Icon of the Mother of God “Life-Giving Source. Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary “Life-Giving Spring”

14.10.2019

All Christian icons have their own unique stories creation or acquisition and secret meaning. On many of them, including the icon " Life-Giving Spring", depicts the Virgin Mary and the Child Savior.

Without faith, our lives would become chaos and disorder. Icons help us find the strength to move on when it seems that everything has collapsed or is moving towards this. Icons should be in every home: when a person cannot visit a temple, he can pray in front of an icon, establishing contact with God.

History of the icon

The history of the image “Life-Giving Source” goes back to the distant past. In the 5th century, a life-giving one was found in Constantinople, miraculous spring. This place was consecrated, because the grove where the source was located was sown in honor of the Mother of God. Many people found healing by drinking holy water, which welled up from the earth itself.

Subsequently, the source almost dried up, and over time it completely turned into an abandoned place. In the 6th century, in honor of the miraculous land from which water flowed, a temple was built and a monastery attached to it. Later, the first icon dedicated to this land was invented and painted. They dedicated the icon to the Mother of God, as she is a symbol of purity and goodness, humility and chastity. This image was very popular and famous, but was later forgotten and then restored again. He has been revered in Rus' throughout history.

Description of the icon

The icon depicts the very place where the source was located. The Mother of God sits in the Holy Chalice, holding the Child Christ in her arms. Holy water flows from the Chalice - a symbol of pure faith and salvation. Below, near the Chalice, people are depicted drinking or collecting water into vessels. Sometimes this icon is attributed to the feast of Epiphany, although in fact it has nothing to do with Epiphany. There are many options for the icon, but in general they are all very similar. Now in many churches in Russia there are icons of the “Life-Giving Source,” but it is mainly associated with the temple that was built on the miraculous place where there was a holy spring.

What does an icon help with?

This icon saves the house from trouble, from any misfortune and evil people. If you are sick, you can place this icon next to your bed to find salvation and improve your health as quickly as possible.

This is a miraculous icon, since in the chronicles there is a lot of evidence of how people healed serious ailments by applying themselves to the image: blindness, weakness, incurable diseases, infertility. This happened not only in the 5th-6th centuries, but also later, when they only talked about that wonderful place. That temple was destroyed and rebuilt three times throughout history, but the icon of the “Life-Giving Source” has always been and will be miraculous, regardless of where it is located.

Days of veneration of the icon

The day of veneration of the Life-Giving Source icon is April 15. During the service, miracles associated with the holy image are remembered that took place in the 5th century on the site where the Constantinople Temple now stands. It still houses one of the oldest icons. This sacred place, which must be visited if possible.

Prayers to the icon “Life-Giving Source”

In front of this icon, you can read any prayers for the coming sleep and in the morning, prayers for the salvation of the soul, for health. This is a universal image that does not have any connection to events or themes of prayers. Despite this, there is a prayer that can be read on April 15 in honor of the discovery of that sacred source:

“Our Lady Theotokos, chosen from all generations, giving us gracious help, we praise you. You are our blessed Mother of God, pour out Your great and rich mercies on us, heal our ailments and assuage our heavy sorrows, let us thank You for this: Rejoice, Lady, pouring out the Life-Giving Source to your faithful people.”

The Virgin Mary personifies an insatiable source of goodness, light and forgiveness for all of us, so this icon is not just evidence of a miracle that happened one and a half thousand years ago. This is something more, because this image tells us that the life-giving source is always near us. He fuels us every second of our lives. This is one of the best icons to have at home. Good luck and don't forget to press the buttons and

13.05.2017 05:49

Among the holy miraculous icons of the Mother of God, the image of “ Unexpected joy" Prayer in front of this icon can...

In the 5th century, near Constantinople there was a grove dedicated, according to legend, to the Most Holy Theotokos. In this grove there was a spring, glorified for miracles for a long time, but gradually overgrown with bushes and mud. In 450 the warrior Leo Marcellus, future emperor, having met a lost blind man in this place, helped him get out onto the path and settle down in the shade. While looking for water for an exhausted traveler, he heard the voice of the Mother of God commanding him to find an overgrown spring and anoint the eyes of the blind man with mud. When Leo fulfilled the command, the blind man immediately received his sight. The Mother of God also predicted to Leo that he would become emperor, and seven years later this prediction came true.

