The birth of a baby is the main event in the life of every woman. It is during pregnancy and the birth of a child that the Lord most clearly reveals to a person the fullness of His power and greatness. When a baby is born, a true miracle of God appears on Earth.
For good outcome During pregnancy, many mothers pray to the Lord, the Saints and, of course, the Blessed Virgin Mary throughout the entire period before and after childbirth. Icon Mother of God“Leaping of the Child” - one of many miraculous icons Holy Mother of God. In Rus', before this image, Orthodox mothers have long said fervent prayers for the well-being of their children. There is a pious tradition before childbirth to pray to the Most Holy Theotokos and perform prayer services with the reading of an akathist dedicated to the icon “The Leaping of the Baby.”
Icon of the Mother of God “Leaping Baby”
The icon in question belongs to the most common type in iconography, called “eleusa,” which is translated from Greek as “merciful.” Such works most fully depict the deeply reverent and tender relationship between the Holy Mother and Divine Child. Here there is no distance between the Mother and the Son: the Baby presses his cheek to the face of the Virgin Mary, showing her his sincere love and trust. The “eleus” type includes many famous ones, such as: Vladimirskaya, “Umilenie”, Yaroslavskaya and others.
The icon depicts the Savior Jesus Christ sitting on the hand of the Mother of God. Throwing his head back, He seems to be playing with His Mother. With one hand the Savior touches her cheek, thereby showing tenderness. The entire pose of the Infant God conveys His childlike, spontaneous character. This icon most strongly shows the human side of the Divine Savior, which is rarely found in other iconographic images of the Mother of God.
Notes from specialists
According to researchers, the genre of the “Baby Leaping” icon comes from some scenes described in the Gospel. The image reminds us Gospel theme“The Meeting of the Lord,” when the Savior Jesus Christ was brought to the fortieth day after birth to perform the rite of dedication to God. Here the Savior is handed over to Elder Simeon, but the Infant God reaches out to His Holy Mother, showing childish affection and love.
The earliest images of the “Leaping of the Baby” icon have been preserved in Macedonia, where they were called “Pelagonitissas” (after the name of the area Pelagonia). Here the holy image was revered with special love and reverence. In later times, icons of the Mother of God, depicting the theme of Motherhood and the future sufferings of the Savior on the Cross, became widespread in post-Byzantine art, and most of all among the Slavic peoples.
Many researchers who have been engaged in clarifying the history of the origin of this icon are inclined to believe that the icon of the Mother of God “Leaping of the Child” comes from Byzantium. There is accurate information that in Ancient Byzantium this image was revered as a great Christian Shrine. This icon received the name “Leaping of the Baby” already in Rus', where it gained the greatest fame only in XVI-XVII centuries. It can be assumed that it is a copy copied from the Byzantine model.
A look into the past
The history of the appearance of the miraculous icon in Rus' dates back to 1795, when the Mother of God (“The Leaping of the Baby”) was revealed in the Nikolo-Ugreshsky Monastery, located on the territory of the modern Moscow region (not far from Dzerzhinsky). This monastery is famous for the fact that in its place in the 14th century an icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker was miraculously found.
Dmitry Donskoy built this monastery in honor of the victory he won on the Kulikovo Field, which took place in 1380. The appearance of the icon of St. Nicholas inspired the prince before the battle. Donskoy promised to build a new monastery on the site where she was found.
In the 16th century, it was in this monastery that the icon of the Mother of God “The Leaping Child” was miraculously revealed. The Russian Orthodox Church celebrates this event on November 20 (new style).
Icon today
In the post-revolutionary period, the icon disappeared, and its whereabouts remained unknown for a long time. In 2003, a certain woman donated to the monastery an icon of the Mother of God, similar to a miraculous list. According to eyewitnesses, this image was brought to the monastery. It was installed in the same place where the miraculous icon had previously stood. All witnesses to this joyful event were convinced of the authenticity of the newly found miraculous icon. Currently, the image of the Virgin Mary is kept in the altar of the Transfiguration Cathedral.
