Icon of the all-seeing eye how to relate. In what cases do they refer to this icon? What does the All-Seeing Eye icon mean?

And now you can compare the result of your reflections with what our students said.

- An image is something that includes immeasurably more than it seems at first glance. You can go deep into the image and revealing it becomes a meaning.

- Image, form, education - this is what generates a system of concepts and knowledge. The image puts the inner world in order.

- The word "image" contains the word "bra" and the syllable "Ra". It seems to me that the word “image” carries light and illuminates.

- And for me, the image is associated with the word "obry". The image is breadth and spaciousness.

Isn't it interesting views? Are any of them similar to yours? For me, the image is a way to comprehend the meaning without the help of words.

It is no coincidence that icons are also called images. Images - icons carry the possibility of touching the divine. Orthodoxy perceives icons not only as sacred images, but also as preaching the Gospel, as "writing in images", "speculation in colors". The Holy Fathers called church art "The Bible for the illiterate", who, not being able to read from books, perceive the truth through visible images.

In order to perceive an image, it is necessary and sufficient to see it. Let's remember the name of the organ with which we look. Our ancestors used several different words for this. One of them is a ghost. Interestingly, when using this word, they meant something more than just visual perception. With the help of the eye, a person could see the true hidden essence of things. It is this word that has completely disappeared from our everyday life. Only traces of it remained, for example, the “pupil” or the famous saying of Kozma Prutkov: “Look at the root!”

Another word meaning the organ of visual perception is the eye. Now in Russian it is used only in poetic texts and is completely absent in everyday colloquial speech. In the Ukrainian language, fortunately, the word eye still takes its rightful place. It is important to understand that the eye is like a window. Through it, with the help of conscious vision, a person can look into a subtle, invisible to the eye other world. Suffice it to recall the numerous myths about the eye. For example, the myth of Odin, who paid with his eye for the right to drink water from a wonderful source. The water of the spring made it possible to see the truth. Or Lycurgus, the mythical ruler of ancient Sparta. He gave his people divine laws for many centuries that made his people invincible. For the legislator, the cost of invaluable knowledge was the loss of an eye.

In the cosmogonic myths of many peoples it is said that the luminaries - the Sun and the Moon - arose from the eyes of a deity or the first man during the creation of the world.

In colloquial Russian today, only the word eye is used. It is borrowed from German, and means "glass" (glass)! So imperceptibly and “accidentally” we lost the ability inherent in our ancestors to “see at the root” and look into the windows between the worlds. By the way, a few more remarks about the Ukrainian language, which has retained many of the meanings originally inherent in the ancient Kievan language - the language of Kievan Rus. Bachiti - to see; in Sanskrit, the language of the Indian Vedas, bhas - to shine and see. Another Ukrainian verb to marvel is to look. Its root coincides with the Sanskrit div - to shine, divan - day. This means that our ancestors knew that looking at something you can not only absorb information, but also emit light, glow! Perhaps this is precisely the reason for the irritation that the Ukrainian language causes among those who would like all Slavs to continue to look at the world through glass, and not through open windows - eyes?

Icon

Among the great many icons revered in Orthodoxy, there are several that stand apart in their pictorial range. One of them is the “All-Seeing Eye” icon. The unusual composition and richness of symbols attract close attention to it and cause a lot of gossip. Some ministers of the church even question its compliance with Christian canons.

Although the icon "All-Seeing Eye" appeared in iconography relatively recently, at the end of the 18th century, over the past two and a half centuries, it has managed to fall in love with many. By tradition, for writing any Orthodox icon, the text of the Bible or the lives of the saints should be used. The pictorial row of this icon is based on the words: “Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him and hope in His mercy” (Ps. 32:18). It is noteworthy that the icon, the name of which refers to the Lord, refers to the Theotokos. The image of the Mother of God is indeed present on it, but compositionally it occupies far from the main place.

Now let's take a look at the icon itself in order. At first glance, it resembles a mandala. Recall that a mandala is a graphic image consisting of an outer and inner circle with a square between them. The name comes from the Sanskrit word meaning circle. Mandalas are used in Buddhism as a tool of knowledge and a way to communicate with the worlds of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.

In the center of the icon "The All-Seeing Eye" there is a small first circle, with the image of Jesus Christ Lord Emmanuel inscribed in it. Emmanuel - means "God is with us." It must be said that this version of the depiction of Christ as a youth is the most rare in the Orthodox iconography of the Savior.

Rays diverge diagonally from the small central circle. Four directions of light, four elements, four seasons - a stable basis of the universe, space-time continuum.

The face of Christ Emmanuel envelops the second circle, which depicts a face with four eyes, a mouth and a nose. In this marvelous face the face of the Sun is recognizable. About the luminary, it is known that it is it that is considered the image of God the father, visible in the manifested world. Young Emmanuel, like the soul of humanity passing the way of formation and becoming, is in the center of attention of the Creator.

On the third circle of the icon, we see a lot of shining rays. It is the protective shell of the world. It is crowned with the figure of the Mother of God Oranta - the guardian. The Mother of God guards both the small circle with the larva of the young God and the four-eyed image of God - the sun.

The last fourth circle is usually filled with images of seraphim and angels. This is the sky, the outer shell of the manifested world. Here above the Mother of God in a truncated circle is God the Father. Hosts, blessing with both hands the entire universe.

At the corners from the third circle - beyond the fourth - there are ledges with figures or symbols of the evangelists; on circles - names and interpretation:

Matthew is an angel, the ambassador of the Lord; an angel or a person is a symbol of wisdom in the knowledge of the Divine will and freedom of choice (Gen. 1:27; Joshua 24:14-15).
· Marco is written orlim, fly to heaven; the eagle is a symbol of speed and farsightedness (Deut. 28:49).
Luke written by Telchim, Mir; the calf is a symbol of patience and fidelity (Isaiah 1:3).
John is written as a lion, lay in the tomb. The lion is a symbol of power and might (Rev. 5:5; Gen. 49:9).

Ajna harmonization

Such a geometric balance and the presence of a clear center, which is not characteristic of Orthodox icons, makes it possible to easily and naturally concentrate visual attention. We bring to your attention the work aimed at purification of consciousness, harmonization and activation of the frontal ajna chakra. To do this, you need to have an icon, but you can try to work with an illustration for the article. If you want to take advantage of our offer, it is advisable that you not be disturbed for at least half an hour.

· Place the icon in front of you, you can on the table if you are sitting on a chair or on the floor if you are sitting on the floor.
· Look in the center of the icon at the face of Emmanuel. Focus your attention on the boy's forehead. Concentration in the center of the icon starts the process of cleansing the mind and body. This is the concentration of scattered visions, focusing them on one central point.
As you concentrate your attention, anxiety and laxity go away. Increased internal stability. Try not to blink, as blinking disrupts the flow of information that comes in.
· In the process of looking at the center of the icon, you gradually begin to see the whole image as a whole due to the inclusion of peripheral vision. At the same time, your gaze does not slide over the image. It remains fixed on the forehead of Emmanuel, and you see the whole icon as a whole.
Further, various visual effects may appear:
- - the image on the icon will acquire volume;
- - the outer circle will be darkened, and the center will be brightly highlighted (tunnel vision effect);
- -one figure begins to dominate, as if overlapping others;
- - the colors on the icon will start to play and shimmer, etc.

All this does not take much time - about three minutes.

Now you can close your eyes and the image of the icon will begin to appear on the internal screen. Contemplate it until the projection disappears.

Perhaps, at first, the internal image of the icon will appear weakly or not at all. It happens that colors do not appear, but there is a black and white projection. Don't be upset. This suggests that as a result of stress or psychological trauma received in early childhood, you no longer wanted to look at things that were too expensive for you. By continuing to contemplate the icon, you will be able to restore the ability to see internal images and open the ajna.

It is also useful for training and restoring the physical visual apparatus. Such work helps to preserve vision in all its manifestations: physical, internal, spiritual. After such classes, the nature of your dreams may change. They can become brighter, more colorful. Significant, prophetic dreams will begin to visit you more often. This is the most important component of the inner life of a seeking, developing person.

