved by your omnipotent prayers to the Lord, the temporary punishment of God here, and we will inherit the eternal bliss of paradise there: and with everyone let us sing to the saints the Most Honest and Great Name worshiped Trinity, Father and Son and Holy Spirit, and Your great mercy is upon us, forever and ever. Amen".
Red diamonds symbolize the fire that cannot touch Mary and Her Son
The multifaceted image of Saint Mary personifies her actions, exploits and maternal help to those in need, which unite great amount Christian.
The angels depicted on the shrine teach believers courage, wisdom, forgiveness, purification, readiness to take the blows of fate and mercy. The Mother of God herself in the icon symbolizes the “magnet” that attracts all sins and victory over evil.
The angels depicted on the shrine teach believers courage
Undeniable miracles
The meaning of the icon of the Mother of God “The Burning Bush” and what it helps with is known to all peasants. And by what actions is it considered miraculous? Here are a few amazing stories associated with this shrine.
One day in a small town there was a strong fire that engulfed a huge number of houses and buildings. One of the residents, while putting out the fire, saw a woman in the distance. Her face was unhappy, and tears flowed from her eyes. In the hands of the mysterious woman was an icon. After the fire died down and only embers remained of the houses, one of them survived. It was a building near which that same crying woman stood.
One day in a small town there was a strong fire that engulfed a huge number of houses and buildings.
Another story is also related to fires. In Slavyansk, about 3 centuries ago, houses were constantly burning. Locals didn't know what it was connected with. One day, the Mother of God appeared to one of them in a dream and showed who was committing the arson.
In 2010, when the forest in the village of Most caught fire, the priest took with him the Burning Bush icon from the fire and began to read prayers. The fire soon stopped.
What does the icon help with and what do they pray to the “Burning Bush” for?
To the icon of the Mother of God “The Burning Bush”, the significance of which is enormous in Orthodox Church, fall down to protect themselves and their family from fire, natural Disasters, fires.
The shrine also helps in such cases:
- Before being sent to war, soldiers and their commanders invited a priest and prayed in front of the Burning Bush icon of the Mother of God. They were confident that the Mother of God would protect them from death.
- The Face of Mary helps people with dangerous professions - doctors, pilots, military personnel, firefighters, police officers, Ministry of Emergency Situations.
- The icon of the Mother of God “The Burning Bush” protects from committing rash acts and sins.
- The shrine also comes to the aid of those who ask for a cure for mental illness.
- The Burning Bush icon, whose significance is enormous for every believer, protects the house from misfortunes and fires.
The icon of the Mother of God “The Burning Bush” protects from committing rash acts
The shrine protects those people who were born in September and October from the 24th to the 23rd, as well as those who were born from May (from the 21st) to June (before the 21st).
History of the Burning Bush icon
The history of the Burning Bush icon is one of the most ancient. The Old Testament tells about the appearance of the Holy Face to the people.
One day, the shepherd Moses noticed how a thorn bush caught fire. He came closer to look at him. His surprise knew no bounds then, because the plant was engulfed in flames, but did not burn. Immediately, opposite the fire, he saw the Lord, who ordered him to free the Jewish people from the Egyptian shackles. After this, God gave him 10 commandments that true Christians must follow.
The Old Testament tells about the appearance of the Holy Face to the people
Later this phenomenon was called the “Burning Bush”. And not far from the place where it happened, a chapel was built.
The Day of the Icon of the Mother of God “The Burning Bush” falls on the month of September - the 17th (according to the old style, the miraculous image is venerated a little earlier, but also in September - the 4th). Here we recall the burning of a raspberry bush, which was noticed by the servant of God Moses. On the day of the Burning Bush icon, akathists are read in the church and prayer services are held.
What do they pray for in front of the Burning Bush icon?
We have already talked in detail about the meaning of the icon of the Mother of God “The Burning Bush,” but what do they pray to the shrine for? These are the situations in which the face of the Fragile Mary with Little Jesus in her arms will help.
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