In the churches of pre-revolutionary Moscow there were many miraculous icons that were worshiped and asked for help in all everyday matters. The Orthodox people hurried towards them to the sound of bells. But among them there were especially revered ones. People came to them from all over Russia. One of them is called " blessed sky" Our story will be about her.

About how this appeared in Rus' wonderful image, there are different opinions. According to one version, in the 14th century the icon was brought to Moscow from Smolensk by the pious wife of Prince Vasily Dmitrievich, Sofya Vitovtovna. It was sent to Smolensk from Constantinople along with other ancient images. According to another version, the icon is of Western origin. But this version is less convincing, since it is based solely on the iconographic features of her writing.

Exists special group icons of the Mother of God, called “akathist” icons. Their main meaning is to glorify the Queen of Heaven. Each of them is a joyful, hymn of praise in Her honor. The “Blessed Sky” icon also belongs to this group Mother of God. What do they pray for before her? About many things. But the main thing is about guidance on the path that leads to the Kingdom of Heaven. The Most Pure Virgin does not abandon everyone who falls to Her in faith.

Prototype of the blessed image

It is generally accepted that the icon of the Mother of God “Blessed Sky” has another image as its prototype, known as “The Woman Clothed in the Sun.” The figure of the Virgin Mary depicted on it with the Child in her arms stands on a crescent. Her head is crowned with a crown, and She is all surrounded by rays. The motive for its writing was lines from the book of John the Evangelist.

The Holy Apostle describes how he was honored to see a woman in heaven, dressed sun rays who gave birth to a baby who was destined to become a shepherd for all the people of the world. Created in Western Europe in the 15th century, this iconographic type came to Russia two hundred years later. He gave rise to the writing of the Mother of God icons, including the “Solar” icon and the icon of the Mother of God “Gracious Sky”.

Image from a Moscow temple

In Orthodox Rus', these icons were held in special esteem. The oldest of them was the icon of the Mother of God “Blessed Heaven”, located in the Archangel Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin. It was a copy of an older icon, painted by order of the pious Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich. A chased one was made for her silver frame. In 1812 it was stolen, but a few years later it was replaced with a new one. Some of its details, unfortunately, have not survived.

Nowadays, the icon is kept in the Moscow Archangel Cathedral. Her widespread veneration is associated with the name of Moscow Metropolitan Philaret (Drozdov). In 1853, he ordered the collection of all available documents related to the image of the “Blessed Sky”. The icon took its place in the renewed iconostasis of the cathedral, and at the direction of the Metropolitan, its celebration took place twice a year. In addition, a special prayer service was performed daily in her honor. Numerous pilgrims brought candles, oil and lamps to her. At the very beginning of the last century, a new list was made from the image of the “Blessed Sky”. The icon is currently in one of the churches in the Yaroslavl region.

The famous fresco by V. M. Vasnetsov

The story about this miraculous image will be incomplete if we do not recall the famous fresco of the Vladimir Cathedral in Kyiv by V. M. Vasnetsov. This work is so significant that it is worth dwelling on it in more detail. His story is not only interesting, but also wonderful.

In 1885, one of the leaders of the work on the design of the newly built temple, Professor A. Prakhov, invited Vasnetsov to paint the walls, but his son’s illness prevented the artist from accepting the offer. However, soon thoughts about the image of the Mother of God so possessed him that he changed his mind. The impetus was the scene he witnessed: his wife holding a baby in her arms - a son who threw up his little hands in a joyful impulse.

“Blessed Sky” - an icon that became part of the temple

Meanwhile, in Kyiv they were finishing preparing the temple for painting. Professor Prakhov and a group of assistants were inspecting the newly plastered walls. Plaster, as you know, dries unevenly, and dried light areas alternate with dark, still damp ones. Approaching the part of the wall where the altar image should be, everyone suddenly saw on the dry and whitened part of the wall a still damp and therefore dark area, its outline similar to the image of the Virgin Mary with a baby in her arms.

Prahov immediately sketched what he saw, and everyone present certified the authenticity. When Vasnetsov arrived in Kyiv and was shown this sketch, he was amazed - the outlines of the Virgin Mary exactly corresponded to the image of his wife with her son in her arms. Impressed by what he saw, he got to work.

Two years later, the wall of the cathedral was decorated with the famous fresco “Blessed Sky”. The icon, which became part of the cathedral, generously bestowed grace on everyone who came to it in faith.

Icon - patroness of the defenders of the sky

Nowadays, this icon remains one of the most revered among the people. Its celebration takes place on March 19. The “Blessed Heaven” icon, the meaning of which went beyond the purely religious symbol, became the patroness of Russian airborne troops, thereby fulfilling an important patriotic mission. By decree of the Russian government, the “Blessed Heaven” medal was established.

It is awarded for special services in protecting the skies of our homeland. It is known that the legendary military pilot A.I. Pokryshkin was born on the day of her celebration, and throughout the war the Mother of God took care of him in battle.

Orthodox images of the Mother of God are very diverse; there are also some that are not quite ordinary in composition. Such shrines, as a rule, have very interesting story. For example, "Blessed Sky". This image is, as it were, an illustration of the gospel narrative. What is its significance for believers, what can you pray for in this icon?

Versions of appearance in Russia

It is no secret that Christianity came to our country from Byzantium. From there, the Orthodox received many shrines - as gifts from rulers and pious citizens. According to one version, this is how this beautiful icon of the Mother of God came to Rus'.

