Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God called Odegetria. Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God

This article will consider the question: “Hodegetria - what is it?” In addition, we will learn in more detail about the origin of this icon, as well as the antiquity of the image about which there are legends. Let's look at existing icons and lists from the original image.

Hodegetria - what is it?

Where did this image come from? According to legend, it was originally written during the life of the Mother of God. This image, which later became known as the Mother of God Hodegetria, was sent to Constantinople in the fifth century. For a long time was in the Odegon monastery. Some researchers believe that this icon was a copy from Blachernae. That first image also contained a small part of the Mother of God’s maphoria.

Today in Tretyakov Gallery one of the oldest such images is kept, which remains as it was before. originates from Pskov and dates back to the end of the 13th century. Previously, it was located in the Church of St. Nicholas of Kozh.

It should be noted that the name of this image has its own legend. It appeared before two blind men and in some incomprehensible way led them to the temple in Blachernae. She placed the sufferers in front of the icon of the same name, and they began to see clearly. Since then, this image has received the name “Hodegetria”, which is translated from Greek as “guidebook”.

According to another legend, the icon became a blessing for the wedding of Anna, who was the daughter of the Greek emperor Constantine Porphyrogenitus. After a long journey to Rus', it acquired its name.

"Hodegetria" in Rus'

The icon came to the territory of present-day Russia somewhere in the middle of the 11th century. She was brought by Princess Anna, who after some time became the wife of Vsevolod Yaroslavich of Chernigov. This image was originally miraculous and enjoyed special veneration by Christians. After some time, “Hodegetria” began to be called Smolensk.

Many copies of this icon quickly spread throughout Rus'. Of course, the image itself underwent some changes, since there was no strict iconographic canon for this type of Mother of God, and no one demanded an exact copy of the shrine. However common features the icons were preserved.

Special attitude towards the Mother of God in Rus'

So, the Hodegetria icon in Rus' is quite popular and very revered. Evidence of this are numerous lists of the first image, which were distributed throughout Ancient Rus'. It should be noted that the Mother of God is favorable to people living in this territory, since in many areas she is considered a patroness and intercessor.

Very often, sincere prayer saved a person from some misfortune or misfortune. There is a lot of evidence of this, both in ancient times and today.

Iconography of the image

The Hodegetria icon is a special image of the Mother of God. Translated from Greek, as already mentioned, this is a “guidebook”. The icon has special meaning for Christians. This image usually depicts the Mother of God and Child. Her hand is a finger pointing to the Son (located in front of the chest), as well as to the salvation of all mankind. This moment very important. The Baby himself sits on his left hand. His left hand occupied by a rolled scroll, and the right one raised in a blessing gesture. The Baby's legs are either crossed or straight. Usually the Son is depicted frontally, but sometimes he can be drawn half-turned. In any case, the blessing gesture is preserved. The Virgin Mary is sometimes depicted on a throne, sometimes in full height or waist-deep.

It should be noted that this image was known for quite a long time, even before the 6th century, in Palestine and Egypt. After which it became widespread throughout the Orthodox East. In the 3rd century, a theological understanding of this image took place, namely the interpretation of the moment of the Incarnation of God by the Mother of God. It should be noted that it is from this plot that new ones emerge that are directly related to the Mother of God. This and “ Burning bush”, and “The Unbreakable Wall”, and many others.

Smolensk icon - the most popular for this type

The icon "Hodegetria of Smolensk" is considered the prototype of all similar icons in Rus'. Its history goes back centuries, but these are mostly legends that were passed down from mouth to mouth. It is believed that it is a copy of the first icon that was painted by the Apostle Luke. She came to Rus', as was written above, with the daughter of Emperor Constantine.

After Prince Vsevolod Yaroslavovich and his wife Anna died, the icon was inherited by their son, Vladimir Monomakh. He transferred the miraculous image to Smolensk and placed it in the Church of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary. Since then, the icon has become Smolensk.

In terms of the number of miracles performed, she is in one of the first places among her kind. It was the “Mother of God Hodegetria of Smolensk” who in 1239 was the intercessor and savior of the Russian land from the invasion of the troops of Batu Khan.

At the beginning of the 15th century, the icon was moved to Moscow and placed in the Kremlin in the Annunciation Cathedral. After some time, she was returned to her homeland, to Smolensk. After this, the image made many more travels and migrations, especially during wars and aggressive actions, but always returned to its homeland. Unfortunately, after the events of World War II, the fate of the image is unknown.

