The icon of the Mother of God "Education" is a very ancient miraculous image of the Virgin Mary, which came to Russia from Byzantium. However, no further information about this event is known to date. The image was called "Education", as it was usually addressed with requests for help in instructing children. It is rarely found in Russian churches and there is practically no new information about it.
Description and meaning
On the image of the Mother of God, called "Education", the Queen of Heaven holds the seated baby Jesus with her left hand. The child stretches his right hand up to the face of the Mother of God (in some images, the Infant stretches out both palms). The face of the Mother of God expresses tenderness, and she is addressed not only to the Divine Infant, but to the entire human race. She also points with her free hand at the Son.
The figure of the Virgin Mary is dressed in a dark red maforium with three stars (one of them is hidden from the worshipers by the Infant). The edges of the clothes are decorated with a golden border. The robe of Jesus is a cloak-like fabric, which many consider as a prototype of the shroud (a reminder of future suffering). Part of the chest is left naked (in some cases it is completely open, as a symbol of the denial of everything worldly).
Despite the general asceticism of the first Byzantine icons, it is this image that is distinguished by airiness and solemnity. The icon painter achieved this result thanks to light lines and a sophisticated palette. The iconographic type of the image is Hodegetria (“Guidebook”).
The icon is extremely important for an Orthodox person, because throughout his earthly life, Jesus gave a blessing so that parents could bring children and bring babies who, from the beginning of life, could hear the Word of God, cultivating wisdom in their hearts. At the same time, He mentioned that the Kingdom of God will open only to those who themselves will be like a child.
Location
The source of the icon of the Mother of God "Education" before the revolution (until 1917) was the property of the Kazan Cathedral (Moscow's Red Square), but after the temple was destroyed, there was no more mention of it. Today, the restored Kazan Cathedral keeps an exact copy of the image. This list has miraculous powers, just like the original image.
Another copy is in the cathedral of the village of Nekrasovka (near Moscow), built not so long ago and named after the icon "Education". It was placed instead of the temporary temple of Sergius of Radonezh. Some difficulties arose during the execution of documents for the construction, but after a prayer service in front of the patron image of the temple, they were resolved. When the new church was opened, the parish grew so much that it required the construction of a new temple complex.
What to pray for
As mentioned earlier, the main motive for turning to the “Education” icon is to teach children, to make sure that they grow up as believers and pious, gain intelligence, and fill their hearts with wisdom. Some prayers dedicated to her contain a request that unreasonable children be taken under the protection of the Mother of God, that is, under her protection. For this image, there is even a short prayer of its own: “I entrust my child entirely to my Lord Jesus Christ and Yours, Most Pure, heavenly patronage.”
There is another version of the prayer intended for the Virgin. It allows you to ask to take care of all your children (of any age and even those who have not yet been born) and show them the path of spiritual salvation. But we must not forget that in addition to teaching our children, one must also learn from them, otherwise one cannot be worthy of the Kingdom of God.
According to Elder Ambrose, parental prayer is endowed with special power. For this reason, it should not be neglected. It is necessary to pray with zeal, without ceasing to believe that the Lord will lead the child along the right path, and the Mother of God will protect him from dangers. The clergy believe that it is equally important that the child himself learn to pray for his salvation, starting from a very early age. Well, if he gets his own small icon of the Mother of God "Education" , before which in solitude he will pray.
The formation of a highly moral and culturally enlightened personality has long been the highest foundation that has always guided and continues to guide young Russian Orthodox families in the process of raising their children. Manifesting a humane attitude towards elders, providing the necessary assistance and support to those in need, are important human deeds that children should be taught to do from an early age.
That is why the icon of the Mother of God "Education" is one of the most revered sacred images in Russia. After all, it is she who, with the help of her unique miraculous properties, helps people to properly educate their young talent.
History reference
According to the preserved historical information, the main place of origin of the icon is considered to be the largest state - Byzantium. From there, later, she was taken straight to Russia, taking her place in the Kazan Cathedral. Later, after a series of destructive and illegal actions that were actively taken during the revolution of 1917, the building of the cathedral was badly destroyed. And along with this, the original image of the icon of the Mother of God was completely lost. Subsequently, he was never found.
However, later, behind the place of the main shrine, in the same place, a list of the stolen icon was installed, which was recreated as accurately as possible. It clearly shows the Mother of God, holding her little son, Jesus Christ, with her left hand. The baby himself directs his right hand towards the mother. It should also be noted that along with the Kazan icon, in Russia there are other prototypes of it, which have the same miraculous properties.
What helps the icon "Education"
It is believed that the icon "Education" is essential for the development of healthy and happy offspring.
According to church beliefs, she endows every young creature with such moral and highly moral qualities as the ability to understand, love, empathize and sympathize.
