The image of the icon of the helper of sinners. Miraculous Icon of the Mother of God “Support of Sinners”

The icon “Helper of Sinners” is a visible embodiment of the hope for the Lord’s forgiveness, gained through the prayers of His Most Pure Mother. The very name of this holy image speaks of the great role assigned to Her by the eternal Son - Jesus Christ, since the word “handmaid” from the Church Slavonic language is translated as “guarantor”, “intercessor” or “mediator” between the all-merciful God and people mired in in vices and lawlessness. However, before we talk about the meaning of the “Helper of Sinners” icon and how it helps Christians, let us turn to its history.

Image in an ancient chapel

Among the endless Bryansk forests there is an ancient, formerly male, and now female Karachay Odrino-Nikolaevskaya monastery, founded, according to the chronicle, in early XIII century. Many prayers were offered in it for the salvation of human souls and the deliverance of Rus' from the troubles in which it is so rich National history. For true piety and strict ascetic life, the Lord more than once sent His good rewards to her, one of which was the icon Mother of God"Helper of sinners."

As evidenced historical documents, the holy image was first glorified in 1843, although its discovery took place long before that. For dozens of years it was housed in a small wooden chapel that stood at the monastery gates, and did not stand out in any way among other shrines. This icon of the Mother of God was called “Helper of Sinners.”

It was a half-length image of the Most Pure Virgin, holding the Eternal Child in her left hand, and squeezing His fingers with her right hand. Their heads were crowned, which, according to art historians, is characteristic of the Belarusian or Little Russian school of icon painting. At the bottom of the image was an inscription containing the words of the Mother of God, in which She called Herself “the helper of sinners.” The icon subsequently received its name precisely because of this inscription.

Miracles of healing

So it would have been lost among the many other icons of the Mother of God, with which every Russian monastery is rich, if in 1843, through the prayers offered before it, several pilgrims had not received miraculous healing. It began with the fact that the Mother of God appeared in a dream to a resident of the village of Karachaev, Alexandra Pochepina, whose young son suffered from epilepsy, and ordered him to be taken to the Odrino-Nikolaevsky Monastery and there to offer a prayer in front of Her icon “Helper of Sinners.” After Alexandra fulfilled the will of the Queen of Heaven, her son was healed of his illness.

Following this, several more miracles were performed, evidence of which is available in monastery books. So, soon after the event described above, the Bryansk landowner Orlova, the mother of a paralyzed six-year-old girl, over whose illness all medical luminaries were powerless, prayed tearfully before the icon of the Mother of God “Supporter of Sinners.” Her words were heard, and to everyone’s amazement, the patient left the monastery for on your own feet. Approximately from the same time, there is also a record of how the Queen of Heaven, through Her image, granted sight to the merchant of the second guild, Nikonorov, who was blind from a serious illness.

Savior of the people

It is not surprising that after so many healings revealed through prayers to the “Helper of Sinners” icon, it began to be revered as miraculous and was transferred to the main church of the monastery, dedicated to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. She became famous in its entirety due to the fact that she saved many people during terrible epidemic cholera that struck the surrounding towns and villages in 1846. Whole families of pilgrims then came to the Odrino-Nicholas Monastery and, after long periods of prayer, received the intercession of the Queen of Heaven. This episode, described by many contemporaries, went down in history and was mentioned many times in the literature.

The wanderings of the miraculous image

It is generally accepted that the icon “Helper of Sinners” kept today in the monastery is the same original that was glorified in the 40s of the 19th century, although for a number of reasons it spent several decades outside the walls of the monastery. The fact is that soon after the Bolsheviks came to power, the Odrino-Nicholas Monastery was closed, the valuables stored in it were confiscated, and the icons, which were of no interest to the “masters of the new life,” were partly destroyed, and partly dispersed among the surrounding residents.

The image of the “Helper of Sinners” was then taken by one of the rural residents of the Oryol region, and in the 70s it came to another pious woman, Raisa K., who lived in Bryansk. However, his wanderings did not end there. In the mid-90s, its keeper moved to Ukraine and became a nun there, bringing this miraculous image as a gift to the monastery. Over time, she returned to her homeland and became one of the sisters of the Odrino-Nicholas Monastery, which by that time had been revived as a convent for women. The icon remained in Ukraine.

