On the left choir there is a famous miraculous icon of the Mother of God “Sweet Kiss” (Greek: “Glycophilus”). According to legend, it was written by the Evangelist Luke.

During the reign of the Byzantine iconoclast emperor Theophilus (829-842), the pious resident of Constantinople Victoria, the wife of one of the emperor's close associates named Simeon, saving the icon from destruction, at the risk of her life, honored and kept it in her room. Her husband demanded that she burn the icon, but Victoria preferred to throw it into the sea. So the image arrived on the Holy Mountain, about which Abbot Philotheus was miraculously warned. At the place where the icon was found, holy water flowed out.

From then until now, on Easter Monday, a procession of the cross has been carried out from the monastery to the site of the appearance of the icon.

In 1793, Deacon Ioaniky, while lighting candles in front of the icon, often complained that the Mother of God does not care about the monastery, because the other monasteries of Athos do not need anything, but Philotheus does.

One day the deacon made his complaint at midnight. He was very immersed in his prayer and did not notice anything around him. Suddenly, the Mother of God appeared before him in a mysterious light and said that his complaints and lamentations were in vain - if it were not for her care, the monastery could not exist. He asks for wealth in vain - gold and silver are of no use to the monastery.

When the deacon woke up, he realized that he was mistaken and humbly asked for forgiveness from the Most Pure One. Then he told the brethren about what he had seen.

In 1801, a money-loving pilgrim stole the gold coins hanging from the image. Having committed sacrilege, he boarded a ship departing from the Iverskaya pier. But the ship, having sailed a little from the shore, stood still, despite the tailwind. Meanwhile, when they learned about the loss in Filothea, they sent people in all directions to catch up with the thief. One of them sailed on a boat to the ship, which was stationed not far from the Iverskaya pier. Meanwhile, the criminal, enlightened by the miraculous stop of the ship, himself repented of the sacrilege and hastened to voluntarily return the gold coins, after which the ship freely continued sailing.

It is impossible not to mention here one edifying miraculous incident that happened in 1830. At this time, one pilgrim came to the Philotheevsky Monastery from Adrianople. Here in the monastery he accidentally spoke with the ecclesiarch (the caretaker of the temple). The latter, in a sincere conversation, told the pilgrim about various miracles of the Mother of God and also reported how Her icon of the Sweet Kiss appeared on the seashore in front of the Athonite Philotheus monastery.

Bogomolets curiously asked the ecclesiarch about everything, listened carefully to his stories and, apparently, took everything to heart. The Ecclesiarch complied with his wishes. But what was his amazement when his interlocutor finally expressed his doubts about the truth of everything told, and considered the monk’s story about the miraculous appearance of the icon of the Mother of God Glykofilussa to be a simple fable that only a child could believe.

The Ecclesiarch thought for a moment. He didn't expect anything like this. There is no doubt that evil seeds were sown in the soul of the pilgrim, and they poisoned his Christian mood. Perhaps he was already close to a complete collapse. After all, from denying the benefits shown to the human race by the Mother of God, and from doubting the miraculous appearance of Her holy image, there is only one step to doubting miracles in general, and in particular, the miracles of the Savior of the human race...

Seeing the imminent death of his interlocutor, the ecclesiarch tried to dispel his spirit of doubt, but the pilgrim stubbornly denied all his words and arguments. He fell so deep.

And it was not the monk’s arguments that convinced the pilgrim: he was returned to the number of sincere followers of Christ by the Queen of Heaven Herself.

On the same day, a miracle happened to him, and from it he could be convinced of the miraculous power of the Most Pure Virgin. Walking along the top floor of the house, he tripped and began to fall down. Then he exclaimed: “Most Holy Mother of God, help us!” and descended to the ground without any harm...

Another miracle in the list of countless miracles revealed by the icon happened to one Christian from Pryor. His wife could not have children, and therefore the couple suffered greatly. While on Mount Athos, the Holy Mountain, the Christian fervently prayed to the Blessed Virgin before the “Sweet Kiss” icon. Before going home, he took some oil from the lamp burning in front of the icon and, returning, anointed himself and his wife with it. And in the same year his wife gave birth to a son. The Christian was very grateful to the Virgin Mary and brought a gift to the monastery of Philotheus.

Through prayers at the icon of the Mother of God, many miracles have happened in our time. One of them occurred during the years of German occupation. A story about him is contained in the book of Elder Paisius of Svyatogorsk, “Fathers of Svyatogorsk and Svyatogorsk Stories: During the German occupation, the supplies of wheat in the monastery of St. Philotheus were running out, and the fathers decided to stop receiving visitors. One pious elder, Father Savva, having learned about this, was saddened and began to beg the council of the elders of the monastery not to do this, because by doing this they would sadden Christ and the monastery would lose its blessing. He cited many examples from the Holy Scriptures, including the story of the widow of Zarephath of Sidon and the prophet Elijah (see 1 Kings 17), and they finally listened to him. However, after some time, they began to pester the elder with reproaches, saying: “The torment is over.” What will happen now? The elder answered them: “My fathers, the little that is left will be eaten together with the people, and the Mother of God will not leave us.” There were only twenty-five okadas of wheat left in the monastery’s storerooms and nothing else, and the monks began to rather sarcastically reprimand Father Savva: “Father Savva, the wheat is over, what will happen now?” But the pious and faith-filled elder answered this: “Don’t lose hope in Glycophilus.” Knead the remaining twenty-five okadas, bake bread from them and distribute it to the brethren and laity, and God, as the Good Father, will take care of us all. When they ran out of last bread, they didn’t even have time to get hungry when a ship coming from Kavala moored at the monastery pier, and the captain offered to exchange the wheat he was carrying for firewood. The monks, seeing the obvious Providence of the Mother of God, Who, like a Good Mother, took care of Her children, glorified God. Of course, Father Savva glorified God and thanked the Mother of God most of all, always sending thanks to Her with his very holy life. After this, he reminded the fathers: “Didn’t I tell you that the Mother of God will not leave us?”

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Icon of the Mother of God "Sweet Kiss" ("Glycophilus")

Celebration:

One of the emperor's close associates, Simeon, imitated his master in his hatred of icons. His wife Victoria secretly revered icons and had in her inner chambers an icon of the Mother of God, which she worshiped. The husband looked at this with indignation and finally demanded the icon from his wife in order to burn it. The believing woman decided to part with the treasured shrine, but not to deliver it into the hands of her husband.

After an unknown number of years, this very icon appeared on the seashore in front of the Athos Philotheus Monastery. The abbot and the brethren accepted her with joy and honor and brought her into the cathedral church of the monastery. The place where the icon appeared is called “Agiasma”. On Bright Monday, a procession of the cross takes place here from the monastery every year.

It is impossible not to mention here one edifying miraculous incident that happened in 1830. At this time, one pilgrim came to the Philotheevsky Monastery from Adrianople. Here in the monastery he accidentally spoke with the ecclesiarch. The latter, in a sincere conversation, told the pilgrim about various miracles of the Mother of God and also reported how Her icon of the Sweet Kiss appeared on the seashore in front of the Athonite Philotheus monastery.

On the same day, a miracle happened to him, and from it he could be convinced of the miraculous power of the Most Pure Virgin. Walking along the top floor of the house, he tripped and began to fall down. Then he exclaimed: “Most Holy Mother of God, help us!” and descended to the ground without any harm.

The Sweet Kiss icon is also glorified by other miracles. It stands in the cathedral church of the monastery and depicts the Mother of God kissing the Eternal Child. The icon is 1 arshin 12 vershoks in height, and 1 arshin 3 1/2 vershoks in width. There is a church tradition that it is one of the 70 icons painted by the Evangelist Luke.

Troparion to the Most Holy Theotokos before Her Icon “Sweet Kiss”

To the possessing heresy,/ about Thy most honorable icon, O Virgin,/ having provided for the reality:/ by the journey of Thy monastery/ as a gift worthy of offering./ By this we call the Sweet-loving One rightly,/ We please Thee.

Kontakion to the Most Holy Theotokos before Her Icon “Sweet Kiss”

Whoever comes to Thy temple and monastery, / and persecutes God for salvation, / and venerates Thy holy image, / hereby grant, O Virgin, Thy mercy, / from all deliverance of these sorrows, crying out to Thee: / Rejoice, O One Unbrided of God.

