Where is the icon of tenderness located? Tenderness of Seraphim-Diveyevo. Prayer to the icon of the Tenderness of the Blessed Virgin Mary

In icon painting, there are several styles of depicting the Mother of God, one of them is “Tenderness”. The icon of the Mother of God in this genre depicts the Mother of God in the form of a waist-length portrait, bowing her gaze to the newborn, looking at him with love and tenderness.

This genre of depiction of the Virgin Mary is one of the oldest. It came to Rus' from Byzantium, like Orthodoxy itself. This iconographic type is called “Eleousa” in Greek. Over the centuries of Christianity, the icons painted in it have become one of the most revered in Orthodoxy.

Are there many such icons?

The “Tenderness” icon is not any separate image of the Mother of God, located in a specific church and having an author. This is a type, genre of icon painting, and there are a lot of similar images. The icon of “Tenderness” can be found in almost every church, an old rural house, the inhabitants of which did not throw away the image during the period of Soviet power, in ethnographic museums, both in the halls and in storerooms, and in other places.

The image of the Mother of God in this iconographic type is extremely revered. Of course, there is also the “Tenderness” icon, known among Orthodox Christians, a prayer in front of which has miraculous power. There are also several such images.

The most famous are the Seraphim-Diveevskaya and Pskov-Pecherskaya icons, which are copies of the ancient Vladimir icon. Prayer in front of other images of this type of iconography will have no less power. There is an icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness” in almost every church in any Russian city. The most famous, after Diveevskaya and Pecherskaya, are Yaroslavskaya, Vladimirskaya, Zhirovitskaya, Donskaya. However, in each of the localities that store famous images, there are many more icons in this genre that have not become popular.

For example, in Yaroslavl the “Tenderness” icon was in every home before the revolution. Now in every operating temple of this city you can see several images in this type of iconography. Both old ones, preserved during the years of Soviet power, and new ones, written more recently, but this has not lost either their content or the power of their emotional impact on believers.

Seraphim-Diveyevo Icon

This image is acquired. The meaning of the word “found” in the Orthodox tradition in relation to iconographic images includes the following concepts:

given from above;
having no author;
missing and found.

That is, everything that can be said has been acquired. According to legend, which official representatives of the clergy do not argue with, the Seraphim-Diveyevo Icon “Tenderness” was found in the forest thickets located near modern Saratov. The icon was given into the hands of the ascetic Seraphim, who did not part with the image throughout his life. That is why the name of the image is associated with its name.

Where is the Seraphim-Diveyevo Icon located?

This question does not concern many believers, but only those who are prone to meticulousness and have curiosity. The location of the miraculous image is shrouded in mystery, just like the story of its discovery centuries ago.

However, in addition to curiosity and the desire for inquiry, actual originality is sometimes important, for example, if we are talking about the need for healing from diseases, for which the real Seraphim’s image “Tenderness” became famous. The icon of the Mother of God, according to numerous testimonies preserved in church records, possessed such power. Seraphim personally placed an oil pan in front of the image for the duration of the service, and after the end he anointed the sick. After his death, other clergy continued to do this.

The Diveyevo Monastery, where the miraculous image was kept, was closed and, most likely, plundered back in 1927. For decades, the icon began to be considered lost by the church. However, in 1991 it was regained. The image was handed over to Patriarch Alexy II by people whose names are either unknown to the church or kept secret.

Since then, that is, since 1991, the original face has been kept in the residence of the Patriarch. The Diveyevo Icon of “Tenderness” is available, the significance of which is not only great for believers, the history of the Orthodox Russian Church, but also deeply symbolic for the entire country, only once a year, on the day of the Praise of the Most Holy Theotokos. On this holiday, the image is exhibited in the hall of the Epiphany Patriarchal Cathedral and is available for prayer and worship.

The Tretyakov Gallery exhibits a copy of the icon, its analogues, that is, copies of the icon are presented in other places. However, such lists do not possess miraculous power, confirmed by evidence. Although the question of the impact of an image on a believer is an open topic for discussion in church philosophy. Many clergy believe that miraculous power does not depend on the specific icon itself, but on the faith of the one who prays.

What is the name of the Seraphim-Diveyevo icon?

The question of the name of the miraculous image is also quite interesting. The now accepted name of this icon is Seraphim-Diveevskaya. However, along with this, other names for this image are also common. Among them is simply “Tenderness”. “Tenderness of the Mother of God” is also one of the options for the name of this image.

Often the icon is called “female”, the names of monasteries are attached to it, for example, Trinity, where before the revolution the image had its own separate limit, it is often simply called Seraphim or Sarov. The ascetic Seraphim himself called the image “The Joy of All Joys.”