The holy image and its miraculous copy

The icon was returned to its original place in October 1996, and this event can also be considered a miracle, since it happened thanks to the works of Schemamonk Mauritius - a man who, according to worldly concepts, is disabled, deprived of legs and moves on a board equipped with wheels. Thanks to the help of the Higher Powers, as well as his own perseverance, the “Helper of Sinners” - the icon of the Mother of God, which was considered forever lost for the Odrino-Nicholas Monastery, returned to its original place.

It is known that a copy (list) of this image, famous throughout Russia, was made in the middle of the 19th century, which was kept for a long time in the home collection of a Moscow resident, Lieutenant Colonel D.N. Boncheskul, and also became famous for her miracles. This copy successfully survived all the troubles that befell the church in the 20th century, and is now in the parish church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Khamovniki.

The meaning of the icon “Helper of Sinners”

According to the established tradition, several types are clearly visible in the writing of the Mother of God images, one of which, called “Hodegetria,” which in Greek means “Guide,” also includes the shrine from the Odrino-Nicholas Monastery. This has a deep meaning, since the name itself largely reveals the meaning of the “Helper of Sinners” icon. She seems to show the way to everyone who wishes, having once left the corruptible world, to gain immortality and acquire the Kingdom of Heaven.

In addition, you should pay attention to its name, which can be interpreted as “Guarantee before God for sinful people.” It is in the intercession of the Mother of God to the all-merciful and all-forgiving God that the spiritual core of the image is laid, and therein lies its main meaning.

How does the “Help of Sinners” icon help?

First of all, it should be remembered that when offering prayers in front of an icon, a believer does not appeal to the board on which this or that sacred image is depicted, but through it he comes into contact with the Highest powers themselves. Consequently, petitions must correspond to the person to whom they are addressed. When turning to the Most Holy Theotokos, it is customary to call Her the “All-Good Intercessor” and seek Her help in all everyday matters. Provided the prayers are sincere and there is deep faith in their fulfillment, they will be heard, no matter what the request is.

Petitions to the Blessed Virgin Mary

At the same time, speaking about what the icon “Help of Sinners” helps with, we can highlight several of the most mentioned topics. First of all, offering prayers in front of the icon, they ask the Mother of God to send health to themselves and their loved ones, as well as, if necessary, healing from illnesses and evil ailments. Next, they pray to Her to strengthen faith, without which a person will not be able to gain the Kingdom of God and will be doomed to eternal death.

In addition, at Holy Mother of God They hope to receive strength for deep and sincere repentance of sins, without which the unity of man with his Eternal Creator is impossible. And finally, the request for the sending of spiritual insight is vitally important, from which, according to Saint Philemon, love is born, making the heart pure and devoid of destructive passions.

The Icon retained its name based on the text written on it., which narrates that: “The assistant of sinners to My Sons...”. There are many interpretations of this phrase, one of them is “surety for sinners before the Lord.” The Heavenly Virgin, “Helper of Sinners,” gave healing to many people, she is the reason for countless miracles. People come to the miraculous Image with prayer in difficult moments mental anguish, in days of despair, to ask for the protection of sinners and the grant of repentance, to heal ailments.