Several ancient shrines were sent from Constantinople to Smolensk back in the 14th century. This fact was recorded in the chronicle. Among others, there was a unique icon “Blessed Sky”. Then Sofia, the daughter of the Lithuanian prince, brought part of the treasures to the capital when she arrived to her fiancé, Prince Vasily.

The icon was placed in the iconostasis of the Archangel Cathedral, where it can still be seen in our time. Details about how it got to Moscow became known to scientists in the mid-19th century, when it was decided to carry out reconstruction in the temple.

According to another version, the origin of the shrine is Western. In the 17th century The image, painted in Germany, began to enjoy popularity in Ukraine, from where it reached the Orthodox through Belarus.

Prayer to the icon of the Blessed Sky

“What shall we call You, O Blessed Mother of God, Immaculate Mary?
With what hymns shall we exalt Thee, exalted by Heaven and earth, Angels and men? For there appeared upon You a mystery unheard of for centuries on earth and unknown to the Angels in Heaven, more than mind and word, the incarnation of God the Word, born from the beginning from the Beginning Father without a Mother and incarnated in Your womb and born with the imperishable seal of Your virginity.
Oh, the miracle of all ancient and new miracles! The immutable word of God Himself about the victorious seed of the woman will be fulfilled and perfected in the Husbandless Virgin.
Oh, the immeasurable depth of the wisdom and greatness of God! What names shall we call Thee, O Unbrideless Bride? Shall we call Thee the dawn of the sun rising in the sky? But You are Heaven itself, from You the Sun of Truth has risen - Christ our God, the Savior of sinners. Do we call You the gate leading into the paradise lost by our ancestors, abounding in all blessings? But You Yourself are a blessed paradise, having grown the Flower of incorruption, healing and driving away the stink of sin and the stench of ancestral corruption. Shall we call you the young Immaculate Virgin who has not known marriage? But even to old age you remained uncurved and virgin until birth, and in the birth, and after the birth of the Son, you remained. Shall we call Thee Pure and Holy Mary, who with Her purity surpassed all mothers and foremothers? But You not only gave birth to That Child Christ, but You also carried Him with Your breasts and nourished Him with Your mother’s virgin milk, the One Who nourishes every creature, Whom the Heavenly powers stand before with fear and trembling, and Whom every breath and creature praises.
Oh, truly You are wonderful in wives, wonderful in virgins, inimitable in mothers! We fall before You before Your Divine face and before Your holy feet we cast down and lay down all our thoughts, desires, intentions and feelings. Sanctify them with Your Mother of God charity and lift them up, like the sacrifice of our humble heart, like a little-valued mite of our spiritual poverty, to the Throne of Your Son, our Savior, so that the message of destinies will guide our path to salvation and the inheritance of His Kingdom, which has no end forever and ever. . Amen".

Scene from "Revelation"

The Apostle John is famous for writing the Apocalypse - the only biblical book that fully prophesies about the future destinies of people, the end of times. Chapter 12 contains a description of the Virgin Mary (verses 1 to 5). It was this majestic image that the icon painter captured.

The Most Pure Virgin is drawn in full growth, her figure soaring in the heavens. She either rests her feet on a cloud or on an image of the Moon (sometimes full, but more often in the shape of a moon).
The baby is usually carried on the left arm. Christ seems to be about to leave the arms of the Mother in order to ascend to the Father. The meaning of this pose is obvious - the Savior, having completed His mission, ascends to Heaven.
The Mother of God is surrounded by a halo of an unusual almond shape - an oval radiance surrounds the entire figure, this is also how Christ can be depicted, but almost never other saints. Such a glow indicates the eternal glory of the Lord; it is not used on all icons.
On the heads of the Baby and Mother are crowns that symbolize their holiness. Some icon painters surround the Mother of God with numerous images of angelic ranks.

What do they pray for?

How does such a specific and recognizable image help? People whose relatives suffer from mental illnesses. If someone close to you has decided to leave the Christian faith, then special prayers are needed for such a person. Many Mother of God returned to the temple, sometimes through difficult trials. But the main thing is that then people were saved in eternity.

Representatives of the authorities also pray to the “Blessed Heaven” icon. They ask to perform their duties with dignity. After all, it is believed that the Lord blesses people for responsible positions. In churches, at every Liturgy, they pray for the leaders of the country, the bosses. Therefore, such people should not abuse power - they will have to give an account to God.

What else do they pray for in front of the icon?
About the well-being of the country, preservation from natural disasters.
About getting rid of addictions.
About the granting of a peaceful Christian death.

Miraculous copies of the image can be seen in the city of Tutaev (Yaroslavl region), in the Church of the Crucifixion (Kremlin).

Icon of the Blessed Heaven - prayer, meaning, what they pray for was last modified: October 4th, 2017 by Bogolub

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Many miraculous images, from which they asked for help in all worldly matters and which they worshiped, were in the churches of pre-revolutionary Moscow. The Orthodox people hurried to them with reverence and prayers. But among these images there were also special ones, which people rushed to bow to from the farthest corners of the country. One of these shrines, the “Blessed Heavens” icon, is still famous to this day for its power and the miracles it has created.

The meaning of the icon “Blessed Heaven”

Dmitry Rostovsky spoke about this image of the Most Pure Mother of God as a patroness who prays for the whole world. And the confirming fact of this is that the face has special veneration among not only Orthodox Christians, but also non-Orthodox Christians. There is an opinion that this image depicts the Queen of Heaven exactly in the form in which She will appear to all people on earth before the second coming of Christ.