How can the Seraphim-Diveyevo Icon help?

The veneration of the image was begun by Seraphim himself, who found the icon. The saint had more than one image of the Mother of God in his cell, but only this one had a meaning, the “Tenderness” icon. How this image helps cannot be answered unequivocally by any clergyman, since it influences everything with which the believer approaches the image.

heals the sick;
helps women find personal happiness;
promotes conception and birth of healthy babies;
relieves sorrows and misfortunes;
prevents destruction and disaster.

Every believer can verify this on the day of the Praise of the Mother of God.

When is the Seraphim-Diveyevo Icon revered?

This image has special days on which it is customary to venerate it. These dates were allocated before the onset of the Soviet era. Special services were held in the Trinity Cathedral of the monastery twice a year - on July 28 and December 9. The numbers were chosen for the following reasons:

July 28 is the day of the acquisition of the image;
December 9 is the date of foundation of the monastery.

July 28 and December 9 are old style dates, now these are different calendar days. In modern realities, the celebration of the Praise of the Virgin Mary can be considered the day of veneration of the icon.

An interesting fact is that at the icon-painting courtyard of the Diveyevo monastery, a large number of copies of the image, simply its copies, were made. In the days of veneration of the icon, before the advent of Soviet power, separate services were held in front of its copies in every church where these analogues were located.

Is the Seraphim-Diveevskaya icon different from others?

The Diveyevo Icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness” is unique not only in the history of its acquisition, but also in the manner of artistic execution and the materials used.

The original icon was painted not on a board, but on canvas stretched over a cut of cypress wood. This moment is of little interest to believers, but is extremely interesting for historians. Questions about how it was possible to find a canvas stretched on a cypress board in the wilderness of Saratov icons haunt many students of the history of Orthodoxy.

The image itself is also interesting. It is incorrect to say that the Mother of God is depicted without a baby, although Jesus is absent from the icon. The Virgin Mary is not alone in this image, she is simply depicted before the birth of the baby, that is, pregnant with him. This is a unique image of the Mother of God, not typical of Orthodox iconography.

How to pray in front of the Seraphim-Diveyevo Icon?

Many believers today are concerned with the question of how to pray so that the “Tenderness” icon gives meaning to what is said. What does a spiritual mentor or collections of prayers that are available for sale in shops at every church help parishioners figure out?

However, with regard to prayer before the miraculous image, the canons are important only for clergy conducting services dedicated to the icon. A simple parishioner should only remember the main commandment of any prayer - sincerity. There is no need to memorize the words of prayers from collections, both ancient and modern; they are given only to help true believers who find it difficult to choose the right words that can reflect their feelings.

If in front of a parishioner there is an icon of the “Tenderness” of the Mother of God, it is not the order of words that matters, but the person’s faith and the purity of his thoughts.

What do they pray for in front of the Seraphim-Diveyevo Icon?

People come to the miraculous image with various troubles. Of course, there are no statistics on how the “Tenderness” icon influences, what it helps with, what ailments it heals from.

about health, not only your own, but also that of your loved ones;
about the welfare of children;
about the granting of family and heirs;
about everything “feminine” and maternal.

There is also a belief that the image can prevent destruction, war and related misfortunes. However, skeptics, of whom there are quite a few in the modern world even among believers, question these qualities of the icon, citing as an example the war under Nicholas II, who worshiped the original image and even gave the icon one of its vestments. They remember the revolution, the Chechen military conflict, and terrorist attacks.

The question of what the icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness” helps with and why it is useless has no answer. The help of an image depends on the faith and sincerity of a person, on his need for participation, on the depth of despair and misfortune. An equally important role is played by such qualities of the soul as humility, patience, gratitude, which most modern parishioners forget about.

What kind of prayer can there be before the Seraphim-Diveyevo Icon?

You can pray for your “feminine” in front of the image in different ways. There are no rules limiting the appeal to the Mother of God, except for the purity of one’s own heart.

A prayer before the image could be like this:

“Accept, All-Blessed Most Pure Blessed Mother of God, my prayer (proper name). I trust in you, the One Most Holy Intercessor, in my adversities and weaknesses. I pray that you grant me (proper name) the blessings of the Son of God, but spare me from his sorrows.

I pray to you, Most Pure Virgin, about (listing of what is asked for). I trust in your endless mercy in hope and humility. I pray for the preservation of what has been given. I pray for the gift of what I can keep. I pray for strengthening (listing personal, important things). I pray for protection and the granting of all kinds of blessings (listing the names of loved ones). I pray to you, Most Holy Mother of God, with gratitude and humility, with patience and faith, with pure thoughts and hope. Amen".

