A man living in the 21st century, in the era of complete computerization and new technologies, has long been accustomed to rely only on himself and on the wonders of technology. But there are situations when people, using the words of Marmeladov, have nowhere else to go, nowhere to wait for help, support, healing. That's when we remember the higher forces, we come to the temple, we pray with prayers before the icons, hoping only for them and for a miracle that can come from them.
Icon miraculous
One of the most powerful and significant Christian shrines is the seven-arrow icon. It depicts the Mother of God with stalks / daggers stuck into her. 3 on one side and 4 on the other. The holiday in honor of her celebrates the Church in August, the 13th (old style). It has a seven-arrow icon, a special, sacred meaning. First, there is a significant number of 7. In the Bible, in Christianity, it means an excess of something, a multitude hurling over the edge. Concerning the icon, it symbolizes those great torments and sufferings that the Mother of God experienced, beginning with the prophecy of the Elder Simeon, who foretold that her son was the Messiah, and ending with contemplation of the death of Jesus. After all, the same Simeon and her prophesied that the weapon will pass through her heart and pierce her soul. Secondly, each of the daggers / arrows is associated with specific facts of the biography of her personally and the Son of God: flight from Herod, separation from Jesus at the beginning of his ministry, etc., up to the crucifixion on Calvary. It should be said that the seven-arrow icon is very close in content and miraculous power to another famous Russian shrine - the icon "Softening the Evil Hearts". The difference is in the author, the time of creation and whereabouts. As for the depicted plot, they are not the same in the position of the daggers. The Virgin Mary on "Softening ..." on both sides of 3, and the last, the 7th, pierces her heart from below. Celebration in her honor is held in February, 15. The modern Church has united two images into one iconographic type. Therefore, the seven-arrow icon is now considered synonymous with "Softening the Evil Hearts".
When to pray with prayer?
In what cases will these images help us? People, deeply and truly believers, often talked about how, during prayers, anger and bitterness departs from their souls, and humility, peace, forgiveness takes their place. At such times their physical pain and infirmity recedes, despair gives way to hope. The icon of the seven-arrow, praying before her, is able to heal the ailments of the body, flesh and spirit. If you have enemies, if someone has harmed you, wronged you unfairly, made nasty things, badly failed - do not rush to curse them, curse them, wish them bad. Do the opposite. Pray for the Intercessor about them, for them to soften, stop harming, from enemies become your spiritual brothers. You will see, feel how your adversaries will soften, become more humane, repent. The seven-sided Mother of God helps and with family quarrels: between children and parents, brothers and sisters, spouses. For example, if you have disagreements in your own family, your children have turned away, and you desperately need their support, love, sympathy, help, consult a priest about prayer and go with your need, trouble, trouble for the icon. Weep your grief. You will certainly be heard. A positive result of the prayers will not keep you waiting.
No matter how bad it is for you - remember: you can not despair, you have to fight against evil, grief, problem and go to the end in your struggle. And holy icons will help you!