Decor 

All about the icon "Seven Arrows": description, meaning, what helps?

This image is one of the most revered by Christians, it is in every temple. The icon of the Mother of God "Seven-shot" is recommended to have in every Orthodox home. The holy power and the miraculous properties of the image protect the dwelling and its inhabitants from all sorts of disturbances and troubles. And what is the meaning of "Seven-strelnaya", in what way does it help?

View and what does it mean?

The Mistress of the World is most often depicted with the Divine Infant in her arms or sitting on Her knees, or surrounded by Holy Incorporeal Forces, saints. This icon strikes with the unusualness of the image: seven swords pierce the chest of the Most Pure One. Three of them are shown on the left and four on the right. The allegory of the elder Simeon about the weapon that "passes the soul" becomes clear.

The number "7" in the Holy Scriptures, and even in the folk tradition, is always characterized by the fullness of something - whether joy or sorrow. And these seven swords, which pierced the body of the Most Pure One, symbolize the torment of the mother's soul at the sight of the humiliation, torture and crucifixion of the Son of God.

There is another interesting point of view. The seven sharp swords are the main sinful passions of the human race, which pierce the heart with the same pain.

Two more icons belong to this type of iconography.. Although they are called differently, the prayers and the days when the celebration is established in honor of them are the same. First - "Softener of evil hearts" - has another name - "Simeon's prophecy."

On it the Mistress of the world is depicted in exactly the same way as on "Seven-shooter", but the swords (or arrows) are arranged somewhat differently: the same number on both sides, and one in the center. Often in the current church practice, these icons are practically identified, since their meanings are the same.

The third icon "Passionate" with an additional, as it were, “explaining” name “And a weapon will pass through Your very soul” - recreates the same plot with swords aimed at the heart of the Virgin, and She supports the head of the God-Man removed from the Cross with her left hand.

History and photo

The exact date of the appearance of the icon, which later became miraculous, is unknown, and the opinions of experts on this matter differ. According to some, the image was painted 500 years ago in the northern regions. Others believe that he is much older.

And the icon was found in the most miraculous way. A legend has been preserved that tells how one peasant from the Vologda province, who was lame and relaxed for many years, heard a Divine voice in a dream.

According to his instructions, the sick person had to go to the temple, consecrated in the name of the Apostle John the Theologian and erected by the river Toshni, on its belfry to find the Mother of God icon and with sincere hope for recovery offer prayers before him.

However, the man was not allowed to enter the bell tower, not believing the story of a prophetic dream. Three times the poor fellow returned to the temple, and only on the third attempt the servants allowed him to climb the bell tower, where he discovered the icon: it lay on the stair turn, like an ordinary step, face down, and the bell ringers each time went up to the bells.

Shaken by their unintentional blasphemy the ministers of the church washed and cleaned the holy image, installed it in the temple. A thanksgiving service was served. And the peasant who found the icon after him was completely healed.

Revolutionary storms and storms carried away the icon of the Mother of God "Seven Arrows" in an unknown direction. But many lists remain, and they also show miracles.

What helps?

The miraculous icon, which is associated with its version of “Softener of Evil Hearts,” is prayed with precisely this accent - they are asked to get rid of hardness of heart, to soften the hearts that conceal malice. These may be different moments. Prayers are ascending:

  • about reconciliation those who are hostile
  • about awakening in the human souls of compassion and mercy
  • about the eradication of long-term hostility especially between close ones
  • about improving the relationship between husband and wife, children-parents
  • about getting rid of manifestations of intolerance towards the one who prays
  • about conflict resolution including litigation
  • about the gift of patience in such situations
  • about saving the world and fret in the house
  • about the establishment of peace between nations
  • about deliverance from wars and riots

Miraculous power is shown not only by the icon itself, but also by its image on pendants and amulets. This is protection not only from conflicts, gossip and other unpleasant phenomena of an external order, but also from one's own negative feelings - irritability, anger, as well as sinful thoughts.

This icon of the Mother of God also revered as a guardian of the hearth. He also heals ailments - mental and physical.

Celebration: what day?

"Seven-strelnaya" is honored annually on the 26th day of August. This date is marked by one of the miracles manifested from the icon.

In 1830, a cholera epidemic broke out in the Vologda region. It was on this August day that the townspeople served a prayer service in front of the icon, fervently imploring the Heavenly Intercessor to deliver them from misfortune, and then they walked around the city with a holy image and chants in a procession. And the terrible disease receded.

Divine services in honor of her are also performed on the first Sunday after the Trinity (Pentecost). called All Saints' Week.

Where is the shrine located?

As already mentioned, the holy image disappeared without a trace after the October Revolution.. But in many temples of the country its copies are kept. Some of them are miraculous.

  • One of these lists can be seen in Moscow, in the temple, which is on the Maiden's field. Its feature is myrrh-streaming.
  • The myrrh-streaming icon "Seven Arrows" is also in the Moscow region, in the village of Bachurino, and also has its own peculiarity: this image is not written, but printed. Nevertheless, the owner, for whom this copy was made, noticed that the face of the Mother of God exudes myrrh. The icon was recognized as miraculous and a chapel was built for it.
  • Pilgrimages are organized and to Vologda. Here, in the church of St. Righteous Lazarus, where the "Seven Rifles" appeared in the year of the end of the war, you can venerate this holy image.
  • In the town Zhizdre, Kaluga region there is also this shrine, but precisely as a variant of the already mentioned "Passion".
  • If we put an equal sign between the "Seven Arrows" and "Softener of Evil Hearts", then it can be noted that the list of the latter after the Second World War ended up in Venice and is stored there in the chapel. Allegedly, Italian soldiers during the battles near Voronezh, having discovered the image in the ruins of the house, handed it over to their regimental priest, and he took it with him to his homeland. Presumably before the icon was in Belogorsk Resurrection Monastery.

Miracles icons

The most amazing miracle is that the image of the Most Pure from the copy located in the village of Bachurino exudes myrrh, and sometimes begins to bleed. This phenomenon has been observed for almost 18 years, and eyewitnesses say that the icon is alive, and in this way it reacts to tragic events that may occur, and not only in Russia.

The icon bled for the first time before the Kursk submarine sank. The same story was repeated with Beslan, Nord-Ost.

Scientists who studied the composition of the world came to the conclusion that it is close to the juice of some exotic coniferous tree, which has amazing properties: it is an antidepressant, heals wounds.

The icon "travels" through Russian parishes, hospitals and prisons, where miracles are documented through prayer to it. Very often it is carried abroad, up to Australia. And many who are sick receive healing, and those who are restless receive peace.

Where to hang the image?

The place of the icon is best determined in a corner or on a shelf, specially equipped for this. However, with regard to this particular icon, it is placed either above the front door, or opposite it - so that it can see all those entering the apartment.

There is evidence that she protects those living in the house from unkind people who harbor bad intentions and thoughts. After this icon is settled in the apartment, you can even notice how some people stop coming to you.

Under the protection of the Virgin, you can leave the house during a long absence, and it will be bypassed by intruders and criminals.

Other tips for icon placement include:

  • On the wall where the icon hangs, you shouldn't have all sorts of, talismans with a "pagan" bias.
  • Various images of a secular character nearby are also inappropriate., as well as photographs of anyone.
  • Undesirable neighborhood with household appliances.
  • The location of the icon must be clean, don't let the shrine get dusty.

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. Otherwise, for refuge and warm intercession, don’t you know, but, as if you have boldness to the One who is born of you, help and save us with your prayers, so that we unstoppably reach the Kingdom of Heaven, where with all the saints we will sing in the Trinity to the One God, now and forever and forever and ever. Amen.