What does the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God (Goalkeeper) help with? How does the miraculous image of the Iveron icon help?

According to legend, one of the most famous and revered icons of the Mother of God in the Orthodox world was painted by the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke with the blessing of the Most Holy Theotokos during the days of Her earthly life.

For a long time, the Iveron Icon was located in Nicaea in Asia Minor, and since the beginning of the 11th century it has been inseparably located in the Iveron Monastery on Holy Mount Athos, in whose honor it received its name.

Tradition

The first news about it dates back to the 9th century, when during the reign of the Greek Emperor Theophilus, people who venerated icons were tortured, and the icons themselves were destroyed. According to legend, at this time, not far from the city of Nicaea, there lived a pious widow with her son, who kept an ancient icon of the Mother of God in her house.

One night, iconoclasts burst into her house and one of them hit the icon with a sword, wanting to chop it into pieces. The blow fell on the image of the right cheek of the Mother of God, and blood came out of the wound.

Fearing that the shrine would be destroyed, the widow promised the imperial soldiers money and asked them to wait until the morning and not touch the icon. The greedy iconoclasts agreed, deciding to profit from the occasion and embarrassed by the blood appearing on the icon.

When they left, the woman and her son lowered it into the sea to preserve the Holy Icon. Imagine the amazement of the widow and her son when the icon did not fall, but stood upright, facing the shore, and, gliding through the waters, began to move away until it disappeared from view.

The further fate of the widow is unknown, as for her son - he safely reached Athos, where he became a monk of the Iveron Monastery. From him the monks of the Holy Mountain learned about the history of the ancient icon, which became the sacred tradition of the monastery.

The bleeding wound remained on the face of the Virgin Mary, which is why the Iveron Mother of God is always depicted with a small wound on her face.

Finding

Two centuries later, the monks of the Georgian Iveron Monastery on Mount Athos saw an icon in the sea supported by a pillar of fire. After a prayer service for the donation of the shrine that had appeared to the monastery, the pious monk of the Iveron Monastery, Saint Gabriel the Gruzin, at the command of the Mother of God, who appeared to him in a dream, walked on the water, accepted the Holy Icon and placed it in the temple.

However, the next day the icon was found not in the temple, but above the gates of the monastery. This was repeated several times until the Most Holy Virgin revealed Her will to Saint Gabriel in a dream, saying that she did not want to be kept by the monks, but wanted to be their Guardian.

After this, the image was placed above the monastery gate. Therefore, the Holy Icon is also called the Goalkeeper or Gatekeeper.

In the Iversky Monastery, a celebration in her honor takes place on February 25 according to the new style. On this day, the brethren go with a religious procession to the seashore, where Elder Gabriel received the icon.

Description

The iconography of the ancient Iveron icon is a special version of the “Hodegetria”, which received the name ᾿Ελεοῦσα (translated in Russian as “Merciful”) in Byzantine art.

In the icon, the Most Holy Theotokos holds the Divine Infant in her left hand - her right hand is extended to the Savior in prayer, at the same time pointing to Him.

The Savior’s head is raised, and his face is slightly turned towards the Mother of God, who slightly bowed her head towards Him. On the right cheek of the Mother of God there is a wound from which blood is oozing, according to legend, inflicted by iconoclasts. This is the main difference by which you can always recognize the Iveron Icon.

The manner of painting the faces is peculiar - with large, massive features, wide-open almond-shaped eyes, the gaze of which is directed forward, and the expression of the faces is concentrated.

At the beginning of the 16th century, the icon was decorated with a chased frame made of silver with gilding, made by Georgian craftsmen, as evidenced by the record in the language of the manufacturer. The frame leaves open only the faces of the Mother of God and the Child.

Apparently, the frame quite accurately reproduces the iconography of the ancient image, but in the margins it is supplemented with chased images of half-figures of the 12 apostles.

The dimensions of the icon are quite large - the height is 137 centimeters and the width is 87 centimeters.

Meaning

The Iveron Icon of the Mother of God is direct evidence that the Mother of God took the entire human race under her Holy intercession. Having miraculously appeared on Athos, she became a shield for all who pray day and night on the Holy Mountain for the entire human race.

Iverskaya is one of the most amazing images in terms of miraculous manifestations, demonstrating the most diverse actions of the Mother of God within the earthly boundaries - Intercessor and Guardian, Healer and Defender from all misfortunes emanating from both the elements and human vices.

Miraculous

The Iveron Icon of the Mother of God has long been revered as miraculous - in the history of the monastery there are many manuscripts about the gracious help of the Mother of God.

The Mother of God appeared to the grieving abbot when famine threatened the Iveron Monastery. The Most Holy Theotokos sent him to the granary, which turned out to be full of flour.

The Mother of God miraculously filled the vessels, multiplied oil and vegetables, saved the monastery from fires, and protected it from enemy invasions.

Once, when the Persians besieged the monastery from the sea, the monks asked the Mother of God for help. Suddenly a terrible storm arose and the enemy ships sank, leaving only Amir’s commander alive.

Struck by the miracle of God's wrath, he repented, asked to pray for the forgiveness of his sins, and donated a lot of gold and silver for the construction of the monastery walls.

Among the amazing miracles from the icon is the fact that, being at the monastery gates, it often does not allow people who have some unrepentant sin in their souls to enter the monastery.

She miraculously appeared at the monastery - across the sea in a pillar of fire to a place called Clement's pier. It was in this place, not far from the Iveron monastery on the seashore, that a miraculous spring has been preserved to this day, flowing at the moment when the Mother of God set foot on Athos soil.

Lesson from the Mother of God

The Most Holy Theotokos not only helped the monks, but also admonished and denounced them. Once a poor man asked to spend the night in Iviron, but the monk-goalkeeper demanded payment from him. The poor man, who had no money, dejectedly headed to Kareya.

On the way, he met an amazing Woman who gave him a gold coin to pay for his overnight stay, and the poor man returned to spend the night in the monastery.

The coin turned out to be very ancient, and in response to the monks’ questions, he told the story of a miraculous meeting. The monks realized that this woman was the Queen of Heaven herself. As a sign of God's admonition, after this incident, all the food in the monastery spoiled.

Having repented of their sin, the monks, from that very time, never again refused anyone free lodging and food. And today, Athonite monks always welcome pilgrims.

The “Goalkeeper” herself never left Iviron; in response to requests from the laity, the monks sent lists of the miraculous image. The icon is taken out of the paraklis only three times a year, where it remains constantly - on the eve of the Nativity of Christ, on the day of its discovery by the Athonite monks, and on the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

According to Athonite legend, shortly before the Second Coming the Iveron Icon will leave Holy Mount Athos. This was announced by the Monk Nile the Myrrh-Streaming, who repeatedly appeared in 1813-1819 to the monk Theophan.

