What to pray for in front of the Life-Giving Spring icon? Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary “Life-Giving Spring”

14.10.2019

The first wooden temple of the Icon Mother of God The “Life-Giving Spring” was built on his estate at the end of the 17th century by Prince V.V. Golitsyn. Half a century later the estate passed to Prince D.K. Kantemir, who ordered to replace the old church with a new one, stone, in the style of Peter the Great's Baroque. Another half century later, his son, Prince M.D. Kantemir again renovated the temple building, adding a northern aisle to it and dedicating it in memory of his father to the Great Martyr Dmitry of Thessalonica. A little later, a southern chapel appeared in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. The prince’s interest in this temple is connected with the veneration of the “Life-Giving Spring” icon of the Mother of God, which is known for helping in finding a child. The childless Prince M.D. hoped for the appearance of offspring. Cantemir. In addition, the temple became the tomb of the family. In 1775, after Catherine II acquired the Kantemirov estate, this place was named the village of Tsaritsyno. In the 1930s, the Tsaritsyn Church, like many Moscow churches, was closed and in subsequent years was used in economic purposes. As a result, the church building and its wall paintings were severely damaged. In 1990, the temple was returned to the believers, and after its restoration, with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Alexy of Moscow and All Rus', who personally consecrated the revived temple in 1998, services were resumed there. Currently, the temple contains particles of the relics of many saints.
Address: Moscow, st. Dolskaya, 2. Tel.: 8 (495) 325-34-56.

Moscow region. Church of the Icon of the Mother of God “Life-Giving Spring” (Kosmodamianskaya) in Metkino

The chronicles say that in the 17th century in the village of Metkino, not far from Moscow, there was a wooden church of Cosmas and Damian. In 1701 it burned down, but many icons were saved and were placed in a small chapel built nearby. In 1848, the current stone church was built in its place, dedicated to the icon of the Mother of God “Life-Giving Spring”. The appearance of the new temple was not accidental. In 1829, something happened in Metkino extraordinary event– the appearance of the image of the Mother of God “Life-Giving Spring”. And in 1840, the soldier’s widow Avdotya Evdokimova, who lived in Moscow, transferred the image to her homeland, the village of Metkino. Holy Mother of God“Life-giving spring”, given to her by merchant Anna Kiryanova. From that time on, people from all the surrounding areas began to flock to venerate the image of the Mother of God. Just two months later, the rector of the church, Father Vladimir, wrote to the Metropolitan of Moscow and Kolomna, His Eminence Philaret, that “more and more people are coming to worship the image” and the reason for this is the miraculous healings occurring from the icon. The next rector of the temple, Father John, in 1846 turned to the metropolitan with a request to allow the construction of a new stone church in the name of the Icon of the Mother of God “Life-Giving Spring” with donations from numerous pilgrims. Six months later, the foundation stone of the church took place. Its architecture harmoniously combines the features late classicism and pseudo-Russian style.

With the icon of the Mother of God “Life-Giving Spring,” which enjoyed great veneration among believers, religious processions were held every year to the surrounding villages. IN Soviet era the temple was closed. Some icons were saved thanks to parishioners who hid them in their homes under threat of death. But the miraculous image of the Mother of God “Life-Giving Spring” disappeared without a trace. The church building suffered many destructions. Only in the 1990s, in complete desolation, was it returned to believers, and intensive work began on restoring the temple. Moreover, people participating in the restoration said that they heard angelic singing in the dilapidated walls of the temple. It was as if the Mother of God herself was patronizing his revival. The temple was consecrated in 2003, and the main altar was dedicated, as in the old days, to Saints Cosmas and Damian, and its two chapels were dedicated to the icons of the Mother of God “Life-Giving Spring” and the Holy Archangel Michael. The double name of the church is connected with this.
Address: Moscow region, Domodedovo district, Domodedovo, White Stolby microdistrict, st. Metkino, 12.

