"Education", the icon of the Mother of God: history, meaning. What helps the icon?

In Russia, always with trepidation and carebelonged to the younger generation, namely, to his spiritual enlightenment. It is no accident that "Education", the icon of the Mother of God, occupies an important place among other Orthodox images. Many saints and Jesus Christ himself noted the need for parental prayer, as well as life in the commandments of God, because children adopt the example of both good and bad.

Appearance of icons in Russia

The icon of the Mother of God is very significant and honored in Russia"Education". Its history, however, is rather vague. It is believed that she came to us from Byzantium, but as it happened, it is not known. Since it was from the Byzantine Empire that the first icons came to us, as well as the canons of their writing, we can assume that it happened a very long time ago.

The icon had wonderful properties and up torevolution in Russia was in the Kazan Cathedral in the city of Moscow. However, after it the image was lost and now there is an exact list, which also has miraculous properties. Besides this, the most important list, there are others who are in many temples.

Iconography of the image

Icon of the Mother of God "Parenting" (photois presented below) in its type refers to the Hodigitria (ie, the Guide, which indicates the path). It depicts Our Lady, who holds the Infant on her left hand. The Baby himself stretches his hand to the face of the Virgin (on some images - two hands).

The face of the Mother of God is permeated with love and tendernessonly to his Son, but to the whole human race. And although the first Byzantine icons are very strict and ascetic in the writing of images, it is this image of Our Lady with the Child that is very airy and solemn. This is because the iconography is very light, the color palette is refined.

The Mother of God herself also with her right handpoints to the Child Jesus. On the Theotokos are dark red robes (maforias), on them are depicted three stars (one of them is hidden by the son). On the edges of the maforium there is a golden rim. The Baby himself is dressed in a cloak-like fabric (it is believed that this is a prototype of the shroud), which leaves one part of the breast naked (on some images it is all naked, as a sign of denying the worldly).

"Education", the icon of the Mother of God, shows allthe significance of the younger generation for humanity. This was said by Christ himself. He said that the one who is like a child will enter the Kingdom of God. Obviously, it was not by chance that this image became an assistant in a difficult matter - the upbringing in the spirituality of children.

What helps the icon?

The icon of the Mother of God is of miraculous power"Education". What does it help? It is very important to know the parent, because on the way of your child's life formation there will be temptations, bad companies, grievances, cruelty with disappointment, and many other negative aspects. This is all, unfortunately, a part of our life.

The best way to protect a child from everythingThis and lead on the path of the true will be the request of intercessors for help. Prayer to the Theotokos, which is the symbol of motherhood and the patroness of the family, will be your faithful helper in this difficult journey. This, moreover, is also an excellent example of the goodness of the parents themselves, which will undoubtedly have a beneficial effect on the child.

Prayer and akathist before the icon

If you have problems with your child,help you will be "Parenting" - the icon of the Mother of God. What are they praying for? There is a brief ancient prayer that has come down to our days. These are the following words: "I entrust my child completely to my Lord Jesus Christ and to Yours, the Most Pure, heavenly protection."

There is also a special prayer that followsperform before the icon "Education". They ask for intercession with the Mother of God for all their children of any age, even those who have not yet been born. He also asks for their instruction and intercession before God, so that they are given the opportunity to be spiritually saved.

Akathist to the icon of the Mother of God "Education" isthe song of the Theotokos, its high motherhood and intercession from evil. He is read on the day of the memory of the icon, and also every week in some temples where this image exists. The akathist can also be read by parents, asking for intercession for their children from the Mother of God. It is very important to understand every heart with every word that you call to the Theotokos. Only a hot parental prayer can be beneficial and will be heard.

Miracles done with the help of icons

Due to the fact that information about this icon is veryfew, it is difficult to give many examples of miracles. However, in the temple under construction in Nekrasovka in one case the icon of the Mother of God "Education" helped. The prayer before her was so zealous and sincere that the problem was solved very quickly. The essence of it was that it was necessary to allocate a land plot for the new church. Faith and prayer to the Theotokos did their work, the site was received without any problems whatsoever.

For the icon, which was in the Kazan Cathedral,there is also a story of miracles. Parents who prayed for this icon for their children, received help from her. Their children regretted what they had already done, and also became more calm and returned to the path of the true (both spiritual and secular). The same guys, for whom prayers were performed from the very beginning, passed their life way more dignifiedly.

Importance of icons for Orthodox

Each parent must have an icon of GodMother "Education". Its importance for children is difficult to overestimate, since many qualities of the child are laid in childhood. It is believed that the nature of the baby is basically formed up to three years, and if you surround it with piety, and also place the appropriate icons in the house, this will have a positive effect on it.

Love, compassion, humility and other wonderfulqualities that are so lacking in this world - all this can be laid only with proper upbringing, and also with the intercession of the saints and the Lord. All this was understood in the old days, that's why this icon was valued. And now very many people come to kneel before her and pray.

Day of veneration of the icon "Education"

"Education" - the icon of the Mother of God - also hasand the day of celebration. It happens once a year, namely the eighteenth of March (or the fifth of March in the old style). On this day, you should pray before her, ask for sincere intercession for the children of the Mother of God. Very often on this day the Akathist Icon is sung.

