Measuring icon for the baby

Perfectly decorated orthodox churches. Thrill and excitement is experienced by everyone who crosses their threshold. Faces of saints on icons, candles and prayer whisper immerse us in the mystery of communion with God.

Icon-worship is an important part of the Orthodox faith. The image of saints is a window to the divine world.

Meaning of the icon

Through the icon through prayer, believers turn to Jesus Christ, the Mother of God, the saints or angels. The icon is the proof of their visible image, therefore they pray not to the icon, but to the one whose face is present on it.

The first icon was not made by hands, and the Savior himself gave it to the people. On the towel, with which he wiped his face, his image appeared. The sick king Avgar prayed before this image and miraculously healed.

Icons express the essence of Orthodoxy and bear the good news of Christ, attest to the true existence of God and guide him.

How to choose a patron saint

In the tradition of Orthodoxy, the child should be named after the saint who was honored on his birthday. Therefore, he was considered an intercessor after baptism.

If the rite is performed at an older age, then the patron is chosen in accordance with his name or with the one that will be given at baptism. There are several holy saints. Therefore, from the list choose the one whose memory day is closest to the date of birth. Look forward to the calendar, that is, after the birthday.

This day is considered a name day, and the chosen saint will be an intercessor, an assistant and spiritual mentor. However, the church does not forbid the choice of a saint who is close spiritually, for example, by profession.

The icon with the image of the patron, in whose day the name-day is celebrated, is called nominal. It is customary to have every Orthodox.

About dimensional icons

The measured icon refers to nominal images. It is written directly for the newborn. This name was received, because the size of the board for the icon should correspond to the growth of the baby and the width of his shoulders on the eighth day from birth, when it is customary to give a name.

Mostly on the icon there is an image of the patron in full growth. But sometimes the Savior or the Mother of God can be in his place, and on the sides there is a guardian angel and especially patronized in the family. There is a dimensional icon should be near the cradle of the baby or just in his room.

Is it possible to give an icon

The icon can be presented as a gift. But it is necessary to understand that the symbol of faith is not a guarantee of the protection and grace of God, especially it can not be a talisman, amulet or a beautiful piece of furniture.

If parents, close relatives or godparents want to attach the child to the faith, do it better from the youngest age. In this case, the dimensional icon for the baby will be a valuable offering and along with the cross will become the personal shrine of the person.

It is believed that a dimensional icon can be presented to an adult person. Such a gift will be memorable and expensive, and daily prayer to the holy patron will be especially blessed.

Special meaning

The measuring icon is unique, like the person who was born. It is believed that it contributes to the establishment of a special spiritual connection with its patron. It is not necessary to invest a special mystical meaning in the exact correspondence of the dimensions. It's just a reminder to a person about how small he was when he was born.

The orthodox appeals to the image on the icon for blessing or advice, and the intercessor asks for it before God. And if the faith of the praying Christian is deep and true, he will certainly receive support.

Therefore, it is necessary to realize that the icon itself does not help, it invites to prayer, serves as a reminder of God and a conductor of the believer to him.

History of the dimensional icon

The history of the appearance of dimensional icons, or, as they were called, "born", is attributed to the reign of Ivan the Terrible. It was he who ordered the writing of the first such icon after the birth of his son. Tradition for centuries was the prerogative of the royal family.

In the museums of the Kremlin are preserved eight dimensional icons: three are attributed to the family of the Rurik, and five to the Romanovs.

In the era of Peter I the tradition began to fade away in connection with the attachment to the Western style of life. Separate cases of writing dimensional icons began to arise in families of the non-clan family. Nobles and nobles, thus, imitated the ancient Russian custom.

The revival of interest in this type of icon painting occurs in the XIX - early XX century, but is interrupted by the revolution.

The measuring icon for the baby is experiencing a third wave of rebirth in our days. Now this tradition has become mass.

Manufacturing technology

A close child actually takes part in the creation of the icon. First of all, it is necessary to determine what will be depicted on it, that is, the plot: there will be one saint by name and date of birth or, for example, the Virgin in the center, and in the fields - especially revered defenders.