Tver. Church of the Icon of the Mother of God “Life-Giving Spring” (Sorrow Church)

Church of God Maeri Life-Giving Spring.
Tver. XVIII century

Until 1750, there was a house for poor and homeless people on Sorrow Hill. Then it was decided to build a church here in the name of the icon of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow” and open an almshouse with it. In 1763, during the great Tver fire, the church burned down. After 30 years, a new stone church with a chapel of All Saints and a bell tower was built in its place. A little later, two more chapels were added to it: in honor of the icon of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow” and the Mother of God “Life-Giving Spring,” which became the main one. The temple has a special, unusual architecture for Tver. This is the only temple in the city with a rotunda in the classicist style and a seven-sided altar in the Baroque style. During Soviet times, the temple was closed, the porch was broken, and the building was used as a book warehouse. The church was returned to believers in 1994. Now this functioning temple, maintained in good condition, is considered a decoration of the city.
Address: Tver, st. Volodarskogo, 4.

Arzamas. Church of the Icon of the Mother of God “Life-Giving Spring”

Church of the Mother of God Life-Giving Spring. Arzamas. XVIII century

This beautiful church, with intricate decorative moldings and a rich history, was built in 1794. Its main altar was consecrated in honor of the “Life-Giving Spring” icon, two small altars were consecrated in honor of the Archangel Michael and the “Quench My Sorrows” icon of the Mother of God. The temple has a very interesting building design - in the form of a ship. The carved iconostasis was made by famous Arzamas masters Mitryashchevs. The church was closed in 1935, the icons were lost forever. However, in 1944 it was returned to believers, and since then it has been a functioning temple. Of the many ancient Arzamas churches for which the city was so famous at the beginning of the last century, only two churches standing on main square cities. This is the Resurrection Cathedral and the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God “Life-Giving Spring”. It contains an ancient and rare prayer image - the icon of the “Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary”, which is revered as the main shrine of the temple.
Address: Nizhny Novgorod region, Arzamas, pl. Sobornaya.

Zadonsk. Church of the Icon of the Mother of God “Life-Giving Spring” in the Zadonsk Nativity of the Theotokos Monastery

The Zadonsk Monastery was founded at the beginning of the 17th century by two pious elders-schemamonks Kirill and Gerasim. The first monastery church was dedicated to the Vladimir Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos. In 1692, the monastery, which at that time already had considerable scale and fame, burned to the ground. Only the miraculous icon with which the monks began the construction of the monastery was not touched by the fire. After this miracle, through the efforts of numerous pilgrims, the monastery was restored. The source at the Zadonsk Monastery, according to the chronicle, became known from the beginning of the 18th century. In 1730, a chapel was built near it in honor of the “Life-Giving Spring” icon of the Mother of God, and in 1870 a temple was erected. After the revolution of 1917, the source was filled up, the temple was closed, and various Soviet institutions were located within its walls: from a hospital to a food processing plant. The restoration of the monastery began in 1988 with the renovation of the main Vladimir Cathedral. Three years later, the first monks settled in it. In 1991, the holy relics of St. Tikhon of Zadonsk, which had previously been a revered shrine of the monastery, were solemnly transferred to the monastery. In 1994, the monastery source was restored and the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God “Life-Giving Spring” was recreated using the surviving lithograph. At the source, a bathhouse has now been built for those who want to plunge into the healing waters. In the main Vladimir Cathedral of the monastery there are many locally revered icons, shrines brought from Jerusalem, and particles of the relics of God's saints.
Address: Lipetsk region, Zadonsk, st. Communes, no. 14.