MEANING OF THE ICON

According to scientists, this Holy Image appeared for the first time in a South Russian church, which is on the territory of the current Ukrainian or Belarusian state. The reason for the appearance of such an image is explained by the custom of painting the Image of the Child of God and the Mother of God in one icon. Such an Icon personifies the power of faith, hope and love, pure and unshakable. There is no other similar Image of the Mother of God that would carry within itself the meaning of such strong service to the Almighty as the “Helper of Sinners.” The Icon depicts the Mother of God’s feeling of love for the human race and intercession before God. What is the help of the “Support of Sinners”? The power of the Image is to pray to the Heavenly Forces for the entire human race, regardless of whether a person carries good or evil within himself, whether he has sins, and whether he repents about them. With the same power of maternal love, the Mother of God grants forgiveness to everyone. The Face appears to be the undisputed Defender, the Petitioner between the repentant people and God Jesus Christ. The meaning inherent in this icon reflects the very essence of the service of the Most Holy One - as the Intercessor and Patroness of the human race. The description of the icon reproduces this mountain location of the Blessed Virgin. As a rule, on these icons the forms or images of the Mother of God and the Infant are framed by twelve pentagonal stars, six on each side. The Mother of God herself is represented on the icon from the waist up. With her left hand she embraces the Rescuer, and with her right hand she extends it to him with a prayer for support. The Baby Savior responds to the Mother’s prayer with a distinctive gesture: He grabs her hand with both hands in such a way that in his right hand there is thumb The Almighty, and in the left - the small finger and the next one, one of the middle fingers. With this gesture of consent, the Son of the Most High certifies the Most Holy One that he will constantly support her prayers for sinners. In the area of ​​the head of the Mother and Child of God there is a crown of amber origin, decorated with pearls and expensive stones, which indicates the southern Russian origin of the icon. In the 4 corners of the composition there are scrolls with texts instructing reliable path to eternal joy. An ancient original mark has been preserved on the icon, which says: “I am the Helper of sinners to My Son...”. Meaning of this text is that the Lord will constantly take into account the words of the Mother of God, her prayers for the entire human race. Unfortunately, it was not possible to save the original true story the emergence of an icon. It is only generally known that for the first time this holy of holies performed a miracle in the middle of the 19th century in the Nikolaev Monastery. For the first time, the face helped a weak child for whom the mother was praying. He recovered. Subsequently, numerous believers began to flock to the cathedral, offering petitions to the icon of the Mother of God for the healing of illnesses or the healing of worries.. In addition, the face became very famous during the cholera epidemic, and thanks to it, some people coped with the disease.

STORY

For the first time the Image is mentioned along with the name of Prince Samuil Koretsky, who, under pressure from representatives of the Ottoman and Catholic people, was forced to accept Western beliefs. At the same time, the prince turned to his sister with a request to take the Holy image from the prince’s chapel and leave it in good hands. Since then, the Icon has been kept in the chambers of the Holy Trinity Koretsky Rivne Church. After some time, a list of the Image could be seen in the Ostrog Ukrainian Church. The miraculous icon was transferred to the Holy Trinity Monastery on Thursday, the day of Pentecost, which became the day of veneration of this Image. The Icon has confirmed its power over the years by the creation of extraordinary miracles that have happened not so long ago from now on. For example, in the first half of the 20th century, a villager was brought to the temple, whose behavior left much to be desired - he was aggressive and inadequate. By external signs it could be argued that this man suffered from severe mental illness. Priest Barsanuphius conducted a sacred service with a mentally ill person, which was supposed to have a positive effect on the possessed and help him heal. At the end of the solemn service, heavenly thunder was heard. The patient immediately fell into unconscious to the ground. As soon as the villager returned to consciousness, not a trace remained of his illness, he was completely healthy. In 1924, the land was gripped by unprecedented rainy weather. All the rivers overflowed their banks. On the day of commemoration of Pentecost, church ministers went on a crusade through the outskirts of the city, carrying the miraculous Image in the midst of a downpour. As soon as the Saints crossed the threshold of the temple, the weather cleared up, the rain subsided, and by the end of the carrying of the Icon it stopped falling altogether.

REMEMBRANCE DAY AND DATES OF CELEBRATION OF ICONS

Three times a year Orthodox Christians honor the Shrine: March 7 according to the old calendar or March 20 according to the current style; May 29 according to the old calendar or June 11 according to the current style; Thursday for the celebration of Trinity.

WHERE THE IMAGE IS STORED: TEMPLES AND CHURCHES

The most blessed and ancient Icon is kept in the nunnery of the Koretsky Holy Resurrection Church. In other churches there are lists of the same Icon of the Mother of God: in the Moscow Church of St. Nicholas; in the Moscow Church of the Deposition of the Robe in Leonovo; in the Verkhneufaleysky Cathedral of the Nativity Holy Mother of God; in the Bryansk Transfiguration Church.