Having become emperor, Leo Marcellus remembered the phenomenon and prediction Mother of God and ordered to clean the source, surround it with a stone circle and erect a temple on it in honor of the Mother of God. The Holy Key was called the “Life-Giving Spring” by the emperor, since the miraculous grace of the Mother of God was manifested in it. The icon painted for the new church was also named.

In the 6th century, Emperor Justinian the Great, after drinking water from a source and cured of a serious illness, built a new temple near the temple built by Emperor Leo, at which a populous monastery was created. In the 15th century, after the fall of the Byzantine Empire, the Life-Giving Spring temple was destroyed by Muslims. The small church that was subsequently built was also destroyed in 1821, and the source was filled up. Christians again dismantled the ruins, cleared the source and continued to draw life-giving water from it. After the Orthodox received some relaxation in performing divine services over the Life-Giving Spring, a temple was rebuilt, at which a hospital and an almshouse were set up.

Icon Holy Mother of God The “Life-Giving Spring” was deeply revered in Rus'. A temple was erected in the Sarov desert in honor of this icon. Those sick pilgrims whom St. Seraphim of Sarov sent to pray before the miraculous icon received healing from it.

On Friday of Bright Week, after the Liturgy, in Orthodox churches a prayer service is usually held before the icon of the Mother of God “Life-Giving Spring”. With the water blessed at this prayer service, believers sprinkle their gardens and orchards, calling on the help of the Lord and His Most Pure Mother to provide the harvest.

Day of celebration: Friday of Holy Week.
More about the icon “Life-Giving Source”

“Life-Giving Source” is a miraculous icon of the Mother of God, located in the Constantinople monastery of Our Lady of Pigi (Source), executed on the wall using the mosaic technique in the 14th century. In the iconographic type “Life-Giving Source” (Zoodochos Pigi), which became widespread in the post-Byzantine period in Italo-Cretan painting, the Mother of God with the Child Christ is depicted from the waist up, sitting in a pool in the form of a large stone bowl, from which water pours through drain holes into the lower pool ; below are figures of people thirsting for healing. In Rus', icons of the “Life-Giving Source” appeared in the 17th century. In the 18-19 centuries, especially revered icons of the “Life-Giving Source” were located in the Sarov Hermitage, in Tula, in the Novodevichy Monastery in Moscow and in many other cities throughout Russia, including in the Solovetsky Monastery (written by order of the Solovetsky Archimandrite in Constantinople).

The celebration of the “Life-Giving Source” icon is on Easter Friday.

icon of the Virgin Mary"LIFE-GIVING SOURCE"

On Friday of Holy Week

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Description of the icon of the Mother of God “LIFE-GIVING SOURCE”:

In the 5th century, near Constantinople there was a grove dedicated, according to legend, to the Most Holy Theotokos. In this grove there was a spring, glorified for miracles for a long time, but gradually overgrown with bushes and mud. In 450, the warrior Leo Marcellus, the future emperor, having met a lost blind man in this place, helped him get out onto the path and settle in the shade. While looking for water for an exhausted traveler, he heard the voice of the Mother of God commanding him to find an overgrown spring and anoint the eyes of the blind man with mud. When Leo fulfilled the command, the blind man immediately received his sight. The Mother of God also predicted to Leo that he would become emperor, and seven years later this prediction came true.

Having become emperor, Leo Marcellus remembered the appearance and prediction of the Mother of God and ordered to cleanse the source, surround it with a stone circle and erect a temple on it in honor of the Mother of God. The Holy Key was called the “Life-Giving Spring” by the emperor, since the miraculous grace of the Mother of God was manifested in it. The icon of the Virgin Mary, painted for the new church, was also named.

The Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Life-Giving Spring” was deeply revered in Rus'. A temple was erected in the Sarov desert in honor of this icon. Those sick pilgrims whom St. Seraphim of Sarov sent to pray before the miraculous icon of the Mother of God received healing from it.

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Before the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Life-Giving Source” they pray for the preservation of a righteous life, for the healing of bodily and mental ailments, passions, and for help in grief.

Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos in front of Her icon called the “Life-Giving Spring”

Oh, Most Holy Virgin, All-Merciful Lady Lady Theotokos, Thy Life-Giving Source, You have given us healing gifts for the health of our souls and bodies and for the salvation of the world, and with the same gratitude we sincerely pray to You, Most Holy Queen, pray to give us Thy Son and our God forgiveness of sins and mercy and consolation to every grieving and embittered soul, and liberation from troubles, sorrows and illnesses. Grant, O Lady, protection to this temple and these people (and observance of this holy monastery), preservation of the city, deliverance and protection of our country from misfortunes, so that we may live a peaceful life here, and in the future we will be honored to see You as our Intercessor, in the glory of the Kingdom of Your Son and our God. To him be glory and power with the Father and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

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Troparion to the Most Holy Theotokos in front of Her icon called the “Life-Giving Source”

Troparion, tone 4

Today, we are the harbinger of return to the Divine and celibate image of the Most Holy Theotokos, who poured out drops of her outpourings, and showed miracles to the faithful people, even as we see and hear spiritually celebrate and graciously cry out: heal our ailments and passions, just as you healed the Karkinsky and countless passions; We also pray to You, Most Pure Virgin, pray to Christ our God incarnate from You to save our souls.

Troparion, tone 4

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

* Blackness- the property of black, meaning sinfulness.

Kontakion, tone 8

From the inexhaustible You, God-gracious Source, give me, as a drain, the waters of Your grace, ever-flowing more than words, as if you gave birth to the Word more than meaning, pray, water me with grace, so I call You: Rejoice, saving Water.

Greatness

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

Akathist to the Holy Mother of God in front of her icon, called the “Life-Giving Spring”

Kontakion 1
To the Lady Theotokos, chosen from all generations, who shows us gracious help, let us praise Thy servants to the Theotokos. You, as the Most Blessed Mother of God, pour out Your great and rich mercies on us, heal our ailments and quench our sorrows, and let us cry out thanksgiving to You: Rejoice, Lady, pouring out the Life-Giving Source to the faithful.

Ikos 1
Many Archangels and Angels are perplexed. It is reasonable for you from God the Word, who established the earth on the waters, to praise according to your inheritance. We, the Most Honest Cherub, and the Most Glorious Seraphim without comparison, in tenderness for Your blessings upon us, dare to call You: Rejoice, Lady, chosen by God the Father; Rejoice, illuminated by the Holy Spirit. Rejoice, exalted one, at the birth of the Son of God; Rejoice, blessed one among women. Rejoice, magnified by the Mother of God; Rejoice, blessed one from all generations. Rejoice, Lady, Life-Giving Source pouring out to the faithful.

Kontakion 2
Seeing, O Most Merciful Mother, the man who was blind from thirst and suffering, You showed the source of living water for drinking and healing for the sake of the commander to the wandering in the desert: he cried out to You in gratitude: Alleluia.

Ikos 2
Understanding Your Divine voice, commander, indicating the source of water, and knowing it like the Font of Siloam, not only gives water to the thirsty, but also frees him from his blindness, but we, seeking Your mercy, cry to You: Rejoice, Lady, depicting the font of salvation; Rejoice, healing blindness of soul and body. Rejoice, affirmation of the weakened; Rejoice, you who walk with the lame. Rejoice, Mother of Light, who opens the eyes of the blind; Rejoice, you who illuminate those who sit in darkness with the light of truth. Rejoice, Lady, Life-Giving Source pouring out to the faithful.

Kontakion 3
The power of the Most High overshadows all who flow with faith and reverence to Your Life-Giving Source, Most Pure Lady Lady. By the power of the Most High, we, the Mother of God, humbly fall to You and cry out in prayer: Alleluia.

Ikos 3
Having ineffable wealth of mercy, to all who are sick, Lady, Thy helping hand, healing ailments, healing passions, we find in Thy Life-Giving Source: for this reason we cry to Thee: Rejoice, Source of unceasing joy; Rejoice, Cup of unspeakable goodness. Rejoice, treasury of grace that never fails; Rejoice, You always give mercy to those who ask You. Rejoice, healing of various ailments. Rejoice, quenching of our sorrows; Rejoice, Lady, Life-Giving Source pouring out to the faithful.

Kontakion 4
In a storm of bewilderment, the blind man was embarrassed, looking for water to quench his thirst. And behold, as in ancient times, by the power of God, water flowed from the stones: so now in the waterless desert a spring appeared, there Moses, the source of water: where are You Yourself, O Mother of God, servant of miracles, we also pray: give water to our thirsty souls for piety, and We call to You: Alleluia.