Numbers

And now let's return to the riddles that the All-Seeing Eye icon asks us. Why is it called that way, although its most expressive element is the four eyes? Why isn't it called "The All-Seeing Eyes"? It turns out that the answer can be found if you delve into the study of the origins of modern Slavic languages. The fact is that the ancient Kievan language had three numerical forms: singular, dual and plural. Some modern philologists explain this by the fact that our ancestors counted only up to two, and then the concept of “many” went on for them. This idea seems to us to be oversimplified. Here, of course, lies a deeper reason, based on the philosophical understanding of our ancestors of the structure of the world. With the help of three numerical forms, they preserved and consolidated in their speech the law of the trinity of the universe.

When it was about the divine - about the Creator, about the Logos - only the singular number was always used. The dual number - (lat. dualis) is used to refer to two objects that are paired by nature (parts of the body, etc.) or by custom. Since a person in the minds of our ancestors was perceived as a paired creature, the dual form of the number was used to designate the human. The plural referred to the manifested world. A fragmented world that has lost its divine integrity, subject to lower, demonic forces. Thus, in the most everyday speech, there was naturally and constantly present the idea that man is by nature an intermediate being. And as the humanists of the Renaissance said, it depends only on him whether he rises to the level of divine consciousness, becomes a God-man, or sinks below cattle, surrenders himself to the power of demons.

Now the dual number is gone from our speech. Only traces of it remain, for example in such words as scissors, trousers, watches, etc. Yes, except perhaps in the forms of the endings of words. We say: one image, one eye. Two, three, four eyes, images. Five, six, etc. eyes, images. Perhaps the special endings of many words in the plural up to four, inclusive, remind of the special state of the manifested world before its final falling away from the divine world. Until it crumbles into a "demonic" multitude, threatening the cosmos to return to a state of chaos again. It is important for a person to remember that he is an intermediate crisis form of being. It depends on each of us whether the world will be corrected and returned to cosmic divinity, or whether it will be completely swallowed up by chaos. "Entropy is rising," physicists warn.

And again, we find that the dual, human form of number, so important for the formation of consciousness, “accidentally” disappeared from modern Slavic languages.

Eternal time

Let's look at the icon again. Now we understand its name. Indeed, this is an eye, not eyes, because the Creator looks at us through the image. When did it start? How long will it continue? And is He looking at us now? If this article had been written in the language of Kievan Rus, this question would not have arisen. The fact is that in the Old Russian language there were also three forms of the past tense! Aorist - imperfect - perfect. Imperfect (lat. "incomplete"), a verb form that expresses both the past tense and an imperfect (or long) aspect: "Mirivanna, I taught ..." Perfect (lat. "completed"), a verb form that expresses a complex combination of aspectual and tense meanings , namely the fact that the result or consequence of a situation that took place in the past is preserved at the time of speech: "I learned"

The aorist cannot be fully called the past tense. It's more of an eternity. The aorist describes processes that have existed, and that exist and will always exist. This is the category of existence. In modern Slavic languages, there are no words that I could give as explanatory examples. The aorist, for obvious reasons, was used only in sacred texts, and from the 17th century it was completely abolished. But! Through the icon, and especially through the image of the “All-Seeing Eye”, we can touch the aorist, the eternal process of contemplating the Divine. This possibility is facilitated by the rays emanating from the center from the circle with the face of Emmanuel. They help to feel that the Lord "wonder" and "blow" - observes and radiates divine light. The rays on the icon pierce the circles of life, purifying, illuminating, protecting the altar space, the worshiper and his loved ones.

Recall that this icon is especially favorable for harmonizing, opening and filling the frontal ajna chakra. It is also sometimes called the third (the law of the trinity of the universe) eye. When it is opened, the eyes cease to be glass, they become eyes, and life and eternity open up to the gaze of a person.

Praikona

Now let's think about the fact that the icon "All-Seeing Eye" appeared only at the end of the 18th century. And all the concepts and categories reflected in it, as we have seen, were known to our ancestors much earlier. It is hard to believe that among the people there was no tool to help them join the divine light and gaze. An object that served as an eye - a window to neighboring worlds. Among the Egyptians, Indians, Arabs, stylized images of the eye are found everywhere.

There was a similar item among the Slavs. It was called "God's Eye". It was a kind of praicon of our ancestors. Later it was called "Shaman's Eye". In fairness, it should be noted that many other peoples had similar "eyes". I have seen them, for example, among the Tibetans in India. Obviously, "God's eye" refers to the archetypal symbols of the collective unconscious.

Now you have the opportunity to make such an eye yourself. Subject to certain rules, it will become not only an interior decoration, an elegant keychain or an element of clothing decor. The object of power created by you will be able to protect its owner.

So, first of all, you will need two sticks of the same length for an equilateral cross, the basis of the praikon. Such a cross is one of the oldest symbols of the sun. It is noteworthy that it is he, and not a circle with rays. The latter, oddly enough for us, used to be a symbol of rain.

For an equilateral cross, you first need to choose the type of wood. Rowan twigs have the strongest protective effect. Behind her is a birch. Such a cross, made by the hands of a woman, can protect not only a person, but a house, apartment or office. It is better for a man to make a charm from oak branches. Before you take a twig, you need to agree with the tree. Explain why you are tedious and carefully break off the twig. Metal should never be used. Don't forget to thank the tree.

Now you need to decide on the composition of the thread. Synthetics can be very decorative, but apart from artistic value, you can’t count on anything. Another thing is natural materials. Here are some of their features:

Linen has a calming effect. This eye is suitable for the bedroom.

· Silk contributes to the preservation of clarity of thought. The silk eye will be especially useful near the workplace, in the office.

Cotton is a universal remedy for spoilage and the evil eye. Such a charm is not too strong, but soft enough. It's perfect for a baby's room or stroller.

· Wool is a very strong remedy. Such an eye helps to make up for energy losses resulting from serious damage. By fixing it for a while at the level of broken chakras, you can patch holes in the aura. An eye made of woolen threads works well at the entrance to housing, in places where many different people come. It can become a reliable assistant to the healer.

The last choice you have to make is color. You should always start with a red thread. It gives the primary solar impulse. Spark of life. It is with a red thread that you fasten the sticks in the center crosswise. In this case, you can not tie any knots. Just wind the thread layer by layer clockwise. (Fig.1)

After the equal-ended wooden cross is firmly fixed with a red thread, threads of any color can be wound strip by strip. Each time we wrap the thread around the stick from top to bottom with one turn and stretch the thread to the next beam clockwise. Then again turn from top to bottom and so on. (Fig.2)

When about two centimeters remain until the end of the rays, we make a loop of a tricolor cord. After attaching it to one of the beams, continue winding the eye on the wooden base along with the ends of the loop. (Fig.3)

Let us very briefly recall the symbolism and nature of the effect of color.

· White - purity, new opportunities.
· Black - mystery, depth.
· Red - life, passion, activity.
Purple - royalty, nobility.
· Orange - joy, practical knowledge, dominance.
Gold - sunlight, wealth.
Yellow - vitality, optimism, mental health.
· Brown - fertility.
· Green - healing, apprenticeship.
· Blue - intuition.
· Blue - fidelity, tranquility.
· Violet - female magic.
· Silver - moonlight, initiation.

The design of the eye itself has protective properties. This is a radiating living wooden solar cross, coils of natural colored threads tightly laid in rows, symbolizing eternity, and a red dot in the center. If at the same time, winding the “endless web”, you are conscious and call on the Eye of God to direct its gaze to you, your loved ones and home, the result will be excellent. While working, you can address the higher powers in your own words. The main thing is not the form, but your sincerity and faith that you will certainly be heard. If desired, you can use the traditional text of the protective plot. It can be learned or read from a piece of paper. It is desirable, however, before that to rewrite it by hand.

From all kinds of dangers

“The power of the sky is my protection. The power of heaven yes to my children in protection.

Lie amulet on my threshold and on my trail - from my tears and from all sorts of troubles. From enemies whom I know and from those whom I do not know, from lies, from water, from fire, from wounds, from the word and from the sword, from the younger and from the older, from the first and from the last.