MIRACLES AND HELP ICONS

Reading a prayer in front of the Holy Icon can help to obtain forgiveness for sins. In addition, you can turn to the Icon in times of despondency, sorrow, despair, since similar condition, in which a person resides, is also considered sinful, since it takes away vital energy and the spirit and body weaken. Reading a prayer to the Mother of God gives strength to correct the spirit, establish peace of mind, and gain hope for future plans.

One of the most touching, most amazing icons. Spiritual meaning hers - in the boundless love of the Mother of God for people. She “vouches” to the Lord for us sinners. We have sinned. And they deserve punishment and death. And the Mother of God is looking for how to protect us with saving grace and lead us to repentance. We don’t even think about correction, but She already testifies to the Lord about our desire to repent. There is an amazing inscription on the icon! Its meaning is that the Lord promises the Mother of God (“gives the hand”) that he will always listen to Her prayers for us, for the entire human race.

The Icon of the Mother of God “Helper of Sinners” is named after the inscription preserved on the icon: “ I am the Helper of sinners to My Son...».

The origin of this image is unknown. On the icon “Helper of Sinners” the Mother of God is depicted with the Child on her left hand, who holds Her with both hands right hand, as is done when obtaining consent. By this, the Son of God seems to assure the Most Holy Theotokos that He will always heed Her prayers for sinners. The heads of the Mother of God and the Child are crowned.
“Help of Sinners” means Surety, or Mediator for sinners before the Lord Jesus Christ. The name of the icon serves as an expression of the boundless love of the Most Holy Theotokos for the sinful human race, which She has shown at all times.

For the first time this image became famous for miracles in the Nikolaev Odrina Monastery near the city of Karachev, Oryol province in the middle of the 19th century. Ancient icon Due to its dilapidation, the Mother of God “Helper of Sinners” did not receive due veneration and stood in the old chapel at the monastery gates. But in 1843, it was revealed to many residents in their dreams that this icon was endowed, by God’s Providence, with miraculous power. The icon was solemnly transferred to the church. Believers began to flock to her and ask for healing of their sorrows and illnesses. The first to receive healing was a relaxed boy, whose mother fervently prayed in front of this shrine. The icon became especially famous during the cholera epidemic, when it brought back to life many terminally ill people who flocked to it with faith.

In 1848, through the diligence of Muscovite Dimitry Boncheskul, a list was made from this miraculous image and placed in his house. He soon became famous for the flow of healing peace, which gave many people recovery from serious illnesses. This miraculous list was transferred to the Church of St. Nicholas in Khamovniki, in which a chapel was built at the same time in honor of the icon of the Mother of God “Helper of Sinners.”

Before the icon of the Mother of God “Helper of Sinners” they pray for deliverance from epidemics and plague, for healing in relaxation of the body with insomnia, loss of appetite and deprivation of any members.

Miraculous icon The Mother of God "Helper of Sinners" is located in the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Khamovniki (metro Park Kultury, Lev Tolstoy St., 2).

Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos in front of her icon “Helper of Sinners”

My Most Blessed Queen, My Most Holy Hope, Helper of Sinners! Behold, poor sinner, this is before You! Don’t leave me, abandoned by everyone, don’t forget me, forgotten by everyone, give me joy, who knows no joy. Oh, my troubles and sorrows are severe! Oh, my sins are immeasurable! Like the darkness of the night is my life. And there is not a single strong help in the sons of men. You are my only Hope. You are my only Cover, Refuge and Affirmation. I boldly stretch out my weak hand to You and pray: have mercy on me, O All-Good One, have mercy, have mercy with the purchased Blood of Your Son, quench the sickness of my much-sighing soul, tame the rage of those who hate and offend me, restore my fading strength, renew my youth like eaglets. , do not allow yourself to become weak in keeping God’s commandments. Touch my troubled souls with heavenly fire and fill me with unashamed faith, unfeigned love and known hopes. May I always sing and praise You, the Most Blessed Intercessor of the world, our Protector and Helper of all of us sinners, and I adore Your Son and our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, with His Beginning Father and the Life-Giving Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

The history of this image goes back a little less than two hundred years, but during this time the icon “Support of Sinners” managed to win the love and trust of many believers, especially in Russia. After all, it was here, in one of the monasteries, that the first - but far from the only - miracle of healing took place.