Sortavala. Church of the Icon of the Mother of God “Life-Giving Spring” and the Life-Giving Trinity in the Valaam Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery

Valaam Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery, located on a high hill on the island of Valaam, on Lake Ladoga, was founded in the 10th century by the Monks Sergius and Herman of Valaam. At the turn of the XV-XVI centuries. the monastery was called the “great monastery”; it was famous for its high spiritual life. Many famous Christian ascetics in different centuries labored within the walls of this monastery: the Venerable Arseny of Konevsky, the Venerable Alexander of Svirsky, the Venerable Savvaty of Solovetsky, the Venerable Euphrosynus of Sinozersky and others. The Valaam monastery was repeatedly attacked by the Swedes. After complete destruction in 1611, the monastery remained in oblivion for more than a hundred years, and the Finns settled on its territory. Only the holy relics remained untouched St. Sergius and Herman, hidden by monks deep underground. In the 18th century, at the direction of Peter I, the revival of the Valaam monastery began. In 1782, the famous elder and ascetic Nazarius from the Sarov Hermitage was appointed rector of the monastery, and with his arrival a new creative stage began in the history of the monastery. He introduced the cenobitic charter of the Sarov Hermitage in the Valaam Monastery. Under him, a five-domed stone stone was erected Transfiguration Cathedral with a high bell tower and cell buildings with the Assumption and St. Nicholas churches.

The church in honor of the icon of the Mother of God “Life-Giving Spring” was built in 1814 under the successor of Father Nazarius, Abbot Innocent. The style of construction is Byzantine. The monastery was repeatedly visited by imperial persons and spoke highly of it. Emperor Alexander I ranked Valaam Monastery to the category of first-class. After the revolution of 1917, Finland became independent, and Valaam found itself on its territory, which made it possible to save the monastery from ruin for a time. At the beginning of 1940, the monastery was subjected to heavy bombing by Soviet aircraft. The brethren were forced to evacuate to Finland. The monastery bell sounded sadly last time, announcing the death of the monastery. After the transfer of the Valaam archipelago to Soviet troops, the monastery suffered the tragic fate of slow destruction. Only in 1989 did the Karelia authorities allow part of the former monastery to be transferred to the Leningrad diocese, and the first monks arrived in Valaam to revive monastic life. Since 1990, the monastery came under the jurisdiction of His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Alexy II. The following year, the monastery acquired a spiritual treasure - the incorruptible relics of the Valaam ascetic, Hieroschemamonk Antipas, from which miracles of healing occur to this day. Previous relics are gradually returning to the monastery, for example, an ancient reliquary cross with a particle of the relics of the great martyr Panteleimon the healer. One of the main shrines of the monastery is the Valaam image of the Mother of God, through prayers in front of which healings are performed. Saint Ignatius (Brianchaninov) wrote: “Valaam, on which you see granite ledges and high mountains, will become for you that spiritual height from which it is convenient to transition to the abode of heaven.” And now thousands of pilgrims come to Valaam with the desire to touch the life-giving source of faith.
Address: Republic of Karelia, Sortavala district, o. Valaam, Sortavala.

The icon “Life-Giving Spring” can be found in a number of Orthodox churches. What is its help to a person? What prayers should be addressed to this icon? I want to tell you all about this in the article below.

The history of the appearance of the holy image goes back to the fifth century, when there was a grove near Constantinople, which, according to legend, was dedicated to the Holy Virgin Mary. A spring flowed in this grove, famous for its miracles, but over time it was hidden behind thickets of bushes and mud and gradually disappeared completely.

In the year 450, a warrior named Leo Marcellus (who later became emperor) happened to meet a lost blind man in this grove; the warrior helped him find a path and sat him down in the shade. And he himself went to fetch water to quench the thirst of the exhausted traveler. Suddenly, Leo heard that the Mother of God herself was calling him, who gave him the task of discovering an abandoned spring and applying mud from it to the eyes of the blind man.

Markell did everything he was told and a miracle happened - the blind man began to see again. The Mother of God also told Leo that he would sit on the imperial throne; this also became true after seven years. When the promise came true, Leo Markell remembered the Mother of God and gave the order to ennoble the source, install a circle of stones around it and build a church on it in honor of the Virgin Mary.

The emperor’s sacred key was given the name “Life-Giving Spring,” because it began to manifest the miraculous grace of the Mother of God. Also called new icon, written specifically for this temple.