As strength is from heaven, so is help from God.

Amen. Amen. Amen"

Of course, while working on the eye, you can say to yourself or aloud any prayers you know.

The Eye of God, the All-Seeing Eye, the Vigilant Eye, the Vigilant Eye is one of the kindest and most powerful images bestowed on us. It, like a protective screen, will carefully and tactfully cover your world so that the soul can mature and develop under the supervision of divine parents. Good luck to your souls, peace and comfort at home!

Natalya Ovsyannik

The icon depicts the world of reason and the spiritual world of the Earth, limited by the firmament.

At the top is the Creator and Creator, who brought these worlds to life, the Lord God and His feminine essence, the Mother of God. In the center is Their Son Jesus Christ, the Ruler of the Earth, who knows all four aspects of its structure.

The image of observation, management, decision-making, judgment and the implementation of the judgment of the court are two pairs of the All-Seeing Eye, the Lord God and God the Son.

Above and below are the images of the souls of people who will return to the spiritual world: an angel who knew the world order, who in life did good and good; a bird of heaven who did not know the harmony of husband and wife and created several nest-families, trying to find a harmonious half by trial and error; either pure cattle, or a beast, without knowing the Teaching, having spent time in the material world caring for housing, food, raising children and not accumulating any knowledge in the mind of the soul.

The All-Seeing Eye of God is one of the most complex symbolic iconographic compositions: the Lord is likened to the sun as a source of light, and the way of Divine guidance is the eye.

The owner of this icon, as well as full knowledge of movement and communication with the other world of the Looking Glass, can see, learn through this all-seeing icon what he needs. For work, it is better to use a metal icon, as they usually look at the water with an icon.

The "All-Seeing Eye" is also depicted on the Aachen - the Imperial Cathedral in Germany, in which the emperors of the Holy Roman Empire were crowned for centuries.

Using this icon, you can see with your own eyes on the water the one who killed an innocent soul. In other words, you can find a killer, a thief, or just a missing person.

To see this, you need the All-Seeing Eye icon. This icon depicts three circles. On each circle there are inscriptions with God's words. In the first circle, sleeping angels and a wakeful angel are depicted. In the second circle, planets and parts of the world with stars are drawn, at the top of the circle is the Virgin Mary with a blessing in her hands. In the central part of the third circle there is an image of Jesus the child without His Mother. This suggests that it is He who is predestined to be the One and Indivisible King of heaven and earth. Around His face is depicted more than one pair of All-Seeing Eyes.

The All-Seeing Eye icon should not be confused with the Vigilant Eye icon, since these are completely different icons. "Watching Eye" gives craftsmen the ability to make a shield against thieves. Moreover, it is so strong that a thief, having penetrated into the house where the amulet was made on this icon, can die without leaving the apartment.

I will immediately explain about the ritual with the icon, since readers will have many questions, asking them to teach them to see the past and the future:

For this ritual, in addition to the “All-Seeing Eye” icon, you will need a font in which children were baptized, white incense bought on Holy Week, and candles purchased at the time of the removal of gifts during the service in the church. You also need a knife and ropes from the arms and legs of the deceased.

The font can only be used for this ritual. It is never used for other purposes. If you forget about it, then there will be a dead person in the family in the same year.

So if you have all this, then write and I will answer about the ritual in more detail.

This icon was also needed when the masters made the lamp of life. In modern life, this knowledge is unlikely to be useful, because at any time you can call a loved one to find out how he is doing. But when there was no telephone connection, in order to find out how the person of interest to you feels, they made a lam-pada of life. To make it, they take Epiphany water and drip into it the blood of a loved one who is going on a long journey for a long time. Blood is taken from the finger of the left hand into a transparent vessel, it is tightly closed and a special spell is immediately cast on the icon and the cross. The man leaves, but his mumiyo (blood in Epiphany water) remains. The vessel is installed behind the icon of the All-Seeing Eye and, when necessary, they look at the lamp of life (a vessel with blood and water). It has been proven that the lamp of life reflects what happens to the departed person. If everything is in order with him, then the vessel is bright and, as it were, shines. If a person is sick, then darkness forms inside the vial, when looking at it, one becomes anxious and restless. If a person is in danger, the vessel gives off cold, and the water loses its transparency. If a person whose blood is in the lamp of life dies, then the vessel simply breaks. I emphasize that there are many witnesses of these experiments and all this is the absolute truth.

Now that you can use telegraph and telephone communications, there is no need to resort to the lamp of life.

The icon "The All-Seeing Eye of God" is in the museum of the Imperial Academy of Arts. It depicts a circle concentrically composed of four, of various sizes, or three circles.

The circle is the first, central and smallest, with four rays emanating from it to the edges of the last circle. Here Jesus Christ Emmanuel is depicted blessing with both hands, or rather with his right hand, and holding a scroll in his left; around the head is a groin halo with an inscription. The rays emanating from the circle with Jesus Christ end outside the large circle, in front of the images of the four evangelists or their symbols.

The second, larger circle represents, as it were, the face of a person, on which are placed four eyes, one nose and one mouth. The inscription on the circumference: "My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior."

The third circle is more extensive. Above the second circle and the inscription described above, the Most Holy Theotokos is depicted with raised hands with the inscription “MR FU” above Her. The circle itself is intersected by many dense rays emanating from the center of the main Sun of Truth - Jesus Christ, to the right and left of which it is written: "Set my eyes on the faithful earth and with you." The inscription on the circumference: "The coal of Isaiah manifested the sun from the Virgin's womb, ascending in the darkness, giving enlightenment to the erring prudence."

The fourth circle, the largest, depicts the starry sky with three seraphim and inscriptions on the circle opposite them: “Seraphim is the word God”, or four angels are depicted on the field of the icon, of which two below have scrolls. Above the third circle and the head of the Mother of God there is still, as it were, in the crown of the whole icon, a circle truncated at the bottom, in which the “Heaven of heavens” is personified with three seraphim in it, looking with fear and trembling at the Lord of Hosts, who blesses with both hands; The Holy Spirit, proceeding from Him, descends in the form of a dove on the head of the Ever-Virgin Mary. The figure of God the Father below is partly closed and surrounded by a halo, along the edges of which there is an inscription: "God from heaven, vouchsafe me your radiance." On the entire circumference of the fourth circle is the inscription: "Holy, holy, holy, Lord of hosts, fulfill heaven and earth with thy glory."

On the icon, the Lord, surrounded by clouds, sits on a rainbow, a seraphim with outstretched wings serves as his foot; The Lord blesses with both hands; on his chest he has the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove. At the corners of the entire icon there are four circles, starting from the third and protruding beyond the fourth: they depict the symbols of the evangelists with explanatory inscriptions on the circle of the following kind: “Matthew is an angel”. Interpretation: "Ambassador of the Lord." "Marco is written orlim." Interpretation: "fly up to heaven." "Luke is written by calves." Interpretation: "Peace". "John is written the lion." Interpretation: "lay in the grave."

In addition, two angels are placed below, supporting the frame for the inscription of the icon. As the very name of the icon - the All-Seeing Eye - shows, it expresses the idea of the omniscience of the Lord, Who is likened to the sun as a source of light, and the way of Divine knowledge - to our highest organ - the eye: the Eye of God, this is the mind of God. The image of the sun, with the face of a man on the icon, is of great importance, because in its center is depicted the God-Man Jesus Christ, this righteous sun from the bowels of the Most Pure Virgin, by the influx of the Holy Spirit; as a man he was born on earth, as God he was born before the age of the Father. Incarnation and the Eternal Birth from the Lord and Father of Lights are expressed on the icon by images in the heavens of God the Father and the Holy Spirit descending on the head of the Most Holy Virgin, and by the image of Jesus Christ, enlightening the whole world and eternally abiding with the Church, He founded on earth.

The Russian scientist Alexander Vinogradov wrote about the icon "The All-Seeing Eye of God": "The image of a double human face in the form of four or two eyes, one nose and lips no doubt indicates a close convergence of the elemental sun and the Spiritual Sun - Jesus Christ the God-Man, in both together the macrocosm and microcosm, for man is a small image of a great image - the world.