At one time, many copies were written from this icon, which spread throughout Russia. In Smolensk, in place of the ancient icon there is now another one, which also has miraculous properties. It is considered one of the most important shrines of the Russian land.

Tikhvin icon

Along with the Smolensk image, the “Tikhvin Hodegetria” is also revered. The icon of the Mother of God has the same ancient history, during which there were wonderful moments. It is believed that the image disappeared from Constantinople after its fall, and some time later appeared in Russia near Tikhvin.

According to legend, the Patriarch of Constantinople himself said that this is the same icon that was once in the Blachernae Church. In the Tikhvin Monastery the image was placed in the same way as originally in the temple of Constantinople. He stayed there all the time until monasteries and churches began to close throughout the country (USSR times).

IN Soviet years The icon was in America, and in 2004 it returned to Russia, where the Tikhvin Monastery began to be rebuilt.

Kazan icon

Another famous “Our Lady Hodegetria” is located in Kazan. This icon was found in 1579 in the city of Kazan, after there was a terrible fire that destroyed almost the entire settlement. The image of the Mother of God was revealed to a little girl, who dug the icon out from under the ashes.

The miraculous acquisition of the image after terrible tragedy It hit everyone very hard. Many at that time went to worship her, she gave hope for salvation (after all, cold weather was setting in, and many people were left on the street, without shelter or any property).

Subsequently, at the behest of Ivan the Terrible, the Kazan Cathedral was built, and near it it was founded. Miracles began to happen near the icon immediately after its discovery (the epiphany of two blind men).

Today the original icon does not exist; after some time it was lost. However, numerous lists from it still exist today, famous for their miracles.

Other famous icons of this type

The Hodegetria of Smolensk icon is, of course, the most famous among others of this type. However, there are many others similar to it. One of these icons is the Georgian one. Initially, she was in Georgia, but after 1622 she was taken to Persia (the conquest of the country took place). Her journey was long, and it stopped in the Arkhangelsk province in the Krasnogorsk monastery. Today, the original image is lost, but there are copies from it. Prayers are offered before the icon for the sake of getting rid of various epidemics, as well as to recover from ear and eye diseases.

Another, no less important, icon depicting the Mother of God Hodegetria is the Iverskaya. This image has no less mysterious story. In the 9th century, she was in the house of a pious woman. It was an iconoclastic period, and she decided to save the icon from destruction by lowering it into the waters of the sea. The icon appeared only two centuries later near Mount Athos near the Iveron Monastery. A gate church was built for her, where the image is still preserved.

Of course, these are not all the images of this type, which are kept and revered in many monasteries and temples. There are quite a lot of them, and they all have their own special power and give patronage.

Temples that are dedicated to the image of “Hodegetria”

Having considered the question: “Hodegetria - what is it?” - it should be noted that this image Other shrines also correspond. For example, in many cities both in Russia and other countries, there are temples that were built in honor of the image of the “Guide”. Let's look at the list:

• Church in Kimzha, located in Arkhangelsk region(It does not work);
• church in the city of Disna, Belarus (operating);
• chapel-temple of Hodegetria, it is located in Simferopol, Crimea (operating);
• church in Kasimov, located in Ryazan region(current).

And there are quite a large number of such churches, chapels and temples, since the veneration of the Mother of God by the Orthodox is great.

Conclusion

So, now you know the answer to the question: “Hodegetria - what is it?” And also about where this iconographic type came from and what the most famous icons dedicated to it exist. It is quite understandable why this image is so revered in Rus', because more than once the Mother of God saved people from various troubles, instilled faith and hope, and did not allow them to lose heart.

To reach a goal, a person needs a map or a guide. There are similar laws in the spiritual world - you can achieve certain successes under the guidance of an experienced mentor. Holy Virgin is a universal guide for Christians. There is even a very ancient type of icon of the Mother of God, called “Hodegetria” (from Greek - indicating the way).

History of appearance

In iconography difficult fate- the first centuries after its appearance, Christianity was not numerous, it was considered an incomprehensible sect, which was despised by both Jews and Romans. Christians had to hide, they were persecuted by emperors - they were thrown to lions, stoned, their heads were cut off for refusing to make sacrifices to the pagan gods. For the Romans, this was tantamount to refusing to serve Caesar.

Therefore, at first, images of Christ and saints were very rare and were preserved mainly only in the catacombs. Most often, they were symbolic - the church canon was just being formed at that time, many objected to trying to express with drawings what is inaccessible to human understanding. After all, Christ is God, and Christians are just people. Instead of Jesus, they painted a shepherd or a fish.

