Hello, dear readers. When you come to the temple, it is important to know the icons and their meaning in order to immediately approach the image you need.
How to pray in front of an icon
Many people think that it does not matter which icon to pray in front of, because prayer comes from a pure heart. But we offer a prayer not to the icon itself, but to the one whose image is conveyed on it, because all saints have their own strengths.
- Stand in front of the shrine and cross yourself to attract God's blessing.
- After you have asked for help, that is, prayed, kiss the image. By doing this you will express your respect to the Lord.
- After finishing the prayer service, you must cross yourself three times.
Pray with bright thoughts, forgiving everyone who offended you.
The meaning of the icons
This is one of the most powerful icons. The Most Holy Theotokos had to endure many torments, which are symbolized by seven arrows. When a person feels bad, he goes precisely to this image. “Seven Shot” will help in protecting housing, will protect from troubles, envious, evil people, from curses, damage, the evil eye of the person who wears her icon on his chest.
If you need to reconcile the warring parties, bring peace and tranquility to your home, then you need to kneel before this relic and prayerfully ask for help. They take it with them when they go on important matters.
At home, she is placed opposite the front door, higher than half the wall, so that she can “see” the eyes of the person entering. Before installing the relic, it is necessary to read a prayer service. You may notice: a person with unkind thoughts will stop crossing the threshold of your home.
The Most Holy Theotokos will become a protector from criminals, thieves and any unkind people. Those living in this house can be sure that their family is reliably protected.
Place it on your desktop, it will protect you from quarrels with your boss and work colleagues. If a person’s soul is embittered, then he can approach the face, the Most Holy Theotokos will help him return to good thoughts again.
2. “INEXHAUSTABLE CHALICE”
Icon of the Mother of God. The Mother of God consoles, prays for everyone who has stumbled, and calls upon them to touch the inexhaustible spring of spiritual joy. The purpose of this holy power is difficult to overestimate.
The inexhaustible cup will help everyone who turns to it with faith. She proclaims that heavenly help and mercy are destined for all who ask. It will help cure those who are addicted to gambling from drunkenness, drug addiction.
The image of the Mother of God should be installed at the head of the bed of a patient with alcoholism or drug addiction and prayed every day.
There are many known cases of healing from drunkenness and other addictions. There is evidence that the relic helped solve housing issues and facilitate the conclusion of transactions for the purchase and sale of apartments and houses.
Parents who send their children into adulthood are obliged to ask for help by saying prayers in front of the shrine every day.
3. Icon of the Mother of God “HEALER”
It will help heal a person not only from physical illnesses, but also mental ones. The relic can be recognized by the image of the Mother of God standing at the bedside of a sick person.
4. “UNEXPECTED JOY”
Our whole life consists of small joys that we often do not notice in pursuit of an ephemeral dream, forgetting about our loved ones, about words of gratitude. Therefore, many dreams, becoming obsessive, do not allow you to enjoy the new day, and therefore are not heard.
What to pray for from the face of Unexpected Joy
Prayer at the shrine grants:
- Gain spiritual power;
- Get what you always dreamed of, but no longer believed in getting it. It could be someone's forgiveness, repentance;
- Grants healing of ailments, especially with hearing loss and ear diseases;
- Our Lady will help find and return missing people;
- It will help a pregnant woman to bear and give birth to a healthy child;
- For parents whose children have taken the wrong path, the Mother of God will give them the opportunity to bring them to their senses;
- Resolves conflicts, helps to come to a happy solution;
- People pray at the relic for the preservation of marriage, love and harmony.
5. “THREE-HANDED”
The miraculous image of the Mother of God grants healing from hand diseases. Prayer services protect against fire, various diseases, sadness and sorrow.
6. “QUICK TO HEAR”
The painting of the image dates back to the 10th century. If you need quick, emergency help, they kneel before the shrine. They also ask:
- about healing mental illnesses;
- about healing from cancer, paralysis, blindness;
- prayerfully ask for the birth of healthy children;
- They pray for the release of those who are languishing in captivity.