There are different versions about how this divine image appeared on Russian soil. So, for example, one of the legends claims that the image of the Mother of God was brought from Smolensk to Moscow by the wife of Prince Vasily Dmitrievich back in the 14th century. And the icon was sent to Smolensk along with other images from Constantinople.
Another version says that the image of the face of the Blessed Virgin is of Western origin. But this version is considered unlikely, since it is based only on the peculiarities of its iconographic writing.

This image belongs to a special group called “akathist”, the meaning of which is to glorify the Queen of Heaven.

When is the “Blessed Heaven” icon celebrated?

Orthodox Christians venerate this face of the Mother of God twice a year:

March 19 according to the new style (March 6 according to the old calendar);
And on the feast of the Sunday of All Saints, which falls after Pentecost on the first Sunday.

How does the “Blessed Heaven” icon help?

It is customary to turn to this shrine for the help and protection of the Most Pure Virgin for various bodily ailments, and especially mental disorders. Prayers to the image of the intercessor help those who find themselves on it to move away from the unrighteous path and return to the Christian faith. The face is also known as an Assistant in state affairs and in personal life.

What to pray for to the “Blessed Heaven” icon:

Women ask the Mother of God for a happy marriage and the birth of healthy children;
Men pray for deliverance from ill-wishers and envious people;
They come to the shrine and before the long road that lies ahead, so that the Mother of God will protect her on the way and stand for protection from troubles along the way;
They ask the image to protect them from disasters and misfortunes;
Healing of physical and mental illnesses, from drunkenness and various addictions;
They pray for protection from sudden death, so as not to go to another world without repenting;
Rulers come to the Queen of Heaven for help and guidance in governing the state, as well as for Her to protect cities and the country from natural disasters.

The Most Pure Virgin Mary stands in defense of every Christian who comes to Her with heartfelt prayers. Protects from slanderers and enemies. Grants the grace of God in worldly life and contributes to the successful completion of any work begun.

And here is the prayer itself to the “Blessed Heaven” icon:

“What shall we call You, O Blessed Mother of God, Immaculate Mary?

Oh, truly You are wonderful in wives, wonderful in virgins, inimitable in mothers! We fall before You before Your Divine face and before Your holy feet we cast down and lay down all our thoughts, desires, intentions and feelings. Sanctify them with Your Mother of God charity and lift them up, like the sacrifice of our humble heart, like a little-valued mite of our spiritual poverty, to the Throne of Your Son, our Savior, so that the message of destinies will guide our path to salvation and the inheritance of His Kingdom, which has no end forever and ever. . Amen".

Where can you see the shrine

You can venerate the most famous images of the Mother of God in the Church of the Holy Trinity in Nikitinki and in the Archangel Cathedral. The first miraculous lists made from the face of the Arkhangelsk Cathedral are located in the city of Tutaev in the Resurrection Cathedral, and in the Grand Kremlin Palace in the Church of the Crucifixion.

The icon that is located in the Resurrection Cathedral is also known for the fact that it was the last image to which Saint John of Krostad addressed his prayers.

Prayer of the Blessed Virgin Mary, gracious sky

Icon of the Mother of God “GRACEFUL SKY”

Description of the icon of the Mother of God of the Blessed Heaven:

Sometimes this image, based on the first words of the prayers, is called “What shall we call Thee.” Old Believer versions of this icon of the Mother of God are often called “What shall we call Thee, the Delighted One.” This is exactly how the text of the prayer to the Mother of God began before the reforms of Patriarch Nikon.

Often, a similar image called the Icon of the Mother of God “WOMAN CLOTHED IN THE SUN” is confused with the icon of the Mother of God “Blessed Heaven”.

There is also a completely different - multi-figured, iconographically complex version of the image of the Mother of God “Gracious Heaven” with the image of Christ, ancient prophets, Orthodox saints and gospel subjects. Due to complexity figurative language and symbolism, this image is quite rare.

What shall we call You, O Blessed Mother of God, Immaculate Mary?

With what hymns shall we exalt Thee, exalted by Heaven and earth, Angels and men? For there appeared upon You a mystery unheard of for centuries on earth and unknown to the Angels in Heaven, more than mind and word, the incarnation of God the Word, born from the beginning from the Beginning Father without a Mother and incarnated in Your womb and born with the imperishable seal of Your virginity.

Oh, the miracle of all ancient and new miracles! The immutable word of God Himself about the victorious seed of the woman will be fulfilled and perfected in the Husbandless Virgin.

Oh, the immeasurable depth of the wisdom and greatness of God! What names shall we call Thee, O Unbrideless Bride? Shall we call Thee the dawn of the sun rising in the sky? But You are Heaven itself, from You the Sun of Truth has risen - Christ our God, the Savior of sinners. Do we call You the gate leading into the paradise lost by our ancestors, abounding in all blessings? But You Yourself are a blessed paradise, having grown the Flower of incorruption, healing and driving away the stink of sin and the stench of ancestral corruption. Shall we call you the young Immaculate Virgin who has not known marriage? But even to old age you remained uncurved and virgin until birth, and in the birth, and after the birth of the Son, you remained. Shall we call Thee Pure and Holy Mary, who with Her purity surpassed all mothers and foremothers? But You not only gave birth to That Child Christ, but You also carried Him with Your breasts and nourished Him with Your mother’s virgin milk, the One Who nourishes every creature, Whom the Heavenly powers stand before with fear and trembling, and Whom every breath and creature praises.

Sky? - as if you have risen as the Sun of Truth;

paradise? - as if you have vegetated, the color of incorruption;

Virgo? - as if you remained incorruptible;

Pure Mother? - as if you had in Your holy embrace the Son, all God. Pray to him for the salvation of our souls.