In the future, their reflection will be directly manifested in the performance of good and significant deeds for society.
In addition, in the lives of many families, sometimes such sad circumstances occur, the consequences of which can cause serious mental trauma to parents and other relatives. Their manifestations may affect health problems, or the commission of any illegal acts, under the influence of which someone's children were. But even despite all of the above, people can still turn to the Mother of God for help, counting on her further support. After all, the icon of the Mother of God "Education" helps to maintain health and ensure the safety of growing children, guiding them only along the right path of life.
Prayer icon
In order for the patron saint to be able to fully hear all the prayers uttered by people, it is necessary to turn to her, having previously learned the words of the akathist to this icon .
During their use, people have to sing while standing.
It should be remembered that during the performance of the akathist to the icon of the Mother of God "Education", Orthodox believers are required to mention a number of praises that are dedicated to the Mother of God. The lyrics of the song begin with " Rejoice."
It is always worth remembering that caring for children is a vital duty to be carried out by those who have been for a long time. However, in the process of socialization, on the life path of a growing talent, something can happen that is sometimes beyond the control and attention of parents. And only then, the only salvation is prayer in front of the icon of education, which must be pronounced with true faith in true well-being.
Her words are as follows:
Oh, Blessed Lady Virgin Mother of God, save and save under Your shelter my children (names), all the youths, maidens and babies, baptized and nameless, and carried in the womb of the Mother. Cover them with the robe of Your Motherhood, keep them in the fear of God and obedience to your parents, implore my Lord and Your Son, may He grant them useful things for their salvation. I entrust them to Your Motherly care, as You are the Divine protection of Your servants.
The church akathist Education was written in honor of the image of the Most Holy Theotokos of the same name, which has recently become widespread. The Orthodox icon of the Mother of God Education became famous throughout Russia for its miracles. One of the miraculous lists of this shrine before the revolution was in the Kazan Cathedral on Red Square, but disappeared without a trace. There is an opinion that the list was rediscovered and again decorates the cathedral. She holds Jesus Christ on her left hand, carefully pressing Him to her.
Reading the Orthodox akathist Education in front of the icon of the Mother of God, parents ask for help from the Most Pure for their children, in their upbringing. Optina Elder Ambrose, instructing parents in the proper upbringing of their children, told them that in order to give children a good Christian upbringing, they must be brought up in the fear of God, instill in them the Orthodox concept and protect them from thoughts alien to the Orthodox Church. Calling in Akathist Education The Most Pure Mother of God, "the educator, brought up in the holy of holies", the parents ask Her to free their children from all troubles, and also, "fill their hearts with heavenly wisdom."
The meaning of the akathist Education
Nowadays, not only the family and school play an important role in the upbringing of children. Not the last place in this difficult, and sometimes not rewarding task, plays and. The task of modern parents is to teach their child to measure their actions with God's laws.
Akathist Education Orthodox parents ask the Mother of God to instruct their child in faith and piety. By instilling love for God from an early age, attending Orthodox services with their children, reading Christian literature to them, parents step by step strengthen their child's faith in the One Creator of life on earth and in heaven.
Exalting the Most Pure Mother of God in the Christian Akathist Education, Christians honor the image of the one that heals diseases and raises human souls to God. Believing Christians ask tirelessly in their prayers to "raise children worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven", to avoid various temptations, so that they could become heirs of eternal blessings.
The text of the akathist in front of the icon of the Virgin
Kondak №1
To the Chosen Voivode and the zealous Educator of the Christian race, as if having got rid of the evil ones, with thanksgiving we will describe Ti Thy servants, the Mother of God, but as if having an invincible power, from all the troubles of our children of freedom, let us call Ty:
Send an angel from Heaven to our children, intercede, Most Holy One, from Your Son and our God, as Gabriel the Archangel was sent to You, and make us cry out to You:
happy with the birth of her parents;
Rejoice, asking God with many tears.
Rejoice, bright vegetation of prayer and fasting;
Rejoice, red fruit of pious life.
Rejoice, full of holy obedience from infancy;
Rejoice, mother filled with piety from the nipple.
Rejoice, all-bright home of love;
Rejoice, treasure of the Lord's mercies.
Rejoice, good educator, brought up in the holy of holies.
Kondak №2
Seeing our tearful parental prayer, have mercy, O Lady, on our children, take them under Your honest and blessed cover, may they cry out to God in joy: Alleluia.
Send down the mind to our children, how good to serve Thee, and fill their hearts with heavenly wisdom, giving one to love, despise the earthly, and do not forbid our mouth to cry out like this:
Rejoice, you who spent your childhood at the temple
Rejoice, thou who didst ascend into the holy of holies.
Rejoice, dedicated to the One God;
Rejoice, praying to Him day and night.
Rejoice, thou who didst love purity and chastity from childhood;
Rejoice, thou who zealously guarded thy humility.