In Georgia

In Georgia there is an exact copy of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God. On the initiative of the Iveriisa Foundation, it was written specifically for the temple of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God, which is being built on Mount Mahata. The icon arrived in Georgia from Mount Athos on April 5, 2016.

Together with the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God, the icon of the Venerable Father Gabriel of Athos arrived in Georgia. The foundation of the temple was laid and consecrated on May 12, 2011, with the blessing of Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II.

The construction of the temple is carried out with donations from believers and with the assistance of the Iveriisa Foundation, which was created by opera singer Paata Burchuladze. Presumably, the construction of the temple will be completed by December 25, 2017, on the 40th anniversary of the enthronement of Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II.

Iverskaya

The main purpose of the image is to help people who have repented of their sins. The icon helps you find strength and the right path to a bright future. Relatives can also pray to help their loved ones.

Before the Iveron Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos they pray for deliverance from various ailments and for consolation in troubles, from fire, for increasing the fertility of the earth, for deliverance from grief and sadness, for the healing of physical and mental ailments, as well as in various difficult circumstances. You should keep the icon in your home near the entrance, since the second name of this image is “Goalkeeper” and thereby receive excellent protection from various troubles.

Prayer

Oh, Most Holy Virgin, Mother of the Lord, Queen of Heaven and earth! Listen to the much-painful sighing of our souls, look down from Thy holy height upon us, who worship Thy most pure image with faith and love. Behold, immersed in sins and overwhelmed by sorrows, looking at Your image, as if You were alive and living with us, we offer our humble prayers. The imams have no other help, no other intercession, no consolation except You, O Mother of all who mourn and are burdened! Help us the weak, satisfy our sorrow, guide us, the erring, on the right path, heal and save the hopeless, grant us the rest of our lives to spend in peace and silence, grant us a Christian death and at the Last Judgment of Your Son, a merciful intercessor will appear to us, may we always sing , we magnify and glorify Thee, as the good intercessor of the Christian race, with all those who have pleased God. Amen.

The material was prepared on the basis of open sources.

When difficult situations arise in life, every person hopes for help from Heaven. More often, people turn to the Queen of Heaven - the great Patroness of all humanity before the Almighty. Her image in every Orthodox church is located to the left of the Royal Doors.

The Iveron Icon of the Mother of God occupies a special place among the Mother of God icons. It is one of the most revered and famous shrines of Orthodoxy.

History of the Holy Face

During the 1st Ecumenical Council, adherents of the Aryan heresy were given strict support. Since then, peace and tranquility have come to the Orthodox Christian world. But at the beginning of the 9th century, fierce fighters against Orthodox images appeared, destroying holy images.

Just at that time, a pious believing widow with her teenage son lived on the territory of Nicaea (now Turkey). The woman had a fortune inherited from her late husband. With this money, the widow built a church, within the walls of which the icon of the Mother of God rested. The iconoclasts, having visited the temple, decided to take away her fortune from the woman, demanding a large sum of money. Hearing the refusal, one of the attackers angrily plunged his sword into the Face of the Virgin Mary.

And then a stream of real human blood flowed over the icon. The bandits were very frightened and ran out of the church, warning the widow that the next day they would return again to collect the debt.

When it got dark, mother and son took the icon of the Mother of God and went to the sea. Having placed the Face on the water, they beheld a miracle: the icon itself rose into a vertical position and floated in this state along the waves directly into the open sea. Amazed by what they saw, they returned home, but fearing the possible re-arrival of robbers, they could not stay within their native walls.

Iveron Icon of the Mother of God

Appearance on Athos

The son went to Athos and accepted monasticism at the Iveron monastery. The newly minted monk told the story of how the icon itself stood up on the waves and floated out to sea. But soon the elders, who were at the monastery gates, noticed a bright and huge pillar of fire rising above the surface of the sea. The sight was wonderful and scary at the same time.

Mother protects the home, patronizes all Orthodox Christian women and intercedes for their needs before Her Son.

The original of the Holy Face of the Mother of God is kept on Mount Athos in the Orthodox male monastery of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God.

Celebrations in honor of the Iveron Icon take place several times a year: February 25, May 6, October 26, and also on Tuesday of Easter week.

Watch a video about the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God

The famous image is named after the Iveron Monastery (Athos), the Mother of God is considered its guardian. Of course, the Mother of God cares for all people, but she strictly promised to protect the inhabitants of the holy mountain. The Iveron Icon came there of its own free will, and remains on Mount Athos to this day.

Iveron icon as a reminder of sin

The image witnessed many difficult times for Christianity - persecution, attacks by enemies. He himself was also attacked. A certain robber hit the face of the Blessed Virgin, and blood began to flow from the wound. This shocked the bandit so much that he immediately decided to devote himself to monasticism. He remained on Athos and devotedly served God, which the church has preserved the memory of to this day, canonizing him as a saint.

It was this story that became the reason that the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God is depicted by modern icon painters with a scar and drops of blood on its face. Traces of blood are visible on the Athos icon today. This is a good edification for believers: it is worth remembering that every sin causes the Queen of Heaven to suffer from spiritual wounds, which are more severe than physical ones.

Description of the Iveron Icon

The image is made in Byzantine traditions, as one of the types of “Hodegetria”. The form is vertical, almost everything is occupied by figures: the Mother of God bowed her head to the Son, her right hand is raised, as if in prayer. The Baby sits on the Mother’s left hand, dressed in a green tunic, a scroll in his left hand, and his right hand blesses - the gesture is directed to the worshipers near the image.

A simple description of the Iveron icon cannot convey that deep expression of higher knowledge and unearthly sadness, which is so characteristic of Byzantine images of the Queen of Heaven. Her gaze penetrates into the very soul of the believer. The Virgin Mary in a traditional red omophorion, her head crowned. But there is no royal pride in her face, only sadness, because she always knew what the Infant Christ had to go through before sitting on the heavenly throne.

Traces of injury are a distinctive feature by which one can immediately recognize this image among many others, although it is performed in different traditions. The soft golden background, sometimes turning into a delicate translucent azure, is also characteristic. The icon sets the mood for prayer well; the half-length image of the Mother of God seems to appear from heaven, although it has quite realistic features.

How to pray and what to ask for the Iveron Icon

The veneration of the Iveron Icon in Russia is very great and has been going on for a long time - the first legends were recorded about 500 years ago. They describe various versions of the appearance of the image, different from the common Greek version. One way or another, the stories are connected with Georgia; in each case, the image appears on Athos completely independently.