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Life of St. Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra of Lycia, Wonderworker

This day in history

December 19, 1240 Kyiv fell under the invasion of the Mongol-Tatar troops of Batu Khan.

Icon "Sweet kiss"

Human life takes place on a planet that is almost never serene and quiet. Fires and floods, an increase in man-made disasters and more frequent military conflicts - people become afraid, and only in faith do they find peace, finding solace in prayers before holy images.

The great significance of Orthodox icons cannot be overestimated, because each face carries a tremendous power of healing, liberation from fears and the severity of the sinful yoke. Holy faces help to cleanse not only from all kinds of filth, they fill human hearts with confidence in the future and give a feeling of security.

From the ancient depths

According to ancient legend, the “Sweet Kiss” icon was painted by the Evangelist Luke. Years later, she ended up with a certain Victoria, who was distinguished by great piety and piety. The woman carefully preserved the holy image, despite the flared iconoclasm. Victoria's husband, fearful of persecution, demanded that the icon be removed from the house and even burned. But the woman did not destroy the face of the Mother of God. She prayed fervently and lowered the icon into the sea, in full confidence that God would preserve the image and would not allow the icon to perish in the sea waves.

And so it happened! The holy image appeared on the shore near the Philotheevsky monastery, and the monks, wiping the icon from drops of water, brought it under the arches of the cathedral church. Since then, on Great Easter Monday, a religious procession has been held from the monastery to the place where the image appeared. And, to this day, praying people witness wondrous miracles performed in front of the “Sweet Kiss” icon.

Without fear and sadness

This is exactly how, without fear, doubt and sadness, everyone who has visited the Holy Mountain and seen the wondrous icon begins to perceive the future. The bright image of the Mother of God drives out the fear that fetters a person with heavy chains. The harmony of the face of the Mother of God washes hearts, dissolves many years of grievances, pacifies anger and gives souls the grace of forgiveness. The tender hands of the Mother of God, with which she holds her Son, help people heal from physical suffering and mental anguish.

The “Sweet Kiss” icon evokes tenderness and warm tears of sincere joy in anyone who looks at it. After all, the Mother of God is depicted at the moment when She, young and beautiful in her purity and holiness, tenderly kisses the Infant Christ. But a person looking at the icon understands that the Mother of God, busy communicating with Her child, did not protect herself from other people. She is ready to listen to anyone who turns to Her, ready to intercede before God for everyone who kneels before the holy image.

The inspired beauty of the Mother of God and the harmony of Her face calm, give hope and strengthen faith in God's great forgiveness and the Mother's boundless love for all living on earth.

Icons of Athos: Sweet kiss (Glycophilus)

In the cathedral of the Athonite monastery of Philotheus, on the left choir there is the famous miraculous icon of the Mother of God “Sweet Kiss” (Greek: “Glycofilus”). According to legend, it was written by the Evangelist Luke.

During the reign of the Byzantine iconoclast emperor Theophilus (829-842), the pious resident of Constantinople Victoria, the wife of one of the emperor's close associates named Simeon, saving the icon from destruction, at the risk of her life, honored and kept it in her room. Her husband demanded that she burn the icon, but Victoria preferred to throw it into the sea. So the image arrived on the Holy Mountain, about which Abbot Philotheus was miraculously warned. At the place where the icon was found, holy water flowed out.

From then until now, on Easter Monday, a procession of the cross has been carried out from the monastery to the site of the appearance of the icon.

In 1793, Deacon Ioaniky, while lighting candles in front of the icon, often complained that the Mother of God does not care about the monastery, because the other monasteries of Athos do not need anything, but Philotheus does.

One day the deacon made his complaint at midnight. He was very immersed in his prayer and did not notice anything around him. Suddenly, the Mother of God appeared before him in a mysterious light and said that his complaints and lamentations were in vain - if it were not for her care, the monastery could not exist. He asks for wealth in vain - gold and silver are of no use to the monastery.

When the deacon woke up, he realized that he was mistaken and humbly asked for forgiveness from the Most Pure One. Then he told the brethren about what he had seen.

In 1801, a money-loving pilgrim stole the gold coins hanging from the image. Having committed sacrilege, he boarded a ship departing from the Iverskaya pier. But the ship, having sailed a little from the shore, stood still, despite the tailwind. Meanwhile, when they learned about the loss in Filothea, they sent people in all directions to catch up with the thief. One of them sailed on a boat to the ship, which was stationed not far from the Iverskaya pier. Meanwhile, the criminal, enlightened by the miraculous stop of the ship, himself repented of the sacrilege and hastened to voluntarily return the gold coins, after which the ship freely continued sailing.

It is impossible not to mention here one edifying miraculous incident that happened in 1830. At this time, one pilgrim came to the Philotheevsky Monastery from Adrianople. Here in the monastery he accidentally spoke with the ecclesiarch (the caretaker of the temple). The latter, in a sincere conversation, told the pilgrim about various miracles of the Mother of God and also reported how Her icon of the Sweet Kiss appeared on the seashore in front of the Athonite Philotheus monastery.

Bogomolets curiously asked the ecclesiarch about everything, listened carefully to his stories and, apparently, took everything to heart. The Ecclesiarch complied with his wishes. But what was his amazement when his interlocutor finally expressed his doubts about the truth of everything told, and considered the monk’s story about the miraculous appearance of the icon of the Mother of God Glykofilussa to be a simple fable that only a child could believe.

The Ecclesiarch thought for a moment. He didn't expect anything like this. There is no doubt that evil seeds were sown in the soul of the pilgrim, and they poisoned his Christian mood. Perhaps he was already close to a complete collapse. After all, from denying the benefits shown to the human race by the Mother of God, and from doubting the miraculous appearance of Her holy image, there is only one step to doubting miracles in general, and in particular, the miracles of the Savior of the human race.

Seeing the imminent death of his interlocutor, the ecclesiarch tried to dispel his spirit of doubt, but the pilgrim stubbornly denied all his words and arguments. He fell so deep.

And it was not the monk’s arguments that convinced the pilgrim: he was returned to the number of sincere followers of Christ by the Queen of Heaven Herself.

On the same day, a miracle happened to him, and from it he could be convinced of the miraculous power of the Most Pure Virgin. Walking along the top floor of the house, he tripped and began to fall down. Then he exclaimed: “Most Holy Mother of God, help us!” and descended to the ground without any harm.

Another miracle in the list of countless miracles revealed by the icon happened to one Christian from Pryor. His wife could not have children, and therefore the couple suffered greatly. While on Mount Athos, the Holy Mountain, the Christian fervently prayed to the Blessed Virgin before the “Sweet Kiss” icon. Before going home, he took some oil from the lamp burning in front of the icon and, returning, anointed himself and his wife with it. And in the same year his wife gave birth to a son. The Christian was very grateful to the Virgin Mary and brought a gift to the monastery of Philotheus.

Through prayers at the icon of the Mother of God, many miracles have happened in our time. One of them occurred during the years of German occupation. A story about him is contained in the book of Elder Paisius of Svyatogorsk, “Fathers of Svyatogorsk and Svyatogorsk Stories: During the German occupation, the supplies of wheat in the monastery of St. Philotheus were running out, and the fathers decided to stop receiving visitors. One pious elder, Father Savva, having learned about this, was saddened and began to beg the council of the elders of the monastery not to do this, because by doing this they would sadden Christ and the monastery would lose its blessing. He cited many examples from the Holy Scriptures, including the story of the widow of Zarephath of Sidon and the prophet Elijah (see 1 Kings 17), and they finally listened to him. However, after some time, they began to pester the elder with reproaches, saying: “The torment is over.” What will happen now? The elder answered them: “My fathers, the little that is left will be eaten together with the people, and the Mother of God will not leave us.” There were only twenty-five okadas of wheat left in the monastery’s storerooms and nothing else, and the monks began to rather sarcastically reprimand Father Savva: “Father Savva, the wheat is over, what will happen now?” But the pious and faith-filled elder answered this: “Don’t lose hope in Glycophilus.” Knead the remaining twenty-five okadas, bake bread from them and distribute it to the brethren and laity, and God, as the Good Father, will take care of us all. When they ran out of last bread, they didn’t even have time to get hungry when a ship coming from Kavala moored at the monastery pier, and the captain offered to exchange the wheat he was carrying for firewood. The monks, seeing the obvious Providence of the Mother of God, Who, like a Good Mother, took care of Her children, glorified God. Of course, Father Savva glorified God and thanked the Mother of God most of all, always sending thanks to Her with his very holy life. After this, he reminded the fathers: “Didn’t I tell you that the Mother of God will not leave us?”