History of the Holy Image

For a long time, this icon, unusual in its writing, did not receive due attention. It stood in an old chapel and was in such an abandoned state that the inscriptions, which later became the basis for naming the image of the Queen of Heaven, were not visible.

The inhabitants of the Nicholas Monastery in the Bryansk region (the village of Odrina) knew nothing about the miraculous image until an amazing incident occurred. In the summer, a merchant's wife came to the monastery with her little son. The boy was very sick - severe seizures gave no rest, nothing helped. The mother placed her hopes only on God and often spent time in prayer. After the end of the service, she decided to defend the prayer service in front of the image of the Virgin Mary, relying on her support.

The mother’s faith and the intercession of the Mother of God did their job: the baby became healthy immediately after finishing the prayer. They talk about two more cases of healing that occurred almost simultaneously: a blind baby regained his sight, and the landowner’s son was left paralyzed. This served as a source of enormous fame, which the image of the “Helper of Sinners” instantly gained.

The monks cleaned the icon and moved it to its rightful place in the temple. Today it is the most revered local shrine. It is believed that the same ancient image has been preserved to this day. Unfortunately, the authorship remains a mystery - however, like many other famous icons. It is believed that the Mother of God herself sends them, wanting to show mercy and protection to the world.

History of the Temple of the Icon Sporuchnitsa Sinners

Odrino-Nikolaevsky Monastery, where the icon “Supportress of Sinners” was revealed, has centuries-old history- the monastery was founded at the end of the 14th century.

The place was not chosen by chance - the miraculous icon of St. Nicholas, in whose honor the monastery was named.

The daughter of one prince donated a plot of land to the monks. Having endured Troubled times, the monastery began to grow - instead of the old wooden church, a cathedral with a bell tower and other necessary buildings were rebuilt.

Pilgrims began to flock to Odrina Hermitage; its patron was Peter I himself, who did not particularly respect monasteries. In 1720 the monastery was destroyed by bandits, the abbot took over martyrdom- years of disasters began. Only Abbot Serapion (1836-1856) managed to achieve stability. It was under him that the glorification of the “Helper of Sinners” took place. Having grown to 90 buildings, the monastery had to go through trials again during socialism.

In 1922, the monastery was closed; on its territory there was a colony, then a training ground. Some of the monks were arrested. The buildings fell into disrepair and were subject to vandalism; only two of them have survived to this day. Wartime in the territory former monastery there was a German headquarters, then an orphanage, then just a dump. In 1995, Patriarch Aleksky II blessed the revival of the monastery, only now it became female.

Thanks to local residents, the miraculous icon was preserved. The image of “Sure Helper of Sinners” ended up in the village. Old, where he replaced several houses. In the 90s, the icon was taken to Odessa, where it remained. There was hope in the monastery to see the shrine again. Through the efforts of Elder Macarius, who helped the abbess in everything, it was possible to achieve the return of the icon to Russia.

How does the icon of the Mother of God “Helper of Sinners” help?

The Mother of God shows her mercy to everyone who offers prayers with faith, even short and simple ones. You can ask the Mother of God:

• heal from hopeless diseases;
• drive away despondency of spirit;
• help in difficult life situations;
• about the successful outcome of the operation.

Theological meaning

The meaning of the icon “Helper of Sinners” can be understood if you read the words that are located above the holy faces. This inscription on four canvases can be translated from Church Slavonic as follows: “I will be a petitioner for sinners before my Son, as a sign of agreement to always accept my prayers, He gave me his hand, sinners will find eternal joy through my prayers.” The Mother of God here acts as a constant intercessor for all sinners walking the earth.

When a person has lost all hope of his own strength, there is no longer any possibility of coping with illness or other problems - one should pray about this to the “Helper of Sinners.” You can take any prayer written to address the Mother of God, read it in front of this icon, then tell about what is on your heart, what it hurts about. There is no problem that the Queen of Heaven cannot understand.