Icon of the Mother of God “Blessed Heaven”

Before the icon Holy Mother of God“Gracious Heaven” pray for guidance on the path leading to salvation and inheritance of the Kingdom of Heaven, as well as for healing of various mental and physical ailments, for safe travel by air, from heresies and schisms, for instruction in the Orthodox faith.

Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos before Her Icon “Gracious Heaven”

Prayer before the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos "Blessed Heaven"

Before the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Gracious Heaven” they pray for guidance on the path leading to salvation and inheritance of the Kingdom of Heaven, as well as for healing of various mental and physical ailments, for safe travel by air, from heresies and schisms, for instruction in the Orthodox faith.

Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos before Her Icon “Gracious Heaven”

What shall we call You, O Blessed Mother of God, Immaculate Mary? With what hymns shall we exalt Thee, exalted by Heaven and earth, Angels and men? For there appeared upon You a mystery unheard of for centuries on earth and unknown to the Angels in Heaven, more than mind and word, the incarnation of God the Word, born from the beginning from the beginning of the Father without a mother and incarnate in Your womb and with the imperishable seal of Your virginity. Oh, the miracle of all ancient and new miracles! The immutable word of God Himself about the victorious seed of the woman will be fulfilled and perfected in the Husbandless Virgin. Oh, the immeasurable depth of the wisdom and greatness of God! What names shall we call Thee, O Unbrideless Bride? Shall we call Thee the dawn of the sun rising in the sky? But You are Heaven itself, from You the Sun of Truth has risen - Christ our God, the Savior of sinners. Do we call You the gate leading into the paradise lost by our ancestors, abounding in all blessings? But You Yourself are a blessed paradise, having grown the Flower of incorruption, healing and driving away the stink of sin and the stench of ancestral corruption. Shall we call you the young Immaculate Virgin who has not known marriage? But even to old age you remained uncurved and virgin until birth, and in the birth, and after the birth of the Son, you remained. Shall we call Thee Pure and Holy Mary, who with Her purity surpassed all mothers and foremothers? But You not only gave birth to That Child Christ, but You also carried Him with Your breasts and nourished Him with Your mother’s virgin milk, the One Who nourishes every creature, Whom the Heavenly powers stand before with fear and trembling, and Whom every breath and creature praises. Oh, truly You are wonderful in wives, wonderful in virgins, inimitable in mothers! We fall before You before Your Divine face and before Your holy feet we cast down and lay down all our thoughts, desires, intentions and feelings. Sanctify them with Your Mother of God charity and lift them up, like the sacrifice of our humble heart, like a little-valued mite of our spiritual poverty, to the Throne of Your Son, our Savior, so that the message of destinies will guide our path to salvation and the inheritance of His Kingdom, which has no end forever and ever. . Amen.

What shall we call You, O Blessed One? Sky? - as if you have risen as the Sun of Truth; paradise? - as if you have vegetated, the color of incorruption; Virgo? - as if you remained incorruptible; Pure Mother? - as if you had in Your holy embrace the Son, all God. Pray to him for the salvation of our souls.

Kontakion, voice of the same

There are no other imams of help, no other imams of hope, unless You, Lady, help us, we rely on You and boast in You, for we are Your servants, let us not be ashamed.

We magnify You, Most Holy Virgin, and honor Your holy image, through which you heal our illnesses and raise our souls to God.

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Icon of the Mother of God "Blessed Heaven"

Celebration:

In the 2nd half of the 19th - early 20th centuries, the celebration of the icon took place twice a year: on March 6 and on All Saints Sunday. On Fridays after the Liturgy, a prayer service with an akathist and blessing of water was performed in front of the image.

Troparion of the Mother of God before Her Icon “Blessed Heaven”

What shall we call You, O Blessed One?/ Heaven - as if You have shone as the Sun of Truth; / Paradise - as You have vegetated, The Color of incorruption; / Virgin - as You have remained incorruptible; / Pure Mother - as You had in Your holy embrace the Son, all of God. / Pray for the salvation of our souls.

Kontakion of the Mother of God before Her Icon “Blessed Heaven”

There are no imams of other help, / not imams of other hope, / unless you, Lady, help us, / we rely on you, / and we boast in you, / for we are your servants, / let us not be ashamed.

Prayer of the Mother of God before Her Icon “Blessed Heaven”

What shall we call You, O Blessed Mother of God, Immaculate Mary? With what hymns shall we exalt Thee, exalted by Heaven and earth, Angels and men? For there appeared upon You a mystery unheard of for centuries on earth and unknown to the Angels in Heaven, more than mind and word, the incarnation of God the Word, born from the beginning from the beginning of the Father without a mother and incarnate in Your womb and with the imperishable seal of Your virginity. Oh, the miracle of all ancient and new miracles! The immutable word of God Himself about the victorious seed of the wife was fulfilled and perfected in the Husbandless Virgin. Oh, the immeasurable depth of the wisdom and greatness of God! What names shall we call Thee, oh, Unbrided Bride? Shall we call Thee the dawn of the sun rising in the sky? But You are Heaven itself, from You the Sun of Truth has risen - Christ our God, the Savior of sinners. Do we call You the gate leading into the paradise lost by our ancestors, abounding in all blessings? But You Yourself are a blessed paradise, having grown the Flower of incorruption, healing and driving away the stink of sin and the stench of ancestral corruption. Shall we call You the young Immaculate Virgin who has not known marriage? But even to old age you remained uncurved and virgin until birth, and in the birth, and after the birth of the Son, you remained. Shall we call Thee Pure and Holy Mary, who with Her purity surpassed all mothers and foremothers? But You not only gave birth to That Child Christ, but also carried Him with Your breasts and nourished Your mother with virgin milk, the One Who nourishes every creature, Whom the Heavenly powers stand before with fear and trembling, and Whom every breath and creature praises. Oh, truly You are wonderful in wives, wonderful in virgins, inimitable in mothers! We fall before You before Your Divine face and before Your holy feet we cast down and lay down all our thoughts, desires, intentions and feelings. Sanctify them with Your Mother of God charity and lift them up, like the sacrifice of our humble heart, like a little-valued mite of our spiritual poverty, to the Throne of Your Son, our Savior, so that the message of destinies will guide our path to salvation and the inheritance of His Kingdom, which has no end forever and ever. . Amen.