In the 6th century, Emperor Justinian the Great also had to drink water from a healing spring, which cured him of a serious illness. To celebrate, he ordered the construction of another temple next to the one erected by Leo, and a monastery was organized with him.

In the 15th century, when the Byzantine Empire collapsed, the temple suffered a similar fate - it was destroyed by Muslims. Then a small church was built in its place, which was also demolished in 1821, and the source itself was filled up. But the Orthodox removed the ruins, cleaned the source and again began to use its healing water. Subsequently, a new church, at which a hospital with an almshouse was organized.

The image of the Mother of God “Life-Giving Spring” was greatly revered by the ancient Russians. For example, in the Sarov desert a church was built in honor of this image. All Orthodox Christians stricken with illnesses went, on the advice of St. Seraphim of Sarov, to offer prayers at the miraculous image, and their illnesses miraculously disappeared.

Until now, the icon of the “Life-Giving Spring” has not lost its popularity. In particular, on Friday of Bright Week, when the Liturgy ends in Christian churches, it is customary to perform a water-blessed prayer at this image. And the water blessed at the Liturgy is used by believers to sprinkle their gardens and vegetable gardens.

What is depicted in this image

The shrine shows us the Mother of God sitting in the font, holding the baby Jesus in her arms. Initially, the source was not applied to the sacred object, but later the composition was supplemented with a Vial (chalice). And a little later, the icon is depicted with a pond and a fountain.

Characteristics of the icon, how can it help?

Many people are interested in the characteristics of the “Life-Giving Spring” icon and what it can help with. It should be noted that the face of the Mother of God has a much deeper characteristic and meaning than the healing properties of holy water alone.

He personifies the Saint herself, who in her womb bore the Savior of all mankind and gave eternal life to all who believe in him and in his Father and keep faith in both in their souls.

You can come across the statement that God acts as our whole Life, and the source represents the feminine principle, personifies the image of the Mother of God. It is for this reason that the Russian icon painting tradition gives this face the name “Istochnaya”. This means that this is the personification of the beginning from which life itself flows (the festive kontakion designates it as the Water Savior or the God-Blessed Source).

The image contributes to the healing of the spirit and body of all people living on earth like a real caring mother who guards the entire human race. Next, let’s look at what specific problems this icon will help you with.

When should we offer prayers to the “Life-Giving Spring”?

The Sacred Image, which received its name in honor of the healing waters, is traditionally asked for help with the following problems:

when they want to eliminate bad habits, eradicate harmful passions;
to heal physical and mental pathologies;
the holy Mother of God will also provide her help to all the righteous who firmly believe in the Savior;
All those whose souls are filled with sorrow and who suffer from a lack of vital energy will be able to receive help from her;
Thanks to sincere, sincere prayer in front of the icon, it becomes possible to get rid of even the most serious illnesses.

Miracles performed by this divine shrine

One Thessalian dreamed from childhood that when he grew up, he would see with his own eyes the place from which holy water flowed. And finally the moment came when he and other Orthodox Christians were able to begin their long pilgrimage journey.

But on the way, the young man became infected and when he realized that he would soon die, he asked others traveling with him not to bury him after death, but to still carry him to his destination and pour 3 jugs of healing water on him, and only then betray him his body to the ground.

His request was fulfilled, but when the third jug of water was poured onto the body of the righteous man, a miracle happened and he came to life. After such an amazing resurrection, the young man decided to serve God and the Mother of God until his death, prayers to whom helped him return to life again.

There are also other examples of the healing effects of spring water. But we must remember that a miracle occurs only under the condition of a fervent, sincere and sincere prayer to the Creator and if a person leads a righteous lifestyle - he does not commit any sins. Only in this case can he count on receiving long-awaited relief and healing.

How the Icon of the Life-Giving Spring is Celebrated

They set a day on which the memory of the reconstruction of the Church of the Life-Giving Spring in Constantinople, erected at the behest of Leo Marcellus and at the direction of the Mother of God, is honored.