Rejoice, ever flaming with prayer to God;
Rejoice, praise and joy of the parents of the saints.
Rejoice, good educator, brought up in the holy of holies.
why should it be in every house where there are children
This image of the Virgin is attributed to the type of "Hodegetria" ("Guide"). The icon depicts the Mother of God, who holds the baby in her left hand, and points to him with her right.
Icon of the Mother of God "Education". Photo hrizma.rf
Very little is known about the history of this image. It is generally accepted that he was brought to Russian lands from Byzantium. Until 1917, the icon was in the Kazan Cathedral in Moscow, and during the revolutionary events it disappeared without a trace. Today, the exact list from the icon is kept in the temple. There is this image in other Orthodox churches.
Icon of the Mother of God "Education": what they pray for in front of the image
Parents pray in front of the icon, asking the Mother of God to send their children health and reason, protect them from any troubles, fill young hearts with wisdom and lead the child on the true path.
Parents of babies and older children turn to the Mother of God, those who are just about to know the joy of motherhood, and those whose children have long grown up. A short prayer to this image sounds like this:
“I entrust my child entirely to my Lord Jesus Christ and Yours, Most Pure, heavenly patronage.”
Not only adults come to the image, but also children. Photo mariamagdalena.ru
Often, at the icon of the Mother of God "Education" you can see parents whose children have committed a misdemeanor, including an unlawful one. Thanks to their sincere prayers, the children returned to the true path, both spiritual and worldly, became calmer and repented of what they had done.
Those whose children are addicted to drugs or alcohol also pray at the image. Like and, this icon helps to get rid of addictions.
It is not for nothing that the Mother of God is considered the patroness of the family and a symbol of motherhood. By giving the “Education” icon to your loved ones or purchasing it for your family, you can be sure that the Mother of God will always help those who sincerely ask her for help.
Temple of the Icon of the Mother of God "Education" in Nekrasovka. Photo uvao.mos.ru
Temple of the Icon of the Mother of God "Education"
In the village of Nekrasovka near Moscow there is an Orthodox church in honor of the icon of Our Lady of Education. Local residents say that they were not given permission to build a church on the selected site for a long time. And after all the parishioners prayed to the Mother of God in front of the “Education” icon, permission to build was miraculously received.
And you can read about the miraculous icon of the Mother of God of Kozelshchanskaya .
It is difficult to overestimate the role of raising children in the family and society. Today's children tomorrow will become the heirs and leaders of society, carrying into it the values that have been instilled in them since childhood.
The icon of the Mother of God "Education" is a faithful assistant to parents in solving complex problems when communicating with children, a reliable adviser and guide in the world of vanity and temptations.
Description of the holy face
Read also about Christian parenting:
The nature of the child and his attitude to the world around him is laid in childhood. They say that the child "absorbs" the basic values with mother's milk up to 3 years. Only by seeing the pious behavior of the parents, their prayers at the home iconostasis, true Christian values will forever settle in the heart of the baby, his soul will be filled with compassion, love, humility and reverence for the elders.
Icon of the Mother of God "Education"
Proper upbringing is possible only under the auspices of the Creator and the saints, this was strictly adhered to in past centuries, appreciating the image, prayers and worship of God.
Important! The surest way to protect your child on the path of Christianity is prayer, petitions to God the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit and the Most Pure Mother of God.
The Mother of God is a symbol of motherhood, she is the patroness of family relationships, including between parents and children.
In front of the “Education” icon, it is enough to constantly say a prayer, saying that you are handing your child completely into the will of God under the auspices of the Most Pure Mother of God.
What is the power of the icon
Parents have to meet on the way of raising their child with the influence of the outside world:
- temptations;
- bad companies;
- grievances;
- childish maximalism;
- cruelty;
- disappointments.
Reading the prayer of the Mother of God at the image of "Education", parents ask for the intercession of the Mother of God for children of any age, and even those who are still in the womb. Strengthen the power of prayers and an akathist to the holy image, in which the hymn of the Most Pure Mother of God, who dedicated Her life to beautiful motherhood and patronage, is sung.
Advice! When reading a prayer and an akathist, it is important not only to pronounce the words, but to pass them through your heart and mind, fully trusting the cover of the Mother of God.
Protecting children on the "slippery" path of growing up, prayer helped teenagers to repent of unseemly deeds, repent before the Creator and return to their father's house with love and reverence.
Holy elders such as St. Theophan the Recluse, Ambrose of Optina spent a lot of time researching and writing epistles on the upbringing of children.
This holy face of the Mother of God is not often found in churches, so there is not a large list of miracles performed on her list.
According to the testimony of ministers and parents, in whose churches and homes there is a bright image, help through the prayer of the Most Pure One always came on time.
Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary "Education"