Canons and Akathists

Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos before the Icon of the Blessed Heaven

Chosen from all generations to the Mother of God and the Queen, whom we call the Blessed Heaven, who bestows salvation on our bodies and souls, we offer thanksgiving singing to the Mother of God. But You, who have unspeakable mercy, free us from all troubles and sins, let us call to You:

The angels and righteous souls were surprised when you appeared before your Son and God and interceded with many prayers for people who were in sin. But we, with the eyes of faith seeing Your great compassion, with tenderness we cry out to You:

Rejoice, you who accept the prayers of all Christians; Rejoice, and you who do not reject the prayers of the most desperate sinners.

Rejoice, you who intercede for your Son for them; rejoice, unexpected joy giving them salvation.

Rejoice, saving the whole world through Your intercession; Rejoice, quenching all our sorrows.

Rejoice, you who arrange our life well; Rejoice, you who have brought deliverance from sins to all people.

Rejoice, Thou who has given birth to Joy to the whole world; Rejoice, having taught not a single person.

Rejoice, Gracious Heaven, giving us joy and salvation.

Seeing the Most Pure People, sinners, with faith and hope before Her honorable icon, casting themselves down and tearfully praying for their sins, heed their prayer, and all, seeing Her Motherly mercy, in heaven and on earth cry out to God: Alleluia.

Human reason truly surpasses Your love for the Christian race, for which we pray to Your Son and God, but we, seeing You, the persistent Intercessor for us sinners, cry out to You with tears:

Rejoice, zealous Intercessor of the Christian race, given to us by God; Rejoice, our Guide, who leads us to the heavenly fatherland.

Rejoice, guardianship and refuge of the faithful; Rejoice, help from those who call your name sacred.

Rejoice, you who consume the despised and rejected from the pit of destruction; Rejoice, you who turn those to the right path.

Rejoice, you who drive away constant despondency and spiritual darkness; Rejoice, you who accept those left by doctors into your all-powerful hand.

Rejoice, Gracious Heaven, giving us joy and salvation.

The power of grace abounded there, where sin multiplied, so that all the angels in heaven rejoice over the repentant sinners, singing before the throne of God: Alleluia.

Having Motherly mercy for the Christian race, give a helping hand to all who resort to You with faith and hope, Lady, so that with one heart and one mouth they all bring praise to You:

Rejoice, for through You God's favor descends upon us; Rejoice, for in all our troubles and circumstances you offer your Son earnest prayers for us.

Rejoice, for you have made our prayers pleasing to God; Rejoice, for you deliver us from visible enemies.

Rejoice, like hearts evil people soften; Rejoice, for you have taken us away from slander, harassment and reproach.

Rejoice, for through You all our good desires are fulfilled; Rejoice, for Your prayer can accomplish much before Your Son and God.

Rejoice, Gracious Heaven, giving us joy and salvation.

Before Your venerable icon, Queen of Heaven, we bow our knees to our souls and bodies and with tenderness and boldness we pray to You: save us, O Mother of Mercy, so that we may not perish completely in our sins; For You are the only hope and refuge for all sinners: bow down to mercy, O good Mother, and pray for us to Your Son and our Creator, so that we may continually call to Him: Alleluia.

Having heard the inhabitants of heaven, as through Your prayers before Your Son, forgiveness of sins and salvation on earth are granted to existing sinners, they glorify You, the compassionate Queen of heaven and earth. And we, sinners, having seen such Your intercession for us, sinners, are perplexed as to how we can praise You according to our wealth, and from the depths of our hearts we tenderly sing to You:

Rejoice, Helper of the salvation of sinners; Rejoice, Seeker of the lost.

Rejoice, unexpected joy of sinners; Rejoice, rise of the fallen.

Rejoice, Representative to God, saving the world from troubles; Rejoice, for the voices of Your prayers tremble.

Rejoice, as the angels rejoice at this; Rejoice, for the power of Your prayers fills us, earthly creatures, with joy.

Rejoice, for with these you take us away from the mire of sins; Rejoice, for you have extinguished the flame of our passions.

Rejoice, Gracious Heaven, giving us joy and salvation.

You showed us the God-bearing star, the miraculous icon of Your Mother, O Lord, for, looking at the image of Her with our bodily eyes, we rise with our minds and hearts to the Primordial Image, and through Her we flow to You, singing: Alleluia.

Seeing the angels, the guardian of Christians, how the Mother of God assists them in their instruction, intercession and salvation, she tried to cry out to the Most Honest Cherub and the Most Glorious without comparison Seraphim:

Rejoice, reigning forever with Your Son and God; Rejoice, you who always bring prayers to Him for the Christian race.

Rejoice, Teacher of Christian faith and piety; Rejoice, you who grant a shameless end to life to those who trust in You.

Rejoice, by Your maternal intercession, delivering us from eternal torment; Rejoice, thou who through intercession to Thy Son grants eternal life.

