Decor 

What helps the Seven-shot Icon of the Mother of God?

The image of the Seven-shot Icon of the Mother of God is a visible proof of that amazing story that happened more than two thousand years ago. And the old man pronounces the very words that we remember at every service to this day: “Now you release your servant, Master…” (Luke 2:29). But what was that story? What helps the icon of the Mother of God of Seven Arrows?

The icon of the Mother of God of the Seven Arrows is in almost every church. This is one of the most revered icons. What does this image mean? What does the icon of the Seven Arrows help in?

Icon of the Seven-shot Mother of God: description

Unpredictable life throws different surprises. Good and bad. Tolerable and unbearable. But what can compare with the suffering of one who sees on the cross not only the Son, but also her God? And he doubts. This is truly a weapon - doubt. How can He who was born without a man, healed the sick, raised the dead, now endure humiliation and beatings and death?

The mother's suffering for her Son and doubt about the truth of the most holy, than she lived, for which she endured. The limit of hopelessness, despair is beyond all measure and ... victory. “The thoughts of many hearts will be revealed” - we read the place in the Gospel describing this event. Traitors will be revealed, and those who loved in secret will also be revealed. The own thoughts of the heart will be revealed and overcome. It is this victory of the Mother of God, this unimaginable intensity of inner pain and struggle that is reflected on the icon, and its true meaning, which the Mother of God sends us through it as a message - I am with you! No matter how deep your grief is, no matter how unbearably hard and painful, know that I am with you. I'm near. I know how you feel because I went through it too.

What does the Seven Arrow Icon of the Mother of God mean?

The icon of the Mother of God of Seven Arrows is that “portal” to the invisible, but real world, when space and time can become unsteady, the laws of nature can change and what people call a miracle can happen. But a miracle is just an atypical situation. Those who turned to the Mother of God and received consolation from her know what prayer in front of her helps with. Christians pray not to the icon itself, but to the Image depicted on it, and the meaning of the Seven-shooter icon reveals to us all its depth and meaning. The Chief Comforter will help in everything if you turn to her with faith and humility. We are all children for her, and she is our common Mother. Well, how can a mother refuse a child when he turns to her, and even with tears? The answer is known: nothing. Only if it does not threaten his safety.

Does not threaten security. “But how does mom know,” the child will think. “How can she forbid me something if I need it. And not sometime later - I need it now! the child thinks. How we sometimes look like children. The Mother of God hears everyone, accepts everyone and loves everyone, but what is asked may not happen, or it may not happen immediately. It takes a firm commitment to be patient and trust. Trust that there you are heard and understood. She protects us like the apple of her eye. Through the prayers of the Mother of God to her Son, any help, any protection is possible. "Ask, and it will be given to you" - it is written in the Gospel. Ask.

There is another meaning of the icon of the Mother of God of Seven Arrows. In the image we see seven arrows - seven human sins. Invisible to the eye of people, they are visible to the Mother of God - she looks directly into the heart. The sinfulness of a fallen man pierces the soul of the Mother of God just as much as the contemplation of his desecrated Son.

From what does the “Seven-shot” icon of the Mother of God protect and to whom does it help?

The Mother of God is depicted on the icon, pierced by seven arrows from two sides - on the right and on the left. There is a similar icon "Softener of Evil Hearts" ("Simeon's Prophecy"), where arrows (swords) are located three on each side and one below. According to the prayer purpose, the icons are identical. Believers ask before the image for reconciliation of the warring and deliverance from hardness of heart.

What does the Seven-shooter Icon of the Mother of God protect from?

  1. From envious people and ill-wishers. The Mother of God softens their hearts and protects you.
  2. From injury and disease. The Mother of God protects you and grants recovery.
  3. From enemies and murderers. The icon protects from weapons, protects warriors and defenders.

The prayer of the Seven-shot Mother of God helps to find the strength in oneself to keep the world, one can also ask that such strength be given to those who are angry with us or want to offend. This icon of the Mother of God protects everyone who turns to her in prayer, for the sake of the image and meaning that this icon carries. But not in itself the Mother of God helps and protects us, but asking for us from her Son and Lord - Jesus Christ.

Miracles of the Icon of the Seven Arrows Mother of God

The holy image was found near Vologda more than 500 years ago. According to legend, the icon was found by a peasant who found it on the bell tower of the church, where they walked on it, mistaking it for a board. In a dream, the Mother of God appeared to the peasant and told him where to look for Her face. After finding the icon, the first healing immediately took place - the peasant who found it got rid of the tormenting illness - lameness and relaxation.