Moscow image

After the first known appearance of the miraculous image, it so happened that a copy was made. It was presented as a gift to Dmitry Boncheskul, who lived in Moscow (Khamovniki). He was distinguished by his love for pilgrims, with whom he prayed together in front of the image. After Easter, abundant myrrh streaming began, which prompted the owner to give the image to the St. Nicholas Church, which was located nearby.

The fragrant myrrh appeared in the form of a small drop, which gradually increased and spread throughout the icon. The moisture was collected on cloth and distributed to parishioners. Those who suffered received abundant blessings, and evidence of them has survived to this day.

1. One woman was healed of a leg disease that had left her bedridden. The oil from the icon lamp completely restored mobility.
2. A peasant from a village near Moscow suddenly fell into a motionless state, although his eyes remained open. Anticipating a quick end, his relatives took him to St. Nicholas Church, where they placed him next to the icon “Helper of Sinners.” He immediately woke up and rose to his feet.
3. During the cholera epidemic in the 19th century. many sick people were healed.
4. Already in our time, a storm broke out in the Ryazan region. Hailstones the size of egg, breaking windows and punching through slate. The boy who served as an altar boy was caught in bad weather, but returned home completely unharmed. He said that he prayed to the “Help of Sinners,” which helped him.

The temple where the “Sure Lady of Sinners” is still located today is very famous in the capital. After the image was transferred there, an unusual phenomenon was noticed in the altar. Late at night there was a glow in the form of stars and fire of varying brightness. This continued for several days, with many witnesses gathering.

The miracle caused an extraordinary stir - at night people watched the divine light, during the day they prayed near the icon. In the first few years, more than a hundred were recorded through prayers at the “Supportress of Sinners” icon. miraculous healings. At first there were skeptics, but over time the image became one of the most revered in Moscow. The temple is located near the Park Kultury metro station, its doors are open to believers.

What does the image look like?

The word “guarantor” is translated as “guarantor” - this is the role the Mother of God plays before Christ, interceding for sinners. Her boundless faith, hope, love for all people should serve as an example to everyone. It doesn’t matter how a person lived, if he repented, she will accept his prayers. This is an expression of the essence of the ministry that Saint Mary carries out after her departure to heaven.

The Mother of God extends her hand to her Son, and He, as a sign of support and agreement to always answer her requests, squeezes his mother’s fingers with both hands. The Divine Infant sits on the half-bent left arm of Saint Mary, as if on a throne. This reminds us that the Virgin became a container for the Lord.

The Child and the Virgin Mary have richly decorated crowns on their heads, thin and elongated facial features, almond-shaped eyes made in the Byzantine tradition. Experts believe that the image was painted in Little Russia.

Despite widespread veneration among the people, the Moscow list was not decorated with a chasuble. This happened not because there were no people willing to do it. The fact is that the Mother of God appeared to the previous owner of the list in a dream; she asked that the icon remain the same as it arrived at the temple.

How to pray to the Mother of God correctly

For prayers addressed to the Queen of Heaven, the same rules apply as for others. You have to choose quiet place in the house. First read the Trisagion and the following prayers, then special prayer"Helper of sinners." In any prayer request, it would not be amiss to first thank a higher power for the good that is in life, even if a person thinks that everything is bad, one should remember that many do not even have a roof over their head.

You can make requests not only for yourself, but also for loved ones - children, parents, friends; it is especially worth praying for those who cause any offense, insult the Church, the Christian faith. The Lord commanded to pray for enemies, therefore it is unacceptable to wish harm on someone, especially when standing in front of holy images.

A particularly popular form of addressing the saints is the akathist. It has a poetic form, alternating short and longer stanzas. The akathist “Support of Sinners” well reveals the theological meaning of the icon, and also explains the role of Saint Mary, which she took on in heaven - to intercede for all the weak. Weakness (weakness) can be both physical and spiritual - unbelief, reluctance to pray, to go to church. You should pray for help in both cases.