The symbolic face is surrounded by the figures of the four evangelists: these are the four elements, and the four cardinal points, and - if you like - the four human temperaments. Well, the starry sky, against which Christ is depicted, does not need interpretation: this is the "Sky of heavens", the kingdom of goodness, truth, beauty.

The icon expresses the idea of the omniscience of the Lord, who is likened to the sun as a source of light, and the way of Divine knowledge - to our highest organ - the eye.

The icon depicts a circle concentrically composed of three or four circles:

The circle is the first, central, the smallest, with four rays emanating from it, ending behind a large circle with images of the evangelists or their symbols.

The second, larger circle represents, as it were, the face of a person, on which 4 eyes, a nose and a mouth are placed. The inscription on the circumference: "My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior."

Above the second circle and the inscription is the Mother of God with raised hands.

The third circle is intersected by many dense rays emanating from the center of the main Sun of Truth - Jesus Christ, to the right and left of which it is written: "Set my eyes on the faithful earth and with you." The inscription on the circumference: "The coal of Isaiah manifest the sun from the Virgin's womb, ascending in the darkness, giving enlightenment to the erring prudence."

The fourth circle, the largest, depicts the starry sky with three seraphim and inscriptions on the circle opposite them: “Seraphim is the word God”, or 4 angels are depicted, of which two have scrolls below.

Above the third circle and the head of the Virgin, the entire icon is crowned with a circle, truncated at the bottom, in which the “Heaven of heavens” is personified with three seraphim in it, surrounding the Lord of hosts, blessing with both hands; The Holy Spirit, emanating from Him, descends in the form of a dove on the head of the Virgin. The figure of God the Father below is partly closed and surrounded by a halo, along the edges of which there is an inscription: "God from heaven of his radiance vouchsafe me." On the entire circumference of the fourth circle is the inscription: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts, fulfill heaven and earth with thy glory." The Lord, surrounded by clouds, sits on a rainbow, a seraph with outstretched wings serves as his foot; on the chest of the Lord is the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove.

At the corners of the entire icon there are 4 circles of evangelists, starting from the third circle and protruding beyond the fourth; in them on the circles are explanatory inscriptions containing the name and interpretation: Matthew is written by an angel, the ambassador of the Lord; Marco is written orlim, fly to heaven; Luke is written by Telchim, Mir; John is written as a lion, lay in the tomb.

In addition, two angels are placed below, supporting a frame for the inscription of the name of the icon.

If you decide to work with this icon in order to develop clairvoyance, then pray to "Jesus Christ, the Mother of God, the Holy Trinity, the angels of God." After that, directly proceeding to clairvoyant sessions, project a connection with the icon of the “All-Seeing Eye of God” in the area of the “third eye”.

Prayer to our Lord Jesus Christ.

Many-merciful and all-merciful, my God, Lord Jesus Christ, many for the sake of love descended and became incarnate, as if you would save everyone. And again, Savior, save me by grace, I pray Thee; if you save me from deeds, there is no grace, and a gift, but more duty. Hey, many in generosity and inexpressible in mercy! Believe in me, said thou, about my Christ, he will live and will not see death forever. If faith, even in Thee, saves the desperate, I believe, save me, for my God is You and the Creator. Faith instead of deeds may be imputed to me, my God, do not find deeds that justify me. But let that faith of mine prevail in place of all, let that one answer, that one justify me, that one show me a partaker of Your eternal glory. May Satan not steal me away, and boast, O Word, tear me away from Your hand and fence; but either I want to, save me, or I don’t want to, Christ my Savior, anticipate soon, soon perished: Thou art my God from my mother’s womb. Vouchsafe me, Lord, now love Thee, as if I sometimes loved that same sin; and packs to work for you without laziness, as if you had worked before flattering satan. Most of all, I will work for You, the Lord and my God Jesus Christ, all the days of my life, now and forever and forever and ever. Amen.

An 1812 medal showing a triangle with a human eye inside and with rays emanating from the triangle, symbolizing rays of light. This is one of the images of the so-called "All-Seeing Eye". They try to pass off this symbol as church and Christian, meaning by the "All-Seeing Eye" God's omniscience and omniscience.

This symbol can be found even on murals and icons in Orthodox churches. In fact, neither church tradition nor the holy fathers of the Church knew this symbol. But this symbol is well known to the Masons, from whom it originated. It can be seen on the US one dollar bill. At the beginning of the 19th century, Masons had already firmly established themselves in the Russian Empire. Committing the mystery of lawlessness and working on the destruction of the Russian Kingdom and the Russian Church, the Masons introduced their symbols into everyday life, adjusting them to supposedly Orthodox and church images. This is how pentagrams, hexagrams and triangles with an eye appeared in Russian churches. These symbols have nothing to do with the holy Church of Christ and our holy faith.

The All-Seeing Eye icon is the Divine protection of the All-Seeing Eye of the Lord!!!

The All-Seeing Eye is an icon whose meaning is closely connected with the cultural history of Russia. Its plot is young enough for Russian Orthodox iconography. Occasionally borrowed from the Western icon-painting tradition at the end of the 17th century, it became more common only at the end of the 18th century under the influence of the fashion for Freemasonry.

It became an independent image only by the beginning of the nineteenth century - but it was never recognized as canonical: priests do not recommend making it the center of their spiritual life.

Perhaps because it is too ancient, the pagan layer of consciousness, the image is able to affect in an unprepared person. What various mass media unmistakably caught: it is this image that can be seen more often than others in the hands or on booklets of occultists, "psychics", "magicians" and "sorcerers".

What does the icon "All-seeing eye of God" mean in the Orthodox Church

Meanwhile, the image translates into the visual plane two fundamental ideas about God at once:

Meaning for a person: the Lord is likened to a daylight as a source of all light on earth in all its symbolic meanings - vision, warmth, life, love, knowledge, spiritual insight, knowledge.
The perception of the world of people by God: the way of divine knowledge is all-pervasive vision. Interestingly, it is visual perception that forms the etymological basis of any human language, and hence our thinking in general. So vision is vitality, the life of the spirit in general.

The center of the icon is formed by a drawing of the image of Jesus inscribed in the sphere, surrounded by the words "Set my eyes on the faithful lands and with you." It emits radiance and four large rays, elongated triangles, crossing the second and third circles generated by the center.

The next field is a kind of hyperbole of vision: four eyes on the divine face with the praying Mother of God crowning the sphere form the figure of an isosceles triangle. On the border they write the words of joy of a righteous soul, aspiring to God, from the first line of the famous Most Honest.

The speech of the next environment gives a biblical metaphor of the sacred light that transforms the earthly and saves from the darkness of death and sin: "The coal of Isaiah manifest the sun from the Virgin's womb, ascending in the darkness, giving enlightenment to the erring prudence." Here, the light rays emanating from the Savior end with the visual incarnations of the gospel authors or their traditional symbols. This is God's emissary Matthew, the flying eagle in the sky Mark, the meek calf Luke and the spirit of the lion John.

The fourth sphere, which encloses all the previous (and is born the first!) Sphere, recreates the firmament strewn with stars, marked by the presence of three seraphim. Four of them can be depicted (two at the bottom - with manuscripts). Burning with love for the Creator, they glorify: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts, fill heaven and earth with Your glory."

The composition is crowned by an environment without a lower segment - “The Sky of Heavens”, where three six-winged angels bless Sabaoth. The Holy Spirit emitted by him descends like a dove on the head of the Mother of God, who raised her palms in prayer. The Creator is enclosed in a radiant halo, inscribed with the words of a prayer for the sending down of divine radiance.

Surrounded by clouds, with the holy spirit on his chest in the form of a meek dove, the Lord sits on a rainbow symbolizing hope for people and its foot — a fiery angel with majestically spread wings.

The sacred pictorial plot is as if filled with radiance. At the same time, it is one of the most difficult isographic compositions: the unprepared have to “read” it. That is, the rational principle should speak too strongly, drowning out the immediacy of religious perception.