Procession with the icon "Sweet Kiss"

(FLV file. Duration 2 min. Size 5.7 Mb)

Before the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Sweet Kiss”, or “Glycophylussa” they pray for strengthening in the Orthodox faith, for the protection of Orthodox icons, in times of troubles and adversity, in case of physical and mental ailments.

to the Blessed Virgin Mary

before Her icon “Sweet Kiss”, or “Glycophilus”

Accept, O All-merciful, Most Pure Lady, Lady Theotokos, these honorable gifts, the only ones applied to You, from us, Your unworthy servants, chosen from all generations, manifested above all creatures of heaven and earth. Because for Your sake the Lord of hosts was with us, and through You we knew the Son of God, and became worthy of His Holy Body and His Most Pure Blood. Blessed are you, too, in the birth of births, God-blessed One, the brightest of the Cherubim and the most honest of the Seraphim. And now, All-Singing Most Holy Theotokos, do not cease praying for us, Thy unworthy servants, that we may be delivered from every evil advice and from every situation, and that we may be preserved unharmed from every poisonous pretext of the devil. But even to the end, through Your prayers, keep us uncondemned, as if through Your intercession and help we are saved, we send glory, praise, thanksgiving and worship for everything in the Trinity to the One God and the Creator of all, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

The overpowering heresy, about Thy most honorable icon, O Virgin, dost thou manifestly provide for: the journey of Thy monastery, as a gift worthy of offering. With this we rightly call the Sweet-loving One, we please Thee.

Whoever comes to Thy temple and monastery and persecutes God for salvation and venerates Thy holy image, grant, O Virgin, Thy mercy, from all these sorrows, who cry out to Thee: Rejoice, O One Unblessed of God.

We magnify You, Most Holy Virgin, God-chosen Youth, and honor Your holy image, through which you bring healing to all who come with faith.

On January 12 (25 BC) in the Hilendar monastery on Holy Mount Athos they solemnly celebrate the memory of St. Sava of Serbia and the three miraculous icons of the Most Holy Theotokos Mammal, Akathist and Pope.

Paramythia (January 21 / February 3) - in Greek. The Exhortation is one of the most revered images of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Mount Athos. In Russia, this miraculous icon is known under other names (Otrada and Consolation and Vatopedi), although on Athos and Greece they are practically not used. There is some discrepancy between Greek and Russian authors regarding the origin of the icon, and therefore we will try to restore the history of this miraculous image, focusing on the most authoritative and reliable sources from the library of the Vatopedi monastery itself.

The Iveron Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos is one of the most famous and revered in the Orthodox world. According to legend, Iverskaya was written by the Evangelist Luke, for a long time it was located in Nicaea in Asia Minor, and from the beginning of the 11th century. permanently resides in the Iveron Monastery on Holy Mount Athos (in honor of which it received its name).

The icon received its name in connection with a miracle that happened on the eve of one of the bloody wars of the 19th century.