Ikos 4
Hearing the governor Your wondrous voice, Mother of mercy, indicating the source of water, giving water to the thirsty and indicating blindness to heal, and seeing the event of words, cry out to her: Rejoice, Lady, comforting the sufferers; Rejoice, you who restore the sick. Rejoice, giver of dumb words; Rejoice, healer of all the weak. Rejoice, help to those in need; Rejoice, consolation to the discouraged. Rejoice, Lady, Life-Giving Source pouring out to the faithful.

Kontakion 5
Divine water from Your Life-Giving Source, pouring out currents of grace, drawing for the healing of mental and physical ailments, the Virgin Mother of God, we cry out to You in gratitude: Alleluia.

Ikos 5
Seeing people who are blind, who have received their sight through the water of Your Life-Giving Source, Mother of God, trying to sing songs like gifts to serve You: Rejoice, Lady, who opens the doors of mercy to the faithful; Rejoice, you do not put to shame those who trust in You. Rejoice, comforter of the needy; Rejoice, freer from misfortunes. Rejoice, strengthener of the weary; Rejoice, Lady, Life-Giving Source pouring out to the faithful.

Kontakion 6
Preaching of Your miracle, Mother of God, was the governor, like a wondrous blind man with water from Your Life-Giving Source, enlightened the dark apples of our souls, so that we gratefully preach Your mercy calling: Alleluia.

Ikos 6
May Thy Life-Giving Source arise to us, Most Merciful Mother, the manifold grace of Thy Son and Our God, Christ the Giver of Life, flowing forth. For this reason, we bring the type of chant: Rejoice, Lady, our zealous Intercessor; Rejoice, Guardian of the temples of God. Rejoice, most glorious Abbess of the holy monasteries; Rejoice, for those who strive in monasticism are admonished. Rejoice, strengthening of the monastics in obedience; Rejoice, protection and protection for all Christians. Rejoice, Lady, Life-Giving Source pouring out to the faithful.

Kontakion 7
Desiring the pious Leo, the commander, who was named king by You, the Lady, to bring You gratitude, build a temple at the site of Your miracle, calling it the Life-Giving Spring, so that all those who have Your help here will find, crying out to You: Alleluia.

Ikos 7
The new font of Siloam, more than the ancient one, has appeared, O Most Pure Lady, Your temple, in which we worship the icon of the Life-Giving Source, for you do not give health to the body to anyone in the summer and only the first to enter, but you take away every ailment of soul and body, you heal. For this reason we cry out to You: Rejoice, O font, in which our sorrows are immersed; Rejoice, cup of joy, in which our sorrows dissolve. Rejoice, you give water to the stone that thirsts for life; Rejoice, tree, sweetening the bitter waters of the sea of life. Rejoice, never-ending source of life-giving waters; Rejoice, bathhouse, our sinful defilement, washing away our conscience. Rejoice, Lady, Life-Giving Source pouring out to the faithful.

Kontakion 8
A strange and glorious miracle appeared in the temple of Your Life-Giving Source, Mother of God, in which spiritual and physical thirst is quenched, and diseases of obsession are healed. We cry out to You in glorifying grace: Alleluia.

Ikos 8
Give everything to all who come with faith to Your Life-Giving Source, O Most Merciful Lady Theotokos. For all of these we cry out to You in gratitude: Rejoice, O Lady, Who embodied the Ethereal One; Rejoice, consolation to suffering mothers. Rejoice, guardianship of motherless children; Rejoice, Young Mentor. Rejoice, raising children: Rejoice, Lady, Life-Giving Source pouring out to the faithful.

Kontakion 9
Every angelic and human nature marvels at Your mercy, O Most Holy Virgin, as you always appear as a Helper and Intercessor to everyone who sings to You: Alleluia.

Ikos 9
The branches of multi-proclamation cannot adequately praise the Life-Giving Source of Thy inexhaustible grace, nor explain below the power of Thy miracles for the healing of the sick and for all spiritual and physical benefit shown to man, but we will write praise to Thee: Rejoice, Temple of the Living God; Rejoice, Habitation of the Holy Spirit. Rejoice, Glory of Angels; Rejoice, O Power of the Universe. Rejoice, salvation of the world; Rejoice, Lady, Life-Giving Source pouring out to the faithful.