When praying in this way, it is important to actually have all the qualities that are stated in the text. Although the icon of “Tenderness” is of great importance for believers, the very fact of standing in front of it already bestows a special state of mind; only a truthful request will find a response; the image is not a robot fulfilling momentary desires.

What could a mother’s prayer be like before the Seraphim-Diveyevo Icon?

Mothers who are worried about their children can pray like this:

“God's chosen Most Pure Mother, our intercessor before the Son of God and the Throne of Heaven. I beg you to accept my worries and resolve them. I pray to you for the health and well-being of my children (names). I pray for their protection from misfortunes and sorrows, unclean thoughts, lying ways, and demonic temptations. I pray to you, Most Holy Theotokos, for the granting of peace to my soul, for the guidance of my foolish children, for their protection and for giving them the necessary thoughts pleasing to the Lord. Amen".

A mother’s prayer always comes from a pure heart and has great power. However, even a mother praying for her children must not only rely on the help of a miraculous image, but also have sincere and deep faith in the Lord.

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The icon was a cell image. With oil from the lamp that burned in front of the cell icon, the Monk Seraphim anointed the sick, and they received healing. In front of this icon, the monk departed to the Lord. Another name for the icon is “The Joy of All Joys.” This is what Saint Seraphim himself often called the icon of TOUCHING.

After being glorified as a saint, Emperor Nicholas II presented a precious robe for the Tenderness icon. In 1927, the Diveyevo Monastery, where the original “Joy of All Joys” icon was located, was closed, but the holy image was secretly removed. For decades it was kept by pious people. In June 1991, the icon was handed over to Patriarch Alexy II, and now it is in the Patriarchal residence. Once a year, on the Feast of the Praise of the Most Holy Theotokos, the Seraphim-Diveyevo Icon of Tenderness is brought to the Patriarchal Epiphany Cathedral for public veneration.

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Veneration of the icon Tenderness is associated with the name of St. Seraphim of Sarov (P.I. Moshnin, 1759-1833, canonized in 1903). According to the biography, compiled from the memoirs of people who knew the Sarov elder closely, his entire life passed under the patronage of the Mother of God. The Mother of God repeatedly appeared to him in visions and healed him from deadly diseases. At Rev. Seraphim had several icons of the Mother of God. Among them, a special place was occupied by the cell icon called Tenderness, which the elder also called “The Joy of All Joys.” Before her, kneeling in prayer, he died. The icon was painted on canvas stretched over a cypress board. After the death of Rev. Seraphim, abbot Nifont transferred the image to the nearby Diveyevo convent, which was under the patronage. In Diveyevo a silver gilded robe was made for the icon. Here in the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity a special chapel was built for the icon, dedicated to its name - the Tenderness of the Mother of God. The icon was celebrated on July 28 and December 9 (the founding day of the monastery). Metropolitan Seraphim (Chichagov) composed a special service for the illustrious icon. To the discovery of the relics of St. A copy of Seraphim from the icon was made for the Sarov Monastery. After the canonization, the production of lists began in the icon-painting workshops of the Diveyevo Monastery and its courtyard in Peterhof. The icon was depicted in various printed publications and in hagiographic images of St. Seraphim.

The icon from the Tretyakov Gallery is an exact copy of the revered image. The image of the Mother of God is half-length, with her hands folded on her chest, her head bowed and her gaze downcast. Western iconography, which appeared in Russia in the 17th century. On the copy icon, the gilded frame and chasuble, ubrus and crown, decorated with precious stones, are imitated by means of painting. The faces of the hand are executed with soft chiaroscuro modeling in the style of academic painting of the early 20th century, used for painting icons. The crown is framed by the inscription: “Rejoice, unbrided bride.”

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Meaning of the icon

This is a very touching and tender image; Orthodox believe that it protects against despondency and a depressed state that appears in response to trials and turmoil that arise in human life.

What can you ask for from the Tenderness icon?

Before the image, they pray for deliverance from various diseases and ailments, liberation from emotional experiences and worries.
The shrine helps teenagers cope with the problems of adolescence.
For women, the icon promotes rapid conception and easy childbirth.
It helps girls meet a worthy man and find happiness.
Mothers can pray for their daughters to marry well and be happy in their marriage.

In addition, you can pray for the softening and tenderness of evil hearts and getting rid of bad and immoral thoughts, achieving peace and tranquility in the soul.

But first of all this shrine is considered female, her help is more directed towards women, she protects them, helps them maintain good character, purity and chastity - what the Most Holy Theotokos personifies in the miraculous image.