Rejoice, Gracious Heaven, giving us joy and salvation.

The wondrous work of Your mercy, revealed to people, was written down by Saint Demetrius of Rostov for the teaching and consolation of all the faithful, and even in their sins, troubles, sorrows and bitterness, every day before Your honorable image, called the Blessed Heaven, they bow their knees and, Having overcome troubles, sorrows and misfortunes, they cry out to God: Alleluia.

Rising to us like a bright dawn, miraculous icon Yours, Mother of God, driving away the darkness of troubles and sorrows from everyone crying out to You with love:

Rejoice, our Healer in bodily illnesses; Rejoice, good Comforter in our spiritual sorrows.

Rejoice, you who transform our sorrow into joy; Rejoice, you who rejoice those who do not hope with undoubted hope.

Rejoice, you who hunger for the Nourisher; Rejoice, robe of the naked.

Rejoice, Comforter of widows; Rejoice, invisible teacher of motherless orphans.

Rejoice, Gracious Heaven, giving us joy and salvation.

Although the just Lawgiver, the Lord Himself, is the executor of the law and shows the abyss of His mercy, bow down to Your fervent prayer, Most Blessed Mother of the Virgin, for people who remain in sin and expect the mercies of God, saying: The law commands, that the son honor the mother. I am Your Son, You are My Mother, I must honor You, listening to Your prayer, be as you wish. When you pray for them, their sins are forgiven for Your sake. We, seeing such the power of the prayer of our Intercessor for the forgiveness of our sins, will glorify Her mercy and ineffable compassion, calling: Alleluia.

A new wondrous and glorious sign appeared to all the faithful, as if not only Your Mother, but also Her most pure face, depicted on the tablet, You have granted the power of miracles, Lord; Marveling at this mystery, with tenderness of heart we cry out to Her like this:

Rejoice, revelation of the wisdom and goodness of God; Rejoice, affirmation of faith.

Rejoice, manifestation of grace; Rejoice, gift of useful knowledge.

Rejoice, you who give the word of wisdom to those who ask; Rejoice, making the foolish intelligent.

Rejoice, Gracious Heaven, giving us joy and salvation.

Seeing the glorious deeds and manifold wisdom of God in the world and our life, which is accomplished by Your intercession before God over us, O, gracious Heaven, Most Pure Lady, let us remove ourselves from earthly vanities and unnecessary worldly cares, and lift up our mind and heart to heaven, singing to God: Alleluia .

You are all on high, and you have never retreated from those below, most merciful to the Queen of heaven and earth. Even though, after Your dormition, You ascended into heaven with Your most pure flesh, yet You did not leave the sinful earth, who are a partaker of the providence of Your Son for the Christian race, for this sake we dutifully please You:

Rejoice, having enlightened the whole earth with the radiance of Your most pure soul; Rejoice, who made all heaven rejoice with the purity of Your body.

Rejoice, zealous Representative for the whole world; Rejoice, you who adopted us all at the Cross of Your Son.

Rejoice, always showing motherly love for us; Rejoice, comforter in sorrows.

Rejoice, unenvious giver of all spiritual and physical gifts; Rejoice, temporal and eternal blessings to the Intercessor.

Rejoice, thou who openest the doors of the kingdom of Christ to the faithful; Rejoice, filling our hearts with pure joy in the land.

Rejoice, Gracious Heaven, giving us joy and salvation.

All angelic nature was amazed at the work of Your mercy, Lord, since You have given such a strong and warm Intercessor and Helper to the Christian race, I am present to us invisibly, and I hear You singing: Alleluia.

Human vitriol will not be able to praise You, Most Holy Theotokos, and sing Your innumerable miracles, revealed from Your icon, in the image of Orthodox people who preserve from troubles, misfortunes and all evil. We, who are well aware of the many miraculous manifestations of Your honorable face that were and need to worship it for the time and eternal life Acceptingly, with joy we cry to the Mother of God:

Rejoice, for miracles work from Your holy face; Rejoice, for this wisdom and grace have been hidden from the wise and prudent of this age.

Rejoice, for she was revealed as a child in faith; Rejoice, for you glorify those who glorify You.

Rejoice, for you put to shame those who reject You before everyone; Rejoice, for you deliver those who come to You from all evil.

Rejoice, for you mercifully heal all human illnesses, mental and physical; Rejoice, for through Your prayer you will soon satisfy the righteous wrath of God against us.

Rejoice, for You are a quiet refuge for all who flow to You with faith; Rejoice, ship of those who want to be saved.

Rejoice, Gracious Heaven, giving us joy and salvation.

Save wanting souls our own from eternal death, we, Thy unworthy child, bow our knee before Thy most pure image, we pray to Thee, Heavenly Queen and merciful Mother of our salvation: make us partakers of eternal bliss in the Heavenly Kingdom of Thy Son, singing to the Savior God: Alleluia.

You are an insurmountable wall and a calm refuge, O Virgin Mother of God, to all who flock to You, so protect us and cover us from all enemies, visible and invisible, so that with faith and tenderness we worship Your most honorable and wholesome icon, joyfully crying out to You:

Rejoice, you who promised to save and save all those who call upon You; Rejoice, you who bring the prayers of the faithful to Your Son and God.

Rejoice, and you yourself unceasingly praying for us at His throne; Rejoice, thou who bestowed grace upon Thy icons.

Rejoice, illuminating the entire universe with those rays; Rejoice, praise and shameless hope for the Christian race.

Rejoice, Gracious Heaven, giving us joy and salvation.

