Icon "Burning Bush": prototype and symbolism

On September 17, the day of the memory of the prophet Moses, Orthodox Christians around the world celebrate and in honor of such an image as the icon "Burning Bush". The history of this relic refers us to a deep past, which you can learn in ancient books. In addition, the very image of it is very symbolic.

Icon of the Burning Bush: Origins

This image is a reflection of the Old Testament event described in Exodus. Thus, according to this scripture, the prophet Moses, who had graze the sheep by the foot of Mount Sinai, saw a wonderful bush. It was noteworthy that it was flared, but it did not burn. When the great righteous approached him, he heard the Voice of God, who commanded Moses to lead his people out of the slavery of Egypt to the promised land. In the Christian tradition, the burning bush is a symbol of the Mother of God herself, her immaculate conception of Jesus Christ from the Holy Spirit, her purity and sinlessness, despite her life in a sinful place. The memory of this event is immortalized in a church built on the very Sinai mountain. Near this place is growing a wonderful bush, which, according to legend, is the most burning bush. In addition, the memory of the Old Testament event was immortalized and the icon of the Mother of God "Burning Bush". Her Orthodox Christians worship to this day.

Icon of the Burning Bush: image

This image has a complex composition. Earlier, the icon "Burning Bush" was portrayed as a burning flaming shrub over which the Mother of God rises with the Infant Jesus in her arms. Now the image represents the eight-pointed star surrounding the Virgin Mary. The green color of the ends of the star is marked by the bush itself, while the red color denotes the flame. In the corners of the icon are four symbols - a man, a lion, a body and an eagle, as well as archangels, each with his own personal prefiguration, as the Holy Scripture proclaims . Often in the hands of the Virgin depict a bush and a ladder. The latter is also a symbol of the Mother of God, indicated by God to Jacob. The ladder in this context is the connection between Heaven and Earth. It happens that the icon depicts other symbols, such as the mountain (none other than the Mother of God itself), the gates and the rod (the prototype of the Savior).

Icon "Burning Bush": how to pray

There are prayers dedicated to this particular image. These include Troparion and a special prayer for this icon. Often they worship an unbroken bush, reciting the prayer "Virgin of the Virgin, rejoice ...". You can read other prayers dedicated to the Mother of God. It is not forbidden to pronounce before the image words coming from the heart and not recorded as a prayer in any of the holy books. In order to pray this shrine, you need the icon "Burning bush" (a photo of her image is also acceptable). The image protects against fires and other natural disasters caused by flames and lightning, therefore it is considered miraculous. The icon "Burning bush" is considered one of the most revered shrines in Orthodoxy, therefore it is important to have it in the house and worship it daily.