7. “SERAPHIM OF SAROV”
Saint, especially revered in Russia. A prayer service to Seraphim of Sarov helps to heal from pain in the joints, arms, legs, and spine.
Patron of Moscow. Those whose work involves weapons, risking their lives, as well as athletes and entrepreneurs who start their own businesses pray to him.
9. NICHOLAS THE WONDERWORKER
Protector from want and poverty. If his face is in your home, then he makes sure that the family has prosperity and protects from want. He is worshiped by all travelers, pilots, drivers, sailors and everyone who reveres this saint.
In Rus', the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary is especially revered. Before this holy power, the coronation of kings and the election of high priests took place.
Prayer services will help to pacify people at war with each other, soften evil hearts, and heal those who are possessed by a demon from bodily and mental weakness.
People have always resorted to the help of the icon of the Holy Mother of God. In what cases can it help:
- She protects the house from fires.
- Doctors, military men, firefighters, and pilots ask her for help.
- Miraculous fire helps to cleanse oneself from committed sins and mental illnesses.
12. IVERIAN ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD
The Virgin Mary grants:
- Healing the sick,
- Restocking,
- Getting rid of enemy attacks.
13. UNFADING COLOR
She is the personification of purity and innocence, therefore, she stands up for the protection of young girls, helping them maintain their innocence and chastity.
Prayers at the image of the Unfading Flower help you marry the person whom fate itself sent. Married women can ask for a prosperous family life.
The miraculous face protects and helps women maintain purity, self-control, and good character. If you ask the Virgin Mary for support with faith, she will definitely fulfill your request. Our Lady will definitely help girls find a worthy life partner.
When a woman faces severe life trials or experiences mental shock, she must kneel before the image of the Most Pure One, then life will definitely improve.
15. KAZAN ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD
Intercessor. She helps everyone who is in trouble or has difficulties at work, as well as in their personal life.
The guidebook will help you make the right decision and protect you from mistakes. When blessing young people before marriage, they also turn to Our Lady of Kazan. The life of the newlyweds will be very happy if the wedding takes place on the day of the celebration of the Holy Image.
Spouses can always turn to this image for help. Saint Mary will help anyone who turns to her with any pure request. If the request is negative, it will not be heard.
How to ask for help
If you pray at home, then you need to pray in the morning:
- Before prayer, wash your face and cross your hands;
- Leave all annoying thoughts;
- Light the candles, kneel down, read the prayer service;
- Say your request in your own words, coming from your heart.
16. OSTROBRAMSKAYA ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD
A rare but extremely powerful image that protects the home from evil spirits, the family from outside interference, helps spouses find happiness and love, and everyone else get rid of despondency and depression.
Place it at the entrance, then it will protect your home from all evil spirits and from unfriendly guests. Many people confirm that after private prayer in front of this Holy Face, problems were solved by themselves.
17. Icon “UNBREAKABLE WALL”
Named in honor of its resilience, not being damaged, no matter what disasters, elements and wars the image of the Mother of God, located in the Kiev monastery, survived.
A miracle beyond the control of human reason makes this icon a protector in all troubles, illnesses and misfortunes. The icon will ward off troubles and fires, will not allow dashing people into the house, and will help strengthen family happiness.
Pray at the icon when leaving home, as well as in solitude. The best place in the house for your Protector is the wall opposite the front door or above it.
18. MOURNING
The icon of the Mother of God helps people:
- Grants necessary benefits to those who need them;
- Brings comfort in grief, helps in difficult life situations;
- Heals physical and mental illnesses;
- Protects merchants on long journeys.
Pray to the face, and help will come to you in work, business and family life.
19. JOY OF ALL JOYS
The miraculous icon will help if you pray without fuss and anger in your heart:
- About the return of lost items;
- To save yourself from slander and slander;
- On release from prison;
- On the successful completion of legal proceedings;
- About help during a trip to a foreign country;
- About those who serve in “hot spots”.