Kontakion 10
Although you have revealed the source of life to the world to save all those who suffer, O Most Holy Theotokos, in the waters of grace, so that all in sorrow and sorrow receive healing and consolation, we gratefully call to you: Alleluia.

Ikos 10
The wall and cover in troubles and needs of Your help to those who ask for help, O Lady of the world, You have shown the Life-giving Source to everyone, so that there will be protection from all diseases, in adversity and sorrow there will be consolation, for those crying out to You like this: Rejoice, Lady, pacification of proud and obstinate people; Rejoice, suppression of crafty and evil intentions. Rejoice, intercession of the offended; Rejoice, admonition to those who offend. Rejoice, punishment for the guilty; Rejoice, vindication of the innocent. Rejoice, Lady, Life-Giving Source pouring out to the faithful.

Kontakion 11
We offer all-contrite singing before Your Life-Giving Source again and again to You, Mother of God, in repentance calling from the depths of our soul: Lady, accept the prayers of Your servant and deliver us from all sorrow and illness, need and sorrow, and let us cry out to God for You: Alleluia.

Ikos 11
With a luminous light, Your Divine Source, Most Holy Theotokos, shines in the world with rays of grace, enlightening the minds and hearts with miracles revealed and instructing to call You: Rejoice, Lady, enlightenment of minds; Rejoice, purification of our hearts. Rejoice, renewal of the spirit; Rejoice, soul sanctification. Rejoice, health strengthening; Rejoice, Lady, Life-Giving Source pouring out to the faithful.

Kontakion 12
Having Thy Life-Giving Source of grace, O Most Holy Virgin, we resort to Thee as to an unbreakable wall and intercession. Look with mercy, O Most Holy Theotokos, at our fierce bitterness and heal the souls and bodies of our sorrows and illnesses, let us call to Thee: Alleluia.

Ikos 12
Singing Your miracles, we praise and glorify Your Life-Giving Source, Most Holy Virgin, from whom we draw currents of manifold grace, we magnify You with titanic praises: Rejoice, God-chosen Youth; Rejoice, Bride of God. Rejoice, blessed among women; Rejoice, exalted above those above. Rejoice, you who stand before the throne of the Lord; Rejoice, our Intercessor, always praying for peace. Rejoice, Lady, Life-Giving Source pouring out to the faithful.

Kontakion 13
Oh, All-Singing Mother, Who gave Your Life-Giving Source to the world, from whom you pour out great and rich mercies to us, accept our prayer of gratitude, grant us the source of the life of the present and the future: let us call You: Alleluia.

(This kontakion is read three times, and then ikos 1 and kontakion 1 are read)

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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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Icon of the Mother of God
"LIFE-GIVING SOURCE»

All the days of Bright Week appear before us as a single bright Easter day. Friday of Bright Week stands out especially: on this day, for the first time after the Great Hagiasma on Epiphany, the consecration of water takes place in all Russian churches. Orthodox Church, and by the fact that in the very liturgical rite of this day, hymns of service to the icon of the Mother of God are added to the Easter stichera and troparions "Life-Giving Source"» . The appearance of this image is associated with the following miraculous event.

In the 5th century, near Constantinople there was a grove dedicated, according to legend, to the Most Holy Theotokos. In this grove there was a spring, glorified for miracles for a long time, but gradually overgrown with bushes and mud. In 450, the warrior Leo Marcellus, the future emperor, having met a lost blind man in this place, helped him get out onto the path and settle in the shade. While looking for water for an exhausted traveler, he heard the voice of the Mother of God commanding him to find an overgrown spring and anoint the eyes of the blind man with mud. When Leo fulfilled the command, the blind man immediately received his sight. The Mother of God also predicted to Leo that he would become emperor, and seven years later this prediction came true.

Having become emperor, Leo Marcellus remembered the appearance and prediction of the Mother of God and ordered to cleanse the source, surround it with a stone circle and erect a temple on it in honor of the Mother of God. The holy spring was called by the emperor “The Life-Giving Spring.” The icon of the Virgin Mary, painted for the new church, was also named.

Subsequently, this temple was repeatedly rebuilt and decorated. But after the fall of Constantinople it was destroyed by Muslims. And only in 1834-1835. An Orthodox church was again erected over the Life-Giving Spring.

