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

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

Appearance of icons in Russia

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

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

Iconography of the image

The icon of the Mother of God "Education" (pictured below) is of the same type as the Hodegetria (ie, the Guide, which points the way). It depicts Our Lady, who holds the Infant on her left hand. The Baby himself stretches his hand to the face of the Virgin (on some images - two hands).

The face of the Mother of God is permeated with love and affection not only to his Son, but to the whole human race. And although the first Byzantine icons are very strict and ascetic in the writing of images, it is this image of Our Lady with the Child that is very airy and solemn. This is because the iconography is very light, the color palette is refined.

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

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

What helps the icon?

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

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

Prayer and akathist before the icon

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

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

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

Miracles done with the help of icons

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

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

Importance of icons for Orthodox Christians

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

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

Day of veneration of the icon "Education"

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

Saints' words about upbringing and love

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

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

Also very important are the words of Ambrose Optina. He says that children should be educated in the fear of God, teach Orthodox concepts, and teach and protect from what is not accepted by the church. This is necessary so that in the future, as adults, they would strive for spiritual life and the Kingdom of God.

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

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

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

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

Temple architecture

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

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

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

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

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

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

Education at the Temple

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

Also there is a Sunday school and for adults, which takes students not the first time. It trains up to graduation three years. It is the school for adults that is very popular, since people are recruited each year.

The erection of the temple greatly influenced the inhabitants, in two schools began to teach the basics of Orthodox culture. This does not mean that there was a part of the Sunday school, it is also not considered teaching the law of God. This is rather a more scientific approach, which, however, affects Orthodoxy, making it perceive it as its heritage (after all our ancestors used to be baptized and visited temples, they were afraid of God's punishment).

Icon, which is located in the Kazan Cathedral

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

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

Conclusion

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

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