20. TRINITY
A prayerful appeal to the Holy Trinity will help you cope with any trials and find the right path. Before the shrine, you need to read prayers in order to cleanse yourself of those sins that torment you and do not allow you to live in peace. It is believed that the prayer said at the Holy Trinity icon is a direct conversation with God.
In the home of every Orthodox Christian there should be a place of honor for icons. It can be a simple shelf or part of a room. The main thing is that it is convenient for household members to turn their thoughts to God at any time, away from prying eyes.
Images of saints are not just pretty pictures. Religious people believe in their power. Reading prayers, they thank the saints and God for their blessings and ask for help. For believers, the opportunity to pray is very important.
Placing icons in the house
Placing these shrines in your home should be taken very seriously. Of course, we are talking about people who sincerely believe, and who have not succumbed to the fashion for religion. What to make a home iconostasis from, how to arrange the icons, photos and explanations can be found in the article.
The Bible recommends keeping images in the eastern part of the apartment, but modern room layouts do not allow this. Better, if the owner himself determines the place for them in your home. “When you pray, go into your room and shut your door and pray to your Father. Which is in secret...”, it is written in the gospel.
Prayer requires privacy, so the bedroom is best. It is recommended to adhere to certain rules. It is prohibited to place photographs of living people, paintings or books of non-religious content next to the faces of saints. The red corner should be located far from the TV and computer. It's worth thinking about so that all family members can sit near the icons for prayer.
How to make a home iconostasis correctly
For a home iconostasis, you can select a shelf in a closet or a small table with high legs. When creating it, there are several rules to consider:
Choosing holy images for the home
You should not try to overfill your iconostasis and turn it into a collection. It is better to find out in advance which icons must be in the house, and who is your patron saint.
According to church traditions, the icon of the Holy Trinity is considered very powerful. Its original is in the Tretyakov Gallery, and the consecrated copy is in the Assumption Cathedral of the Kremlin. It depicts the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Usually this image is set above the rest. To the right of the Holy Trinity place the image of Christ the Savior, to the left - the Most Holy Theotokos. Below them should be the faces of the apostles, even lower than the images of the saints. If you are in doubt about how to properly hang icons in your apartment, invite a clergyman.
Where else should icons be placed in the apartment? considered protective, it is usually hung above the front door, so that there is always peace and tranquility in the house. Sometimes the image of the Mother of God is placed nearby, which will take uninvited guests away from the house and protect the owners from quarrels and scandals.
Orthodox icons can be placed in the kitchen, so that it is convenient for household members to pray before eating. Make sure that no drops fall on the images when preparing food; it is better to put them in a glass cabinet. This will not interfere with sincere prayer
Parents always want to protect their children from the influence of others, the evil eye and diseases. Icons of the Guardian Angel and the Mother of God are best suited. After all, they are real embodiments of protection and care. Place images above the crib away from electronic devices. It is necessary to explain to the child what the images mean, how to pray and care for them correctly.
The only place in the apartment where it cannot be placed is the bathroom and toilet room. Such placement is considered sacrilege.
If you plan to leave the apartment for a long time, then you can take several icons with you to a temporary home in order to triple the small red corner there.
The placement and creation of an iconostasis is a very serious issue and should be discussed with all family members. For the sake of placing holy images, do not be afraid to change the interior and arrange everything according to the rules.
It is sometimes said that Christians “worship icons.” This is wrong. When praying, a person turns not to the icon itself, but to the one who is depicted on it: the Savior, the Mother of God, some saint. Looking at the icon helps to concentrate, to concretize the image of the one to whom the worshiper is calling.
Set of icons
The Savior and the Mother of God must be present in the home. The presence of icons of saints is not so necessary, but desirable. These can be images of all those saints who patronize family members - according to the names given at baptism.