It just so happens that all the famous monasteries of Constantinople were rebuilt into mosques or now lie in ruins. And the small one standing at the source is still alive. For one and a half thousand years, people have been coming to the place that the Turks called “Balykly” and filling bottles with water. There are closets around the source where the sick are doused; People constantly come to the water: Greeks, Turks, Turkish women, Armenians, Catholics - everyone asks the Queen of Heaven with tears and accepts healing. Mohammedans involuntarily confess the Mother of God and say: “Great is St. Mary among women!” and they call the water: “St. Mary”

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.

Iconographically, the image of the Mother of God “Life-Giving Source” is associated with the ancient Byzantine image of the “Nicopeia Kyriotissa” type - “Lady Victorious”, which, in turn, goes back to the image of the “Sign” type.

Initially, the image of the “Life-Giving Source” was distributed in lists without an image of the source. This is the Blachernae miraculous image, made of marble, located near the imperial bath. Does it depict the Mother of God, from whose hands holy water flows? "agiasma". Later, a bowl (phial) was included in the composition. In later times, they also began to depict a pond and a fountain on the icon.

In Russia, over time, the composition of the “Life-Giving Source” icon gradually becomes more complex. A wooden well appears, from which a stream of water flows; on its sides are depicted the ecumenical saints Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom. They draw life-giving water and distribute it to the people standing around. In the foreground are depicted those possessed by various ailments.

Gradually, the composition of the icon became so complicated that the independent image of the Mother of God “Life-Giving Source” became only a component in the overall complex composition. Thus, in 1668, the famous Russian icon painter Simon Ushakov and one of his students painted the icon of the Life-Giving Source “with miracles.” In sixteen stamps he depicted the miracles of the Mother of God that took place at the Life-Giving Spring.

The idea of springs as a symbol of the Mother of God’s help and God’s grace is quite ancient. On many of the Mother of God icons, for example, the “Driver”, the Zhirovitskaya, the icon of the “Annunciation of the Mother of God at the Well”, there is invariably an image of a source. And every icon of the Mother of God in this in a broad sense can be called the “Life-Giving Source,” meaning the Mother of God’s help and Her rich mercy.

Despite the fact that history has preserved exact date the events of the appearance of the Mother of God to Leo Markell (April 4 (Old Style) 450), the real celebration of the icon of the Mother of God “Life-Giving Source” is established to take place on Friday of Bright Week, when the renewal of the Constantinople Church of the Life-Giving Source is celebrated and the great miracles that occurred on this day are remembered temple.

Beginning in the 16th century, a custom, similar to the Greek one, was established in Russia of consecrating springs located in and near monasteries, dedicating them to the Mother of God and painting icons of the Mother of God, called the “Life-Giving Source.”

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.

In the village of Vorobyovo near Moscow (Sparrow Hills), since the 16th century, there was a wooden church at the royal palace in honor of the icon of the Mother of God “Life-Giving Source,” “furnished with exceptional luxury.” It may also owe its name to the numerous underground springs flowing along the slopes of the Sparrow Hills. Over time, due to dilapidation, it was rebuilt several times, existing until early XIX century, after which it was abolished. Today, its existence is recalled by the icon of the Mother of God “Life-Giving Source”, located to the left of the Royal Doors in the temple Life-Giving Trinity on Vorobyovy Gory - the only remaining of the 4 temples in the village of Vorobyovo.

Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos in honor of Her Icon “Life-Giving Source”
Oh, 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. Ah min.

Troparion, tone 4
Today, we are the harbinger of return to the Divine and celibate image of the Most Holy Theotokos, who poured out drops of her outpourings, and showed miracles to the faithful people, even as we see and hear spiritually celebrate and graciously cry out: heal our ailments and passions, just as you healed the Karkinsky and countless passions; We also pray to You, Most Pure Virgin, pray to Christ our God incarnate from You to save our souls.

Troparion, tone 4
Let us, people, draw healing for our souls and bodies through prayer, for the River that precedes everything is the Most Pure Queen Mother of God, pouring out wonderful water for us and washing away the blackness of our hearts*, cleansing sinful scabs, and sanctifying the souls of the faithful with Divine grace.

Kontakion, tone 8
From the inexhaustible You, God-gracious Source, give me, as a drain, the waters of Your grace, ever-flowing more than words, as if you gave birth to the Word more than meaning, pray, water me with grace, so I call You: Rejoice, saving Water.