Kontakion 1 To the Most Pure Virgin Lady, chosen from all generations, who exudes boundless mercies to the whole world and especially to our country of Russia; let us sing of praise about Her miracles, apparitions and miraculous icons. You, O Joyful One, do not reject our chants, but accept them and give joy to us who call you: Rejoice, Most Pure Virgin, universal Glory and Joy! Ikos 1 Archangel Michael and all the heavenly powers sing praises to Thee, the Lady, the Most Honest Cherub and the Most Glorious without comparison Seraphim, the real Mother of God; and we are sinners on earth, becoming like these bodiless forces, and rejoicing at the first word of joy brought to You by the Archangel Gabriel and the righteous Elizabeth, together with them from the depths of our hearts we cry out to You: Rejoice, full of grace. Rejoice, for the Lord is with You. Rejoice, Blessed One among women. Rejoice, having found grace from God. Rejoice, for you have found the Holy Spirit upon You, and the power of the Most High has fallen upon You. Rejoice, you who were conceived in the womb, who gave birth to a Son and called His name Jesus. Rejoice, for what You gave birth to is Holy and you are called the Son of God. Rejoice, for blessed is the Fruit of Your womb. Rejoice, Mother of our Lord. Rejoice, you who believed, that what you have said from the Lord has been accomplished, Rejoice, for at these greetings Your spirit rejoiced in Your God the Savior. Rejoice, Most Pure Virgin, all peaceful Glory and Joy! Kontakion 2 The human mind cannot comprehend how the Lord Himself dwelt in Your virgin womb and how You remained a Virgin and at the birth of Your Son, bowed before the great mystery of the incarnation of God the Word, joyfully crying out to You, who lent Him Your flesh, fed Him with milk and carried Him With His hands, the Angel's song: Alleluia. Ikos 2 All the days of Your life on earth from the meeting of You in the temple of the righteous Simeon, who prophesied to You that a weapon would pierce Your soul. Every joy in the world, all the sorrow itself, was involved until the morning of the first day after Saturday, when you again heard the voice of an Angel saying to you: “Rejoice, full of grace, Your Son has risen three days from the grave.” And with him we bring our praises to You with a joyful voice: Rejoice, Progenitor of the eternal King, Rejoice, who has brought forth the fruit of life for us. Rejoice, faithful servant of the Lord, Rejoice, for all you give birth to. Rejoice, having adopted us all at the cross of Your Son. Rejoice, you who always show motherly love to us. Rejoice, long-desired Helper of Christian faith. Rejoice, for you prayed for everyone, Your Son, Christ our God. Rejoice, Ever-Blessed and Pre-Oral One, Rejoice, abiding in heavenly glory at the right hand of God. Rejoice, shining with purity more than the sun, Rejoice, Most Pure Virgin, universal Glory and Joy. Kontakion 3 In what ways did You, Most Pure Lady, strengthen the human race in faith in God and Your Son? How many of your wonder-working icons have you given us? How many times have you been an ascetic of piety both in life and in dreams? Who can count all your miracles? What verb can give you worthy praise? Who will not please you, Most Holy Virgin? Their lips will remain silent when every creature, O blessed One, rejoices over you, the Council of Angels and the human race! We will never be silent, O Mother of God, in speaking Your strength unworthy, and we cry out to God about You: Alleluia. Ikos 3 Saints Ignatius the God-Bearer and Dionysius the Areopagite, looking at Thee, Most Pure Lady, were unable to find words to describe Your radiant face, and Your divine grace and power, and the flock were not crushed, as not everyone was able to see Thee, Heavenly Virgin. But You, out of love for those who believe in Your Son, You commanded the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Luca to portray Your honest image with the Infant God and Your Son, so that all the nations and tribes of the earth, looking at the Nan, may forever ascend in thought to You, most blessed Lady: and We are sinners, bending our knees before this image, crying out to Thee, All-Singing One: Rejoice, who said to this first-written image: “With him will My grace and power abide.” Rejoice, who gave it to our Russian country in the city of Saint Vladimir. Rejoice, for today the most glorious city of Moscow shines brightly in this image. Rejoice in this icon of grace and mercy that bestows upon us. Rejoice, Thou who miraculously depicted Thy Face in Thy Temple in the city of Lydda. Rejoice, you who brought joy to the Apostles and all the faithful with this miracle. Rejoice, you who have bestowed miracles on those who worship You before this image. Rejoice, who taught the Apostles to cry out to You: “Most Holy Theotokos, help us!” Rejoice, who visited the Holy Mount Athos during Your life on earth and chose this place as Your inheritance. Rejoice, you who sent Equal-to-the-Apostles Nina to sanctify Your earthly lot, the country of Iveron. Rejoice, bright prophetic event and praise of the Apostles. Rejoice, Most Pure Virgin, worldwide Glory and Joy! Kontakion 4 When the enemy of the human race brought persecution against Christians and delivered up the bodies of believers to torture and death, since you were often their strengthener in this feat, their teacher in the faith of Christ, the giver of strength and wisdom to them. And now these Holy martyrs, who have endured great torment, the brides of Christ: Catherine, Varvaro and others, accompany You in Your visits to the chosen ones of God Alleluiah on earth, and they cry out a song to God about You: Alleluia. Ikos 4 Blessed and Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir, who brought the people of the Russian land to Christ, after His baptism, built the first temple in the city of Kyiv in honor of Your Most Pure Nativity, the Lady of the world, and giving a tithe of His gains for its decoration. And from those days to now, You, Most Blessed One, have tirelessly poured out great grace over our country and bestowed upon it Your great mercy. And as a special gift of Your favor and Your election of the city of Kyiv as Your inheritance, You miraculously bestowed upon it the miraculous image of Your “Assumption” and You commanded to build You a temple in the monastery of Saints Anthony and Theodosius. Who can count the multitude of people who bow their knees with tears before this Most Pure Image? Why does the city and the whole city not lead to these many-wonderful images and monasteries? Who tells the story of all the miracles that appeared in this image? We do not hide Your blessings, Most Pure One, and we cry out to You with tenderness: Rejoice, O Joyful One, who does not leave us in Your Dormition. Rejoice, taken up from the earth by the hands of Your Son. Rejoice, you who have ascended to the highest, enjoying His glory. Rejoice, who through the Apostle Thomas assured of Your ascension into heaven in the flesh. Rejoice, fiery throne of the Lord, lifted up from the earth into the Kingdom of Heaven. Rejoice, who in a vision showed the great image of the Kiev-Pechersk Church, Rejoice, who yourself gave the relics of the Holy Martyrs and gold for its creation. Rejoice, having presented the Holy Icon of Your Dormition with Your own hands to the Holy Creators. Rejoice, you who showed miracles at the site of Your temple and cleansed this place with heavenly fire. Rejoice, receiving the angelic singing of the monks’ praise before Your miraculous icon of the Dormition. Rejoice, you who transform the sorrow of all those who flow to You into joy. Rejoice, most pure Virgin, universal Glory and Joy! Kontakion 5 Seeing, O All-Immaculate One, from the height of Your heavenly dwelling, where You abided in glory with Your Son, the sorrow of Your servants in the city of Kazan, as if the faith of Christ was desecrated for the sake of God’s angry visitation by Hagaran evil-belief, You deigned to show the icon of Your miracles to glorify and confirm With the banners of Your grace, Christ-loving people faithfully cry out to You: Rejoice, zealous Intercessor of the Christian race, and God the Creator of all: Alleluia. Ikos 5 Desiring to show currents of miracles to all the mourning, sad, offended and lost, You, O All-Merciful Lady, bestowed deep grace on Your miraculous icons, called: “Joy of all who mourn,” “Quench my sorrows,” and “Seeking the lost.” Was the whole sea of ​​tears shed before them in the sorrows and sorrows that exist? What soul has not flowed to You in its life, falling to these icons of yours? Whose sorrows did you not turn into joy? To whom of those who are perishing, but praying to You, have You not extended a helping hand? We thank You, All-Singing One, for all the mercies bestowed on the sinful human race, and with all our soul we cry out to You touchingly: Rejoice, blessed Virgin Mary, joy to all who mourn! Rejoice, Mother of Mercy! Rejoice, speedy Helper to those in troubles and misfortunes. Rejoice, our Joy, deliver us from all evil in our quenching sorrow! Rejoice, through Your representation our temporary sorrows are destroyed. Rejoice, you who show signs of grace in the Church by the appearance of these icons. Rejoice, thou who drive away the darkness of sin as a pillar of fire. Rejoice, thou who glorified Thy icon, called “Consolation in sorrows and sorrows.” Rejoice, praised in the monasteries on Athos and in our land before Your image “Consolation and Consolation”! Rejoice, Most Pure Virgin, worldwide Glory and Joy! Kontakion 6 It is a comfort to all the faithful to look at Your icon, spoken by You to the “Quick to Hear”, to worship You before Her, not only in the monastery of the Dochiars, but also in many cities and towns of our country, calling to You: Rejoice, all-good to the Quick to Hear, our petitions are for the good fulfilling, and singing with tenderness of heart to Your Son, Christ our God: Alleluia. Ikos 6 The Power of the Most High overshadows with faith and reverence those who resort to Your All-Honorable Protection, Most Pure Lady, and from ancient years to the present day You have covered with Your omophorion the entire Christian race, and especially our Russian country, and the many monasteries created in it. And Orthodox people, looking at Your icon, on it You with the Archangels, Angels, the Forerunner, the Theologian and all the Saints, intercede for us before the Lord, bowing Your knee and Your head, cry out to You touchingly: Rejoice, our Joy, covering us from all evil by your honest omophorion. Rejoice, Holy Abodes of Christ, Protection and Salvation. Rejoice, the first decoration of Holy temples and altars. Rejoice, blessing of the homes and families of the pious. Rejoice, cheerfulness and admonition of the faithful shepherds of the Church. Rejoice, teacher of God-fearing monks and nuns. Rejoice, obvious strengthening of the obvious ascetics of piety. Rejoice, secret admonition to the hidden servants of God among the world. Rejoice, and do not forsake us naked of good deeds with Your Cover and grace. Rejoice, strong intercessor of those in captivity and exile. Rejoice, ever-watchful guardian of those in chains and prison. Rejoice, Most Pure Virgin, worldwide Glory and Joy! Kontakion 7 Seeing the fisherman over the abyss of water, carried by invisible power and light like the sun, your shining, Mother of God, Tikhvin icon, crying out to the Lord: “Show us this Divine gift; do not hide the treasures with which we hope to enrich our spiritual poverty: wipe away our tears and sobs.” ... and having received what I wanted, I cried out to You, Most Pure One: “Rejoice, O Lady, having mercy on us before God, the Intercessor,” and singing the Angelic song to Your Son and God: Alleluia. Ikos 7 What faithful cue, having visited the city of Moscow, will not bow to the Lady Theotokos before Your Most Pure “Iveron” and “God-loving” icons? Who wouldn’t be touched by seeing at midnight a multitude of people on their knees tearing down Your “Iveron” icon? Who will count day and night those who kiss Your “God-loving” image during the festival? Do not depart from us all the days of our lives, Mother of the All-Merciful, and hear our singing brought to You: Rejoice, Good Intercessor, who opens the doors of heaven to us. Rejoice