Bringing all-congratulating singing to You, the unworthy, we ask You, Virgin Mother of God: do not despise the voice of Your servants, for we resort to You in adversity and sorrow and before You in our troubles we shed tears, singing: Alleluia.

A luminous light for those who exist in the darkness of sin and the vale of weeping, Your wonderful icon, the Most Pure Lady, has appeared: for all who flow to it flow streams of healing and gladden the hearts of the faithful with the dawning of miracles, striving to cry out to the Lord:

Rejoice, you who inexpressibly gave birth to the Divine Light; Rejoice, thou who enlightened the darkness of death with Thy Nativity.

Rejoice, vigilant Patroness of our country; Rejoice, you who encourage and admonish the faithful shepherds of the Church.

Rejoice, Guardian of Orthodox people; Rejoice, God-fearing monks and nuns, everlasting Consolation.

Rejoice, unashamed Intercessor of sinners who repent before God; Rejoice, Giver of heavenly joys to all of us.

Rejoice, warm Intercessor of all Christians; Rejoice, O Thy people near the Prayer Book.

Rejoice, Gracious Heaven, giving us joy and salvation.

Ask us for divine grace from Your Son and God, extend a helping hand to us, drive away every enemy and adversary from us, pacify our lives, so that we may not perish in cruelty without repentance, but accept us into eternal shelter, Mother of God, so that we rejoice in God, through You to the one who saves: Alleluia.

Singing Your wondrous miracles, we tenderly fall before Your most pure image and, reverently kissing it, with silent songs we glorify You, dear to the Queen of heaven and earth, and we ask You, Lady, hear our prayer at this hour and send down the grace of Your Son to us, crying out with love You:

Rejoice, thou who makes us worthy of the mercies of Thy Son and God; Rejoice, thou who preparest the right hand for us sinners through Thy prayers.

Rejoice, speedy Comforter to those who are exhausted from despondency and sadness; Rejoice, you who give salvation to sinners who repent.

Rejoice, and you who turn unrepentant sinners to repentance; Rejoice, Helper of all, helping sorrowful widows and orphans.

Rejoice, you who bring those who hunger and thirst for righteousness to God; Rejoice, zealous Intercessor of the Christian race.

Rejoice, indestructible Wall and gracious Heaven to the Orthodox Church; Rejoice, our countries are covered and protected.

Rejoice, Gracious Heaven, giving us joy and salvation.

Oh, all-sung Mother, who contained the inconceivable God in her womb and gave birth to Joy to the whole world! Having accepted this present singing, turn all our sorrows into joy, deliver us from all misfortunes and remove future torments from those who cry out for You: Alleluia.

This kontakion is read three times, then the 1st ikos “Angels and righteous souls...” and the 1st kontakion “Chosen of all generations...”.

What shall we call You, O Blessed Mother of God, Immaculate Mary? With what hymns shall we exalt Thee, exalted by Heaven and earth, Angels and men? For there appeared upon You a mystery unheard of for centuries on earth and unknown to the Angels in Heaven, more than mind and word, the incarnation of God the Word, born from the beginning from the beginning of the Father without a mother and incarnate in Your womb and with the imperishable seal of Your virginity. Oh, the miracle of all ancient and new miracles! The immutable word of God Himself about the victorious seed of the wife was fulfilled and perfected in the Husbandless Virgin. Oh, the immeasurable depth of the wisdom and greatness of God! What names shall we call Thee, oh, Unbrided Bride? Shall we call Thee the dawn of the sun rising in the sky? But You are Heaven itself, from You the Sun of Truth has risen - Christ our God, the Savior of sinners. Do we call You the gate leading into the paradise lost by our ancestors, abounding in all blessings? But You Yourself are a blessed paradise, having grown the Flower of incorruption, healing and driving away the stink of sin and the stench of ancestral corruption. Shall we call You the young Immaculate Virgin who has not known marriage? But even to old age you remained uncurved and virgin until birth, and in the birth, and after the birth of the Son, you remained. Shall we call Thee Pure and Holy Mary, who with Her purity surpassed all mothers and foremothers? But You not only gave birth to That Child Christ, but You also carried Him with Your breasts and nourished Him with Your mother’s virgin milk, the One Who nourishes every creature, Whom the Heavenly powers stand before with fear and trembling, and Whom every breath and creature praises. Oh, truly You are wonderful in wives, wonderful in virgins, inimitable in mothers! We fall before You before Your Divine face and before Your holy feet we cast down and lay down all our thoughts, desires, intentions and feelings. Sanctify them with Your Mother of God charity and lift them up, like the sacrifice of our humble heart, like a little-valued mite of our spiritual poverty, to the Throne of Your Son, our Savior, so that the message of destinies will guide our path to salvation and the inheritance of His Kingdom, which has no end forever and ever. . Amen.

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Non-Christian pedagogy is an unthinkable thing - a headless monster and activity without a goal.

Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos before Her Icon “Gracious Heaven”

Oh, the miracle of all ancient and new miracles! The immutable word of God Himself about the victorious seed of the woman will be fulfilled and perfected in the Husbandless Virgin. Oh, the immeasurable depth of the wisdom and greatness of God! What names shall we call Thee, O Unbrideless Bride? Shall we call Thee the dawn of the sun rising in the sky? But You are Heaven itself, from You the Sun of Truth has risen - Christ our God, the Savior of sinners. Do we call You the gate leading into the paradise lost by our ancestors, abounding in all blessings? But You Yourself are a blessed paradise, having grown the Flower of incorruption, healing and driving away the stink of sin and the stench of ancestral corruption. Shall we call you the young Immaculate Virgin who has not known marriage? But even to old age you remained uncurved and virgin until birth, and in the birth, and after the birth of the Son, you remained. Shall we call Thee Pure and Holy Mary, who with Her purity surpassed all mothers and foremothers? But You not only gave birth to That Child Christ, but You also carried Him with Your breasts and nourished Him with Your mother’s virgin milk, the One Who nourishes every creature, Whom the Heavenly powers stand before with fear and trembling, and Whom every breath and creature praises. Oh, truly You are wonderful in wives, wonderful in virgins, inimitable in mothers! We fall before You before Your Divine face and before Your holy feet we cast down and lay down all our thoughts, desires, intentions and feelings. Sanctify them with Your Mother of God charity and lift them up, like the sacrifice of our humble heart, like a little-valued mite of our spiritual poverty, to the Throne of Your Son, our Savior, so that the message of destinies will guide our path to salvation and the inheritance of His Kingdom, which has no end forever and ever. . Amen.

Troparion, tone 6
What shall we call You, O Blessed One? Sky? - as if the Sun of Truth has risen; paradise? - as if you have vegetated, the color of incorruption; Virgo? - as if you remained incorruptible; Pure Mother? - as if you had in Your holy embrace the Son, all God. Pray to him for the salvation of our souls.

Kontakion, voice of the same
There are no other imams of help, no other imams of hope, unless You, Lady, help us, we rely on You and boast in You, for we are Your servants, let us not be ashamed.

Greatness
We magnify You, Most Holy Virgin, and honor Your holy image, through which you heal our illnesses and raise our souls to God.

“Gracious Sky” is an icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary, according to legend, brought to Moscow from Lithuania by the wife of Grand Duke Vasily I

Sofia Vitovtovna as a parental blessing.

Based on the sample brought by Sophia, the icon painters of the Armory Chamber in 1678-1680 made a list of icons for the Archangel Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin (in the local row of the iconostasis, to the left of the royal doors). In 1682, master Vasily Poznansky painted an applique icon for the Church of the Crucifixion in the Terem Palace of the Kremlin.

The iconography reproduces John the Theologian’s vision of the Woman clothed in the sun. The Mother of God is depicted in full growth, with the Child on her left hand. Her figure is surrounded by a solar mandorla, and under her feet is a crescent moon. The heads of Mary and Jesus are crowned.
The celebration of the icon takes place on March 19 (March 6, old style), as well as on the week of All Saints.
Locally revered copies of the image are available in the Moscow churches of the Trinity on Sparrow Hills and the Archangel Gabriel (Menshikov Tower).

People pray to the “Blessed Heaven” Icon of the Mother of God for healing from mental and physical illnesses.

People turn to her when they ask for guidance on the path of the Christian faith for those who lead an unrighteous lifestyle. On the icon, the Mother of God is depicted in full growth, on Her left hand is the Infant of God.

Some call this image of the Mother of God according to the words of the prayer “What shall we call Thee.” The Icon of the Mother of God “Blessed Heaven” enjoys special veneration in Moscow, since since ancient times it has been located in the Archangel Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin.

Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos before Her Icon “Gracious Heaven”

Troparion, tone 6
What shall we call You, O Blessed One? Sky? - as if you have risen as the Sun of Truth; paradise? - as if you have vegetated, the color of incorruption; Virgo? - as if you remained incorruptible; Pure Mother? - as if you had in Your holy embrace the Son, all God. Pray to him for the salvation of our souls.

Kontakion, voice of the same
There are no other imams of help, no other imams of hope, unless You, Lady, help us, we rely on You and boast in You, for we are Your servants, let us not be ashamed.

Greatness
We magnify You, Most Holy Virgin, and honor Your holy image, through which you heal our illnesses and raise our souls to God.

Icon of the Mother of God supreme in heaven. Icon of the blessed sky

Prototype of the blessed image

Image from a Moscow temple

The famous fresco by V. M. Vasnetsov

“Blessed Sky” - an icon that became part of the temple

Icon - patroness of the defenders of the sky

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Prayer to the icon of the Blessed Sky

Scene from "Revelation"

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Prayer of the Blessed Virgin Mary, gracious sky

Icon of the Mother of God “Blessed Heaven”

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Icon of the Mother of God "Blessed Heaven"

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Troparion of the Mother of God before Her Icon “Blessed Heaven”

Kontakion of the Mother of God before Her Icon “Blessed Heaven”

Prayer of the Mother of God before Her Icon “Blessed Heaven”

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Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos before the Icon of the Blessed Heaven

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Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos before Her Icon “Gracious Heaven”

Kontakion, voice of the same There are no other imams of help, no other imams of hope, unless You, Lady, help us, we rely on You and boast in You, for we are Your servants, let us not be ashamed.

“Gracious Sky” is an icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary, according to legend, brought to Moscow from Lithuania by the wife of Grand Duke Vasily I

Sofia Vitovtovna as a parental blessing.

People pray to the “Blessed Heaven” Icon of the Mother of God for healing from mental and physical illnesses.

People turn to her when they ask for guidance on the path of the Christian faith for those who lead an unrighteous lifestyle. On the icon, the Mother of God is depicted in full growth, on Her left hand is the Infant of God.

Some call this image of the Mother of God according to the words of the prayer “What shall we call Thee.” The Icon of the Mother of God “Blessed Heaven” enjoys special veneration in Moscow, since since ancient times it has been located in the Archangel Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin.

Kontakion, voice of the same
There are no other imams of help, no other imams of hope, unless You, Lady, help us, we rely on You and boast in You, for we are Your servants, let us not be ashamed.