The first icons of the Mother of God, according to legend, were painted by the Apostle Luke - including the Hodegetria. Church texts also claim that the Most Pure One herself blessed the creation of the images. Not a single one of those created directly by the hand of the evangelist has reached our time. But it can be argued that today's images are quite exact copies first.

Icons began to appear on wooden boards from the 3rd century. - this period is considered the beginning of icon painting as an art. Then in the 8th century. a period of iconoclasm began, during which they were mercilessly destroyed. 60 years later, the Council of Nicaea officially established the veneration of holy images. All these years, Christians carefully collected and preserved icons of Christ and the Mother of God.

Characteristic features of the image

The icon, unlike an ordinary painting, has a different purpose - according to the holy fathers, it is a window to another world. In a similar way, the icons of the Mother of God are not just an image of two personalities - through them the meaning of the Incarnation of God is revealed. The Hodegetria icon is one of the most common types; its theological significance is the revelation of the relationship between God and man. To do this, icon painters use composition, gestures, and colors.

• The Mother of God and Christ look directly at those praying.
• Jesus is depicted at the age of a youth (Emmanuel).
• There is a scroll in the Savior's hand.
• The image can be either half-length or shoulder-length (the “Kazan” icon also belongs to the “Hodegetria” type).

The divine nature of Christ is especially emphasized here; the composition is not devoid of greatness. The Mother of God is always depicted in an omophorion - emphasizing both the royal greatness of the Virgin and her role in the plan of the Incarnation. Right hand The Virgin Mary is directed towards Jesus. The meaning of this gesture of the Mother of God on the Hodegetria icon is this - she points to Christ as the only path to salvation.

But the Queen of Heaven herself is a guiding star - she was the first perfect man, managed in a sinful world to preserve the vision of God, which most people are deprived of. After all, Adam and Eve could talk with the Lord personally, but today the human race has become so alienated from the Creator that it can die from His mere sight. Therefore, Christians should not waste their lives on vanity and entertainment, but prepare for the transition to another world.

The joint image of the Lord and His Mother also has more deep meaning. The incarnation of Christ as man was not possible without Mary. Moreover, only thanks to the implementation of this divine plan, people can now paint icons. Previously, it was forbidden to depict God because no one could see Him. But having been born from an earthly woman, Christ became incarnate as a Person who is depicted in images.

Shrine from Byzantium

Most icons of the Mother of God depict her together with Jesus - the icon of Hodegetria of Smolensk is no exception. The icon has ancient origin, was brought to Rus' from the East. It immediately began to be revered as a shrine, visited different cities, and was firmly connected with the military victories of the Russians. From the 11th century The Orthodox kept this image and built a special temple for it. But during the Great Patriotic War the shrine disappeared.

Now, in the place where the ancient Hodegetria icon was located, there is a list made at one time by the prudent guardians of the image. The rich salary speaks of nationwide veneration, which has been going on in Russia for several centuries. Fortunately, quite a few miraculous copies have survived, there are several dozen of them. Some are in museums:

• in Moscow, im. A. Rubleva;
• in Vladimir, museum-reserve;
• in Kostroma, historical and architectural museum;
• in the Novgorod Kremlin.

Also in our country there are several hundred temples in the name of this famous image. In almost any church you can find “Hodegetria”, place a candle next to it, and ask for help in spiritual development, raising children, and everyday affairs.

In the 18th century Queen Elizabeth ordered the construction of a small church in the cemetery - those who died during the construction of St. Petersburg were buried there. The temple was consecrated in the name of the Icon of the Mother of God “Hodegetria” of Smolensk, and over time it developed. Instead of wood, they built a stone one - simple in shape, but with graceful lines, light, with a high bell tower. Side chapels were added, new shrines appeared in the church. The miraculous copy of the Smolensk icon is located in the main iconostasis.

Prayer Requests

Orthodoxy gives the Queen of Heaven such honors that are no longer given to saints or even angels. Above it is only Christ Himself. Prayerful appeals to her are taken from the Gospel texts. Even the wording of church hymns stands out - only the Mother of God is told “save us.” In this way, the church testifies to its admiration for the Mother of God.

She was able to rise to such a level of holiness that only a mortal can reach, with the help of the Holy Spirit. The people simply love her, like a Mother - an inexhaustible source of love, understanding, and patience. An image that is close to everyone, accessible for comprehension. It is through him that it is easier to understand God’s love for people. Therefore, it is not surprising that in prayer practice, appeals to the Mother of God are very frequent.