for all the reverent people of Muscovy before Your most pure “Iveron” image. Rejoice, for day and night this icon of Yours is brought to the homes of the mourning and sick. Rejoice, for you who worked miracles in this way were still on His way from Mount Athos to the Russian land. Rejoice, who commanded the pious Manuel to give a ransom to the infidels who blocked the procession of the Holy Icon into the Russian country. Rejoice, for after this you gave this ransom purely to him. Rejoice, for you have glorified many miracles from this icon and many copies. Rejoice, God-loving Queen Theotokos, our hope and refuge! Rejoice, who appeared to Prince Andrew, who decided Your will and commanded to build a monastic monastery in the name of Your Nativity at the place of Your appearance. Rejoice, depicted on Your icon, in the city of Moscow, with the High Hierarchs of Moscow, the blessed, the saints and the martyrs. Rejoice, you who glorified your miracles with your “God-loving” icons in the cities of Uglich, Tula and others. Rejoice, Most Pure Virgin, worldwide Glory and Joy! Kontakion 8 Arose to us, like a bright dawn, the miraculous icon of Your “Unexpected Joy”, before Her people, in their sins, troubles, sorrows and embitterments, many times bow their knees with faith in prayer, crying out: “Rejoice, you who grant unexpected joy to the faithful, and Having received Your mercy, they cry out to God about You: Alleluia.Ikos 8 Your evangelist, Archangel Gabriel, by God's commandment, taught us on earth to praise You in the same way as the Angels sing of You in heaven, giving this song: It is worthy to eat, for truly to bless You, Theotokos, Ever-blessed and Most Immaculate, and Mother of our God. And from those days, crying out to Thee, O All-Singing One, this song brought by an Angel, we cry out to Thee in the same way: Rejoice, helper of Christians and merciful intercessor for sinners. Rejoice, thou who exceeds all the powers of Heaven.. . Rejoice, who gave to the Saints Mount Athos, through many of Your icons, miracles, blessings and admonitions. Rejoice, who fulfilled the prophecy of Saint Sava, sanctified through Your icon “Mammal.” Rejoice, you who gave the prayers of the monks of Athonite before Your image, the “Forerunner”, and gave an abundance of oil for Your temple. Rejoice, the abbess of the Hilendar Monastery who has received Your “Three-Handed” icon. Rejoice, thou who art praised before Thy images, “Who hath enlightened the ecclesiarch” and “Gerondis,” who is an old woman. Rejoice, called “Akathist”, who spoke from Your icon to the elder who reads the Akathist: “Rejoice, you too, elder of God.” Rejoice, Thou who miraculously transported His icon “Hodegetria” twice from the monastery of Vatopedi to the monastery of Xenophes. Rejoice, you who showed wondrous miracles on Mount Athos from the “Slaughtered” and “Ktitor” icons. Rejoice, thou daughter of the king Placidia, who raised her like a wife from visiting the monasteries of Athos and mercifully forgave her this sin. Rejoice, Most Pure Virgin, worldwide Glory and Joy! Kontakion 9 On the days of Easter, when the Church joyfully sings about the Resurrection of Christ, we, Most Pure One, also remember Your miracles, for the sake of which Your icons “Life-Giving Spring” and “Epiphany of the Eyes” were painted and Your image “Sweet Kiss” was miraculously preserved from the hands of an iconoclast ", and thanking the Resurrector of our souls and bodies, we joyfully sing to Him a song: Alleluia. Ikos 9 The multi-proclamation Vitias, with all their love for You, Lady, will not be able to worthily call You, Most Pure One, and out of the abundance of their hearts they call Your icons with many joyful names, which they have received from us now: Rejoice, “Unfading Blossom,” and “Blessed Heaven” . Rejoice, “Blessed Womb” and “Blessed Star”. Rejoice, “Joy of the Angels” and “Three Joys.” Rejoice, merciful and “Merciful.” Rejoice, “Watching Eye” and “Giver of the Mind.” Rejoice, “Look upon humility” and the “Key of understanding.” Rejoice, “Softener of evil hearts” and “Savior of the drowning.” Rejoice, “Immaculate Virgin” and “Help in Childbirth.” Rejoice, “Helper of sinners” and “Healer.” Rejoice, “The Word became flesh” and “Before Christmas and after Christmas, Virgin.” Rejoice, “All-Blessed” and “Seven-Shot”. Rejoice, Most Pure Virgin, universal Glory and Joy Kontakion 10 Novgrad will preach Your glorious intercession, Most Pure Lady, as in the days of the invasion of strong and armed enemies, from Your holy icon of the Sign, You showed Your gracious help to Your people, hostile regiments with fear of turning back having converted, Your city is safe and unharmed from them; let everyone cry out in gratitude to You: Rejoice, O Lady, who shows us the sign of Your mercy, and sings to the Savior God: Alleluia. Ikos 10 By the power of the Most High, O Blessed Lady, you have tamed the power of the fiery nature with Your Holy Icon “The Burning Bush” and performed many miracles in the Universe. Likewise, the human mind cannot exhaust all Your good deeds exuded from Your miraculous icons, which are on the Pochaevskaya Mountain, in Czestochowa, in the village of Akhtyrka, from the names “Feodorovskaya”, “Tolgskaya” and others, they cannot be remembered. We do not hide Your blessings, O All-Blessed One, and in the joy of our hearts we cry out to You in praise: Rejoice, Blessed Bush of the Burning Bush, who delivers us from the fire of fire, Rejoice, Praise of Pochaev, our hope and consolation. Rejoice, Mother of God, our zealous Representative and Intercessor, who gave us the Obnor icon. Rejoice, Sophia, who is the Wisdom of God, who created temples for herself in cities: Kyiv, Novegrad and others. Rejoice, you who miraculously completed the painting of Your icon “The Sign” in the Seraphim-Ponetaev monastery. Rejoice, you who came to the Holy Kiev-Brotherly Monastery in your miraculous “Kievo-Brotherly” icon and still remain there. Rejoice, monastery of nuns who have gathered around Your miraculous icons, even in Kozelshchany. Rejoice, who gave consolation to the cities of Odessa and Kherson, Your Kasperov icon. Rejoice, you who sanctified the city of Vilna with Your image “Ostrabramskaya”. Before him, every pious person bows his knee. Rejoice, “Unbreakable Wall” and “Different of the Loaves.” Rejoice, "Leaping" and "Weeping" Rejoice, Most Pure Virgin, worldwide Glory and Joy! Kontakion 11 Pious shepherds and people throughout the week praise Thee, Most Pure One, as “Hodegetria” - the Guide; and there is no one to count these Your icons in all Christian countries, built by You, Most Pure One. Most of all, the grateful city of Smolensk praises You, You saved it from the yoke of the Tatars, giving a wondrous command to the warrior Mercury with Your voice to fight the enemy; Yes, every tongue cries out to You: “Rejoice, O All-Good Hodegetria, universal miracle and hearing, and sings a song of praise to Your Son: Alleluia. Ikos 11 Whose voice will depict the joy of God’s chosen ones, when You, out of Your love for them, showed Himself to them on earth, strengthening , comforting and instructing. In those hours, the sky united with the earth, and a light, more than the sun, shone upon your poor cells of the saints. And we sinners, remembering this and partaking of the spiritual joy of this heavenly joy of the saints of God, in humility we cry out to Ti: Rejoice, who commanded the Theologian to teach teaching on the Holy Trinity to Saint Gregory of Neocessarea. Rejoice, who instructed the Venerable Dositheos in Gethsemane in fasting and prayer, and called him into monasticism. Rejoice, who saved the disciple of the Venerable Paul the Simple from hellish torment, appearing to the monk twice and teaching Him to pray for the departed. Rejoice, you who rejoiced To whom Mayumsky, reciting to him, since the hymn he composed was pleasing to You: Most honorable Cherub and most glorious without comparison, Seraphim, Rejoice, who with the apostles Peter and John revealed the Venerable Sergius of Radonezh and His disciple Micah. Rejoice, who appeared many times to the venerable and God-bearing Seraphim of Sarov and gave him the command to establish Your last lot on the lands of the Seraphim-Diveye monastery. Rejoice, on the day of the Annunciation, you visited him with the Apostle John and the Baptist, and the twelve martyred virgins, and announced to him about his imminent resettlement in the heavenly abode. Rejoice, you who blessed the humble nun of Diveyevo Eupraxia. Rejoice, you who appeared in wondrous dreams to Saint Cyril of Alexandria, Peter of Athos, Roman the Sweet Singer and many other saints and saints. Rejoice, by Thy sweet voice emanating from Thy Holy Icon of Edessa, who brought the man of God into the temple of Alexius. Rejoice, for with such a voice you guided the Venerable Mary of Egypt onto the path of repentance. Rejoice, Most Pure Virgin, worldwide Glory and Joy! Kontakion 12 You exuded abundant grace, O Most Pure One, from Your icon “Tenderness” residing in the monastery of Seraphim-Diveyevo; Before Her, God’s chosen one and Yours, God’s representative and Your intercessor for the Russian land, the Venerable Seraphim, praying to You day and night, calling You “the Joy of all joys” and singing to You in His desert seclusion the song: “Worldwide glory from man.” Together with him, we praise Thee, Most Pure Lady, with the same words, and offer God the angelic singing: alleluia. Ikos 12 Singing Your countless mercies, miracles and manifestations bestowed by You on the whole world, falling to You in the tenderness of your heart, we thank You, Most Pure Lady, we praise You, we sing and extol Your name, and we pray to You, do not turn your face away from us in the future Yours, intercede, protect and save all of us in our sins who are perishing: pacify our lives, guide those who are lost on the right path, educate our children in the spirit of piety, strengthen our shepherds, keep us in pure faith, so that our lips may praise You. The highest of the heavens and the purest of the lordships of the sun, these are the voices: Rejoice, unbridled Bride and Queen of Queens. Rejoice, Heavenly Icon and bearer of the Words of God. Rejoice, God-voiced turtledove and meek and quiet dove. Rejoice, immeasurable depth and ineffable mystery. Rejoice, unknown miracle and source of shrines. Rejoice, purity of virgins and quiet joy of mothers. Rejoice, guardian of infants and protection of widows. Rejoice, health of the sick and deliverance of the captives. Rejoice, good rest for those who labor and hope for those who do not hope. Rejoice, Our only hope in life after our departure from the earth. Rejoice, you who protect us during the ordeals and our Intercessor at the Last Judgment of Christ. Rejoice, Most Pure Virgin, worldwide Glory and Joy! Kontakion 13 O Most Pure Virgin, Lady of heaven and earth! Accept with all our souls this song of praise offered to Thee and grant us sinners in the eternal settlements to behold Thee, our worldwide Glory and the Joy of all joys, singing to Thee and about Thee to God a great song, so hymned in the Highest: Alleluia. (This kontakion is read three times, then ikos 1 and kontakion 1). Prayer to our Most Holy Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, common Accept, O all-powerful, most pure Lady, Lady Theotokos, these honorable gifts, the only one applied to You, from us, Thy unworthy servants, chosen from all generations, manifested above all creatures of heaven and earth. Because for Your sake the Lord of hosts was with us, and through You we knew the Son of God, and were made worthy of His holy body and His most pure blood. Moreover, you are blessed in the birth of generations, blessed by God, the brightest of the cherubim and the most honest of the seraphim. And now, all-sung Most Holy Theotokos, do not cease praying for us, Thy unworthy servants, that we may be delivered from every evil advice and from every situation, and that we may be preserved unharmed from every poisonous pretext of the devil. But even to the end, through Your prayers, keep us uncondemned: for through Your intercession and help we are saved, glory, praise, thanksgiving and worship for all in the Trinity we send to the one God and the Creator of all, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.

