Icon "Look at humility": description, meaning, what helps

Among the variety of icons of the Blessed Virgin Mary there is one whose history is unusual in that it contains two of its miraculous phenomena. They stood apart for nearly six centuries, but were accompanied by miracles that testified to her willingness to help all who turn to her with faith and love. This is the icon of the Mother of God "Look at humility."

The appearance of the saving image of the Pskovites

This miraculous image was first discovered in 1420. The circumstances of the incident are hidden from us, but there is a chronicle evidence of those years, telling how in times of the pious prince of Moscow Vasily I incalculable disasters struck the Pskov land. For the sins of the Pskovites the Lord let the fortunes in their lands occur, which blew dozens of lives daily. And on top of the troubles, the Lithuanian prince Vitovt and his retinue invaded their land.

At this difficult time, the icon "Look at humility" was found by the Pskovites. The chronicler says that she appeared to people near Pskov, on the shore of Kamenny Lake. Those who found her were struck by the fact that blood was dripping from the right eye of the Mother of God all the way to the city, where the icon was moved with great honors. A wonderful image was placed in the Trinity Church. The day of finding the icon - September 29 - was celebrated as a holiday reminiscent of such an important event.

The help sent through the icon

The bloody tears of the Heavenly Queen were interpreted as an indication that the Mother of God fully sympathizes with the inhabitants of Pskov who was in trouble and is ready to come to their aid. The icon "Prizri for humility" became the object of universal veneration, and soon the Mother of God showed her mercy through her, safely rescuing the city from both pestilence and the invasion of foreigners.

The Trinity Cathedral, where the miracle-working image was placed, suffered many misfortunes in its history, which harmed its decoration and the relics that were stored there. These are natural disasters, fires, and the evil will of people. Much of the legacy of past centuries has not reached us. The Icon of the Mother of God "Lied to Humility" was also lost, the one that appeared to the Pskovites in the 15th century. The last mention of it dates back to the 18th century, and since then its track has been lost.

Today, visiting the Trinity Cathedral of the Pskov Kremlin, you can see to the right of the altar only a list with that image. It is known that the icon "Prizri for humility" is quite rare. One of the copies, made at the end of the XVII century, is kept in the temple of the Florovsky Convent in Kiev, and the other is in the same place, but in the Holy Monastery of St. Vvedensky. The wall of the cathedral, where it is placed, adorns a similar image, made in mosaic technique.

Creating a list from the ancient original

With the icon, stored in the monastery, a miracle is associated, which accompanied her finding in our days. It is known that this list was made from an ancient original by a certain princess, who took monastic vows under the name of Mary. This pious woman was endowed with an artistic gift.

There is evidence that the image in question she wrote not with an ordinary brush, as all painters do, but a special one - made of holy relics. Paints for her work she kneaded in the holy water, and during the period of writing constantly worked Jesus' prayer. As a result, the icon created by her was filled with the Grace of God and acquired the ability to perform miracles.

When the Bolshevik coup took place, and then decades of persecution against the church followed, the miraculous icon "Prizri for humility" from the Holy Vvedensky Monastery was kept for many years in the house of the nun Theodora. When the times of democratic change came, and state battle against the gods had become a thing of the past, the pious nun brought the image back to its original place.

The miracle that has happened in our day

It is with this second finding that a miracle is connected, which has cast awe into the monastery as well as numerous pilgrims. The fact is that in 1993 it was decided to restore the icons, as the colors faded, and the image became dull. When, however, the glass that covered the kiot was taken off, they discovered that the painting had not lost its bright color, but the glass itself was stuck. Having examined more carefully, they found out that the image of the Virgin with Her Eternal Infant had appeared on it.

The image resembled a picture made with light chalk strokes, and it was like a negative from the original. The bright sections of the icon became dark on the glass, the dark ones light. Of course, a similar phenomenon interested Kiev scientists. They made a thorough study and concluded that the picture on glass is not made by hand, and its nature can not be explained on the basis of modern scientific techniques.

A new miracle and universal worship of the shrine

The highest leadership of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine issued a decree, on the basis of which the icon "Prizri for humility" should be attributed to the category of miraculous. After that, it was again placed under the glass, this time separated from it at a considerable distance. However, in 2001 the features of the Virgin again appeared in an inexplicable way.

This new miracle became the reason for the pilgrimage to the monastery of many thousands of people suffering from infirmities and burdened with everyday troubles, for which the last hope was the icon "Look at humility." How does it help, and what kind of prayers are taken to be performed in front of her? This is eloquently evidenced by the numerous testimonies of those who have recovered through it healing from illnesses and help in solving vital problems.

The icon "Look at humility": its meaning for believers

Like any other image of the Virgin, this icon can verify all of its innermost thoughts and experiences. The Queen of Heaven is generous in mercy and invariably comes to the aid of everyone who turns to her miraculous image with true faith. For Her, as for Her Eternal Son, nothing is impossible, therefore any request will be fulfilled, if only it is for the benefit of the supplicant and not to the detriment of other people. This is its great significance for all who profess the Christian faith.

But, besides this, there is one important feature that the icon "Prizri for humility" has. What helps it to living people is already said, but the fact is that the prayers offered to it also bear help and dead people who did not want to leave this world and repent of their sins. It is believed that requests for the bestowal of forgiveness and eternal life are extraordinarily gratifying and effective.

Characteristic features of the icon

In conclusion, a few words about the iconography of this image. The icon of the Mother of God "Look at humility" belongs to the type "Hodegetria", which means "Guidebook". It depicts the Virgin, crowned with a crown and holding a scepter in his right hand. With her left hand, She holds the Infant standing on her lap and holding in her left hand a power - a symbol of power over the world.

His right hand is lifted up. This testifies to the Latin origin of the prototype of the icon, since it was in the West that the Child was often given the appearance of a speaker (tribune) advocating for all the unfortunate and destitute.