The Iversky Monastery was indeed founded by Georgians; they prevailed among the inhabitants for a long time, working for the good of their small homeland not only with prayers. The Gospel in Georgian appeared thanks to the efforts of St. Euthymius. However, the last Georgian monk died in the middle of the last century. Today, the majority of monks are of Greek origin.

How does the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God help?

Miracles were abundantly bestowed from above through the image:

protection from enemies;
replenishment of oil and water supplies;
healing the sick;
admonishing those who have gone astray.

There are no restrictions on prayer requests; the most famous miracles are listed. The Iveron icon helps in various troubles and spiritual weaknesses; everyone trusts their most intimate things, hoping for support from above.

The monks wrote several akathists to read before the Iveron Icon; the usual reading rules apply to them. You can perform the feat of prayer at home, or come to the temple, order a prayer service, or read it yourself. It is important that requests touch on the very essence of a spiritual illness, and not touch on some everyday trifles that a person is simply too lazy to correct.

There are also small prayers to the Iveron Icon; you can read them either independently or include them in the traditional prayer rule, after which you can add a petition “in your own words.”

Russian lists

The miraculous Iveron Icon itself resides, as has already been said, in the Athos monastery. Since her appearance more than a thousand years ago, she has not left the monastery. It is believed that this will happen before the end of the world and will serve as a signal for the monks to leave the monastery. The icon is decorated with a precious frame that covers everything except the faces.

Three times a year the monks take the icon out of the gate church:

on the evening before Christmas - she stays in the cathedral for several days;
on the Saturday before Easter;
on the feast of the Dormition of our Lady Theotokos.

But people repeatedly turned to the monks with requests to bring the icon, for which they made copies (lists). The first Athos list for Russia was made in the 17th century. The monks served a long prayer service before starting work, then washed the image with holy water. Then the list was consecrated by her. The icon painter then mixed the holy water with paints. Until the work was completed, the brethren continued to serve the Liturgy and prayer services.

In honor of the arrival of the icon in the capital, a church holiday was established on October 13, 1648. The image was initially located in one of the Kremlin churches, then it was moved to the Novodevichy Convent. The right to dispose of the shrine was transferred to the authorities, and only in our time, literally a few years ago (2012), was it officially returned to the Novodevichy Convent.

The second list appeared 8 years later. It is the same size as the original, it was ordered by Patriarch Nikon. He began the construction of the Iversky Monastery, where he wanted to place the image. He strictly forbade copying the icon and decorated it with an expensive frame made of gold and stones. In 1656, the shrine arrived in Valdai, in honor of which another holiday was established (February 12). Where this Iverskaya icon is located today is a mystery; its trace disappeared after the communist revolution.

Montreal list

This copy became famous when it was in Canada (hence the name), its history is very interesting. Written in 1981 on Athos, a year later it was presented by the Athos abbot Clement to one of the pilgrims. A certain Joseph Cortes was so struck by the beauty of the image that he literally begged to sell it, but was initially refused. However, the next day he was allowed to take the image.

Since then, the fate of Joseph and the Iveron Montreal Icon became inseparable. Being a very pious man, he began to constantly offer prayers to the Mother of God. And one night he was awakened by the incredible scent of roses. It turned out that the image began to stream myrrh.

A similar miracle was repeated many times, and many people appeared who wanted to see the shrine in person. Then Joseph began to travel, taking the icon to many cities in America, New Zealand, Australia and Europe. What did they pray for near the Iveron Icon? Of course, many wanted to be healed of physical ailments, and miracles happened. Many cases were recorded during travel (1983-1997). There is a special Brother Joseph Foundation that documents them.

One day, the custodian was transporting the icon by plane to America. A woman sat nearby and asked why it smelled so wonderful. Having learned about the miraculous image, she said with tears that she was heading for an operation, and that the Mother of God found her to help. Later, the woman wrote a letter to Joseph - the operation was successful.

Raised in a Catholic family, Muñoz nevertheless chose Orthodoxy for himself and was tonsured a monk on Mount Athos. He was distinguished by modesty and great faith, he never put himself in the foreground, and did not allow his image to be desecrated. Joseph stood for traditional values, worried about the fate of modern youth, whose consciousness is completely enslaved by television.

Apparently someone did not like such holiness - in 1997, Brother Joseph was brutally murdered, and the Montreal Iveron Icon disappeared. Today, work is underway on the canonization of I. Muñoz.

“Holy Virgin, help!”

The importance of the Iveron Icon for the culture and spirituality of Russia is difficult to overestimate. Looking at the image, one involuntarily recalls all the trials that the Church endured together with its country: unbelief, destruction of churches, desecration of shrines, destruction of priests. During spiritual rebirth, we must remember this. Thousands of people came with their troubles, many received help, renewed their faith and desire to serve God.

Even those who had not visited the temple for many years returned to normal Christian life and repented after communicating with the shrine. There are known cases when the icon kept people from committing suicide. Those in conflict found peace. In some temples, on the eve of visiting the shrine, flowers grew in abundance. But the most important miracle is when a person finds harmony with God and peace in his soul. The Queen of Heaven also helps with this.

The most famous temples

The Church of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God on Vspolye (the so-called building interspersed with fields for walking) is located between two Ordynkas (Malaya and Bolshaya), the white stone brick building is clearly visible from a distant perspective. Until 1802, the church bore the name of the Great Martyr George the Victorious; the first records of a wooden structure date back to 1625.

In the middle of the 17th century. The wooden building was replaced with a stone one. The temple was re-consecrated in 1672. Money for the construction was donated by the merchant S. Potapov, but the parish consisted mainly of nobles. With the permission of the Metropolitan, a refectory building and a bell tower were built. The temple was practically rebuilt at the beginning of the 19th century, at which time its own copy of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God appeared here.

The revolutionary storm caused enormous damage to the church:

the bell tower is broken;
unique painting painted over;
iconostases were destroyed;
the altar was looted.

Despite this, services continued; the Church of the Iveron Icon was finally closed only 12 years later. In the early 90s, the temple was transferred to the Patriarchate and reopened its doors to believers.

The Iversky Monastery in Valdai is a famous place of pilgrimage for Russians. The monastery was founded by Patriarch Nikon in imitation of Athonite in the mid-17th century. The number of monks reached 200 people, the monastery flourished. But it was closed after Nikon fell into disgrace. True, the cruel decree was canceled, life within the holy walls resumed.

A new shock for the monastery was the revolution, the Soviet government confiscated the “surplus” from the monks. This caused a storm of protest among local residents, and an uprising broke out. Nevertheless, in the end, the Soviet government managed to turn the monastery into an artel, the Iveron Icon was taken away, and no one knew where it was. Then there was a museum, a hospital, schools, a museum, and a recreation center.