As legend says, the icon of the Mother of God “Sweet Kiss” (“Glycophilus”) was painted by the Evangelist Luke himself during the life of the Mother of God. Currently it is located in the Athonite monastery of Philotheus. This was preceded by a dramatic story that occurred in the first half of the 9th century, during the time of iconoclasm.

History of the “Sweet Kiss” icon

When the iconoclast emperor Theophilos took the Byzantine throne, he ordered the destruction of all icons. The wife of his close associate Simeon, Victoria, revered the icon and hid it in her chambers. When her husband demanded that the icon be burned, she, having prayed, released it into the freedom of the sea waves.

Along the waves, this icon sailed to Athos, to the Philotheus monastery, and a procession of the cross is still held on Easter Monday to the place where it was found.

For more than a thousand years of stay in the monastery, the icon of “Glycophilus” showed many miracles. Thus, in one married couple from Pryor, the wife suffered from infertility, but when the husband offered a passionate prayer before the icon of the Mother of God “Sweet Kiss” , then the oil from the lamp burning in front of the icon helped: he anointed his wife and himself with the oil, and in the same year their son was born.

Another miracle was the return of the kidnapped person and the repentance of the criminal. This happened in 1801. The icon of “Glycophilus” was decorated with gold coins hung from the frame. One pilgrim was flattered by them and kidnapped them, after which he boarded a ship and tried to escape. However, although the wind was blowing favorably, the ship stopped close to the shore and did not move further. When they discovered the loss, they began to search everywhere, including sending a boat to the ship. The kidnapper, seeing the miracle performed, repented and returned the stolen goods, and the ship continued sailing.

Another miracle happened already in the 20th century, when Greece was under German occupation. The monastery had almost run out of wheat, and it was decided not to accept any more pilgrims. Only the elder Father Savva opposed this decision and persuaded the brethren to abandon it. When there was just a little flour left, he again persuaded them to bake bread from the leftovers and distribute them not only to the monks, but also to the laity, trusting in the mercy of the Most Pure Virgin. When this was done, a ship carrying wheat moored to the pier, and the captain offered to exchange part of it for firewood. So the Mother of God again took care of her children.

The “Sweet Kiss” icon is of particular significance for those who pray to protect children from illnesses and dangers, to introduce them to the true faith, to respect their parents and strengthen their spirit when life’s problems arise.

Celebration is on Easter Monday.

Another name for this icon is “The Meeting of the Most Holy Theotokos and the Holy Righteous Elizabeth” (Meeting means meeting). According to the Gospel tradition, after the Annunciation - the appearance of the Archangel Gabriel, the Virgin Mary hurried to Elizabeth, her mother's sister. Childless Elizabeth and her husband priest Zachary were already in old age, but the Lord gave them a son, the future John the Baptist, with whom Elizabeth was pregnant at that moment.

The ancient icon painter, who painted the icon “The Meeting of Mary and Elizabeth,” depicted these holy women with Babies in their wombs; the later icon “Kissing the Mother of God” simply depicts their embrace. Upon meeting the Virgin Mary, Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and glorified Mary as the Mother of the Savior.

They pray to this icon for the protection of the Mother of God and for the gift of children, healthy and strong.

Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos before Her icon “Sweet Kiss” or “Glycophilus”

Accept, O All-merciful, Most Pure Lady, Lady Theotokos, these honorable gifts, the only ones applied to You, from us, Your unworthy servants, chosen from all generations, manifested above all creatures of heaven and earth. Because for Your sake the Lord of hosts was with us, and through You we knew the Son of God, and became worthy of His Holy Body and His Most Pure Blood. Blessed are you, too, in the birth of births, God-blessed One, the brightest of the Cherubim and the most honest of the Seraphim. And now, All-Singing Most Holy Theotokos, do not cease praying for us, Thy unworthy servants, that we may be delivered from every evil advice and from every situation, and that we may be preserved unharmed from every poisonous pretext of the devil. But even to the end, through Your prayers, keep us uncondemned, as if through Your intercession and help we are saved, we send glory, praise, thanksgiving and worship for everything in the Trinity to the One God and the Creator of all, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Prayers to the Most Holy Theotokos before Her icon “The Meeting of the Most Holy Theotokos and the Holy Righteous Elizabeth”

Troparion, tone 4

Virgin Blessed / and Mother All-Pure, / having received the Annunciation from the Archangel, / with diligence you ascended into the High Room, / and, kissing Your Yuzhika, the all-honorable Elizabeth, / the Mother of the Lord from this name She was, / and she magnified the Lord who exalted You: / Blessed are You in women, // and blessed is the Fruit of Your womb.

Kontakion, tone 3

Blessed art thou,/Holy Virgin Mary,/and surpassing all praise,/for from Thee has arisen the Sun of Truth,//Christ our God.

Religious reading: prayer to the icon of a sweet kiss to help our readers.

The celebration of the icon “Sweet Kiss” (“Glycophilus”) takes place on Monday of Holy Week.

What do people pray for to the “Sweet Kiss” (“Glycophilus”) icon?: pray for strengthening in faith; with physical and mental infirmities in troubles and adversity.