You can purchase icons of those saints to whom family members turn especially often. For example, in a military man's house there may be an icon of St. Demetrius of Thessalonica, St. Theodore Stratilates, St. Alexander Nevsky or another warrior saint, in the doctor’s house there is an icon of St. Panteleimon or St. Cosmas and Damian. Finally, a Christian may feel special reverence for a saint whose feat made a strong impression on him - the image of this saint of God may also be in the home iconostasis.
When purchasing icons, you need to perceive them as shrines, and not as valuable things or interior decoration. You should not chase expensive or rare icons. The icons made of precious metals that are sold in jewelry stores are completely inconsistent with the Christian spirit. You can accept such an icon as a gift, but you should not purchase it yourself.
It is best to buy icons in church shops, where they are sold already consecrated. In addition, they definitely won’t sell dubious images of “folk saints” who have not been canonized by the church.
Where to place the horses
In the old days, icons were placed in the eastern corner of the main room - it was called the “red corner”. This is due to the special symbolic meaning given to the eastern side in the Bible: in the east God planted the Garden of Eden, the spirit leads the prophet Ezekiel to the eastern gates of the House of the Lord, etc.
Unfortunately, the location of windows and doors in modern houses does not always allow placing a home iconostasis in the eastern corner. In this case, it can be located in any other place. The main thing is that a separate shelf be allocated for icons, where no one will put photographs, paintings, reproductions, and other secular objects.
You should not place icons next to a TV, player or computer, because these objects are associated with worldly vanity. It is permissible to place icons on a bookshelf, but only on condition that the contents of the books on it do not contradict Christian teaching. Posters with images of singers, actors and other secular idols should not be allowed to hang next to icons.
Very useful information! Thank you
To my shame, I didn’t even know that the icon of the Mother of God that hangs in my home heals illnesses.
There are many situations when we turn to saints in prayer for help and light candles near icons.
An icon is a completely unique phenomenon. There are hundreds of them in churches, try to figure out which one you need. This is where the question arises: which icons should we pray to? Let's try to figure out which icon is for what.
1. "Seven-shot"- this is the strongest icon in protecting the house and any premises, as well as the person on whom it is located, from evil, envious people, from the evil eye, damage and curses. She reconciles warring parties, brings peace and harmony, and is also hired for important matters. At home, she should be opposite the front door so that she can see the eyes of the person entering. Before installing the icon, you need to read a prayer, and then observe who stops coming to your house.
2. “Inexhaustible Chalice”- The Mother of God prays for all sinners and calls for an inexhaustible source of spiritual joy and consolation, proclaiming that an inexhaustible cup of heavenly help and mercy is prepared for those who ask with faith. It brings prosperity to the home, and also helps to heal from bad habits, drunkenness, drug addiction, and gambling.
3. Icon of the Mother of God “Healer” You can always recognize it by the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary near the bed of a sick person. was famous for miracles of healing from various mental and physical illnesses back at the end of the 18th century. The help of the Most Holy Theotokos from Her miraculous icon continues in our time.
4. “Unexpected Joy”- an icon about forgiveness of sins and grateful healing. Before the icon they pray for the conversion of the lost, for the health and well-being of children, for the healing of deafness and ear diseases, for the preservation of marriage in love and harmony.
5. “Three-handed”- the miraculous image of the Mother of God was painted in the eighth century in honor of St. John of Damascus, a church hymn writer who was innocently slandered. In front of the icon they pray for healing from hand pain or injury, from fire, as well as from illness, grief and sadness.
6. “Quick to Hear”- the image was painted in the 10th century. They pray in front of the icon when quick and urgent help is needed, for the healing of mental and physical ailments, including paralysis, blindness, cancer, and also ask for the birth of healthy children and the release of prisoners.
7. “Seraphim of Sarov”- one of the beloved and revered saints of Russia. He devoted his entire life to serving our Lord and founded the Diveyevo convent in the Nizhny Novgorod province. Prayer to Holy Father Seraphim of Sarov helps very well with diseases of the musculoskeletal system, spine, and joints.