Miraculous lists
In addition to the Ugresh one, other miraculous copies of the “Leaping of the Baby” icon are also known. They are currently in Tretyakov Gallery. Another image is kept in Moscow. Also, the miraculous icon “The Leaping of the Baby” is located in the latter, rising on the holy Mount Athos.
Icon "Baby Leaping". Meaning in Christendom
Before the image in question, many married couples offer a prayer for permission from infertility. It is also customary to ask the Mother of God for help during pregnancy, before and after childbirth.
Pious Christian mothers ask the Blessed Virgin to grant their children mental and physical health and help parents in raising their children. Some fathers ask the Mother of God to instruct their children in the Orthodox faith, so that they grow up kind and loving people. In such life situations, the “Baby Leaping” icon always helps; its meaning is very great. The Most Holy Theotokos, through the icon, gives consolation to all who ask, as well as help, support and protection.
All women who want to give birth to healthy children or who are already carrying a fetus under their hearts should in a special way maintain purity of thoughts and strive to live according to the commandments of the Lord. This way of thinking and godly behavior is necessary to prepare a mother for the greatest mystery of childbirth. In Rus', it was believed that a woman’s behavior during pregnancy directly affects the future character of the baby. It is the mother who will answer before God for the Christian upbringing of her child, which is why at all times women began to pray to the Mother of God when they were still preparing to get married and become a mother. Pious Christian women pray before the image of the Most Holy Theotokos, asking Her for help in conception, pregnancy and childbirth.
Prayer for the gift of children
Infertile couples, unable to have offspring, pray to the Mother of God to send them the desired child, and they are often heard. There are many examples of childless families finding great happiness thanks to the help of the Most Holy Theotokos.
In addition to the “Leaping of the Baby” icon, there are other images of the Mother of God, in front of which one should pray for the gift of children. They are no less famous. These are such icons of the Mother of God as “Tenderness”, “Quick to Hear”, “Theodore” icon of the Mother of God, “Blessed Womb”, “Tolga”. In addition to prayer, you can come with a request for the gift of children to the holy Righteous Joachim and Anna - the parents of the Most Pure Virgin.
The parents of the Most Holy Mary were barren for many years; all their lives they prayed to the Lord to give them a child. The holy Godfathers deeply mourned their childlessness, since among the Jewish people infertility was considered a punishment for sins. The Lord heard their prayer, and she conceived and gave birth to a blessed child - Mary, who became the Mother of the Savior Jesus Christ. That is why in the Christian world it is customary to ask the holy ancestors for permission from infertility.
Also, childless couples can perform prayers to Moscow, Zechariah and Elizabeth and other saints.
Prayer to the Mother of God during pregnancy
Many Christian believers, while expecting a child, say especially warm prayers in front of various icons. One of the most famous helpers during pregnancy is the icon of the Mother of God “Feodorovskaya”, “Help in Childbirth”, “Softening Evil Hearts” (its other name is “Seven Shots”), “Help of Sinners”, “Tenderness” and, of course, “ The leap of a baby."
The icon of the Mother of God has meaning when performing a sincere prayer in front of it. Also, while waiting for the baby, the young couple pray to Saints Joachim and Anna, the holy martyr Paraskeva, the holy Venerable Roman of Kirzhach and others.
Prayer of the spouses before the appearance of the heir
Many women expecting a baby worry about how safely the birth will go. In addition to the appearance of restless thoughts, expectant mothers are visited by the fear of pain, which confuses them greatly. In preparation for childbirth Orthodox Church It is customary to ask the Most Holy Theotokos for help, who always hears sincere prayers, and especially women’s prayers for the safe birth of the baby.
The pious tradition of asking the Mother of God for help has long been known in Rus'. Russian women fervently pray to the Blessed Virgin Mary in front of her numerous icons (“Helper in Childbirth”, “Tenderness”, “Feodorovskaya” Blessed Virgin Mary, “Leaping of the Baby” and others). She, in turn, grants what is sincerely asked of Her.
Prayer after the birth of a baby
After the birth of a baby, many mothers pray in front of the “Mammal” and “Nurture” icons, asking the Mother of God for help in raising their beloved child.