This date became Friday of Bright Week and from now on every year in Christian churches on Holy Week the blessing of water is venerated and an Easter religious procession is performed.

In which churches can you find the icon of the Mother of God the Life-Giving Spring?

On at the moment time, there are more than a hundred chapels and churches that received their name in honor of the Mother of God. Next, I suggest you familiarize yourself with some of them:

Temple of the Image of the Mother of God (Cosmodamian) in Metkino, Moscow region. Ancient chronicles say that in the 17th century, not far from Moscow, there was a wooden temple of Damian and Cosmas, but in 1701 it was burned. Fortunately, most of the images were saved; they were transferred to a small chapel located nearby.

The destroyed church in 1848 was replaced by a real temple of God, which is dedicated to the miraculous face of the Mother of God. This is also not accidental, since in 1829 the miraculous appearance of the Saint occurred. And in 1840, Avdotya Evdokimova, the widow of a soldier, gave a miraculous icon to the village of Metkino, which was given to her by the merchant Kiryanova. Since then, people from nearby areas have come to the temple to venerate the holy image.

Another icon dedicated to the Mother of God can be found in Tsaritsyno (Moscow).
In the city of Tver there is a Cathedral with a miraculous image of the Mother of God (in the Sorrow Church).
There is also a Church of the Healing Icon of the Holy Virgin Mary in the Nativity of the Theotokos Monastery (Zadonsk).
In addition, you will find a healing icon in the Church of the Mother of God (city of Arzamas).

Now you know full description image of the “Life-Giving Source”. Finally, I would like to note only that the most important condition receiving divine help is a sincere belief in this help.

Therefore, believe in miracles and finish reading the article by watching a fascinating thematic video:

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In the 5th century in Constantinople, near the so-called “Golden Gate”, there was a grove dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. There was a spring in the grove, glorified for miracles for a long time. Gradually, this place was overgrown with bushes, and the water was covered with mud.

Once upon a time the warrior Leo Marcellus, future emperor, met in this place a blind man, a helpless traveler who had lost his way. The lion helped him out onto the path and sit down in the shade to rest, while he himself went in search of water to refresh the blind man. Suddenly he heard a voice: “Lion! Don’t look far for water, it’s close here.” Surprised by the mysterious voice, he began to look for water, but did not find it. When he stopped in sadness and thoughtfulness, the same voice was heard a second time: “Lion King! Go under the shade of this grove, draw the water that you find there, and give it to the thirsty person, and put the mud that you find in the source on his eyes. Then you will know who I am, who sanctifies this place. I will help you soon build a temple here in My name, and everyone who comes here with faith and calls on My name will receive the fulfillment of their prayers and complete healing from ailments.” When Leo fulfilled everything he was commanded, the blind man immediately received his sight and, without a guide, went to Constantinople, glorifying the Mother of God. This miracle happened under Emperor Marcian (391-457).

Emperor Marcian was succeeded by Leo Marcellus (457-473). He remembered the appearance and prediction of the Mother of God, ordered the source to be cleaned and enclosed in a stone circle, over which a temple was built in honor of the Most Holy Theotokos. Emperor Leo called this spring the “Life-Giving Spring,” since the miraculous grace of the Mother of God was manifested in it.

Emperor Justinian the Great (527-565) was a man deeply committed to the Orthodox faith. He suffered from water sickness for a long time. One day at midnight he heard a voice: “You cannot regain your health unless you drink from My fountain.” The king did not know what source the voice was talking about, and became despondent. Then the Mother of God appeared to him in the afternoon and said: “Get up, king, go to My source, drink water from it and you will be healthy as before.” The patient fulfilled the will of the Lady and soon recovered. The grateful emperor erected a new magnificent temple near the temple built by Leo, at which a populous monastery was subsequently created.