The revival of the monastery began in 1991, when it was transferred to the Novgorod diocese. The Iveron Icon of the Mother of God returned to its native home - however, it was already a copy. With God's help, six monks managed to raise the monastery from the ruins. The number of inhabitants gradually increased, problems with the arrangement were solved. What seemed impossible to people was within the Lord’s reach.

The Iveron Monastery on Mount Athos is the custodian of many Christian shrines. To visit there, you need to obtain a special permit. You can stay overnight at any temple; the monks greet pilgrims very kindly. There was a case when they demanded payment from one traveler, then the monks’ food spoiled.

Unfortunately, only men are allowed to go to Mount Athos. Women can freely visit Iveron monasteries and churches in Russia (there are about 200 of them) and pray near the holy image of the house. God's mercy knows no bounds; it is sent to everyone who has firm hope.

This year in Russia, the holiday in honor of the Iveron Icon is celebrated for 2 days in a row - on May 6, the second discovery of the Moscow image in 2012, and on May 7, the traditional celebration on Tuesday of Bright Week of the discovery of the prototype in the sea near Mount Athos

The icon of the Iveron Mother of God (“Goalkeeper”) is one of the most revered in the world, and the most inaccessible. Let's start with the fact that the last woman who saw her lived more than 1200 years ago. According to legend, she was a widow from Nicea, who kept the image in her house and during the time of iconoclasm, she let the icon float on the sea waves to prevent it from being desecrated.

In the 10th century, the icon was seen standing on the sea by the monks of the Athos monastery Iviron (Iversky, Georgian). The ascetic of high life Gabriel was able to walk on the waters and take the icon. Since then, it has been in Iviron and is revered as the main shrine of the Holy Mountain.

Many Athonite relics and miraculous icons are brought to the “mainland” for worship. Suffice it to recall the bringing of the belt of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Moscow from the Vatopedi monastery last year. Currently, tens of thousands of people come to Thessaloniki to venerate the “It Is Worthy” icon of the Mother of God brought there from the capital of Athos, Kareia.

Unlike them, “Iverskaya” never left Athos. On the contrary, there is a legend that before the end of the world the icon will mysteriously disappear. Until then, the Athonite monks are checking with each other to see if the “Goalkeeper” is still there, if she is still in the small white and red temple at the old gates of Iviron.

Nevertheless, "Iverskaya" became one of the most famous Mother of God icons. It is enough to list the names of her lists to understand this worldwide veneration: Moscow, Paris, Montreal, Mozdok. Even Hawaiian...

The Iveron icon is quite large - 137x87 cm. It has two frames that can be exchanged for one another. More ancient, chased, made by Georgian craftsmen in the 16th century. At the bottom there is an inscription in Georgian: “Queen, Mother of the philanthropic God, Immaculate Virgin Mary, have mercy on the soul of my master, the great Kaikhosroi Kvarkvarashvili, and I, Your servant and deprived of all strength, worthy of regret, Ambrose, thank You, who deigned to bind me with this and adorn the holy image of Thy Portaitissa. Accept this little insolence of mine as a sacrifice from me, a sinner, and save the rest of my life without sin. And at the hour of the exodus of my pitiful soul, help me, scatter all the lists of my sins. And place me, a sinner, at the throne of Your Son and God and His beginningless Holy Father and the Holy Spirit. Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen". On the back of the icon there is an image of a cross with the monogram “IC XC NI KA” and four letters “X” - an abbreviation of the phrase “Christ gives grace to Christians”, in which in Greek all words begin with X.

A later salary on the prototype of the “Goalkeeper”. On the margins of the icon are enamel images of the apostles. On the old salary they are waist-length, and on the new one they are full-length. Like many miraculous icons, Iverskaya is decorated with numerous donations: crosses and coins. There is an Athonite legend, according to which, one day the Iveron monks experienced a shortage of food, and the gatekeeper began to demand money from travelers for bread. The Mother of God appeared to one of the pilgrims and gave him a coin. The moment the gatekeeper took it as payment for food, all the bread in the monastery turned wormy. The abbot examined the coin and recognized it as an ancient Byzantine nomisma, suspended from the Iverskaya frame.

Panorama of the Iviron Monastery, drawing by Russian pilgrim V.G. Grigorovich-Barsky, 1744

The icon is not in the monastery cathedral, but in the temple to the left of the monastery gate. After the discovery, the monks first placed the icon in the altar of the cathedral, but the next morning it appeared above the gates of the monastery. This went on for several days. The Mother of God appeared in a dream to the elder and said: “I do not want to be protected by you, but I want to be your Guardian... As long as you see My image in this monastery, until then the grace and mercy of My Son towards you will not become scarce.” Therefore, the Iveron Icon is also called “Portaitissa” (“Goalkeeper”). The Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary Portaitissa was built at the end of the 17th century, presumably on the site of a medieval temple. Photo: www.agionoros.ru

The Akathist before the Goalkeeper icon is read by Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, Athos, Iviron Monastery, October 26, 2010. Photo: DECR MP communications service

The first copy of the Iveron Icon was brought to Rus' in the middle of the 17th century. In 1647, Archimandrite Pachomius of the Athonite Iveron Monastery came to Moscow to collect donations and met the abbot of the capital's Novospassky Monastery, Nikon, the future patriarch, who was so impressed by the story about the monastery and the miraculous icon that he asked to make for him a copy of the Iveron Icon "measure" in moderation." The image was painted by the icon painter Cyrus Iamblichus Romanov. So, in the fall of 1648, the icon was solemnly greeted in Moscow, at the Resurrection Gate. The Russian celebration in honor of the Iveron Icon on September 13 (September 26) is dedicated to this event.

The Iveron Icon of Athos was hit with a spear by an iconoclast warrior. Blood flowed from the damaged area. Therefore, on many lists the face of the Mother of God is depicted with a bleeding wound

In May 2012, the oldest copy of the Iveron Icon was handed over to the Church and returned to the Novodevichy Convent. Photo: .

On May 25, 2012, a prayer service was held in front of the icon on Vasilievsky Spusk. It was headed by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus' and Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Jerome II. Photo: press service of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.

Iverskaya Chapel at the Resurrection Gate, photo from the beginning of the 20th century. The chapel contained an icon painted by royal icon painters in the 17th century, the so-called. Moscow Iverskaya. Archbishop Arseny (Zhadanovsky) recalled: “The chapel was surrounded by Muscovites all day long. At nine o’clock in the evening it was locked, but this did not distract the attention of the pilgrims, who continued to stand in anticipation of the night vigil.” The image was often taken out of the chapel for worship and to go around houses, especially during epidemics. During her absence, replacement icons were displayed in the chapel for veneration.