The Mother of God prayer “The Leaping of the Baby” has deep meaning. It glorifies Blessed Virgin, Her help and support during childbirth is requested. The text also contains requests for the preservation of the newborn baby, for his enlightenment in the sacrament of Baptism, for his upbringing in the Orthodox faith. In addition to prayer in front of the icon, you can read an akathist.
“The Leaping Baby” is a miraculous icon, in front of which many Christian women, asking for help from the Mother of God, found Her holy protection and patronage. The Akathist also contains various petitions for support.
Conclusion
The Ugresh icon “The Leaping of the Baby” differs from other versions of this holy image. In some compositions there are minor differences in the depiction of the Infant God and His Most Pure Mother. However, they all have the same name - the “Baby Leaping” icon.
A prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos, spoken from a pure heart, always brings spiritual fruit. Many Christian believers, after praying in front of this icon, received consolation in spiritual anxieties, as well as deep calm and peace. This is the effect of the help of the Queen of Heaven, who always helps in various life circumstances.
In Russia, on the day of the celebration of the Ugreshsky Icon of the Mother of God, the feast of all icons of the Mother of God “Leaping of the Child” is celebrated. The Ugresh Icon of the Mother of God is also revered as a miraculous image, to which many Christian believers come for worship and prayer.
The Mother of God is considered the patroness of marriage and motherhood. The feast day of this icon falls on November 20, 2019. People turn to her with requests to restore peace and harmony in the family, preserve the marriage union, and the health of children.
From time immemorial, women have offered prayers in front of the “Leaping of the Baby” icon, one of its miraculous images.
In Byzantium it was revered as a great Christian shrine. The Russian icon, which appeared in 1795 in the Nikolo-Ugreshsky Monastery, was painted from a Greek model.
This image is given to pregnant women and young mothers. What do they pray for to the “Leaping Baby” icon of the Mother of God? Women turn to her with a prayer for granting them the happiness of motherhood, a successful pregnancy and an easy birth.
Prayer before the icon “The Leaping of the Baby”
“Most Holy Virgin, Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, who weighed the birth and nature of mother and child, have mercy on Thy servant (your name) and help in this hour so that her burden may be resolved safely. O all-merciful Lady Theotokos, even though you did not demand help in the birth of the Son of God, give help to this servant of yours who requires help, especially from You. Grant her blessings at this hour, and grant her the birth of a child and bring her into the light of this world at the right time and the wisdom of light in holy baptism with water and spirit. We fall down before you, Mother of the Most High God, praying: Be merciful to this mother, the time has come for her to be a mother, and beg Christ our God, who has become incarnate from you, to strengthen you with his power from above. Amen".
How should one pray to the icon of the Mother of God “Leaping of the Child”? Mothers also ask the Virgin Mary to give their children health and happiness, and to protect them from various troubles. You can read not only the above, but also any other prayer of the Mother of God.
Another prayer to the “Leaping of the Baby” icon.
“O Glorious Mother of God, have mercy on me, Your servant, and come to my aid during my illnesses and dangers, with which all the poor daughters of Eve give birth to children. Remember, O Blessed One among women, with what joy and love You went hastily to the mountainous country to visit Your relative Elizabeth during her pregnancy, and what a wonderful effect Your gracious visit had on both mother and baby. And according to Your inexhaustible mercy, grant me, Your most humble servant, to be safely relieved of my burden; Grant me this grace, so that the child who now rests under my heart, having come to his senses, with a joyful leap, like the holy baby John, will worship the Divine Lord Savior, Who, out of love for us sinners, did not disdain to become a baby Himself. May the unspeakable joy with which Your virgin heart was filled when looking at Your newborn Son and Lord, sweeten the sorrow that awaits me amid the pains of birth. May my life, my Savior, born of You, save me from death, which cuts off the lives of many mothers at the hour of resolution, and may the fruit of my womb be numbered among the elect of God. Hear, O Most Holy Queen of Heaven, my humble prayer and look upon me, a poor sinner, with the eye of Your grace; do not be ashamed of my trust in Your great mercy and overshadow me, Helper of Christians, Healer of diseases, may I also be honored to experience for myself that You are the Mother of mercy, and may I always glorify Your grace, which has never rejected the prayers of the poor and delivers all those who call on You in a time of sorrow and illness. Amen".
