Christianity, like other religions of the world, has its own unique cultural history, reflected in artistic texts, musical works, sculptures and paintings, architecture. But, perhaps, one of the most vivid and significant manifestations of beliefs are icons.
The Power of Our Lady
The Theotokos is the second most powerful and significant person in the congregation of holy Christianity in general and Russian Orthodoxy. The icon of the Mother of God, and not one, hangs in every Christian church and church. It is she who is the link between man and God, to which a simple mortal cries in prayers. She bears the sorrows and sufferings of the people to His throne and prays her Son for the human race. She, as the Mother, understands the experiences of women about their children, often unreasonable and, alas, unkind. She, a witness to the torment of her own child, sympathizes with the torments of others and is relieved. She gives her own example to people - patience, humility, wisdom, forgiveness, love for one's neighbor. It is not for nothing that the Mother of God is called mother-patroness, and a huge number of churches and icons in her honor are in Russia. One of the most popular images in the people is the icon of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos. Her writing is related to the miraculous salvation of believers who prayed in one of the temples of Constantinople during the siege of the city by the Saracens. Then, according to legend, the Mother of God hid people with her veil, saving them lives. The city was preserved, and later a miracle was repeated at other times and under other tragic circumstances. And from the moment of its first miraculous sign, Saint Mary promises protection to the whole Christian people, regardless of geopolitical and national borders, from enemies - visible and invisible, from human meanness and cruelty and temptations of all unclean demonicism. After a while, the icon of the Protection of the Holy Mother of God marked the corresponding holiday, which was celebrated from the 12th century on October 1 (14). According to the churches and the people it is considered great. It so happened that he overlapped the ancient Russian pagan festival of the end of field work and harvesting. From there, from the gray-haired Russia, it is a tradition to keep the last sheaf, cleared from the field, until the Intercession. And when the holiday came, it was given to the peasants by livestock, asking Mother-intercessor to protect their cattle from winter hunger, death and fodder. The icon of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos was at that time the most in demand, before it unmarried maidens and women prayed for a good, hard-working and wealthy husband. Lighting before the image of the candle on the feast, they asked Pure for a family with well-being, healthy children, well-being for themselves and their loved ones. And if the year of hard times, war or sea came, the icon of the Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary was taken from the church to the people, and people all over the village or the city, all the world called for protection and mercy. The tradition has survived to this day.
Who to contact for help
If you have problems in the family, at work, with health or personal life, if the trouble with loved ones - to despair is not worth it. Remember, if you are a person baptized, that you have your own defender, an assistant. This is the Guardian Angel. Who is he? That saint, after whom you were given a name at birth or baptism. Or the one whose name-days are closest to the date of your birth or baptism. The icon of the guardian angel should always be in the house, and try to carry the small image with you. Turn to him in a difficult situation and believe - The Protector will help you.
May the powers of heaven protect you, be healthy and happy!