In the 15th century, the famous temple of the “Life-Giving Source” was destroyed by Muslims. A Turkish guard was assigned to the ruins of the temple, who did not allow anyone to approach this place. Gradually, the severity of the ban softened, and Christians built a small church there. But it was also destroyed in 1821, and the source was filled up. The Christians again cleared the ruins, opened the spring and continued to draw water from it. Subsequently, in one window, among the rubble, a sheet half-rotten from time and dampness was found with a record of ten miracles from the Life-Giving Spring that occurred from 1824 to 1829. Under Sultan Mahmud, the Orthodox received some freedom in performing divine services. They used it to build a temple over the Life-Giving Spring for the third time. In 1835, with great triumph, Patriarch Constantine, concelebrated by 20 bishops and large quantities the temple was consecrated by pilgrims; A hospital and almshouse were set up at the temple.

One Thessalian experienced from his youth strong desire visit the Life-Giving Spring. Finally, he managed to set off, but on the way he became seriously ill. Feeling the approach of death, the Thessalian took word from his companions that they would not bury him, but would take his body to the Life-Giving Spring, there they poured three vessels of life-giving water on it and only after that buried it. His wish was fulfilled, and life returned to the Thessalian at the Life-Giving Spring. He accepted monasticism and spent his time in piety last days life.

The appearance of the Mother of God to Leo Marcellus took place on April 4, 450. On this day, as well as annually on Friday of Holy Week Orthodox Church celebrates the renovation of the Constantinople temple in honor of the Life-Giving Spring. According to the charter, on this day the rite of blessing of water is performed with an Easter religious procession.

The Most Holy Theotokos with the Infant God is depicted in the icon above a huge stone bowl standing in a reservoir. Near a reservoir filled with life-giving water, those suffering from bodily ailments, passions and mental infirmities are depicted. They all drink this life-giving water and receive healing.

Lists with miraculous icon“Life-Giving Spring” are located in the Sarov Desert; Astrakhan, Urzhum, Vyatka diocese; in the chapel near the Solovetsky Monastery; Lipetsk, Tambov diocese. An excellent image is placed in the Moscow Novodevichy Convent.

The warrior Leo, who later became emperor (455-473), in a grove dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, met a blind man who asked for water. Leo could not find a water source for a long time, when suddenly he heard the voice of the Most Holy Theotokos, who pointed him to the source and ordered him to apply mud from those waters to the eyes of the blind man. After this, the blind man received his sight, and the warrior, having become emperor, marveled and rejoiced at miraculous healing, ordered the source to be cleaned and a temple was erected in its place. The temple was named - evidence of the miraculous power of the source.

After the fall of Constantinople, the temple was destroyed and rebuilt only in 1834-1835.

In memory of this miracle, on the day of the Icon of the Mother of God of the Life-Giving Spring, a small consecration of water is performed - it occurs several times throughout the year, the great consecration of water is performed only on the feast of Epiphany (Epiphany)

Iconographically, the image of the Mother of God, the Life-Giving Source, goes back to the Byzantine image of the Lady Victorious type, which in turn goes back to the image of the Sign type. Initially, the icon of the Life-Giving Source was transmitted in copies without an image of the source; later a bowl (phial) was included in the composition, and then also a pond and a fountain.

On Bright Week, the service is filled with joyful Easter chants, fasting on Wednesday and Friday is canceled, the entire Liturgy is served with the Royal Doors open, and after each liturgy a religious procession is held.

On the same day, at the Liturgy, the Gospel about the expulsion of traders from the temple is read.