What else is used to address the icon of the Mother of God “The Leaping Child”? Parents ask the Mother of God to instruct their children in the Orthodox faith, so that they grow up to be kind and good people.
The “Baby Leaping” icon has special meaning for Christians, because she is capable of performing miracles. Every year on November 20th it is customary to celebrate a holiday in honor of this image. According to existing information, the face appeared in 1795 in the Nikolo-Ugreshsky Monastery. During October Revolution the image disappeared, and for a long time no one heard anything about it. In 2003, a woman came to the monastery and donated an icon of the Virgin Mary, which was very similar to the original. After some time, both the clergy and parishioners were sure that the icon was genuine and miraculous. Since then, the image has been carefully kept in the monastery, as the main patroness.
Before you find out which “Leaping of the Baby” you need to read in front of the icon of the Mother of God, let’s figure out what is depicted on the canvas. The image shows the Son of God, who is in the arms of the Mother of God. His head is tilted very far back. The connection between a mother and her child is expressed in the tender contact of the Baby’s cheek with the face of the Virgin Mary. Such reverent attitude personifies God's great love for people. Jesus seems to be playing with his mother, stretching out his hands to her. Experts in iconography claim that it is in the image of the “Leaping of the Child” that one can see the human side of the Infant of God, and this is extremely rare among other icons.
Researchers believe that the genre of this icon is somewhat similar to some scenes described in the Gospel, or more precisely, to the “Meeting of the Lord.” Many compare the image with the event when Jesus Christ was brought to the temple on the 40th day after birth to perform a dedication ceremony. There the Baby is handed over to Elder Simeon, but Jesus reaches out with his hands to his mother, thereby showing his affection and love.
How does the “Baby Leaping” icon help?
IN to a greater extent this image is considered feminine, since it is the patron saint of childbirth and motherhood. It is in front of him that many childless women ask for help in conceiving. Those who are pregnant offer prayers in front of the “Baby Leaping” icon for a successful pregnancy and an easy birth. Mothers ask the Virgin Mary to give their children health and happiness, and also to protect them from various kinds of troubles and bad influences.
Prayer in front of the “Baby Leaping” icon for a successful birth:
“Most Holy Virgin, Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
Even as you weigh the birth and nature of mother and child, have mercy on Thy servant (your name) and help her at this hour so that her burden may be resolved safely. O all-merciful Lady Theotokos, even though you did not demand help in the birth of the Son of God, give help to this servant of yours who requires help, especially from You. Grant her blessings at this hour, and grant her the birth of a child and bring her into the light of this world at the right time and the wisdom of light in holy baptism with water and spirit. We fall down before you, Mother of the Most High God, praying: Be merciful to this mother, the time has come for her to be a mother, and beg Christ our God, who has become incarnate from you, to strengthen you with his power from above. Amen".
You can contact To higher powers with the help of any prayer speech, the main thing is that the words come from the heart.
The “Leaping of the Child” icon is an unusual image, widespread in the holy monasteries of Serbia and the Balkans. Like a number of miraculous icons of the Mother of God, she became famous for her miracles, to which there are many witnesses. In Russia, the image of the “Leaping of the Child” is especially revered in one monastery near Moscow. The entire Church celebrates the day of remembrance of the icon annually on October 20 with prayers, akathists and solemn services.