Alexander Vertinsky in his memoirs “Dear Long...” tells how Iverskaya carried flowers to Iverskaya as a beggar student: “Iverskaya was the religious center of Moscow. In a small chapel near Red Square stood her icon, illuminated by hundreds of candles lit by believers. The icon sparkled with diamonds, emeralds and rubies, which were donated by those healed of various ailments and sorrows, hardships and suffering. It all started with her. Not a single visiting merchant began business without bowing to Iverskaya... We, too, sometimes brought our modest gifts to the icon. I remember how before big events, exams for example, my friends and I would go to Iverskaya and light candles or buy white roses on long stems and put them in candlesticks.”

Iveron Icon of the Mother of God, Moscow, last quarter of the 17th century, State Tretyakov Gallery, Church of St. Nicholas in Tolmachi. Recently, more and more historians and art historians are inclined to believe that this icon is the Moscow Iverskaya icon.

The Church of the Resurrection of Christ in Sokolniki houses an image from the Iveron Chapel. The question remains open whether this icon is the Moscow Iverskaya or a substitute image

Another replacement image from the Iveron Chapel is in Paris. It was taken to France in 1812 by an officer of Napoleon's retreating army and unexpectedly discovered in an antique shop by a Russian emigrant in 1930 and bought in 1932 through the enormous efforts of emigration, in particular the famous ascetic Bishop Veniamin (Fedchenkov, later Metropolitan). Many donated their last funds to buy the icon. The Parisian Iveron Icon is kept in the Three Saints Metochion (Rue Loops, 5), where an akathist is read before it on Wednesdays. There are revered Iveron icons in other well-known parishes of the first wave of Russian emigration. For example, in the Church of St. Nicholas at Via Palestra 69 in Rome.

In 1995, the Iveron Chapel was restored and solemnly consecrated by Patriarch Alexy II.

For the restored chapel, Hieromonk Luke from the Athonite monastery of Xenophon wrote a list of “Goalkeepers”. Before the icon, an akathist is read daily by Moscow priests in order.

List of the Iveron Icon from the Nikolo-Perervinsky Monastery. The chapel at the Resurrection Gate was assigned to the monastery back in 1659. Prayer services were served there by the Perervin hieromonks. Photo: V. Khodakov, I. Lazuta, press service of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.

Iverskaya icon from the Valdai Iversky Monastery. The monastery was founded by Patriarch Nikon, who asked Iviron to send him another copy of the “Goalkeeper” icon, which was done around 1655. The icon was met in Valdai on February 12, 1656. This is where the tradition of the second Russian holiday in honor of the Iveron Icon came from - February 12 (25). After the revolution, the list disappeared and has not yet been found. The icon shown in the photo is more recent.

The Iveron-Montreal Icon of the Mother of God was painted on Mount Athos in 1981. Myrrh streamed almost continuously since 1982 for 15 years. The icon traveled almost all over the world - the image was transported from church to church by its custodian, Chilean Joseph Jose Muñoz Cortes, who converted to Orthodoxy. Cottons with holy myrrh are kept in many parishes. On the night of October 30-31, Brother Joseph was killed under still unclear circumstances, and the icon disappeared. Lists from the Montreal icon are also streaming myrrh. Thus, since 2007, a small paper copy of it, located in the ROCOR parish in Hawaii, has been exuding myrrh.

According to legend, the copy from the Athonite Iveron Icon was given to the Ossetians by St. Queen Tamara. In 1768, by decree of Catherine II, the Ossetians of the village of Maryam-Kay had to move to a new place. They took with them the revered image. The travelers spent the night on the banks of the Terek, near the city of Mozdok. At night, light poured from the icon. In the morning, the oxen refused to move and carry the cart on which the icon was placed. The Mother of God appeared to one Ossetian in a dream and ordered him to leave the icon in this place. The news reached the bishop, and the image was transferred to the cathedral. The Mozdok Iveron Icon is revered throughout the North Caucasus and the Don.

List of the Iveron Icon from the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Sioni) in Tbilisi. Written on Mount Athos at the request of Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II and brought to Tbilisi in 1989. Patriarch Elijah ΙΙ also paints icons. One of them, the revered image of Iveron, is located in the new Cathedral of the Holy Trinity (Tsminda Sameba).

List of the Iveron Icon from the Rozhenov Monastery, Bulgaria, late 18th century.

Iveron Icon of the Mother of God, Kostroma, late 17th-early 18th century.

Common iconography of the turn of the 19th-20th centuries. As a rule, such icons were replicated in the workshops of the St. Panteleimon Monastery on Athos

Prepared by Arseny ZAGULYAEV

Icon of the Mother of God “Iverskaya” "Goalkeeper"

February 25 (February 12, old style), October 26 (13), Tuesday of Bright Week

Description of the icon of the Mother of God “Iverskaya” “Goalkeeper”:
In the 9th century, during the heresy of iconoclasm, near the city of Nicaea (modern Turkey), there lived a pious widow and her son, in whose house there was a miraculous icon of the Mother of God. When the soldiers sent to seek out and destroy the holy icons of the Mother of God entered the widow’s house, she, in the hope of preserving the shrine, begged the soldiers to leave the icon of the Mother of God until the morning, promising them a reward for this.

The selfish warriors agreed, but at the same time one of them, leaving, hit the face of the Mother of God with a spear, and blood immediately flowed from the pierced icon of the Mother of God. The amazed warriors left. Wanting to save the miraculous icon of the Mother of God from desecration, the widow took it to the sea and lowered it into the water. The icon of the Mother of God did not lie down on the water, but, standing upright, moved across the sea.

About two centuries have passed since then. One day, the monks of the Iveron Monastery on Athos saw a pillar of fire reaching to the very sky on the sea, at the base of which was an icon of the Mother of God standing on the water. After the prayer service, the monastery elder Gabriel, at the command of the Mother of God who appeared to him in a dream, walked on the water as if on dry land, accepted the icon of the Mother of God and placed it in the temple.

But the next day the icon of the Mother of God was not found in the place where it had been placed, but was discovered above the monastery gate. The image was taken to its original place, but the next morning it was again above the gate. This happened several times. Finally, the Most Holy Theotokos again appeared to the Monk Gabriel, saying that she did not want to be kept by the monks, but wanted to be their Guardian.

The monks built a gate church, in which the miraculous icon of the Mother of God remains to this day. By the name of the monastery, this icon of the Mother of God is called Iverskaya, and by the place of its location above the monastery gates - “Goalkeeper” or “Portaitissa”.

The history of the Iversky Monastery has preserved many cases of the miraculous help of the Mother of God through Her miraculous icon: the deliverance of the monastery from barbarians, the miraculous replenishment of food supplies, the healing of the sick.