8. “St. George the Victorious”- patron of Moscow, as well as an assistant to those people whose work involves weapons, risking their lives - military, police, firefighters, rescuers. In addition, these include athletes and people starting a new business.
9. “Nicholas the Wonderworker”- beloved saint of the Russian people. He protects from poverty and need: when his icon is in the house, he makes sure that there is prosperity in the house, and protects from the need for anything. In addition, he is the patron saint of all travelers, drivers, sailors, pilots and just people who are on the road and worship St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. The relics of St. Nicholas the Pleasant are located in Italy.
10. “Vladimir Mother of God”- written by the evangelist Luke. The icon is considered one of the most revered images of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Rus'. Tsars were crowned and high priests were elected in front of this icon. Before her they pray for the humility of those at war, for the softening of evil hearts, for the healing of bodily and mental weaknesses, as well as for the healing of the possessed.
An icon is an image of God or His saints. The images are a reminder of the actual existence of the spiritual world. By honoring them, Orthodox Christians express a proper attitude towards the One who is depicted on them. According to the teachings of Christianity, icons must be treated with reverence and love, as an image of one’s nearest and dearest. Any Orthodox Christian should have various icons in his home.
Purpose
Icons are intended for prayer, that is, for human communication with God and the saints. Looking at icons, Orthodox Christians should ascend with their minds to God, remembering eternal life. The attitude towards icons is a centuries-old controversial issue among many Christian denominations. For example, the depiction of God and saints is permissible only in Orthodoxy and Catholicism; other Christian denominations prohibit the depiction of God, interpreting it as idolatry.
Icon veneration is not idolatry, since service is performed not to the icon, but to the Saint depicted on it.
In the Orthodox religion, there are special rules according to which it is necessary to pray for personal needs in front of various holy images. Thus, there is a pious tradition of assigning individual properties to each icon. For example, in front of the icon of the Mother of God "Hodegetria" everyone on the way should pray, or in front of the icon of St. Blessed Xenia of St. Petersburg they are advised to pray for the well-being of the marriage.
You need to know that such a practice is not obligatory, since any saints depicted on the icons can hear the person praying and help him in his needs. The meaning of icons should not be placed above sincere feelings when performing prayer. If you pray with faith and love in front of any icon, then you can be sure that this prayer will be heard.
Where to buy Orthodox icons?
All believers need to know exactly what icons should be in the house. An Orthodox Christian should remember that there are also images of saints in the Catholic Church, so icons can only be purchased in Orthodox churches. Here you will find canonical variants that comply with special spelling rules. Often they can be bought in stores, but in this case there is a high probability that you can purchase a Catholic icon that does not correspond to the true canons of Orthodoxy.
What icons should be in the house?
It is advisable that icons be present in every room of your home. In the largest and most spacious room, it is necessary to make a main iconostasis, on which all the holy images revered in a given family will be placed.
So, what icons should be in the house? For home prayer, it is necessary to have icons depicting Jesus Christ, the Mother of God, the Holy Trinity, the Guardian Angel, named saints and saints especially revered by family members. It is also necessary to have a cross with the image of the crucified Jesus Christ as the main symbol of Christianity. In addition, all household icons must be consecrated in an Orthodox church.
Where to place the icons?
And yet, how to arrange icons in the house? It is advisable that the corner with holy images be located on the eastern side of your home, just like in temples. Jesus Christ in the Holy Scriptures is called the “Sun of Truth”, as well as the “East”. As a result, the Orthodox tradition designated the eastern side of the world for the worship of the Lord. This custom originates from the Jewish religion. The tabernacle of Moses had a veil and a purgatory, which were located on the east side. In the famous temple built by King Solomon, the gates of the Lord were in the east.
It is known that Christianity originates from Judaism, therefore, this is where the tradition of the location of the iconostasis comes from. If the situation in the home is such that it is not possible to place the icons in the eastern corner, then you can also place them anywhere else in the room, the main condition being a dignified and respectful environment for the holy image.