Appearance of the Icon of the Mother of God “Life-Giving Spring”

Icon of the Mother of God “Life-Giving Spring”

One day the warrior Leo Marcellus, the future emperor, met in this place a blind man, a helpless traveler who had lost his way. The lion helped him out onto the path and sit down in the shade to rest, while he himself went in search of water to refresh the blind man. Suddenly he heard a voice: “Lion! Don’t look far for water, it’s close here.” Surprised by the mysterious voice, he began to look for water, but did not find it. When he stopped in sadness and thoughtfulness, the same voice was heard a second time: “Lion King! Go under the shade of this grove, draw the water that you find there, and give it to the thirsty person, and put the mud that you find in the source on his eyes. Then you will know who I am, who sanctifies this place. I will help you soon build a temple here in My name, and everyone who comes here with faith and calls on My name will receive the fulfillment of their prayers and complete healing from ailments.” When Leo fulfilled everything he was commanded, the blind man immediately received his sight and, without a guide, went to Constantinople, glorifying the Mother of God. This miracle happened under Emperor Marcian (391-457).

In the 15th century, the famous temple of the “Life-Giving Spring” was destroyed by Muslims. A Turkish guard was assigned to the ruins of the temple, who did not allow anyone to approach this place. Gradually, the severity of the ban softened, and Christians built a small church there. But it was also destroyed in 1821, and the source was filled up. The Christians again cleared the ruins, opened the spring and continued to draw water from it. Subsequently, in one window, among the rubble, a sheet half-rotten from time and dampness was found with a record of ten miracles from the Life-Giving Spring that occurred from 1824 to 1829. Under Sultan Mahmud, the Orthodox received some freedom in performing divine services. They used it to build a temple over the Life-Giving Spring for the third time. In 1835, with great triumph, Patriarch Constantine, concelebrated by 20 bishops and with a large number of pilgrims, consecrated the temple; A hospital and almshouse were set up at the temple.

One Thessalian from his youth had a strong desire to visit the Life-Giving Spring. Finally, he managed to set off, but on the way he became seriously ill. Feeling the approach of death, the Thessalian took word from his companions that they would not bury him, but would take his body to the Life-Giving Spring, there they poured three vessels of life-giving water on it and only after that buried it. His wish was fulfilled, and life returned to the Thessalian at the Life-Giving Spring. He accepted monasticism and spent the last days of his life in piety.

The appearance of the Mother of God to Leo Marcellus took place on April 4, 450. On this day, as well as every year on Friday of Bright Week, the Orthodox Church celebrates the renovation of the Constantinople temple in honor of the Life-Giving Spring. According to the charter, on this day the rite of blessing of water is performed with an Easter religious procession.

The Most Holy Theotokos with the Infant God is depicted in the icon above a large stone bowl standing in a reservoir. Near a reservoir filled with life-giving water, those suffering from bodily ailments, passions and mental infirmities are depicted. They all drink this life-giving water and receive various healings.

Troparion to the Icon of the Mother of God “Life-Giving Spring”

Let us, people, draw healing for our souls and bodies through prayer, the River that precedes everything - the Most Pure Queen Theotokos, pouring out wonderful water for us and washing away black hearts, cleansing sinful scabs, and sanctifying the souls of the faithful with Divine grace.

Prayer before the icon of the Mother of God “Life-Giving Spring”

O Most Holy Virgin, Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ! You are the Mother and patroness of all who come running to You, look with mercy on the prayers of Your sinners and humble children. You, called the Life-Giving Source of grace-filled healings, heal the illnesses of the afflicted and pray to Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to bestow upon all those who flow to You mental and physical health and, having forgiven us our voluntary and involuntary sins, grant us all things eternal and temporal. necessary for life. You are the joy of all who mourn; hear us, the sorrowful; You are the quenching of sorrow, quenching our sorrow; You are the seeker of the lost, do not allow us to perish in the abyss of our sins, but always deliver us from all sorrows and misfortunes and all evil circumstances. To her, our Queen, our indestructible hope and invincible intercessor, do not turn Your face away from us for the multitude of our sins, but extend to us the hand of Your Mother’s mercy and create with us a sign of Your mercy for good: show us Your help and have good luck in every matter good. Turn us away from every sinful undertaking and evil thought, so that we may always glorify the most honorable Your name, magnifying God the Father and the Only Begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ and the Life-giving Holy Spirit with all the saints forever and ever. Amen.