The miraculous icon of the Mother of God was well known in Russia. During the reign of Alexei Mikhailovich (1645–1676), Archimandrite Nikon of the Novospassky Monastery (later Patriarch of All Rus') turned to Archimandrite Pachomius of the Iveron Athos Monastery with a request to send a list (copy) of the miraculous icon of the Most Holy Theotokos.

The priest Iamblichus Romanov was blessed to paint the icon of the Mother of God for Russia. Before this, the entire brethren of the monastery (three hundred and sixty-five monks) performed a great prayer service from evening until dawn and blessed the water with holy relics. They poured holy water over the miraculous icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Portaitissa” and again poured it over a new board prepared for writing the icon, made of cypress wood. After the Divine Liturgy, holy water and particles of holy relics were handed over to the icon painter, who, mixing them with paints, began to paint the icon of the Mother of God.

On October 13, 1648, the icon was brought to Moscow and solemnly greeted at the Resurrection Gate by many people, Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich and Patriarch Joseph.

When Nikon ascended the patriarchal throne, he planned to build a monastery on one of the islands of Lake Valdai in honor of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God, in the likeness of the Athos Iveron Monastery. Skilled painters were sent to Athos to paint a new copy of the ancient Iveron Icon of the Mother of God and draw up an accurate plan of the Iveron monastery. Through the efforts of Russian architects, the Iveron Mother of God Svyatoozersky Monastery was founded in Valdai, to which in 1656 the newly painted Iveron Icon of the Mother of God was brought from Athos.

Other revered copies of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God, installed in the Iveron Chapel at the Resurrection Gate, were also written on Athos. Thousands of Orthodox Christians from all over Russia came to venerate the miraculous image (one icon never left its place, while the other was taken from house to house in Moscow in a special carriage). Arriving in Moscow, Russian sovereigns, before entering the Kremlin, always prayed in the chapel at the Resurrection Gate in front of the miraculous icon of the Most Holy Theotokos.

In 1929, the chapel was destroyed, the icon of the Mother of God disappeared, but the mobile icon was preserved and is now in the Church of the Resurrection of Christ in Sokolniki. Nowadays, by the grace of God, the chapel has been recreated, and Orthodox Russia, on October 26, 1995, again met the image of the Iveron Mother of God, painted on Holy Mount Athos.

There are icons of the Iveron Mother of God with a wound on the right cheek of the Mother of God, oozing drops of blood, and without a wound.

At the end of the twentieth century, the myrrh-streaming Iveron Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary from Montreal, whose custodian was the Orthodox Spaniard Joseph Muñoz Cortes, became famous. Unfortunately, in October 1997, after the villainous murder of Joseph, the miraculous image disappeared without a trace.

The celebration of the miraculous Iveron Icon of the Mother of God in the Russian Orthodox Church takes place three times: February 12/25 (this day is associated with the transfer of the copy of the Iveron Icon to the monastery in Valdai), October 13/26 (the day of the solemn meeting of the Athos shrine in Moscow in 1648) and on Tuesday Bright Week (it was on Tuesday of Bright Week, according to legend, that the icon appeared on the waters in front of the monks of the Iveron Monastery).

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Prayers to the Most Holy Theotokos in front of Her icon, called “Iverskaya”

Before the Iveron Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos they pray for deliverance from various misfortunes and for consolation in troubles, from fire, for increasing the fertility of the earth, for deliverance from grief and sadness, for the healing of physical and mental ailments, in difficult circumstances, for help to farmers.

First prayer

O Most Holy Virgin, Mother of the Lord, Queen of Heaven and Earth! Hear the much-painful sighing of our souls, look down from Thy holy height upon us, who with faith and love worship Thy most pure image. Behold, immersed in sins and overwhelmed by sorrows, looking at Your image, as if You were alive and living with us, we offer our humble prayers. The imams have no other help, no other intercession, no consolation except You, O Mother, of all those who mourn and are burdened! Help us, the weak, satisfy our sorrow, guide us, the erring, on the right path, heal and save the hopeless, grant us the rest of our lives to spend in peace and silence, grant us a Christian death, and at the Last Judgment of Your Son, the merciful Intercessor will appear to us, and always We sing, magnify and glorify Thee, as the good Intercessor of the Christian race, with all those who have pleased God. Amen.

Second prayer

O Most Holy Lady Lady Theotokos, accept our unworthy prayer, and save us from the slander of evil people and from vain death, and grant us repentance before the end, have mercy on our prayer, and grant us a place of joy in sorrow. And deliver us, Lady, from all misfortune and adversity, sorrow and sorrow and from all evil. And make us, Thy sinful servants, worthy to be at the right hand at the second coming of Thy Son, Christ our God, and to be our heirs, to be made worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven and eternal life, with all the saints throughout the endless ages of ages. Amen.

Troparion, tone 1

From Your holy icon, O Lady Theotokos, healing and healing are given abundantly to those who come to her with faith and love. Thus, visit my weakness and have mercy on my soul, O Good One, and heal my body with Your grace, O Most Pure One.

Kontakion, tone 8

Even if Your holy icon, Mother of God, was cast into the sea from a widow who could not save her from her enemies, the guardian of Athos and the goalkeeper of the Iveron monastery appeared, frightening enemies and in the Orthodox Russian country who reveres You, delivering You from all troubles and misfortunes.

Greatness

We magnify You, Most Holy Virgin, and honor Your holy image, through which you heal our illnesses and raise our souls to God.

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Akathist to the Holy Mother of God in front of her Icon, called "Iveron"

Kontakion 1
To the chosen Voivode, our Lady Theotokos, we offer praise to You, Thy servants, for by the coming of Thy venerable image we have acquired a strong shield, an invincible wall, and a vigilant guard. You, who have an invincible power, cover and protect us, Lady, from all enemies, visible and invisible, and deliver us from all harm, mental and physical, so we call You: Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful.

Ikos 1
An intercessor angel was sent to quickly say to the Mother of God, when the lot of apostolic service fell to Her in the lands of Iverstei: “Do not be separated from Jerusalem, the lot that fell to You will be enlightened in the last days, and You will also work in the lands where God wills You.” In the same way, rejoice, because the Gospel is preached; Rejoice, Her idolatrous charm will be abolished. Rejoice, for the power of the prince of darkness will be destroyed; Rejoice, for the Kingdom of Christ will be established. Rejoice, you who have fallen into the darkness of idolatry to the light of the Gospel; Rejoice, having brought the children of God from slavery to the devil into freedom of glory. Rejoice, ready Servant of Your Son and God; Rejoice, you who heal the disobedience of Eve through obedience. Rejoice, height of virtues; Rejoice, depth of humility. Rejoice, even unfaithfulness knows the Creator; Rejoice, Her faithful ones are adopted as sons of the Father. Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful.