Veneration of the image The meaning that this shrine has is very important for an Orthodox Christian, therefore it is revered in most temples and churches.

It is celebrated on the following days:

December 22 (Old Style) / December 9 (Old Style);
August 1 (Old Style) / July 19 (Old Style);
August 10 (Old Style) / July 28 (Old Style).

The history of the icon and its storage location

The holy image of the Mother of God of Tenderness, made on canvas attached to a cypress board, kept in the cell of St. Seraphim of Sarov. He called the icon "All Joys Joy" and saw great strength in her. Emperor Nicholas II presented this image with a robe and a crown of precious stones and pearls. The Monk Seraphim of Sarov was famous for his ability to see the purity of souls and hearts; he asked the Mother of God for the healing of all Orthodox Christians who turned to him for help. With the oil that burned in the lamp near the Tenderness icon, Saint Seraphim healed the sick. Near the same image the saint died in 1833, kneeling in prayer.

The Most Holy Seraphim bequeathed the shrine to the Diveyevo Monastery. Since 1991, it has been housed in the Patriarchal Church in Moscow, but every year it is moved to Epiphany Cathedral so that anyone could bow to her. This is the most revered icon of “Tenderness” in the history of Orthodoxy. Many copies and copies were made of the holy image, and many of them received healing properties no less than those of the original icon.

The icon of the “Tenderness of the Blessed Virgin Mary” is also located in the cathedral in Golitsyn. This list of the 19th century was handed over by a nun of the Seraphim-Diveyevo Monastery to the icon painter A. Artsybushev in the 1960s, and he handed it over to the cathedral 40 years later. An equally revered list is kept in the Trinity Cathedral of the Seraphim-Diveevsky Monastery. It is known for its miraculous properties, although it was written by the nuns of the monastery relatively recently - at the end of the 19th - beginning of the 20th century. This face is especially revered on December 9 and July 28; church hymns are held weekly on Sundays before services near the shrine.

Very famous Icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness” - Pskov-Pecherskaya, a list of the Vladimir Virgin Mary, written in 1521. On it, the Virgin Mary is already holding the baby Jesus in her arms. This image has enormous power. When the Poles attacked Pskov in the 16th century and began throwing hot cannonballs at the city, one of them hit the icon, but did not damage it. It was this shrine that protected the city and did not allow the enemy to take it. On Wikipedia you can find a complete list of revered and famous icons and lists of “Tenderness”, starting with the Novgorod image of the 12th century. Before the icon “Tenderness of the Mother of God” two prayers are read:

“O Most Holy Lady Lady, Virgin Mary! Accept our unworthy prayers...";
“Receive, O all-powerful, Most Pure Lady, Lady Theotokos, this honorable gift...”;

as well as the first Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos before the Tenderness icon of Seraphim-Diveevskaya.

Miracles of the Tenderness Icon

Many miracles are associated with this shrine. In 1337, as the story goes, the image of “Tenderness” saved Novgorod from a terrible pestilence, when desperate residents gathered in the Trinity Cathedral and with tears began to read to the Heavenly Intercessor about salvation from death. The Blessed Virgin Mary always fulfills requests that come from a pure heart, so soon death retreated from the city, and people, in memory of this miracle, every year marched in a procession from the St. Sophia Cathedral to the Trinity Cathedral. In the same year, another miracle happened - the icon began to stream myrrh and float in the air. The Novgorod icon “Tenderness” has been revered for more than 700 years. Residents believe that it is she who protects the city from misfortunes, wars, etc.

In our times, the image does not tire of performing miracles and healing the sick. The image of the Most Holy Theotokos “Tenderness” can flow myrrh, emitting the scent of flowers, not only when painted on wood. Lists, frescoes, photos of icons, etc. stream myrrh - this is one of the greatest miracles that the image of the Virgin Mary creates.

In the village of Lokot, Bryansk region, one of the families keeps a unique double-sided icon of the Diveyevo Mother of God. It was made from a church calendar. For some time it simply hung on the wall in the house, but then it began to stream myrrh. Feeling the incredible fragrance emanating from the image, the mistress of the house took it off the wall and saw that the second face of the Mother of God appeared on the reverse side. They made a double robe for the image, and the priest sang an akathist over it. Since then, the icon has constantly streamed myrrh, except during Lent. Other icons and plants that parishioners leave in front of her also stream myrrh.

There is a known case of incredible healing that the Lokot image of the Mother of God “Tenderness” bestowed on an cancer patient. Before the operation, she prayed for a long time to the icon for a successful outcome of the surgical intervention. However, it was not needed - after prayers, the patient went to the hospital, where, during a preoperative examination, doctors discovered that she was practically healthy. This is the great meaning of the image - to heal the sick who turn to it in prayer.

ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD “TOUCHING” SERAPHIM-DIVEEVSKAYA

The Seraphim-Diveyevo Icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness” belonged to the Venerable Seraphim of Sarov and was his cell shrine. With oil from the lamp that burned in front of this holy icon, the Reverend anointed the sick, who received healing after the anointing. The ascetic called the icon “Tenderness” - “Joy of All Joys”; in front of it he died in prayer on January 2, 1833.

Icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness” Seraphim-Diveevskaya

The celebration of the “Tenderness” icon of the Mother of God takes place on July 28/August 10 and December 9/22 - the day of the founding of the Maiden Mill Community by the Monk Seraphim.

The greatest ascetic of the Russian land, Seraphim of Sarov, who during his life was honored with the appearance of the Mother of God to him twelve times, had in his wretched cell only one treasure - one of the images of the Tenderness icon. She accompanied him throughout the entire period of his ascetic life, full of service and self-denial. Before Her image, he prayed for the protection of the Russian land, for the salvation of the Russian people: “Our Lady, Most Holy Theotokos, save us.” For a thousand days, standing on a stone, Seraphim of Sarov offered prayers to the Mother of God. And during the period of his exploits: pillarism, seclusion, silence, the face of the Mother of God touched and delighted his soul. The saint called her “The Joy of All Joys.”

Before this miraculous image of the Mother of God, kneeling in prayer, filled with Her love, Seraphim of Sarov left the earth, embraced by the wonderful light of Her goodness. After the departure of the holy elder, the rector, Father Nifont, gave the wonderful icon to the sisters of the Diveyevo Seraphim Monastery, where she became the Supreme Abbess of the monastery. The abbesses of the monastery were called the viceroys of the Supreme Abbess.

From the life of St. Seraphim: “With special love, the holy elder received sincerely and humbly repentant people and those who showed ardent zeal for the Christian spiritual life. After talking with them, the Monk Seraphim used to place the end of the stole and his right hand on their bowed heads.

At the same time, he offered to say a short prayer of repentance after himself, after which he himself said a prayer of permission, which is why those who came received relief of conscience and some kind of special spiritual pleasure; then the elder cross-shapedly anointed the visitor with oil from a lamp that burned in front of the image of the Mother of God of Tenderness located in his cell, which he called the icon of the Mother of God - the Joy of all joys... then - he made Christ with every Christian, no matter what time it happened, reminding him of the saving power of the Resurrection of Christ, and allowed him to venerate the image of the Mother of God or the cross hanging on his chest.”

Many miracles, through the prayers of the saint, were performed before this icon. The Monk Seraphim died kneeling before the icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness”. He was found in his cell in an ordinary white robe, in front of a small lectern, kneeling with his hands folded crosswise.

“I entrust and leave you in the care of this Queen of Heaven”

Soon after his death, the image, “written on canvas stretched on a cypress board,” was transferred to the Diveyevo monastery. It was the main shrine of the monastery, and later a locally revered icon of the Nizhny Novgorod diocese. In honor of her, they were going to consecrate the Diveyevo Cathedral, but by the special will of God, the main altar was dedicated to the Most Holy Trinity, and the right side chapel was dedicated to the icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness”.

Before the revolution, the Seraphim-Diveevskaya icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness” was in the Trinity Cathedral of the Seraphim-Diveevsky Monastery. The Mother of God in this icon is depicted at half height, with her arms folded crosswise on her chest, without the Infant God at the moment of Her uttering the words to the Archangel Gabriel at the Annunciation: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be unto me according to thy word.” The icon is painted in oil on canvas mounted on a cypress board, measuring 67x49 cm. The iconography of the icon goes back to the Vilna-Ostrobramsk Icon of the Mother of God.

Father repeatedly said to the Diveyevo sisters, pointing to the icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness”: “I entrust and leave you in the care of this Queen of Heaven. After the death of St. Seraphim of Sarov, fulfilling his will, the rector, Fr. Nifont gave the holy icon to the sisters of the Diveyevo monastery.

At the first opportunity, a gilded chasuble was made. Another precious robe with stones was presented by Sovereign Nicholas II during the glorification of St. Seraphim. The halo on this robe was made in the form of diverging rays of radiance, consisting of precious stones and pearls. Many copies were made from the icon, some of them also became miraculous. In 1903, the “Tenderness” icon was brought in a religious procession from Diveyevo to Sarov for the celebration of the glorification of the Reverend.