Icon of the Mother of God “Sweet Kiss” (“Glycophilus”)

Prayer to the icon of the Mother of God “Sweet Kiss” (“Glycophilus”)

Accept, O All-merciful, Most Pure Lady, Lady Theotokos, these honorable gifts, the only ones applied to You, from us, Thy unworthy servants, chosen from all generations, manifested above all creatures of heaven and earth. Because for Your sake the Lord of hosts was with us, and through You we knew the Son of God, and became worthy of His Holy Body and His Most Pure Blood. Blessed are you, too, in the birth of births, God-blessed One, the brightest of the Cherubim and the most honest of the Seraphim. And now, All-Singing Most Holy Theotokos, do not cease praying for us, Thy unworthy servants, that we may be delivered from every evil council and from every situation, and that we may be preserved unharmed from every poisonous pretext of the devil. But even to the end, through Your prayers, keep us uncondemned, as if through Your intercession and help we are saved, we send glory, praise, thanksgiving and worship for everything in the Trinity to the one God and the Creator of all, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Icons of Athos: Sweet kiss (Glycophilus)

Through prayers at the icon of the Mother of God, many miracles have happened in our time. One of them occurred during the years of German occupation. A story about him is contained in the book of Elder Paisius of Svyatogorsk, “Fathers of Svyatogorsk and Svyatogorsk Stories: During the German occupation, the supplies of wheat in the monastery of St. Philotheus were running out, and the fathers decided to stop receiving visitors. One pious elder, Father Savva, having learned about this, was saddened and began to beg the council of the elders of the monastery not to do this, because by doing this they would sadden Christ and the monastery would lose its blessing. He cited many examples from the Holy Scriptures, including the story of the widow of Zarephath of Sidon and the prophet Elijah (see 1 Kings 17), and they finally listened to him. However, after some time, they began to pester the elder with reproaches, saying: “The torment is over.” What will happen now? The elder answered them: “My fathers, the little that is left will be eaten together with the people, and the Mother of God will not leave us.” There were only twenty-five okadas of wheat left in the monastery’s storerooms and nothing else, and the monks began to rather sarcastically reprimand Father Savva: “Father Savva, the wheat is over, what will happen now?” But the pious and faith-filled elder answered this: “Don’t lose hope in Glycophilus.” Knead the remaining twenty-five okadas, bake bread from them and distribute it to the brethren and laity, and God, as the Good Father, will take care of us all. When they ran out of last bread, they didn’t even have time to get hungry when a ship coming from Kavala moored at the monastery pier, and the captain offered to exchange the wheat he was carrying for firewood. The monks, seeing the obvious Providence of the Mother of God, Who, like a Good Mother, took care of Her children, glorified God. Of course, Father Savva glorified God and thanked the Mother of God most of all, always sending thanks to Her with his very holy life. After this, he reminded the fathers: “Didn’t I tell you that the Mother of God will not leave us?”

Procession with the icon "Sweet Kiss"

(FLV file. Duration 2 min. Size 5.7 Mb)

to the Blessed Virgin Mary

On January 12 (25 BC) in the Hilendar monastery on Holy Mount Athos they solemnly celebrate the memory of St. Sava of Serbia and the three miraculous icons of the Most Holy Theotokos Mammal, Akathist and Pope.

Paramythia (January 21 / February 3) - in Greek. The Exhortation is one of the most revered images of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Mount Athos. In Russia, this miraculous icon is known under other names (Otrada and Consolation and Vatopedi), although on Athos and Greece they are practically not used. There is some discrepancy between Greek and Russian authors regarding the origin of the icon, and therefore we will try to restore the history of this miraculous image, focusing on the most authoritative and reliable sources from the library of the Vatopedi monastery itself.

The Iveron Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos is one of the most famous and revered in the Orthodox world. According to legend, Iverskaya was written by the Evangelist Luke, for a long time it was located in Nicaea in Asia Minor, and from the beginning of the 11th century. permanently resides in the Iveron Monastery on Holy Mount Athos (in honor of which it received its name).

The icon received its name in connection with a miracle that happened on the eve of one of the bloody wars of the 19th century.

In the Dionysiatus Monastery on Holy Mount Athos there is a miraculous icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary, known as the Akathist ("Greeting of the Mother of God", "Praise of the Most Holy Theotokos" or Myrrh-Streaming).

On the High Place in the altar of the Protat Church there is a miraculous icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “It is Worthy to Eat” (Greek “Axion Estin”), the most revered image of the Mother of God on Athos.

The miraculous image of the Mother of God “The Queen of All” is revered both on Athos and far beyond its borders. “The Queen of All” has the grace of healing patients with cancer - the most terrible disease of modern humanity. There are countless cases where people with cancer were healed after a prayer service in front of the icon of the Mother of God, the Tsarina of All. Before this miraculous image they also pray for deliverance from witchcraft and children’s addiction to alcohol and drugs.

Today we will talk about the great shrine of the Dokhiar monastery - the icon of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear” (Greek - Gorgoipikoos).

Day of Remembrance of the Appearance of the Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary on August 21, Art. (September 3 N.S.).

In the Mount Athos monastery of Grigoriat there are kept two revered miraculous icons of the Mother of God - “Mammal” (XV century) and Grigoriatskaya (on the Holy Mountain it is called “Vsetsaritsa” (“Pantanassa”) or “Palaeologina”).

According to legend, the miraculous icon of St. George was in Constantinople during the period of iconoclasm. They tried to burn it, throwing it into the fire along with other images of saints.

Icon of the Mother of God “Sweet Kiss”, or “Glycophylussa”

(on Monday of Holy Week)

Before the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Sweet Kiss”, or “Glycophylussa” they pray for strengthening in the Orthodox faith, for the protection of Orthodox icons, in times of troubles and adversity, in case of physical and mental ailments.

Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos before Her icon “Sweet Kiss”, or “Glycophylluss”

Accept, O All-merciful, Most Pure Lady, Lady Theotokos, these honorable gifts, the only ones applied to You, from us, Your unworthy servants, chosen from all generations, manifested above all creatures of heaven and earth. Because for Your sake the Lord of hosts was with us, and through You we knew the Son of God, and became worthy of His Holy Body and His Most Pure Blood. Blessed are you, too, in the birth of births, God-blessed One, the brightest of the Cherubim and the most honest of the Seraphim. And now, All-Singing Most Holy Theotokos, do not cease praying for us, Thy unworthy servants, that we may be delivered from every evil advice and from every situation, and that we may be preserved unharmed from every poisonous pretext of the devil. But even to the end, through Your prayers, keep us uncondemned, as if through Your intercession and help we are saved, we send glory, praise, thanksgiving and worship for everything in the Trinity to the One God and the Creator of all, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

The overpowering heresy, about Thy most honorable icon, O Virgin, dost thou manifestly provide for: the journey of Thy monastery, as a gift worthy of offering. With this we rightly call the Sweet-loving One, we please Thee.

Whoever comes to Thy temple and monastery and persecutes God for salvation and venerates Thy holy image, grant, O Virgin, Thy mercy, from all these sorrows, who cry out to Thee: Rejoice, O One Unblessed of God.

We magnify You, Most Holy Virgin, God-chosen Youth, and honor Your holy image, through which you bring healing to all who come with faith.

Icon "Sweet kiss"

Human life takes place on a planet that is almost never serene and quiet. Fires and floods, an increase in man-made disasters and more frequent military conflicts - people become afraid, and only in faith do they find peace, finding solace in prayers before holy images.

The great significance of Orthodox icons cannot be overestimated, because each face carries a tremendous power of healing, liberation from fears and the severity of the sinful yoke. Holy faces help to cleanse not only from all kinds of filth, they fill human hearts with confidence in the future and give a feeling of security.

From the ancient depths

According to ancient legend, the “Sweet Kiss” icon was painted by the Evangelist Luke. Years later, she ended up with a certain Victoria, who was distinguished by great piety and piety. The woman carefully preserved the holy image, despite the flared iconoclasm. Victoria's husband, fearful of persecution, demanded that the icon be removed from the house and even burned. But the woman did not destroy the face of the Mother of God. She prayed fervently and lowered the icon into the sea, in full confidence that God would preserve the image and would not allow the icon to perish in the sea waves.

And so it happened! The holy image appeared on the shore near the Philotheevsky monastery, and the monks, wiping the icon from drops of water, brought it under the arches of the cathedral church. Since then, on Great Easter Monday, a religious procession has been held from the monastery to the place where the image appeared. And, to this day, praying people witness wondrous miracles performed in front of the “Sweet Kiss” icon.

Without fear and sadness

This is exactly how, without fear, doubt and sadness, everyone who has visited the Holy Mountain and seen the wondrous icon begins to perceive the future. The bright image of the Mother of God drives out the fear that fetters a person with heavy chains. The harmony of the face of the Mother of God washes hearts, dissolves many years of grievances, pacifies anger and gives souls the grace of forgiveness. The tender hands of the Mother of God, with which she holds her Son, help people heal from physical suffering and mental anguish.

The “Sweet Kiss” icon evokes tenderness and warm tears of sincere joy in anyone who looks at it. After all, the Mother of God is depicted at the moment when She, young and beautiful in her purity and holiness, tenderly kisses the Infant Christ. But a person looking at the icon understands that the Mother of God, busy communicating with Her child, did not protect herself from other people. She is ready to listen to anyone who turns to Her, ready to intercede before God for everyone who kneels before the holy image.