But the geometric organization of the artistic space is immediately evident: a sphere enclosed in a triangle formed by circles-dots with images of the evangelists and Sabaoth. And these geometric figures are widely universal: the sacred meaning from a variety of spiritual practices is too easily placed in them. For example, the Egyptian eye of Ra, or the third eye of the supreme Hindu deity Shiva, is quite familiar to a modern educated person.

How does prayer help in front of the icon "The All-Seeing Eye of God"

Traditional prayers and doxology are not assigned to this plot of Christian painting. It is the inner aspiration of the one who prays that comes first: the appeal must be, first of all, sincere, coming from the heart.

In grief or joy, with a request or gratitude, the face allows you to speak with the Creator as if He is looking directly at you at that moment.

Conclusion

Even if non-canonical, the face does not disagree with the words of the Gospel, which ascribes sight and omniscience to the Lord. So why superstitiously be afraid and notice primarily Masonic influence? Wouldn't it be better to pay tribute to another attempt of human consciousness to approach the incomprehensible perfection of the Creator?

Number of entries: 327

Hello. My wife made me swear on the icon of St. George the Victorious that I did not cheat on her, although we are not married. I decided not to utter the word I swear, distorted the word, and said "I swear that I did not cheat", knowing that swearing is bad. Is it a sin? Please advise.

Grisha

Hello Gregory! No matter how you change the word, the essence of the action does not change. The Holy Scripture says: “Do not swear at all: neither by heaven, because it is the throne of God; nor the earth, for it is His footstool; nor Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King; do not swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. But let your word be: yes, yes; no no; but what is more than this is from the evil one” (Matt. 5:33-37). Therefore, it is a sin to swear oneself or to force another to swear. You should bring repentance in confession and try to trust each other more. Help you Lord!

Priest Vladimir Shlykov

Hello! Please tell me, the icon of the Mother of God "IMPRESSABLE DOOR" - there is very little information about it, the date of glorification, and is it generally canonical? Save me, God

Victor

Dear Victor, there really is not much information on the icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary "Impassable Gates". The icon is known from the 17th century. There is nothing non-canonical in the image itself, however, there are many superstitions around the veneration of this icon, as well as around many other icons, for example, it is used as a "talisman" to protect the home, which is completely unacceptable. In general, I would recommend that you, if you have this icon, then read it on a par with others, but you don’t specifically need to look for it “for the collection”. God bless you!

Archpriest Andrey Efanov

On which side should the icon of Jesus stand?

Anna

Anna, I do not quite understand the question. What does "which side" mean? In relation to what? By the way, we must say in full: Jesus Christ. The word Christ is usually omitted by Catholics and Western Christians, which is wrong.

Hieromonk Viktorin (Aseev)

Good afternoon, tell me please, I bought the icon of the All-Seeing Eye of God, I read on the Internet that it is non-canonical, many have different opinions, what is the attitude of the church towards it?

Olga

Dear Olga! Not so long ago, Priest Vladimir Shlykov answered a question about this icon. We repeat his answer for you: "... The fate of the icon" The All-Seeing Eye of God "in the Russian Orthodox Church is very difficult. In Russian iconography, this plot appears relatively late - only at the end of the 18th century. It was in the 18th century that it penetrated into Russia, and even entered Freemasonry came into fashion, with its symbols and paraphernalia.One of the main symbols of Freemasonry is the "All-Seeing Eye". By the beginning of the 19th century, this image was gaining some distribution already as an independent icon, although it did not become canonical. its form is more like a graphic image for oriental meditation. In modern spiritual practice, this image is used with pleasure by occultists. A large number of references on the Internet relating to this name refer to magic, the development of "psychic" abilities and similar "miracles". Therefore, I do not I recommend that you place the All-Seeing Eye icon at the center of your spiritual and prayer life... Priest Vladimir Shlykov." Sincerely, the editors of the site "Law of God"

The editors of the site "Law of God"

What to do with the icon after the funeral if it was kept at home?

Svetlana

Svetlana, icons are sacred objects, they should always be in our home. Leave this icon with you and pray in front of it. Icons bring only good, and it doesn’t matter if they are after the funeral or from the church.

Hieromonk Viktorin (Aseev)

Good afternoon! I wear a consecrated golden cross, I want to acquire a golden icon of the Mother of God. Can you please tell me if they can be worn at the same time, and if so, how is it better - on the same chain or on different ones?

Julia

Hello Julia! Wearing a pectoral cross on the chest is the duty of every Christian. And the icon can be worn together with a cross at will and in a way that suits you: you can use one chain, you can use different ones.

Priest Vladimir Shlykov

Bless, father. What icon is better to hang in the kitchen?

Nina

Nina, you can hang any icon in the kitchen, but usually we hang the icon of the Savior in the kitchen. We read the prayer "Our Father" before eating, and therefore the icon of the Savior is the best.

Hieromonk Viktorin (Aseev)

Father, tell me, please, I wanted to buy a silver icon and engrave it (with my initials) on the back, and later give it to my godchildren. Is it possible to do so?

Maxim

Hello Maxim! Better bless the godchildren with an icon without an inscription. An icon is not a postcard or a photograph to put your initials on it.

Priest Vladimir Shlykov

Hello. I want to make a goddess in the house. What icons are better to put?

Konstantin

Hello Konstantin! Place icons of the Savior and the Mother of God, as well as icons of saints who are especially revered in your family.

Priest Vladimir Shlykov

Hello! I was born on August 28th. Once in the church, an employee told me that I should not celebrate my birthday on this day, since it is the day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Is she right? And can I embroider the icon "Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary" and where to hang this icon in the house? Thank you.

Svetlana.

Svetlana, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the Great Twelfth Feast, and we celebrate this day. This is the end of the Dormition Fast, and, of course, you can celebrate your birthday on this day. For some reason, some believe that this is a day of mourning, but this is not so, this is a false understanding of the holiday. Take it easy on your birthday. Icons need to be embroidered with the blessing of the priest, go to the temple and ask. You can hang it where it is convenient for you to pray.

Hieromonk Viktorin (Aseev)

Hello! How to properly venerate the Shroud? Can only kiss the Gospel and feet, but not hands, because we are too sinful and unworthy to kiss hands? I looked on the Internet - it’s different there: some say that you can kiss your hands, others that you can’t in any case. I used to kiss my hands too - have I sinned and do I need to repent at confession?

Tatyana

Hello Tatiana! By tradition, they kiss the Gospel and the feet of the Savior. The most important thing is not to kiss the face. If something confuses you, it is better to say about it in confession.

Priest Vladimir Shlykov

Hello. Tell me, please, before which icon can I pray for the right choice of a spouse?

Tatyana

Hello Tatiana! First, lift up your prayer to God. Here is the maiden’s prayer for marriage: “Oh, all-good Lord, I know that my great happiness depends on me loving You with all my soul and with all my heart, and on fulfilling Your holy will in everything. , with my soul and fill my heart: I want to please You alone, for You are the Creator and my God. Save me from pride and self-love: let reason, modesty and chastity adorn me. Idleness is disgusting to You and gives rise to vices, give me a desire for diligence And bless my labours. Since Your Law commands people to live in an honest marriage, then lead me, Holy Father, to this title sanctified by You, not to please my desire, but to fulfill Your predestination, for You Yourself said: it is not good for a man to be alone and, having created a wife for him as a helper, blessed them to grow, multiply and inhabit the earth. Hear my humble prayer, from the depths of a girl's heart sent to you; give me an honest and pious spouse, so that we are in love with him and in harmony with glorify you, merciful God: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and forever and ever. Amen. " According to tradition, they pray for a successful marriage to the holy blessed Xenia of Petersburg and Matrona of Moscow, as well as the Great Martyr Catherine and the holy reverend princes Peter and Fevronia of Murom. You can also pray to other saints who are closer to your heart.

Priest Vladimir Shlykov

Hello! I heard that the Ostrobramsk Icon of the Mother of God should be hung over the front door of a dwelling - is that so? Can you please tell me where to hang it? Can it be hung next to the door?

Gennady

Gennady, the icon of the Mother of God can be hung in the house in any room or in the kitchen, and of course, you can hang it above the front door. But usually above the front door we hang an Orthodox cross or a sticker with the image of a cross, which is pasted during the consecration of the apartment.