After the dispersal of the monastery and the closure of the monastery in 1927, Bishop Seraphim (Zvezdinsky), Archbishop Zinovy (Drozdov) of Tambov and Abbess Alexandra were arrested and sent to Moscow. After her release, Mother Alexandra and several sisters settled in Murom, managing to save and take with them the miraculous image of the Mother of God “Tenderness” along with the rest of Father Seraphim’s belongings.

After her death in 1941, the image was kept by nun Maria (Barinova). At the end of her life, she decided to transfer the shrine to Patriarch Pimen, who once, while still a hieromonk, served in Murom, visited the Diveyevo sisters and venerated the shrines of St. Seraphim, carrying his love for the Holy Elder and the Diveyevo monastery throughout his life. However, the patriarch decided that the shrines should be given to the storage of Archpriest Viktor Shipovalnikov, who lived in the village of Kratovo near Moscow.

For nineteen years, Father Victor and his mother carefully kept the things of St. Seraphim. Receiving those who came to the shrines, they repeatedly witnessed miracles and healings. In 1991, the icon, frame and things of the saint were handed over to Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Rus'.

“For almost twenty years, Archpriest Viktor Shipovalnikov was the custodian of Diveyevo shrines,” wrote His Holiness Patriarch Alexy in his funeral homily about Father Victor. -Among them was the icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness”. Nowadays this icon resides in the house church of our Patriarchal residence and every year, on the Feast of the Praise of the Most Holy Theotokos, it is brought for public worship to the Epiphany Patriarchal Cathedral. The remaining shrines were transferred to the Seraphim-Diveevsky Monastery.”

Now the icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness”, which belonged to Father Seraphim, this most precious shrine, is located in the Patriarchal home church of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Kirill. As under His Holiness Patriarch Alexy, once a year - on the Feast of the Praise of the Most Holy Theotokos - it is brought out for public worship at the Patriarchal Epiphany Cathedral in Moscow.

The miraculous image “Tenderness” is kept in Novgorod

In Novgorod, in the Trinity Church, there is a grace-filled icon of the Mother of God, known as “Tenderness”. In 1337, this icon was marked by the following miracle: at noon on July 8, the church watchman heard a noise in the church and hurried to enter it. With horror, he saw that the icon of the Mother of God located above the northern doors, raised from its place by an invisible force, stood in the air and tears were dripping from the eyes of the Mother of God. Archbishop Alexy was immediately notified, and he immediately, accompanied by all the clergy, a procession and many people, arrived at the place of the miracle. The icon was placed by the archbishop in a specially constructed icon case, and at the same time, in memory of this miracle, it was established to celebrate the “Tenderness” icon on July 8th.

The handwritten church chronicle also mentions other miracles from this icon. In 1337, a pestilence broke out in Novgorod. The people turned to the Queen of Heaven in front of her miraculous icon and the epidemic stopped. In gratitude for the wonderful patronage of the Mother of God, Archbishop Vasily in 1352 established an annual religious procession from St. Sophia Cathedral to the Trinity Church.

His successor, Alexy, witnessed a new miracle from the “Tenderness” icon: in the summer of 1366, the Trinity Church caught fire, the flames engulfed the entire church, but the miraculous icon of the Mother of God appeared standing in the air above the burning church. The whole people saw this miracle, and Archbishop Alexy arrived there with a procession of the cross. During the prayer service, the icon came down from above into the hands of the bishop, and the fire stopped, but a trace of it remained on the icon: the back of the board was burned by half an arshin.

Grand Duke John the Third took this icon to Moscow in 1497, where it remained until 1508 and was then returned to Novgorod, at the request of Princess Maria, to whom the Mother of God appeared in a dream and ordered the return of the miraculous icon. In 1508, the “Tenderness” icon was moved to the Trinity Church.

Let us fall to the Mother of God with tenderness, / all of us burdened with sins, / kissing Her miraculous icon of Tenderness / and crying out with tears: / Lady, accept the prayer of your unworthy servants / and grant us, who ask, / your great mercy.

Oh, Most Holy Lady Lady, Virgin Mary! Accept our unworthy prayers, save us from the slander of evil people and from vain death, give us first and give us a place of joy in sorrow. And deliver us, O Lady and Lady Theotokos, from all evil, and grant us, your sinful servants, to be at the right hand at the second coming of Your 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 for endless ages. Amen.

Accept, O all-powerful, Most Pure Lady, Lady Theotokos, these honorable gifts, the only ones applied to You, from us, Your unworthy servants: chosen from all generations, the highest of all creatures of heaven and earth, who appeared, because for Your sake the Lord Almighty was with us, and with You by knowing the Son of God and becoming worthy of His holy Body and His most pure Blood; Blessed are you, too, in the birth of generations, O God-blessed One, 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 council and 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 to the ages of ages. Amen.