The first akathist was written specifically to the Mother of God; it can also be read in front of the Hodegetria icon. This song of praise contains many epithets that the Queen of Heaven is worthy of. The Byzantine akathist is so perfect in style that it is included in the liturgical cycle. Reading it regularly will help you receive many spiritual gifts. But also short prayers The Mother of God will benefit the believers.

The Akathist is very easy to read - thanks to its small volume and easy-to-perceive form. The expressive syllable touches every corner of the soul, conveys the whole gamut of feelings that Christians have for the Mother of God. Such a prayer does not require large quantity time.

How does the Mother of God help believers? The Hodegetria icon provides an answer to this question. She makes the aspirations of the soul high so that nothing vain disturbs it. Experiencing fear, dissatisfaction with oneself or others, and harboring hatred, a person moves further and further away from the Lord. A bright, pure soul is determined to give joy to others. She perceives even the difficulties that exist in the life of any person with gratitude.

You can also ask for help in worldly matters, but only after praise has been given to the Lord. Even if there is no gratitude in the heart, we must offer it with our lips and ask God to soften the hard heart. For this purpose, repentant psalms are read. Prayers for parents, children, and friends are appropriate. It is especially worth praying for those who cause offense - after all, the Lord commanded to pray even for enemies. The results of prayers depend not so much on diligence (although they should be regular) but on faith.

Prayer to the Hodegetria icon

Oh, Most Holy Lady, Lady Theotokos, you are the highest of all Angels and Archangels, and all the most honest creatures, you are the helper of the offended, the hopeless, the poor intercessor, the sorrowful. feeding, nursing for the hungry, clothing for the naked, healing for the sick, salvation for sinners, help and intercession for all Christians. Oh, All-Merciful Lady, Virgin Mother of God, Lady, by Your mercy save and have mercy, Your Holiness Orthodox Patriarchs, Most Reverend Metropolitans, Archbishops and Bishops and all the holy the monastic and monastic rank, and all Orthodox Christians through the robe of Your honest protection; and pray, Lady, from You, without seed, the incarnate Christ our God, that He may gird us with His power from above, against our invisible and visible enemies. Oh, All-Merciful Lady Theotokos! Raise us from the depths of sin and deliver us from famine, destruction, from coward and flood, from fire and sword, from the presence of foreigners and internecine warfare, and from vain death, and from the attack of the enemy, and from corrupting wind, and from deadly plagues, and from all evil. Grant, Lady, peace and health to Your servants, all Orthodox Christians, and enlighten their minds and the eyes of their hearts, even to salvation; and we are worthy, Thy sinful servants, of the Kingdom of Thy Son, Christ our God; for His power is blessed and glorified, with His Beginning Father, and with His Most Holy, and Good, and Life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

On August 10, the celebration of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God, which belongs to the “Hodegetria” iconographic type, takes place. This name is translated from Greek as “Guide”.

The Smolensk Icon “Hodegetria” is one of the most revered icons of the Mother of God. She came to us from Greece, but reliable information Who and when the icon was brought, no. According to legend, the Byzantine Emperor Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus blessed his daughter Anna with this icon in 1046, marrying her to Prince of Chernigov Vsevolod Yaroslavovich (in 1076 Vsevolod received the title “Prince of All Rus'”). There is an opinion that the icon is a copy of the ancient Blachernae icon created by the Evangelist Luke.

The icon became the ancestral shrine of the Russian princes, symbolizing the continuity and dynastic closeness of Constantinople and Rus'. In 1095, Vsevolod Yaroslavovich's son Vladimir Monomakh moved the icon from Chernigov to Smolensk, where in 1101 the cathedral church of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary was founded, in which the icon was placed. Since then they began to call it Smolenskaya.

The miraculous deliverance of Smolensk in 1239 from the hordes of Batu is associated with this holy image. Following the prayer of the city residents addressed to the Mother of God, the Tatars stopped 24 versts from Smolensk. The hero Mercury entered their camp at night and single-handedly swept away huge number enemies, driving the entire army into confusion. For this act he was canonized.

During Patriotic War In 1812, the icon was taken from Smolensk to Moscow. On the day of the Battle of Borodino, it, along with the miraculous icons of Vladimir and Iverskaya, was carried around the Kremlin and the White City. With the fall of Moscow, the icon was moved to Yaroslavl, and only after the victory over Napoleon was returned to Smolensk, where it remains today.

August 10 – Smolensk: signs and rituals

At this time, thunderstorms often occur, so in Rus', out of fear of a thunderstorm, they did not work on August 10. In honor of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God, on the day of the holiday they performed procession– walked “through barns filled with bread.” After the public prayer service, the peasants could take the icons home and walk around the yard and home with them. The prayer service ended with a festive dinner.