Hieromonk Viktorin (Aseev)

Hello. My name is Ekaterina. Please tell me, is it allowed if the icons are opposite the sofa on which my husband and I sleep? If not, in what corner of the room should they be moved? We haven't been able to have a baby for a long time. Could this be related?

Ekaterina

Ekaterina, icons should be in every room and in the kitchen. Icons can hang on the wall opposite your sofa, and you don’t need to associate this with your problems in any way. You can make a prayer corner in the house, it will be even better. Choose a corner where it will be more convenient for you, and pray there together for all your needs. Pray to the Mother of God Feodorovskaya, the patroness of the family. She is also prayed for the birth of children. You can pray to Saints Joachim and Anna. Prayer Hear us, Merciful and Almighty God, may Thy grace be sent down by our prayer. Be merciful, Lord, to our prayer, remember Your Law on the multiplication of the human race and be a merciful Patron, so that by Your help the established by You will be preserved. By Your powerful power You created everything out of nothing and laid the foundation for everything in the world that exists - You also created man in Your image and sanctified the union of matrimony and the foreknowledge of the mystery of Christ's unity with the Church with a high mystery. Look, Merciful, upon Your servants (names), united by marriage and begging for Your help, may Your mercy be upon them, may they be fruitful and may they see the son of their sons even to the third and fourth generation and live to the desired old age and will enter the kingdom of heaven through our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom all glory, honor and worship is due with the Holy Spirit forever.

Hieromonk Viktorin (Aseev)

Good afternoon! Happy Easter! And my question is this: is it possible to place an icon over a mirror in the hallway? Thank you in advance for your response!

Natalia

Natalia, icons should be in every room and in the kitchen. Icons do not have to be placed on a shelf, they can be hung on the wall in a convenient place. If there is no other place, then, I think, an icon can be hung above the mirror in the hallway.

Hieromonk Viktorin (Aseev)

Hello, I swore on the icon and did not keep my word, what should I do now?

Galina

Galina, the Holy Scripture says that we should not take oaths at all, "do not swear either by heaven or by earth." In itself, your action is already sinful, because you began to take an oath, and even more so, on the icon. I don’t know what kind of oath you took, but in any case, you must definitely repent of this in the church with the priest, and tell him everything in detail, then he will tell you what to do. For the future - never swear by anything or anyone. Everything will be fine

Hieromonk Viktorin (Aseev)

It is rather difficult to understand the meaning of the All-Seeing Eye icon, this mystical Orthodox icon. But this symbol has been used since ancient times not only in Christianity, but in many religions of countries and peoples. The mysterious symbolism carries a deep meaning and we hope you will be interested in following its meaning with us in different cultures and eras.

Symbolizes omniscience, the all-seeing eye, the ability to intuitive vision. The eye represents all the solar gods, who have the fertilizing power of the sun, which is embodied in the god-king.

All-Seeing Eye of God Meaning

Meaning of the All-Seeing Eye of God. Plato calls the eye the main solar instrument. On the one hand, it is the mystical eye, light, illumination, knowledge, mind, vigilance, protection, stability and purposefulness, but on the other hand, the limitation of the visible. Ten thousand heavenly eyes are the stars, the eyes of the night, personifying omniscience, vigilant vigilance.

In relation to ritual architecture, the eye is a heavenly opening in the vault of a temple, cathedral, building, or any other traditionally created center of the world, which is a solar door that opens access to the heavenly worlds.

The eye of the heart is a sign of spiritual insight, intellectual intuition. The eye can also represent an androgyne, formed from an oval female symbol and a round male symbol. One eye can symbolize evil, as in the example of the Cyclops and the destroying monsters. The eye in the center of the triangle is the all-seeing eye of the Lord, a symbol of omniscience and omnipresence.

In the West the right eye means the sun, day and future, the left eye the moon, night and past.

In the East the situation is reversed. The symbolism of the eye can take on a pheasant feather.

The American Indians the eye of the heart sees everything. It is the eye of the Great Spirit and omniscience.

Buddhists The eye symbolizes light and wisdom. The third eye of the Buddha, the flaming pearl, is spiritual consciousness and transcendental wisdom.

In the Celtic epic the evil eye, symbolizing evil intentions and envy, is opposed to a good heart, nobility and compassion.

In Chinese and Japanese symbols the left eye is the sun, the right eye is the moon.

In Christianity the eye symbolizes the all-seeing God, omniscience, strength, light. The light of the body is the eye (Matt. 6:22). The seven eyes of the Apocalypse are the seven spirits of God. The eye in the triangle represents the Head of God; and in a triangle surrounded by a radiant circle, her infinite holiness. The eyes are the emblem of Saints Lucy and Haute Tilia.

Egyptians the eye has an extremely complex symbolism - the Eye of Horus, Atshet, the all-seeing. It was supposed to be the North Star and a symbol of illumination, the eye of the mind. The eye and eyebrow of Horus signify strength and power. The two winged eyes are North and South as the two divisions of the heavens, the Sun and the Moon, the celestial space. The right eye is the Sun, Ra and Osiris, the left eye is the Moon and Isis. The eye of Pa is also Uraeus. The Eye of Horus could be associated with the moon and its phases and, at the same time, symbolize offerings to the gods in temples.

In Ancient Greece the eye symbolizes Apollo, the observer of the heavens, the Sun, which is also the eye of Zeus (Jupiter).

Indians the third eye of Shiva (the pearl in the middle of the forehead) represents spiritual consciousness, transcendental wisdom. The eye of Varuna is the sun.

In Iranian mythology The Good Shepherd Yima possesses the solar eye and the secret of immortality.

In Islam the eye of the heart is the spiritual center, the seat of absolute intelligence and enlightenment.

Japanese the right eye of Iza-naga gave birth to the god of the moon.

Among the peoples of Oceania the sun is a big eyeball. Plato believed that the soul has an eye, and the Truth is visible to it alone.

In Sumero-Semitic mythology the eye represents the Lord of the Sacred Eye of Ea or Enki, where it symbolizes wisdom, omniscience, wakefulness.

Phoenicians Kronos had two open and two closed eyes, which means constant wakefulness.

The All-Seeing Eye is a complex symbolic and allegorical composition in icon painting, symbolizing the All-Seeing God. Appears in Russian iconography from the end of the 18th century under Western influence.
Also, the All-Seeing Eye can be called the symbolic image of the All-Seeing Eye of God, inscribed in a triangle - a symbol of the Trinity.

Eye of Ra, the main deity of the ancient Egyptians, also called the Eye of Horus (Wajet)

Goddess of Wisdom Isis and Two Eyes God Horus.
the picture symbolizes the unity of the male and female principles of the universe

What does the icon of the All-Seeing Eye mean?

What does the icon of the All-Seeing Eye mean? The Egyptian symbol, a painted image of an eye with a spiral line under it, is the emblem of the falcon-headed sky god Horus, a symbol of both his all-seeing power and the unity of the cosmos, the integrity of the universe. In the Western tradition, the right eye is considered a symbol of the active and solar principle, and the left one is passive and lunar (a system opposite to the Eastern tradition).

According to ancient Egyptian myth, the lunar eye of Horus was torn out by Set in the battle for supremacy among the gods, but after the victory of Horus in this battle, it grew again. This myth has become the reason for the extreme popularity of the eye of Horus as an amulet to ward off evil. The eye was also often depicted or carved on Egyptian tombstones - to help the dead in the afterlife. Images of eyes with wings in ancient Egyptian iconography also denoted north and south.

Heavenly eye of god Horus

Alchemical woodcut showing the all-seeing eye of God floating in the sky

The mystical third eye, sometimes called the "eye of the heart", symbolizes spiritual vision, which in different religions is associated with different concepts: in Hinduism with the power of Shiva and the synthesizing power of fire; in Buddhism - with inner vision; in Islam - with supernatural clairvoyance. The third eye depicted on Shiva's forehead is also called the inner eye.

The Christian version of the Eye of Providence, enclosed in a triangle, symbolizing the Trinity.