Pious custom prescribes reading any akathist for 40 days, but if a person is not ready, it is better not to take such a promise. You should start small, over time the Lord will bless you with more. You can order the reading of an akathist in a church, for which you should agree with the priest on duty or the rector.

Today on the Internet you can see videos with akathists - but it is still preferable to read them yourself. A video cannot replace your own prayer, for which the soul has to make some effort. Through them spiritual growth is achieved. And this is the main meaning of any prayer. There is no need to view them as magic wand“To achieve your desires, the goal of Christian life is the salvation of the soul.

Prayer to the icon of the Helper of Sinners

Troparion, tone 4

Now all despondency falls silent and the fear of despair disappears, sinners in the sorrow of their hearts find consolation and are illuminated with Heavenly love: today the Mother of God stretches out her saving hand to us and speaks from Her Most Pure Image, saying: I am the Helper of sinners to My Son, this One gave to Me for them Your hand will hear me and take me out. In the same way, people, burdened with many sins, fall at the foot of Her icon, crying out with tears: Intercessor of the world, Helper of sinners, implore with Your Mother’s prayers the Savior of all, that Divine forgiveness may cover our sins and open the bright doors of heaven to us, for You are the intercessor and salvation of the Christian race.

Kontakion, tone 1

Honest Dwelling of the ineffable nature of the Divine, above the word and above the mind and sinners, Thou art the Helper, bestowing grace and healing, as the Mother of all the Reigning Ones, pray to Thy Son to receive mercy for us on the day of judgment. Magnification We magnify Thee, Most Holy Virgin, God’s chosen Youth, and honor Thy image Holy One, grant healing to all who come with faith.

Oh, Most Blessed Lady, Protector of the Christian race, refuge and salvation of those who flow to You! We know, truly we know how greatly we have sinned and are angry, O Merciful Lady, the Son of God born in the flesh of You, but I have many images of those who angered His compassion before me: tax collectors, harlots and other sinners, to whom was given forgiveness of their sins, for the sake of repentance and confession. Thou, therefore, imagining the images of those who have been pardoned by the eyes of my sinful soul, and looking at the great mercy of God, which I have received, I, boldly, and I, a sinner, will resort with repentance to Your mercy. Oh, All-Merciful Lady, give me a helping hand and ask Your Son and God with Your motherly and most holy prayers for forgiveness of my grave sin. I believe and confess that He Whom You gave birth to, Your Son, is truly Christ, the Son of the Living God, Judge of the living and the dead, rewarding each according to his deeds. I again believe and confess that You are the true Mother of God, the source of mercy, the consolation of those who mourn, the recovery of the lost, a strong and unceasing Intercessor to God, who dearly loves the Christian race, and the Helper of repentance. Truly, there is no other help and protection for man except You, the Most Merciful Lady, and no one else, trusting in You, was ashamed when, by You begging God, no one was quickly abandoned. For this sake, I pray to Your innumerable goodness: open the doors of Your mercy to me, lost and fallen into the darkness of the depths, do not disdain me, the foul one, do not despise my sinful prayer, do not abandon me, the accursed one, as an evil enemy seeks to kidnap me into destruction, but beg for may Thy merciful Son and God be born to me from Thee, may He forgive my great sins and deliver me from my destruction; as if I, together with all who have received forgiveness, will sing and glorify God’s immeasurable mercy and Your shameless intercession for me in this life and in the endless eternity. Amen.

Translated into modern language“Sporuchnitsa” means “mediator, guarantor.” Thus, the icon “Helper of Sinners” is an image of the Mother of God, who acts not so much as a mediator, but as a guarantor, interceding for sinful people before the Lord God, counting on His mercy, and the name of the icon itself arose from the inscription on it, which goes over the head of the Mother of God “I am the Helper of sinners to My Son...”

History of the icon

From the iconography one can judge that this image is ancient, but neither the time nor the place where it was written is unknown. The only thing that can be assumed is its origin from Little Russia or Belarus, since their iconography is characterized by the presence of crowns on the heads of the Mother of God and the Child Christ.