At the next stage, the icon painters proceed directly to the creation of the image in the traditional technique. As a basis, a linden, pine, maple or alder board is taken, depending on the region where the workshop is located.

To ensure that the board does not warp, reinforce its rear side: apply a shallow set of cuts across the fibers and fill with thin boards of another, more solid, wood grade, that is veneered.

Then the board is glued with a special glue on the basis of fish or animal glue, and then they are applied with a pallet. This is the layer of fabric necessary to smooth out the unevenness of the base.

Primer, or, as it is called, gesso, is the next stage of the work, it is made on the basis of fish glue and chalk. Apply layer by layer, each is carefully dried and polished.

The third layer is painting itself. First, the outline of the pattern is indicated . A layer of paint is then applied. It is prepared on yolks and has increased strength, called egg tempera.

Finished drawing from above cover with linseed oil, so that it is preserved in its original form for many years.

Where to buy the icon

Manufacturing of dimensional icons is the sphere of activity of icon-painting workshops, which are often under the patronage of a temple or monastery. They are made to order.

On average, the period through which the work will be ready is about a month.

Such an icon can not be cheap, therefore, so that there is no doubt about where to place an order, it is necessary to take into account the price and, of course, the buyers' feedback on the finished work that this or that workshop will perform.

The measuring icon is executed in a style that depends on the school of artists.

There are many of them, they can differ geographically, for example: Novgorod, Moscow, Pskov, Kostroma.

Also different are the stylistics icons of schools of different founders. They were the famous icon painters: Theophanes the Greek or Andrei Rublev.

Ordering a measuring icon in Moscow

A measuring icon in Moscow can be made in one of the many workshops. Their works not only deserve grateful feedback from customers, but are also noted and sanctified by the Orthodox Church. The most famous and popular, which, no doubt, you can trust, are the following workshops:

1. "Measuring icon" on Serpukhovskaya street is one of the branches of the whole network of workshops. In addition to Moscow, they are open in Yekaterinburg, Ufa, Krasnoyarsk, Tula and Kaluga. Within the framework of the new project, they offer to order the writing of unique icons by the artists of Athos, with whom friendly relations are established. Completed in the Byzantine style dimensional icon (the photo can not convey all its beauty) is a masterpiece of icon painting. It is believed that the images from these places have a miraculous effect.
2. Icon-painting workshop "In the name of the Monk Alipiy of Caves" is located at the church of the icon of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow". Respect for traditions and strict observance of canons distinguish masters-icon painters.
3. The icon painting workshop "Alexandria" has a unique style of writing, which relies on ancient traditions, but at the same time it is distinguished by a special realism of images.
4. Icon painting workshop of Irina Ilyinskaya. Its founder is an ideological and creative inspiration for the team of artists. One of the areas of activity is the creation of a new iconography, that is, the writing of images of newly canonized holy saints.
5. Icon painting workshop "Creating a heritage" works in the traditions of the icon painters' guild of Vladimir. In addition to writing new images, they are engaged in the restoration of old. You can buy both, and others.

Icons to order in Yekaterinburg

Uniqueness is a feature that a dimensional icon differs from. Ekaterinburg, being a cultural center of the Ural region, revives lost traditions, including church art.

In the city there are several workshops in which artists create true masterpieces of icon painting:

1. Workshop "The Measuring Icon" carries out orders related to the writing of dimensional, wedding, personal, as well as temple icons.
2. Workshop "Tabor" was organized in 2006. It deals not only with the creation of icons, but also with the painting of temples. Adheres to the Moscow and Yaroslavl school of icon painting. The finished works are consecrated by the priests of the Holy Cross Monastery for men.
3. Association "Canon" is a team of architects, icon painters, woodcarvers and gilders who decorate churches, create a single artistic ensemble. In his works on biblical subjects revive the lost nevian style of iconography.

When appealing to God or his saints, thoughts should be free from vain deeds, the image on the icon helps open your heart and focus on sincere and spiritual communication.

Encourage your children to engage in a respectful dialogue with their patron. These simple words, perhaps far from the right ecclesiastical prayers, must be filled with respect and reverence for the holy face.