The All-Seeing Eye of Aachen Cathedral

The All-Seeing Eye adorns the bronze bas-relief on the pedestal of the Alexander Column. It is located at the top of the bas-relief of the front side of the pedestal (facing the Winter Palace) surrounded by an oak wreath.

THE ALL-SEEING EYE OF GOD is one of the most complex symbolic iconographic compositions: the Lord is likened to the sun, as a source of light, and the method of Divine guidance is the eye.

The circle is the first, central, with four rays emanating from it, ending behind a large circle with images of the evangelists or their symbols.

The second circle represents, as it were, the face of a person, on which four eyes, a nose and a mouth are placed. The inscription around the circumference: "My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior."

Above the second circle is depicted with raised hands the Mother of God. And the third circle is intersected by many dense rays emanating from the center of the main one - the Sun of Truth-Jesus Christ, to the right and left of which it is written: "Set my eyes on the faithful lands and with you."

The inscription on the circumference: "The coal of Isaiah manifest the sun from the Virgin's womb, ascending in the darkness, giving enlightenment to the erring prudence."

The fourth circle, the largest, depicts a starry sky with three seraphim and inscriptions: “Seraphim is the word of God,” or there are four angels in this circle, of which two are below with scrolls.

The whole icon is crowned with a circle, truncated at the bottom, in which the “Sky of heavens” is personified with three seraphim in it, surrounding the Lord of hosts, blessing with both hands; The Holy Spirit, emanating from Him, descends in the form of a dove on the head of the Virgin.

The figure of God the Father below is partly closed and surrounded by a halo, along the edges of which there is an inscription: "God from heaven of his radiance vouchsafe me." On the entire circumference of the fourth circle is the inscription: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts, fulfill heaven and earth with Thy glory." The Lord, surrounded by clouds, sits on a rainbow, a seraphim with outstretched wings serves as his foot; on the chest of the Lord is the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove.

At the corners - four circles of evangelists, from the third circle - for the fourth; on the circles - names and interpretations: Matthew is written by an angel, the ambassador of the Lord; Marco is written orlim, fly to heaven; Luke is written by Telchim, Mir; John is written as a lion, lay in the tomb.

THE ALL-SEEING EYE OF GOD 2004, Ivan Dymov Wood, gesso, tempera, oil.

The eye (in a triangle or oval) was indeed found in ancient Byzantine iconography (there are examples of the 6th century) and was a symbol of God's omniscience. Some knights (in particular, the Templars, that is, the templars - the guardians of the Holy Sepulcher), he was taken as a certain symbol of "knowledge" or "knowledge".

That is why, since the XII century. began to appear on some Western icons of the Holy Trinity. From there he moved on to some icons in Russian churches in the 18th century. And it was also referred to as the "All-Seeing Eye". However, from the Templars, this sign passed into various Masonic (even before the Grand Lodge of France, which explains its appearance on the dollar bill), and in the 20th century - into occult symbolism.

In Christianity, the "All-Seeing Eye" is a non-canonical, albeit enduring, image of Christian iconography. This symbol is also called the "Watching eye of the Lord." It is an image of an eye in a triangle, from which rays emanate.

All-seeing eye on the dollar

The eye in the triangle was used as an emblem by the magical society of Aleister Crowley, the Order of the Eastern Temple, Masonic lodges, Vietnamese Buddhists, Theosophists, Rosicrucians, etc. The All-Seeing Eye is depicted on the Great Seal of the United States and on the one dollar bill.

His images are quite frequent on pectoral crosses, both Orthodox and other denominations, placed in the upper part of the cross (as if crowning it). It is also found in temple architecture and decoration (in ceiling paintings, altar decorations along with the dove of the Holy Spirit, on ripids, etc.).

Of these images, perhaps the most famous is the pediment of the Kazan Cathedral in St. Petersburg. It appeared in Russia in the 18th century, along with other Masonic symbols and paraphernalia, and was especially popular during the reign of Alexander II. Together with the motto "NOT TO US, NOT TO US, BUT TO YOUR NAME" was placed on a variety of objects, for example, medals for participants in the war of 1812 ...

It is also found in non-canonical images of the so-called. "New Testament Trinity" as a separate element, since the triangle framing the eye is interpreted in Christianity as a symbol of the Trinity. The most ancient version of this symbol is with the Egyptian "Eye of Ra" (right), which denotes God. It is he who is originally meant to be placed in a triangle ... ".

Sevastopol, Museum of the Black Sea Fleet.

Medal of Elizabeth Petrovna

Medal for the Coronation of Catherine II, 1762

medal for the coronation of Nicholas I

Medal of Catherine II 1766.

War against Napoleon 1812

Medal "For the Capture of Paris"

medal of Nicholas the First of 1849 "For the pacification of Hungary and Transylvania"

For the defense of Sevastopol

Grand Duke Nikolai Alexandrovich

St. Stephen's Catholic Cathedral in Vienna.

Lutheran Church in St. Petersburg

Georgievsky Hall of the Kremlin

Mining Institute in St. Petersburg

The most important symbol of the Masonic temple is the all-seeing eye or Radiant Delta. The Radiant Delta is usually located in the eastern part of the temple, and on both sides of it are the Sun (closer to the south) and the Moon (closer to the north). Radiant

Delta is a triangle with an eye placed inside it - a sign of enlightenment or the principle of consciousness, otherwise, the all-seeing eye B:. WITH:. V:., constantly present at all the works of the lodge, creating the energy of the presence of V:. WITH:. AT:. when carrying out ritual work, constant radiation is the affirmation of being.

The mathematical point, which has no dimensions, but is everywhere, fills the infinity of space. It is also a symbol of awareness and attention, moreover, mutual attention, the attention that B: shows. WITH:. AT:. to each of the brethren, and the attention which each brethren should show toward the world.

The radiant Delta reminds us that each Mason has his own Masonic star, which shines in his labors and guides him in his search. Radiant Delta - the main Masonic symbol of the first degree, the degree of the student.

In the photo, the All-seeing eye on the dollar:

Reverse of the Great Seal of the United States

In 1782, the Eye of Providence was adopted as part of the reverse side of the Great Seal of the United States. On the seal, the Eye is surrounded by the words "Annuit Cœptis" meaning "it is favorable to our undertakings".

It is placed above an unfinished pyramid with thirteen levels, traditionally symbolizing the 13 states that were originally part of the United States and the future growth of the country. The general meaning is that the Eye, or God, approves of the prosperity of the United States. Perhaps due to its use in the design of the Great Seal, the eye is widely used in other American seals and emblems.

Not very traditional in style and composition, icons that are the result of folk religious reflection are of great interest today to both collectors of antique religious paintings and museums that use them as exhibits of permanent and non-permanent exhibitions.

Such icons become topics of scientific work and are popular in discussions at various forums and conferences. One of these images (namely the icon "All-Seeing Eye") will be the topic for this article.

Origin of the icon

This image is an amazing example of how folk art in the field of religion has become an example of such a serious discussion and a product in demand in the cult.

The icon "The All-Seeing Eye" appeared for the first time in the Vladimir lands from under the brush of local masters. Accordingly, the first and earliest samples are sustained in the traditions of Vladimir icon painting. This is really a very simple and at the same time beautiful composition.

Its complexity lies in the symbolism that it carries, since, firstly, it is somewhat at odds with the concept of canonical iconography in the area concerning the method of presenting symbolic keys.

And secondly, being a relatively remake (the image first appeared about three hundred years ago, that is, at the time of the sunset of the traditions of Russian icon painting), the icon "The All-Seeing Eye" contains the conceptual meaning of the author, which from the outside can be interpreted ambiguously.

Performance traditions

The traditional image we are talking about is executed in ocher tones traditional for the Vladimir school. The composition of the icon is unusual, which testifies to the author's desire to convey through external simplicity all the power and depth of the image.

The All-Seeing Eye icon is one of the most mysterious images full of mysteries. On this basis, as expected, a lot of conjectures and various kinds of assumptions are born, from quite convincing versions to phantasmagoric hypotheses that can compete in their sharpness with the best examples of conspiracy theories.