The inspired beauty of the Mother of God and the harmony of Her face calm, give hope and strengthen faith in God's great forgiveness and the Mother's boundless love for all living on earth.

Elitsa

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Icons of Athos: Sweet kiss (Glycophilus)

In the cathedral of the Athonite monastery of Philotheus, on the left choir there is the famous miraculous icon of the Mother of God “Sweet Kiss” (Greek: “Glycofilus”). According to legend, it was written by the Evangelist Luke.

During the reign of the Byzantine iconoclast emperor Theophilus (829-842), the pious resident of Constantinople Victoria, the wife of one of the emperor's close associates named Simeon, saving the icon from destruction, at the risk of her life, honored and kept it in her room. Her husband demanded that she burn the icon, but Victoria preferred to throw it into the sea. So the image arrived on the Holy Mountain, about which Abbot Philotheus was miraculously warned. At the place where the icon was found, holy water flowed out.

From then until now, on Easter Monday, a procession of the cross has been carried out from the monastery to the site of the appearance of the icon.

Place of appearance of the “Sweet Kiss” icon

In 1793, Deacon Ioaniky, while lighting candles in front of the icon, often complained that the Mother of God does not care about the monastery, because the other monasteries of Athos do not need anything, but Philotheus does.

One day the deacon made his complaint at midnight. He was very immersed in his prayer and did not notice anything around him. Suddenly, the Mother of God appeared before him in a mysterious light and said that his complaints and lamentations were in vain - if it were not for her care, the monastery could not exist. He asks for wealth in vain - gold and silver are of no use to the monastery.

When the deacon woke up, he realized that he was mistaken and humbly asked for forgiveness from the Most Pure One. Then he told the brethren about what he had seen.

In 1801, a money-loving pilgrim stole the gold coins hanging from the image. Having committed sacrilege, he boarded a ship departing from the Iverskaya pier. But the ship, having sailed a little from the shore, stood still, despite the tailwind. Meanwhile, when they learned about the loss in Filothea, they sent people in all directions to catch up with the thief. One of them sailed on a boat to the ship, which was stationed not far from the Iverskaya pier. Meanwhile, the criminal, enlightened by the miraculous stop of the ship, himself repented of the sacrilege and hastened to voluntarily return the gold coins, after which the ship freely continued sailing.

It is impossible not to mention here one edifying miraculous incident that happened in 1830. At this time, one pilgrim came to the Philotheevsky Monastery from Adrianople. Here in the monastery he accidentally spoke with the ecclesiarch (the caretaker of the temple). The latter, in a sincere conversation, told the pilgrim about various miracles of the Mother of God and also reported how Her icon of the Sweet Kiss appeared on the seashore in front of the Athonite Philotheus monastery.

Bogomolets curiously asked the ecclesiarch about everything, listened carefully to his stories and, apparently, took everything to heart. The Ecclesiarch complied with his wishes. But what was his amazement when his interlocutor finally expressed his doubts about the truth of everything told, and considered the monk’s story about the miraculous appearance of the icon of the Mother of God Glykofilussa to be a simple fable that only a child could believe.

The Ecclesiarch thought for a moment. He didn't expect anything like this. There is no doubt that evil seeds were sown in the soul of the pilgrim, and they poisoned his Christian mood. Perhaps he was already close to a complete collapse. After all, from denying the benefits shown to the human race by the Mother of God, and from doubting the miraculous appearance of Her holy image, there is only one step to doubting miracles in general, and in particular, the miracles of the Savior of the human race.

Seeing the imminent death of his interlocutor, the ecclesiarch tried to dispel his spirit of doubt, but the pilgrim stubbornly denied all his words and arguments. He fell so deep.

And it was not the monk’s arguments that convinced the pilgrim: he was returned to the number of sincere followers of Christ by the Queen of Heaven Herself.

On the same day, a miracle happened to him, and from it he could be convinced of the miraculous power of the Most Pure Virgin. Walking along the top floor of the house, he tripped and began to fall down. Then he exclaimed: “Most Holy Mother of God, help us!” and descended to the ground without any harm.

Another miracle in the list of countless miracles revealed by the icon happened to one Christian from Pryor. His wife could not have children, and therefore the couple suffered greatly. While on Mount Athos, the Holy Mountain, the Christian fervently prayed to the Blessed Virgin before the “Sweet Kiss” icon. Before going home, he took some oil from the lamp burning in front of the icon and, returning, anointed himself and his wife with it. And in the same year his wife gave birth to a son. The Christian was very grateful to the Virgin Mary and brought a gift to the monastery of Philotheus.

Procession with the icon “Sweet Kiss”

Through prayers at the icon of the Mother of God, many miracles have happened in our time. One of them occurred during the years of German occupation. A story about him is contained in the book of Elder Paisius of Svyatogorsk, “Fathers of Svyatogorsk and Svyatogorsk Stories: During the German occupation, the supplies of wheat in the monastery of St. Philotheus were running out, and the fathers decided to stop receiving visitors. One pious elder, Father Savva, having learned about this, was saddened and began to beg the council of the elders of the monastery not to do this, because by doing this they would sadden Christ and the monastery would lose its blessing. He cited many examples from the Holy Scriptures, including the story of the widow of Zarephath of Sidon and the prophet Elijah (see 1 Kings 17), and they finally listened to him. However, after some time, they began to pester the elder with reproaches, saying: “The torment is over.” What will happen now? The elder answered them: “My fathers, the little that is left will be eaten together with the people, and the Mother of God will not leave us.” There were only twenty-five okadas of wheat left in the monastery’s storerooms and nothing else, and the monks began to rather sarcastically reprimand Father Savva: “Father Savva, the wheat is over, what will happen now?” But the pious and faith-filled elder answered this: “Do not lose hope in Glykofilusa.” Knead the remaining twenty-five okadas, bake bread from them and distribute it to the brethren and laity, and God, as the Good Father, will take care of us all. When they ran out of last bread, they didn’t even have time to get hungry when a ship coming from Kavala moored at the monastery pier, and the captain offered to exchange the wheat he was carrying for firewood. The monks, seeing the obvious Providence of the Mother of God, Who, like a Good Mother, took care of Her children, glorified God. Of course, Father Savva glorified God and thanked the Mother of God most of all, always sending thanks to Her with his very holy life. After this, he reminded the fathers: “Didn’t I tell you that the Mother of God will not leave us?”

Before the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Sweet Kiss”, or “Glycophylussa” they pray for strengthening in the Orthodox faith, for the protection of Orthodox icons, in times of troubles and adversity, in case of physical and mental ailments.

to the Blessed Virgin Mary

before Her icon “Sweet Kiss”, or “Glycophilus”

Accept, O All-merciful, Most Pure Lady, Lady Theotokos, these honorable gifts, the only ones applied to You, from us, Your unworthy servants, chosen from all generations, manifested above all creatures of heaven and earth. Because for Your sake the Lord of hosts was with us, and through You we knew the Son of God, and became worthy of His Holy Body and His Most Pure Blood. Blessed are you, too, in the birth of births, God-blessed One, the brightest of the Cherubim and the most honest of the Seraphim. And now, All-Singing Most Holy Theotokos, do not cease praying for us, Thy unworthy servants, that we may be delivered from every evil advice and from every situation, and that we may be preserved unharmed from every poisonous pretext of the devil. But even to the end, through Your prayers, keep us uncondemned, as if through Your intercession and help we are saved, we send glory, praise, thanksgiving and worship for everything in the Trinity to the One God and the Creator of all, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

The overpowering heresy, about Thy most honorable icon, O Virgin, dost thou manifestly provide for: the journey of Thy monastery, as a gift worthy of offering. With this we rightly call the Sweet-loving One, we please Thee.

Whoever comes to Thy temple and monastery and persecutes God for salvation and venerates Thy holy image, grant, O Virgin, Thy mercy, from all these sorrows, who cry out to Thee: Rejoice, O One Unblessed of God.

We magnify You, Most Holy Virgin, God-chosen Youth, and honor Your holy image, through which you bring healing to all who come with faith.