Kontakion 2
Seeing the Holy Virgin God’s wondrous and new providence for Herself, as a servant of the Lord, ever ready to do His will, cry out: Alleluia.

Ikos 2
The incomprehensible mind of the angelic verb is reasonable to You, Most Pure One, creating the Lord, direct Your procession to Mount Athos, where You preached the Gospel, and thus Your lot appeared. We joyfully cry out: Rejoice, you who sanctified Athos with Your coming; Rejoice, you who have cast down the idols. Rejoice, you who planted the true faith there; Rejoice, you who have driven away unbelief. Rejoice, you who have chosen this Mountain as your lot; Rejoice, you who promised grace to this place. Rejoice, faithful ones who live in her, Giver of earthly blessings; Rejoice, Helper of their eternal salvation. Rejoice, warm Intercessor for those living in Your lot; Rejoice, all their enemies are intimidated. Rejoice, you who promised the mercy of your Son to this place until the end of the age; Rejoice, foretold His grace to be everlasting. Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful.

Kontakion 3
The power of the Most High interceded with the Mother of God of autumn, the Holy Mountain and its abundance and wilds, like a vast village, showing everyone in monastic life who wants to reap salvation, and never sing: Alleluia.

Ikos 3
Having a providence for Your lot, the people of the Iveron land, You set in the place where You Yourself landed on Athos, an abode for their family, in a quiet refuge for those seeking salvation, who wanted to give her Your icon as a shield and fence, so that they all cry: Rejoice, you who sent a preacher Gospels to the land of Iveron; Rejoice, you who have turned this country from the deceit of idolatry to the light of Christ. Rejoice, thou who hast given the wondrous vine to Nina of unfading branches; Rejoice, from her you brought forth a cluster of miracles and good faith. Rejoice, you who planted a spiritual garden on Athos; Rejoice, you who poured out a stream of spiritual enlightenment from him to the land of Iverstia. Rejoice, Euphemia, golden-speaking lips; Rejoice, invincible fortress Tornikia. Rejoice, strengthening of all the pious; Rejoice, guardian of the monks. Rejoice, quiet haven for those seeking salvation; Rejoice, you who prepare eternal rest for them. Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful.

Kontakion 4
I stormed inside with doubtful thoughts, the honest widow, even in Nicaea, was dismayed, seeing with the spear of the iconoclast warrior the holy and revered icon of the Mother of God was pierced and the aby shed blood and, overcome by fear, so that the holy icon would not be desecrated, with a prayer she was cast into the sea. Having seen the way right at the top of the water and flowing towards the West, cry out with joy: Alleluia.

Ikos 4
Seeing the monks of the Holy Mountain appearing in the sea like a flame, like a pillar of fire, its top reaching to Heaven, like a shining sun, and in the night they flowed to the edge of the sea and, seeing the holy icon of the Mother of God carried across the sea by power from above, they cried out to the Most Blessed One: Rejoice, Kupino, Foreseen by the legislator; Rejoice, pillar of fire, guide those who are in darkness. Rejoice, ladder reaching to Heaven, with which God descended; Rejoice, bridge, lead those who are from earth to Heaven. Rejoice, dawn of the mysterious day; Rejoice, Star that reveals the Sun. Rejoice, you who gave birth to the Ineffable Light; Rejoice, for you who taught only one thing. Rejoice, clothed in the sun, shining with grace and glory throughout the entire universe; Rejoice, lightning, enlightening souls and illuminating the meanings of the faithful. Rejoice, lightness, shining in the darkness; Rejoice, thou shalt shine forth enlightenment. Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful.

Kontakion 5
If you wanted to give your God-bearing icon to the Iversta monastery, you said to the Mother of God to St. Gabriel: “Go with the face of the monks to the shore of the sea, go down into the abyss and receive My icon.” He, who is embraced by faith and love, walks on water as well as on dry land, and is accepted into his arms and reaches a treasure otherwise unattainable, the property of the monks of his Iberian family, rejoicing from the waist up: Alleluia.

Ikos 5
Having seen the icon of the Mother of God many times from the temple at the top of the monastery gates onto the city wall by an invisible force, the monks of the century were horrified and standing, calling to her like this: Rejoice, you deigned to give us the holy icon; Rejoice, you who promised us her protection to be. Rejoice, you who have shown Your love for our monastery; Rejoice, you who showed good thoughts about her. Rejoice, our help is in a foreign country; Rejoice, there is consolation in our journey. Rejoice, God's favor is upon us; Rejoice, our boldness towards God. Rejoice, deliverance of our tears; Rejoice, Protector of us orphans. Rejoice, our fence; Rejoice, our only Joy. Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful.

Kontakion 6
The preacher of Gabriel doing His will, you advertised to him, the Lady: I did not come to be kept from you, but may I be your guardian not only in the present, but also in the future. Behold, I give you a sign: until you see My icon in the monastery, the grace of My Son and mercy will not fail you, so that everyone may cry out to Him: Alleluia.

Ikos 6
Great joy arose to those who heard Your promises, O Mother of God, and to You, the Heavenly Goalkeeper, a temple at the gates of the monastery with joy the monks erected and cried out like this: Rejoice, our Guardian in the present age; Rejoice, our Representative in the future. Rejoice, you who teach us the fear of God, Rejoice, who instruct us on the path of virtue. Rejoice, our boldness and hope; Rejoice, our hope and protection. Rejoice, you who bowed down the compassion of your Son to us; Rejoice, proclaiming His grace to be with us endlessly. Rejoice, you who gave the holy icon as a pledge of mercy; Rejoice, you who gave her the gift of miracles. Rejoice, you who reflect all evil from the monastery; Rejoice, you who open the entrance to all good things. Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful.

Kontakion 7
Sometimes the wicked Amira wants to destroy the Iveron monastery and scatter the herd of monks gathered there; soon she will recognize the strong intercession of the monastery from the Mother of God, seeing her ships mired in the depths of the sea and her warriors lost. And he came with humility; giving silver and evil to the monastery, asking for prayers. The foreigners, seeing this, cried out to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 7
New and countless miracles were shown by the Mother of God, in the monastery, the shortage of wine, torment and oil, replenishing, healing demons, granting walking to the lame, sight to the blind and healing every ailment, and, seeing these miracles, they sing to You: Rejoice, Chosen Voivode, conquering enemies; Rejoice, quick help to those who call upon Thee. Rejoice, you who do not despise our prayers; Rejoice, you who do not retreat from Your promises. Rejoice, you who transform the sorrow of the monastery into joy; Rejoice, replenishing the depletion of the monastery. Rejoice, recovery of sight for the blind; Rejoice, you who walk with the lame. Rejoice, Healer of all the weak; Rejoice, Comforter of all who mourn. Rejoice, for you do not cease providing and saving us; Rejoice, for you are delivering us from so many troubles. Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful.