Icon of the Virgin Mary of Tenderness Seraphim Diveyevo Prayer

Icon of the Mother of God “SERAPHIM-DIVEEVSKAYA” (TOUCHING)

The icon was a cell image of St. Seraphim of Sarov. With oil from the lamp that burned in front of the cell icon, the Monk Seraphim anointed the sick, and they received healing. In front of this icon, the monk departed to the Lord. Another name for the icon is “The Joy of All Joys.” This is what Saint Seraphim himself often called the icon of TOUCHING.

After the glorification of St. Seraphim as a saint, Emperor Nicholas II presented a precious robe for the icon of Tenderness. In 1927, the Diveyevo Monastery, where the original “Joy of All Joys” icon was located, was closed, but the holy image was secretly removed. For decades it was kept by pious people. In June 1991, the icon was handed over to Patriarch Alexy II, and now it is in the Patriarchal residence. Once a year, on the Feast of the Praise of the Most Holy Theotokos, the Seraphim-Diveyevo Icon of Tenderness is brought to the Patriarchal Epiphany Cathedral for public veneration.

Veneration of the icon Tenderness is associated with the name of St. Seraphim of Sarov (P.I. Moshnin, 1759-1833, canonized in 1903). According to the biography, compiled from the memoirs of people who knew the Sarov elder closely, his entire life passed under the patronage of the Mother of God. The Mother of God repeatedly appeared to him in visions and healed him from deadly diseases. At Rev. Seraphim had several icons of the Mother of God. Among them, a special place was occupied by the cell icon called Tenderness, which the elder also called “The Joy of All Joys.” Before her, kneeling in prayer, he died. The icon was painted on canvas stretched over a cypress board. After the death of Rev. Seraphim, abbot Nifont transferred the image to the nearby Diveevo convent, which was under the patronage of Elder Seraphim. In Diveyevo a silver gilded robe was made for the icon. Here in the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity a special chapel was built for the icon, dedicated to its name - the Tenderness of the Mother of God. The icon was celebrated on July 28 and December 9 (the founding day of the monastery). Metropolitan Seraphim (Chichagov) composed a special service for the illustrious icon. To the discovery of the relics of St. A copy of Seraphim from the icon was made for the Sarov Monastery. After the canonization, the production of lists began in the icon-painting workshops of the Diveyevo Monastery and its courtyard in Peterhof. The icon was depicted in various printed publications and in hagiographic images of St. Seraphim.

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Icon of Tenderness meaning, what it helps with

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On this shrine, the Most Holy Theotokos is depicted at her happiest moment, even before the birth of her child, Jesus, but after the Annunciation. Against the background of the divine image, the Protector stands out with her enthusiastic facial features and bright image. The Virgin Mary is depicted with her arms crossed in a prayer gesture, her head slightly bowed and her eyes slightly lowered, which in turn is the personification of kindness, chastity and restraint. The Mother of God is sealed precisely when the angel Gabriel talks about what she is about to give birth to the Son of God.

Initially, the icon of the Mother of God of Tenderness was made on canvas, which was attached to a cypress board. The image of the Saint was presented to St. Seraphim of Sarov by Nicholas II. Who was able to see not only the purity of hearts, but also the soul of every person, and therefore he could ask for healing for Orthodox people.

The oil from the lamp burning near the shrine had healing properties, thanks to which, by anointing the sick, Saint Seraphim could heal from various ailments. The Reverend himself died right in front of the miraculous image while kneeling.

Then, in 1991, the face was transferred to Patriarch Alexei II in Moscow to be placed in the patriarchal church, but for veneration the shrine is annually transferred to the Epiphany Cathedral. Gradually, many copies began to be made from the divine image, and some of them had no less healing properties than the original.

In this article you will learn the meaning of the Tenderness icon, how the miraculous image helps, the prayer to the Mother of God, in which temples and churches the shrine can be located and much more.

When is a celebration held in honor of the Holy Image?

The Diveyevo Icon of the Mother of God of Tenderness is revered in many churches and temples, and celebrations are held in her honor:

December 22/9 (old style) - the day of the Venerable Seraphim of the Maiden Mill Community;
August 1/July 19 (old style);
August 10/July 28 (old style).

How does the icon of the Tenderness of the Virgin Mary help and its meaning?