Icons in the house should be placed in specially designated places. There should be nothing around or near the corner with the images that could distract from prayer. You cannot keep photographs of relatives, ordinary people and other paintings nearby, even those depicting biblical scenes. Icons should be placed only in a place specially designated for them. In addition, you cannot keep objects or books of immoral content nearby. Icons in the house should be treated with special respect as a sign of personal attitude towards them.
Red corner
The place where the holy images are located is usually called the “red corner”. Often, special stands for icons are located in the corners of rooms. Such shelves are called icon corners. They can be purchased in church shops, but you can also make such a simple item yourself.
You can also place icons in the upper niches of cabinet furniture, you just need to make sure that there are no foreign objects around: figurines, photo frames or souvenirs. You cannot place icons on the lower shelves, as this will be a definite expression of disrespect for the holiness of the image.
In addition, images can be placed on the walls, and you should definitely know how to hang icons in the house correctly. If they are intended to be placed on the wall, it is necessary that only icons be present on it. No paintings should be placed nearby. In addition, in the room where the icons are located, it is prohibited to hang pictures of immoral content.
The question of what icons should be in the house and how to arrange them should be discussed in more detail. Images of Jesus Christ must be placed on the right, and the Virgin Mary on the left. Many families place wedding images on the main home iconostasis: a pair of icons depicting the Savior and the Mother of God, painted in the same style and having the same size.
Around the main icons you can place images of named saints in whose honor family members were baptized. On the side of the Savior you can place icons of male saints, and on the side of the Mother of God - female ones.
Veneration of the Cross
In addition, it is imperative to have an image of the crucifixion in the house. The cross is located above all the icons as a symbol of victory over the enemy of the human race. The image of the crucifixion became the main symbol of the entire Christian world. Even the Protestant faith, known for its opposition to the image of the Lord, does not prohibit the symbolism of the cross. Also, Evangelical Christians and Baptists, who are the most ardent fighters against icon veneration, also have a tradition of using the cross.
It should be mentioned that at all times, special respect was shown to the pectoral cross. It was indeed perceived by many people, and even Christians, as some kind of magical sign. The sign of the cross has always been especially revered by Orthodox Christianity. The Son of God, with his saving death, forever sanctified the cross, turning it from a cruel instrument of execution into the greatest religious symbol. The events of the atonement on the cross became the goal of the Savior’s earthly life and the central theme of the gospel narrative. That is why it is necessary to pay due respect to the cross and place it above all the icons in the house.
Home protection icon
Holy images must be in every room. It is advisable that they be placed on separate icon corners, but you can also hang them on the wall. It is mandatory to have icons in the dining room for prayer before and after meals.
There is a pious tradition of placing images near the entrance to the house: above the door or on the wall closest to the entrance. Orthodox Christians must make the sign of the cross and a short prayer before entering and leaving the house. You can also place an image of the veil of the Most Holy Theotokos above the front door, as a sign of the consecration of the home and protection from enemies and evil spirits. Church shops sell icons with corresponding prayers.
Measuring icons in the children's room
In the Orthodox tradition, there is an ancient tradition of a measured icon - an image of the saint in whose honor the newborn baby was baptized. Such images are written to order, they correspond to certain sizes. The height of such an icon should correspond to the height of the newborn child.
Since measured icons are quite large in size, they are usually placed on the walls. Holy images should be placed in the children's room, from an early age teaching the child to prayerfully turn to his saint, ask him for help in business and endeavors, and pray before and after bedtime.
How to care for icons?
If the question of where to hang the icon in the house has been exhausted, the rules for caring for holy images should be discussed. As a sign of reverence for the holiness of this place, it should be kept clean and tidy. Cleaning the icon corner must be done with prayer and reverence, without being distracted by thoughts on foreign objects. The images should be wiped with a clean cloth specially designed for this purpose and stored separately, in a special place.
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