In Russia, the icon of the Mother of God “Support of Sinners” was found in 1843 in the Oryol province. She was in the chapel at the gates of Odrino-Nikolaevsky monastery, and its power was revealed by the Mother of God herself to several local residents at the same time, after which a number of miraculous healings immediately occurred: one a little boy one was healed of epilepsy, another was healed of paralysis, a blind three-year-old girl received her sight.

The glory of the miraculous icon instantly spread throughout the surrounding area, and it was transferred to the cathedral church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, where a stream of believers poured in to find healing or forgiveness of sins by praying to the “Helper of Sinners” icon.

After the revolution, the icons from the church were distributed among the parishioners, and as a result, by the end of the 20th century, the icon of the Mother of God “Support of Sinners” ended up in Ukraine, which by that time had become an independent state, and even in a private collection. It was necessary to raise a substantial sum to buy back the “Sporuchnitsa” icon and return it to the walls of its native Nikolo-Odrinskaya monastery, which happened in 1996.

No less interesting is the history of the copy from the miraculous icon “Support of Sinners”. In 1846, the hieromonk of the monastery was sent to Moscow so that a suitable robe could be made for the icon. He stayed in the house of a pious parishioner, who was then sent from the monastery a list (an exact copy) of the icon in gratitude. Miraculously, this list began to flow myrrh, and the sick, anointed with this myrrh, were healed.

The miraculous list was donated in 1848 to the Moscow Church of St. Nicholas in Khamovniki; through prayer before him, many healings occurred, which were officially recorded

Currently in Moscow, the icon “Support of Sinners” is located in the Church of St. Nicholas in Khamovniki; there is also a list of it in the Church of the Deposition of the Robe in Leonov.

The miraculous icon “Support of Sinners” Koretskaya

As legend has it, this image was brought from Rome in 1622 by Prince Koretsky (Korets is a city in the Rivne region in Ukraine), and it became a family shrine of the princely family. Then the relic was transferred to Koretsky convent, where she showed many miracles and miraculous healings. Currently she is in the same monastery.

Description of the icon

By the nature of the image, the icon “Helper of Sinners” can be attributed to the iconographic type “Hodegetria” (“Guide”).

The Mother of God is depicted in scarlet robes, which symbolizes her image as the Queen of Heaven; often on Her head and the head of the Child Jesus crown

A characteristic feature of this icon is that the Child holds the right hand of the Mother of God with both hands; This gesture is not found in other images of the Mother of God. On most lists of the icon there is an inscription that gives it its name.

How does the icon “Helper of Sinners” help?

It is impossible to overestimate the significance of the icon of the Mother of God “Helper of Sinners.” It gives everyone hope for forgiveness and redemption if a person sincerely repents and prays for remission of sins. She truly is a Guide for all believers, for whom She vouched before the Lord and whom She directs on the true path.

Prayer in front of this icon helps strengthen faith and achieve spiritual insight, overcome despondency and bad thoughts, get rid of sinful passions

They pray to her for the healing of physical and mental ailments, for support in difficult life situations. But no matter what difficult hour of your life you pray to the Helper of Sinners, do not forget to praise her for her guidance on the true path and intercession before the Lord.

Prayer to the icon

My Most Blessed Queen, My Most Holy Hope, Helper of Sinners! Behold, poor sinner, this is before You! Don’t leave me, abandoned by everyone, don’t forget me, forgotten by everyone, give me joy, who knows no joy. Oh, my troubles and sorrows are severe! Oh, my sins are immeasurable! Like the darkness of the night is my life. And there is not a single strong help in the sons of men. You are my only Hope. You are my only Cover, Refuge and Affirmation. I boldly stretch out my weak hand to You and pray: have mercy on me, O All-Good One, have mercy, have mercy with the purchased Blood of Your Son, quench the sickness of my much-sighing soul, tame the rage of those who hate and offend me, restore my fading strength, renew my youth like eaglets. , do not allow yourself to become weak in keeping God’s commandments. Touch my troubled souls with heavenly fire and fill me with unashamed faith, unfeigned love and known hopes. May I always sing and praise You, the Most Blessed Intercessor of the world, our Protector and Helper of all of us sinners, and I adore Your Son and our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, with His Beginning Father and the Life-Giving Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.