The miraculous face can essentially be considered female, which is why it is mainly aimed at protecting and helping the beautiful female half of humanity. The meaning of the Tenderness icon is very important for many, and therefore, by turning to the Holy Face, young girls can thus preserve their good character, purity, and chastity.

It is also believed that if you ask the Mother of God for support, she will definitely help, the main thing is to believe, and the stronger she is, the sooner you will get what you want.

What do people pray for to the Icon of the Mother of God of Tenderness?

The miraculous image of the Most Pure One first of all helps to free oneself from various ailments;
The shrine will also relieve you from mental burdens, and will also help you overcome adolescence;
A prayer service to the Divine image can help in conceiving a child, and can also facilitate the birth process;
It can also be noted that what the Tenderness icon helps with is the tenderness of evil hearts, getting rid of immoral thoughts and giving harmony;
The image will help girls find a worthy person and bring happiness to life.

The meaning of the icon of the Mother of God of Tenderness is very important for many Orthodox Christians, because the image itself is distinguished by amazing touchingness, tenderness and the ability to protect from the most painful despondencies. It flows in the heart when severe trials befall a person and protects against significant shocks, and until a depressed state of mind sets in, from a series of monotonous, gray everyday life.

Where is the icon of the Tenderness of the Blessed Virgin Mary located?

The shrine of the Mother of God can be found in Golitsyno in the Cathedral of Seraphim of Sarov. In the last century, somewhere in the 60s, from the Seraphim-Diveevo Monastery, one of the nuns handed over the miraculous copy of the cell image of the Most Holy Theotokos Seraphim of Sarov for safekeeping to the icon painter Alexei Artsybushev.

This miraculous icon of Tenderness, which was painted in the 19th century, was in the artist’s house for over 40 years, but after that he donated the shrine to the Cathedral of St. Seraphim of Sarov (Golitsyno) that was under construction.

One of the most revered copies of the divine image is in the Trinity Cathedral of the Seraphim-Diveyevo Church, in whose honor the border was even consecrated. The face was painted somewhere in the late 19th - early 20th centuries by the nuns of the monastery. Although the image exists relatively recently, during this time it has become widely known due to its miraculous properties.

In honor of this face, special days of veneration were even determined, which fell on December 9 and July 28, and before the start of the service, every week on Sunday the Paraklis church chant is held in front of the divine image.

The most revered shrine among the Orthodox people is located in the capital in the Patriarchal Epiphany Cathedral.

Miracles performed by the image of the Virgin Mary

According to the chronicle, in 1337 a frightening pestilence reigned in Novgorod, which took more and more human lives every day, and there was no salvation from the deadly disease. And then, in despair, the entire Orthodox people gathered and marched to the Trinity Cathedral, where they tearfully began to cry out to the image of the Most Holy Theotokos, reading a prayer for salvation from the cruel embrace of the epidemic. After which the attack soon receded, and in memory of this divine help, people began to make an annual crusade to the Trinity Monastery from St. Sophia Cathedral.
There were also cases when the image could stream myrrh, one of which occurred on July 8, 1337, but not only did tears flow from the face, but the entire image hovered in the air, held by some unknown force. After which the clergy were convened, and a religious procession was made to the Trinity Cathedral for the service;
In the settlement of Lokot (Bryansk region) there is a unique divine shrine of the Seraphim-Diveyevo Heavenly Queen in the family of Natalia and Viktor Remezov. One day, a sufferer with cancer came to their house, and in the near future she had to undergo a complex operation. The woman earnestly and with all her heart prayed to the Mother of God for a successful outcome of her illness, and then she went to the hospital to prepare for the operation. However, after the ultrasound examination, the doctors were seriously surprised, because the ultrasound showed that there were no more cancer cells, and the patient turned out to be completely healthy.

Prayer to the icon of the Mother of God Tenderness

“Oh, Most Holy Lady Lady, Virgin Mary! Accept our unworthy prayers, save us from the slander of evil people and from vain death, give us first and give us a place of joy in sorrow. And deliver us, O Lady and Lady Theotokos, from all evil, and grant us, your sinful servants, to be at the right hand at the second coming of Your 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 for endless ages. Amen".

“Receive, O all-powerful, Most Pure Lady, Lady Theotokos, this honorable gift, the only one applied to You, from us, Your unworthy servants: chosen from all generations, the highest of all creatures of heaven and earth, who appeared, because for Your sake the Lord Almighty was with us, and By You we have known the Son of God and become worthy of His holy Body and His most pure Blood; Blessed are you, too, in the birth of generations, O God-blessed One, 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 council and 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 to the ages of ages. Amen".

God bless you!

You will also be interested in watching a video about the miraculous icon of the Tenderness of the Mother of God.