Kontakion 8
The Iveron monastery, strangely covered by the icon of the Mother of God, heard Patriarch Nikon, longing for the Russian country to receive Her grace; For this reason, having created a monastery in honor of the glorious image, carefully ask for an image of the miraculous image of the Mother of God, so that, protected by Her protection, they cry out to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 8
All beings in the Highest, but also not retreating below, You deigned, O Mother of God, just as the blessing of Mount Athos was granted to the Monk Anthony of old for the establishment of the Pechersk monastery, to grant Your grace to the new monastery in the Russian country, with which You blessed Athos, in the likeness of Your honorable image; We also cry out to Ti: Rejoice, covering the Russian countries, broadening the clouds; Rejoice, the Orthodox faith is protected and affirmed in it. Rejoice, unshakable pillar of the Orthodox Church; Rejoice, denunciation of heresies and schisms. Rejoice, thou illuminating the whole country with the bright rays of miraculous icons; Rejoice, you who exude gifts of healing and mercies from them. Rejoice, intimidation of enemies; Rejoice, joy of the saints.
Rejoice, praise of the priests; Rejoice, Teacher of monks. Rejoice, salvation of our entire family. Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful.

Kontakion 9
Having every diligence to paint the honorable image of the merciful Goalkeeper, the host of Iveron fasters perform prayer services; He washes the deck with water from the wonderful icon, on which an honest image is depicted, and sanctifies the Venerable Jamblichus, who labored in fasting, prayer and vigil with all the brethren, writing off the wax, holy water and consecrated relics of the honest image of the Mother of God, taking out the prayer and crying out to God: Alleluia .

Ikos 9
The prophets of many prophecies, like voiceless fish, we see about You, Mother of God: they are perplexed as to how to properly praise all Your miracles, revealed to our race from Your holy icon: even more on the way to the Russian country, this miracle worker, commanded the pious Manuel to give a ransom to the infidels who rebuke the procession of the holy icon to the Russian country, and giving it exclusively to him afterwards. We, marveling, truly cry out to Ti: Rejoice, inexhaustible source of miracles; Rejoice, Giver of all mercy. Rejoice, always warm Intercessor to God for us; Rejoice, His providences for us are a treasure. Rejoice, refuge for those in trouble; Rejoice, consolation to those who mourn. Rejoice, healing of the sick; Rejoice, strengthener of the weak. Rejoice, intercession of widows; Rejoice, merciful Mother of the orphans. Rejoice, conversion of those who are astray to the path of truth; Rejoice, calling sinners to repentance. Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful.

Kontakion 10
Wanting to save many people from troubles and sorrows, you, O Mother of God, exude an endless source of mercy from Your icon to our family: behold, in the capital city of Moscow, the good Goalkeeper appears to all who worship You, giving quick help, and in the new monastery of Iversty, streams of grace flow from Your icon You are issuing, and in other cities, abodes and places, those who honor You fulfill your useful request. Moreover, glorifying God, who gave us such grace, we cry out to Him: Alleluia.

Ikos 10
Thou art a wall to the monastic rite, to the Mother of God, and to all who resort to Thee; for the Creator of Heaven and earth, dwell in Your virgin womb, teach all zealots of purity and chastity to proclaim to You: Rejoice, tattered vessel of virginity; Rejoice, purest image of chastity. Rejoice, devil of seedless disgrace; Rejoice, Unbrided Bride. Rejoice, you who gave birth to the Sower of Purity; Rejoice, you who united the faithful of the Lord. Rejoice, quick Helper in the storm of temptation; Rejoice, you who reflect the enemy’s accusations. Rejoice, you who drive away the darkness of harmful passions; Rejoice, purifying thoughts. Rejoice, you who teach us to despise earthly pleasures; Rejoice, you who guide minds and hearts to the Heavenly One. Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful.

Kontakion 11
All singing is conquered, striving to meet the multitude of Thy bounties: equal to the sand of the songs we bring to Thee, our Lady Theotokos, we accomplish nothing worthily, even as Thou hast given to us, crying out for Thee: Alleluia.

Ikos 11
As a light-receiving candle, which appears to those in the darkness of troubles, we see the holy icon of the Mother of God: for we receive the immaterial fire of grace, illuminating everyone with the rays of miracles, teaching us to cry out to the Blessed One: Rejoice, speedy help in all your needs; Rejoice, quick hearing in sorrows. Rejoice, thou who deliverest us from fire, sword and the invasion of foreigners; Rejoice, freeing us from hunger and vain death. Rejoice, you who protect us from the plague and all-destruction of mortals; Rejoice, sudden help to those in need along the way, on land and on the waters. Rejoice, healing of mental and physical ulcers; Rejoice, you who accept those left by doctors into Your hands. Rejoice, merciful Comforter of all those who mourn and are burdened;
Rejoice, you who do not reject all the despised and rejected. Rejoice, you who snatch away the most desperate from the pit of destruction; Rejoice, and me, naked of good deeds, not leaving me with Your protection and intercession. Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful.

Kontakion 12
The grace of giving away the debts of the ancients, of all debts, the Resolver of man, came with Himself to those who had departed from His grace and, tearing apart the handwriting, granted us a strong God-gracious intercession, so that we all cry out with Her prayers: Alleluia.

Ikos 12
Singing Your miracles shown to us in this life, we praise You. Mother of God, as an inexhaustible source of mercy. But, falling to Thee before Thy miraculous icon, we humbly pray to Thee to provide us with protection and protection on the day of our death, and when the imams appear before the terrible Throne of Thy Son for judgment, and cry out to Thee: Rejoice, thou who sittest in glory before the Throne of Thy Son and there remembering us; Rejoice, forever reigning with Your Son and God and interceding for us. Rejoice, you who give the end of life without shame to those who trust in You; Rejoice, you who arrange a painless and peaceful death. Rejoice, deliverance from bitter ordeals; Rejoice, liberation from the power of the prince of the air. Rejoice, there is no remembrance of our sins; Rejoice, for in the Lord we have the hope of a blessed life. Rejoice, you who make a standing place for those who trust in You at the right hand of Your Son;
Rejoice, thou who art worthy to hear the blessed voice of Onago, who promises the inheritance of the Heavenly Kingdom. Rejoice, good Mother, who makes all who honor Thee live with You; Rejoice, strong hope of eternal salvation for all Christians. Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful.

Kontakion 13
O All-Singing Mother, Most Holy Lady Virgin Mary! Look upon us, who humbly offer these small prayers with tears before Your most pure image and have placed all our hope and hope in You, and deliver us from all troubles and misfortunes in this life and from future torments, so that, saved by You, we cry out: Alleluia.

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