Saints' words about upbringing and love

The icon of the Mother of God "Education" also hasa special significance for the elders and saints. All of them perfectly understood the necessity of correct education of the younger generation, as well as the teaching of their love for their neighbor, rigor in moments of morality, etc. Therefore, they treated with particular severity and trepidation their upbringing.

For example, St. Theophan the Recluse speaks ofthe love of the mother and father for their child, and each manifests it in its own way. A woman by nature is softer - so her love is warm, condescending. The man is more firm, therefore his love is more strict. Both must be properly dosed, then the upbringing will be good.

Ambrose Optina's words are also very significant. He says that children should be educated in the fear of God, teach Orthodox concepts, and teach and protect from what is not accepted by the church. This is necessary in order for them, in the future, already adults, to strive for spiritual life and the Kingdom of God.

It is also necessary to read and pray for educationchild and his protection. Many believe that it is also very important to surround the child with Orthodox faces, which will show spirituality and striving for the Divine.

Icon of the Mother of God "Education", which is in Nekrasovka

In honor of this icon there is alsoOrthodox church. It is located near Moscow, in the village of Nekrasovka. Initially, there was a temporary temple named after Sergius of Radonezh, the construction of which the residents took with joy, since before that there was nothing at all. After a while, in connection with the increase in the parish, it took a new temple complex.

The name of the new church was to be the same,as well as the old, but with this there were problems. That's why the words of the Patriarch about the need to educate the youth in accordance with God's laws were recalled very opportunely. So the temple of the icon of the Mother of God "Education" appeared, as well as an icon that has already created a miracle (about it it is written above).

Architecture of the temple

In the project, the temple was to have a consecratedthe main throne in honor of the Theotokos icon "Education". There will be two other throne - in honor of Stilian Avenue, as well as Sergius Ave. The temple, which will be located in the basement, will be dedicated to the Nativity of Christ. This is timed to the fact that the first Liturgy in Nekrasovka was held on this holiday.

An interesting point is that internalThe walls of the temple are going to decorate in ancient techniques - encaustic. Its essence lies in the fact that a mixture of paints is added wax for their connection, so it turns out a unique image. A colored mosaic will be laid out on the dome and arches.

Also already in the temple is the Athonitestone from the monastery of the Great Martyr Panteleimon. And this is very symbolic, since the very project of the cathedral is in the late Byzantine style. Also in the temple is the icon of the Monk Stylian, who was also brought from Athos.

The iconostasis of the future cathedral is planned to decorateicons that will be manually embroidered with beads. Already, women are working on it. And in the temporary church there is a miraculous icon of St. Seraphim of Sarov, which has already been decorated by the inhabitants of the village (earrings, pendant and ring). This is a thankfulness for the help in prayers.

Also, some icons are brought by the parishioners. One of them is "The Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin." This is the largest icon, next to it is the Virgin Belt, beautifully decorated with beads.

To date, the construction of the temple is suitableby the end. Already installed on the dome is a cross, which in its manufacture is a copy of the cross located on Athos. On the famous mountain it was established by Russian Orthodox in 1882. As well as in the original, in it in the center is a sapphire ball, highlighted in the dark.

Education at the Temple

The most important place in the cathedral is occupied by"Education" - the icon of the Mother of God, therefore it is no accident that spiritual enlightenment of youth is in the first place. Even now there is a Sunday school for children. In addition, children's creativity is also developed there - small parishioners are allowed to fantasize about their future church and make small models.

There is also a Sunday school for adults,which takes students for the first time. It trains up to graduation three years. It is the school for adults that is very popular, since people are recruited each year.

The erection of the temple greatly influenced theresidents, two schools began to teach the basics of Orthodox culture. This does not mean that there appeared a part of the Sunday school, nor is it considered the teaching of the law of God. This is rather a more scientific approach, which, however, affects Orthodoxy, forcing to perceive it as its heritage (after all our ancestors used to be baptized and visited temples, they were afraid of God's punishment).

Icon, which is located in the Kazan Cathedral

The first miraculous icon was lost, as it waswritten above, after the revolution in Russia. An exact list was written from it. Today is the icon of the Mother of God "Education" in Moscow, in the old place - in the Kazan Cathedral. Since its restoration, numerous Orthodox have flocked there to pray before the image, to ask for the protection of the Virgin for their children.

Besides her, there are other shrines in the cathedral. This is a venerable icon of Kazan Mother of God, its relic. After the restoration, divine services and liturgies are held in the cathedral, and the akathist of the main icon of the cathedral is read on Fridays and a prayer service is held.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I want to say that we should carefullytreat the upbringing of a child, instill in him those values ​​that are necessary for the cultivation of a worthy person who can enter the Kingdom of God. This can be done only by personal example, and also asking for intercession and help from the saints. It is necessary to pray fervently and ask for strength and patience in this difficult, especially in our time, business.

Very often parents turn to the Theotokos, andthis is not an accident, since it is considered the patroness of the family and children. There are a lot of her images that help in different cases, but, as is clear from the above material, the most effective help in education can come from an icon with the same name. Pray for the sake of our future generation, to bring it up in the fear of God, in the Laws of God. Only then will there be peace and order on earth. Everyone can think about his neighbor with love, and not with hatred, in the family everyone will respect his neighbor, the marriage ties will become stronger. All this can be achieved only by coming to God and bringing his children there.