On this day, blacksmiths were honored who repaired plows and plowshares before plowing winter crops. In folk life, the figure of the blacksmith has always stood apart - this man had power over fire and iron, and was responsible for the strength and sharpness of the tools with which they cultivated the land. Blacksmiths were credited with having power over evil spirits.

There is a belief that on August 10 you cannot change anything, because the exchanged item will not last long: it will either get lost or break. This day was also considered unlucky for trading.

To determine the weather for the coming days, peasants went to reservoirs:

• if fog spreads across the water in the morning, the weather will be good;
• if the fog rises, it will rain.

August 10 – Smolenskaya: what not to do

On the day of the celebration of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God, it is advisable to visit the temple and pray at the icon of the Mother of God. Girls should not do needlework on August 10th. To Smolenskaya, as well as to others church holidays, you cannot swear, blaspheme, or judge other people. You should get rid of bad thoughts and try to do good, godly deeds. After morning prayer you can begin your daily activities. Cleaning the house, cooking and gardening are not considered a sin on this day.

Video: August 10 – Day of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God

- (Greek, from odis the road, and ago I lead). Guidebook, the name of the miraculous Smolensk icon of the Mother of God. Dictionary foreign words, included in the Russian language. Chudinov A.N., 1910. ODIGETRIA Greek. odegetre, from odegeo, travel guide, from odis,... ... Dictionary of foreign words of the Russian language

- (Greek: Guide), famous miraculous Byzantine icon, known throughout the Christian world. The name, according to Byzantine sources of the 11th and 12th centuries, comes from the Greek. Odegoi indicating the way; this word was used to call conductors... ... encyclopedic Dictionary

Guidebook Dictionary of Russian synonyms. Odegetria noun, number of synonyms: 1 guidebook (5) ASIS Dictionary of Synonyms ... Synonym dictionary

ODIGETRIA- (title; icon of the Mother of God) CONCLUSION (HODIGETRY) Cap. Kuz909 (158); Driver Hodegetria! You move ships in the sea, You shine like a star for us in the distance, Far from native land! ib.; Where the waves howl like a jackal, Where fatal fate was looking for us, You are from... ... Given name in Russian poetry of the 20th century: a dictionary of personal names

"Hodegetria"- Icon of the Mother of God in the Moscow Ascension Maiden Monastery, painted in the 17th century. on a board that remained burnt after a fire in Moscow in 1482. On this board was an even more ancient icon of Hodegetria, the image of which disappeared in the fire.… … Complete Orthodox theological encyclopedic Dictionary

The name of the icon of the Mother of God, written, according to legend, by the Evangelist Luke, other Russian. digitrɪ (see Srezn. II, 614), from Greek. ΏΟδηγήτρια indicating the way; see Vasmer, Gr. sl. this. 133; Convert I, 639… Etymological Dictionary of the Russian Language by Max Vasmer

- (Greek: Guide) the miraculous icon of the Most Holy Theotokos on Mount Athos in the Xenophian monastery, where it appeared from the Vatopedi monastery in 1730; celebrated on January 21. In Russia there are many miraculous icons of O.: the icon of the Smolensk Mother of God in... ... Encyclopedic Dictionary F.A. Brockhaus and I.A. Ephron

G. Iconographic type of the Mother of God. Ephraim's explanatory dictionary. T. F. Efremova. 2000... Modern Dictionary Russian language Efremova

CHRISTOFOROVSKAYA, miraculous icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary. One of the lists of the miraculous Smolensk Hodegetria icon. Named after Christopher, the founder of the monastery in the Vologda bishopric, which was later converted into a parish church.... ... Russian history

Hodegetria- (Greek guidebook) icon of the Mother of God and Child. In Rus', the image was always half-length, with the Infant God on the left hand. According to the place of their creation or appearance, the icons were named: Smolensk, Tikhvin, Iveron, Jerusalem, ... ... Orthodox encyclopedic dictionary

Books

• Hodegetria, Nadezhda Vladimirovna Muravyova. In the book, full of adventure and riddles, tells the story of the loss and gain of a soul going to itself through Time of Troubles revolution and Civil War. A wonderful treasure that is being sought...
• Hodegetria, Nadezhda Vladimirovna Muravyova. The book, full of adventures and mysteries, tells the story of the loss and discovery of a soul moving towards itself through the troubled times of the revolution and the Civil War. A wonderful treasure that is being sought...