However, the image really attracts attention and makes you immerse yourself in it, concentrating on hidden meanings. His mysticism and mystery ensured him popularity among believers, even despite the rejection of a significant part of the clergy.

Description of the icon

The main image consists of circles inscribed in each other in accordance with a special scheme. The central place is given to the sphere, in the space of which four eyes, a nose and a mouth are depicted.

Of the anthropomorphic figures on the icon, there are at least three at once - the Savior in the tradition of the Savior Emmanuel, the Mother of God - something in between the image of Oranta and the Intercession, as well as the figure of God the Father, the Lord of Hosts, which, by the way, generally cannot be depicted.

All of them are located in different circles, so that the Icon “The All-Seeing Eye”, the meaning of which in general is reduced to the concept of omniscience, omniscience and foresight of God, acquires a peculiar volume and certain theological accents.

Admirers of the image insist that with its long contemplation, a dome effect arises, which changes consciousness to some extent and slightly opens the door to the spiritual world for those who pray. In addition, if you peer into the icon with a calm mind in even lighting, then the effect of rotation of the spheres will soon appear.

The icon "The All-Seeing Eye" also acquires its significance due to the general consistency of all its elements - their coloristic and compositional harmony. She inspires a person looking at her that God constantly sees through every person, knows all his thoughts, feelings, words and deeds, both good and bad.

The four never-sleeping eyes, as it were, symbolize this constant silent observation, encourage the believer to practice unceasing walking in God's presence.

Image history

If you delve into the history of the image in more detail, you can find out that it first appeared in the 18th century, as it is believed, under the influence of Western art.

Initially, if historical evidence does not lie, it was applied under the dome of the temple. Actually, the composition that we see on the icon is a representation of the architecture of the cross-domed church from the point of view of observing it from the lower center under the dome, as if the gaze were directed upwards.

A little later, the widespread patterns of icons became so popular that the icon of the “All-Seeing Eye” of God in the house became quite a common thing.

Modern distribution

Once popular, this type of iconography is extremely rare today. Such icons are extremely difficult to find in churches and even buy in a church shop.

This situation is aggravated by the fact that many clergy consider this image not quite canonical and warn their flock against being carried away by it.

Icon "All-seeing eye": where to place in the house

Nevertheless, in an era of rapid technological progress and the availability of the Internet, nothing is impossible. You can easily buy such an icon on the Internet.

It can be relatively cheap, printed on paper, or expensive, written by a real master of icon painting. There is, however, one question that worries those who already have the All-Seeing Eye icon.

Where to hang this image? Because for some reason not everyone can put it on a par with the usual icons, either because of its unusualness, or because of some special expectation.

The answer will be the simplest - it is worth hanging this icon where it will be visible to you and thus can have the proper effect - to remind you of the omnipresence of God and his omniscience. If you are going to contemplate it for long periods of time, then it is better to position the image so that you yourself are comfortable working with it.

Prayer before the icon "The All-Seeing Eye of God"

The Lord God is omnipotent, and therefore you can turn to Him with prayer for any need and sorrow, whether it be requests for health or happiness, for spiritual enlightenment, for settling hostility and conflicts, for help in any undertakings and for blessing in doing important things.

It is only necessary to remember that no matter what the pilgrims cry to the Almighty, their prayer must be sincere, pure, zealous and ardent.

Since special prayers and akathists have not been established for the icon of the All-Seeing Eye, traditional prayers to the Savior, the Mother of God and the Lord God can be used.

Prayer to our Lord Jesus Christ

Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos

My Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos, with Thy holy and all-powerful prayers, banish from me, the mere (oh) and damned (oh) servant (s) of Thy (her), now, oblivion, ignorance, negligence, and all the filthy, crafty and blasphemous thoughts from the okyanna my heart and from my darkened mind; extinguish the flame of my passions, for I am poor (a) and cursed (nna). And deliver me from many and fierce memories and troubles, and free me from all evil actions. As if you are blessed from all generations, and Your honorable name is glorified forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer to the Holy Trinity

Having risen from sleep, I thank Thee, Holy Trinity, for many, for the sake of Thy goodness and long-suffering, have not been angry with me, lazy and sinful (th), below have destroyed me with my iniquities; but you usually loved mankind and in the hopelessness of the lying one raised me up, in a hedgehog to mat my mental eyes, open my mouth to learn Thy words, and understand Thy commandments, and do Thy will, and sing Thee in confession of the heart, and sing of Thy All-Holy Name, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer to the Holy Guardian Angel

O holy angel, my good guardian and patron! With a contrite heart and a painful soul, I stand before you, praying: hear me, your sinful servant (the name of the rivers), with a strong cry and a bitter cry crying out; do not remember my iniquities and untruths, with them, as a cursed one, I anger you for all days and hours, and I create abomination to myself before our Creator Lord; appear to me mercifully and do not leave me filthy even until my death; Awaken me from the sleep of sin and help with your prayers the rest of my life to pass without a blemish and create fruits worthy of repentance, moreover, keep me from the mortal falls of sin, lest I perish in despair and lest the enemy rejoice over my death. I truly and confess my lips, as no one is such a friend and intercessor, protector and champion, like you, holy angel: standing before the Throne of the Lord, pray for me indecent and more than all the sinners, so that the Blessings of my soul will not be taken away on the day of my hopelessness and on the day creations of evil. Do not stop, therefore, propitiating the most merciful Lord and my God, may he forgive my sins, even if I have done it in my whole life, deed, word and all my feelings, and save me by fate; may he punish me here according to His inexpressible mercy, but may he not convict and torture me onamo according to His impartial justice; let me be vouchsafed to bring repentance, with repentance, Divine Communion is worthy of acceptance, I pray for this more, and I sincerely wish such a gift. In the terrible hour of death, be relentless, my good guardian, driving away the dark demons that have the power to frighten my trembling soul: protect me from those trappings, when the imam passes through the air ordeal, let us keep you, I will comfortably reach paradise, which I desire, where the faces of the saints and heavenly forces incessantly praise the all-honorable and magnificent name in the Trinity of the glorious God, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, to whom honor and worship befits forever and ever. Amen.

All-Seeing Eye of God

Russian scientist Alexander Vinogradov wrote about the icon "The All-Seeing Eye of God":

"The depiction of a double human face in the form of four or two eyes, one nose and lips no doubt indicates a close convergence of the elemental sun and the Spiritual Sun - Jesus Christ the God-man, in both of which the macrocosm and microcosm are together, for man is a small image of a great image - the world" .

The symbolic face is surrounded by the figures of the four evangelists: these are the four elements, the four cardinal directions, and - if you like - the four human temperaments. Well, the starry sky, against which Christ is depicted, does not need interpretation: this is the "Sky of heavens", the kingdom of goodness, truth, beauty.

The icon expresses the idea of the omniscience of the Lord, who is likened to the sun as a source of light, and the way of Divine knowledge - to our highest organ - the eye.

The icon depicts a circle concentrically composed of three or four circles:

I) The circle is the first, central, the smallest, with four rays emanating from it, ending behind the large circle with images of the evangelists or their symbols.
II) The second, larger circle represents, as it were, the face of a person, on which 4 eyes, a nose and a mouth are placed. The inscription on the circumference: "My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior."
III) Above the second circle and the inscription, the Mother of God is depicted with raised hands. The third circle is intersected by many dense rays emanating from the center of the main Sun of Truth - Jesus Christ, to the right and left of which it is written: "Set my eyes on the faithful earth and with you." The inscription on the circumference: "The coal of Isaiah manifest the sun from the Virgin's womb, ascending in the darkness, giving enlightenment to the erring prudence."
IV) The fourth circle, the largest, depicts the starry sky with three seraphim and inscriptions on the circle opposite them: “Seraphim is the word God”, or 4 angels are depicted, of which two have scrolls below.

Above the third circle and the head of the Virgin, the entire icon is crowned with a circle truncated at the bottom, in which the “Heaven of heavens” is personified with three seraphim in it, surrounding the Lord of hosts, blessing with both hands; The Holy Spirit, emanating from Him, descends in the form of a dove on the head of the Virgin.