Feast of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God Hodegetria in 2022

Photo: © TASS/Mikhail Pochuev

Orthodox World 10 August notes Day of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God Hodegetria. The Mother of God the Guide prays for peace on earth, the health of the belligerents, the savings of the family, and also for success in travel or business trips. In the material REN TV we will tell you about the history of the “Hodegetria” icon, its meaning and the prayers with which you need to turn to the shrine.

When is the day of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God celebrated?

The Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God is considered one of the main shrines of the Russian land. Her day is celebrated on August 10 (July 28, old style). This image is also called Hodegetria, which means “Guide” in translation.

Photo: © commons.wikimedia.org

The Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God has a rich and interesting history. She performed many miracles – believers turn to her for help to this day.

The history and meaning of the icon of the Mother of God “Hodegetria”

According to tradition, the Greek emperor Constantine IX Monomakh, giving his daughter Anna in marriage to Prince Vsevolod Yaroslavich, blessed her on her way with this icon. It is said that this is where the name “Hodegetria” comes from. So the shrine first came to Russia.

At the beginning of the 12th century, Vladimir Monomakh gave the icon to the Smolensk Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Since that time, the shrine began to be called the Hodegetria of Smolensk.

It is believed that thanks to this miraculous icon, Smolensk was saved from the Tatars in 1238. And the prayers of believers before Hodegetria of Smolensk helped the troops of Vasily III to return this city to Russia after 110 years of Lithuanian rule. For the first time, the day of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God began to be celebrated in 1525 in memory of the return of Smolensk.

The ancient image of the Smolensk Hodegetria, temporarily taken to the Assumption Cathedral of the Kremlin, was carried around the White City, Kitai-Gorod and the Kremlin walls on the day of the Battle of Borodino. After defeating the enemy, she was returned to Smolensk.

What helps the image of the Smolensk Mother of God

Hodegetria Smolenskaya counts intercessor and defender of the western borders of Russia. Believers pray to her for the protection of the homeland, for the preservation of the life and health of the military, as well as for deliverance from epidemics.

Photo: © TASS/Mikhail Pochuev

They turn to the Smolensk Mother of God for help in family matters and protection from evil people and envious people. Travelers ask to protect them on the way from unpleasant situations, various diseases, unforeseen troubles.

Prayer to the Mother of God of Smolensk Guidebook

To whom shall I cry, Lady? To whom shall I resort in my sorrow, if not to Thee, Queen of Heaven? Who will hear my cry and take a sigh, if not You, Immaculate, Hope of Christians and Refuge to us sinners? Who will protect you more in misfortune? Hear my groaning and incline Your ear to me, the Lady and Mother of my God. Do not despise the one who seeks Your help and do not reject me a sinner, Queen of Heaven! Teach me to do the will of Your Son and grant me the desire to always follow His holy commandment. For my murmuring in illnesses, labors and misfortunes, do not depart from me, but wake up the Mother and Patroness of the faint-hearted me, my Queen of Benevolent, Intercessor Zealous! With your intercession, cover my sins, protect from visible and invisible enemies, soften the hearts of those who are hostile against me and warm them with Christ’s love. Grant me, the weak, Your all-powerful help to overcome my sinful habits, so that, cleansed by repentance and the subsequent virtuous life, in communion with the Holy Church, I would spend the rest of the days of earthly wandering. Appear to me, Hope of all Christians, at the hour of my death and strengthen my faith in the hour of death. Offer up for me, who sin a lot in this life, Your all-powerful prayers after my departure, may the Lord justify me and make me a partaker of His endless joys. Amen.

Source: Ren

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