The miracle work of the icon continued until its disappearance after the revolution of 1917. The icon became especially famous in 1830 during the cholera epidemic.

Where to hang the Seven-shooter Icon of the Mother of God?

How to hang an icon so that it not only pleases the eye, but also helps protect the household, fill the house with peace and love? The question of choosing a place, how and where to store an icon, is not accidental: incorrectly placed icons can have quite the opposite effect.

Previously, a red corner served for icons - a specially designated place for prayer. This method is not the only one, it is enough to follow just a few rules:

  • all icons should be kept in one place and not mixed with photographs and paintings;
  • icons should stand apart, since the place where they will stand is intended for prayer, that is, live communication with the Divine world. Through the prayer of the Mother of God, the Lord most quickly hears our requests, since she is the very first intercessor before us. The neighborhood of icons with other objects, even if they are very expensive and important to us, is not allowed;
  • you can’t put icons on shelves with books, on a TV, or hang them next to paintings. Arranged or hung in this way, they can do more harm than good, as they lose their original meaning as a door to communication with God.

The seven-shooter, of course, is one of the most revered icons and should stand in the middle of the home iconostasis, where it should be - next to the icon of Jesus Christ. This option is classic, but if there are no other icons in the house, you can put it alone and light a candle or lamp in front of it.

In tradition, believers also have the option of wearing the icon under the heart - on the chest, along with a pectoral cross. In this case, the icon will more often remind the owner of itself, and this will give more frequent communication with the Mother of God through her image. Which, of course, will increase the degree of influence of the icon on our lives.

Where else can you hang the Seven-shooter Icon of the Mother of God? Often believers place this image above the front door. It is believed that the Mother of God will protect the house from the invasion of enemies and envious people.

The celebration of this icon is set on August 26.

The seven-shot icon of the Mother of God: the most powerful prayer

Prayer is the communication of specific people with each other. Some are still on earth, while others have died, but lived their lives in such a way that the glory of them and faith in them is alive. Faith that Divine mediators are our intercessors, advocates whose voice is valuable. And the main intercessor is the Mother of God, who, in the image of the Seven Arrows, is the embodiment of forgiveness, infinite mercy and love.

Troparion and Kontakion of the Icon of the Mother of God of Seven Arrows

Troparion, tone 5:
Soften our evil hearts, Mother of God, and quench the misfortunes of those who hate us, and resolve all the narrowness of our soul. Looking at Your holy image, we are touched by Your suffering and mercy for us and kiss Your wounds, but our arrows, which torment You, are horrified. Do not give us, merciful Mother, to die in our hardness of heart and from the hardness of our neighbors, Thou art truly evil hearts Softening.

Kondak:
To the Chosen Virgin Mary, the highest of all the daughters of the earth, the Mother of the Son of God, who gave Him the salvation of the world, we call with tenderness: look at our many-sorrowful life, remember the sorrows and illnesses that you endured, as our earthly one, and do with us according to your mercy, let us call you: Rejoice, much-sorrowful Mother of God, transforming our sorrow into joy.

Seven-shot icon of the Mother of God: prayer

O long-suffering Mother of God, who exalted all the daughters of the earth, according to Your purity and the multitude of sufferings You have transferred to the lands, accept our painful sighs and save us under the shelter of Your mercy. We don’t know any other refuge and warm intercession for You, but, as having boldness to the One born from Thee, help and save us with Your prayers, so that we unstoppably reach the Kingdom of Heaven, even with all the saints we will sing in the Trinity to the one God now and forever, and till the end of time. Amen.

You can pray, and sometimes you even need to, in your own words. Especially when there is something to say. But also do not forget the experience of conciliar prayers, which are read by all Christians in one word. They create a kind of prayer choir, which is also pleasing in heaven.

Love is the most sacred thing in our life. And maternal love is the strongest of all its varieties. Understanding why the Seven-shot Icon of the Mother of God helps in everyday life - in moments of sorrow and sadness, mental distress, despair, when we are offended - we turn to the one who loves, and endures, and waits. Waiting for prayer and fellowship, waiting for us to bring to her all our sorrows and sorrows. They told, as if in spirit, everything that lies like a stone on the heart. And we bring fears, hopes, complaints, requests to her - and we receive consolation.