HISTORY AND MEANING OF THE ICON
The name of the miraculous image means “Playing Child”: in the hands of the Mother of God the Child Christ is depicted in an unusual pose. She lightly touches the Son of God with her cheek, and He, in a fit of joy, pulls his hands to the Mother’s Face, touching it and sharply throwing his head back. According to legend, this icon illustrates one of the episodes of the event of the Presentation of the Lord. When the Infant Christ was brought to the Jerusalem Temple, Elder Simeon came out to meet the Mother of God and Joseph. He was one of 70 Bible translators who at one time doubted the possibility of the birth of the Son of God from a Virgin. God told Simeon that he would not die until he saw Christ born. And this moment came, and the elder, realizing by the grace of God who was before him, stretched out his hands to take the Infant of God. But Christ was a baby and, of course, He did not want to go into the arms of an unfamiliar old man - that’s why he reached back to Mom. Theologians interpret this icon as the human side of the Lord, that is, revealing His natural feelings and instincts for humans. The miraculous Russian image “Leaping of the Child” appeared in 1795 on the territory of the Nikolo-Ugreshsky Monastery, which is now located in the city of Dzerzhinsk in the Moscow region. In 1814, after the victory over Napoleon, a list was made of the shrine. Due to the destruction of the monastery during the years of revolution and atheism, only it survived, however, this icon also exudes healing.
WHAT DOES THE “LEAPING OF THE CHILD” ICON HELP WITH?
This image helps women and girls get rid of loneliness, imprisonment happy marriage, pregnancy and conception. People often pray for the help of the Mother of God at the “Leaping of the Child” icon married couples:
- about getting rid of infertility and conceiving a baby;
- about calm gestation and a healthy pregnancy;
- about easy, quick and safe childbirth;
- about the health of the newborn.
A pregnant woman dreams that her baby will be born without any problems, on time and be completely healthy. This is a normal desire of a pregnant woman. If a woman is a believing Orthodox Christian, she enlists the support of the main female patroness, the Most Holy Theotokos, in such a responsible matter as the upcoming birth. However, all those who only dream of children while suffering from infertility also turn to the latter. It is best to offer prayers for receiving what you ask for in front of the icon of the Queen of Heaven, called the “Leaping of the Child.” The day of honoring this holy image is November 20.
General information about the icon
“The Leaping of the Child” is a Russian icon, the prototype of which was the Greek model. It belongs to the type of iconography of Eleus, which means “merciful”. This holy image is one of the common types of images of the Virgin Mary “Tenderness”. All the holy paintings in this category, in one way or another, demonstrate the strength of the emotional and spiritual connection between the Most Pure One and the Infant God, all the thrill of feelings between the Mother of God and little Jesus. At the same time, through these images, icon painters tried to express the love felt by God for humanity.
Holy images like Eleus show a kind of standard of human relationships. This becomes clear just by looking at the already mentioned “Leaping of the Child” icon or the similar “Vladimir” icon, for example: on these canvases, mother and son are depicted cuddling each other cheek to cheek. The Savior sits on the hand of the Mother of God, his head is thrown back, one hand touches his mother’s face. This gesture reveals unspoken tenderness, and the very image of the Infant God expresses the strength of the Savior’s human essence.
According to a number of scientists, the plot of the shrine “Leaping of the Child” was formed under the influence of certain scenes that take place in the Gospel. Most shining example, cited by them, is the Presentation of the Lord. As for the iconography of the image, from the point of view of numerous researchers, it is of Constantinople origin. In the cradle of Orthodoxy, the icon of the Leaping of the Child was highly respected and famous for its miracles. In our country it appeared approximately in the 16th-17th centuries. By the way, “Leaping of the Child” is a purely Slavic name for the holy image of the Virgin Mary. It is assigned to the icon that interests us with light hand domestic icon painters of this era.
Appearance and acquisition of the holy image
The history of the “Leaping of the Child” relic in Rus' is closely connected with the event that occurred on November 7 (November 20, new style) 1795. At the specified time, it arose in the Nikolo-Ugreshsky monastery, which was located near the capital. This monastery was built by Saint Demetrius Donskoy after he, on his way to the Kulikovo field to fight an enemy, suddenly saw the holy image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker between the branches of trees. The prince was surprised and very happy at this sign, considering it a blessing from heaven for the battle. He exclaimed: “This whole sin has warmed my heart!” Afterwards, Dimitri Donskoy swore that if he won the upcoming battle, he would certainly build a monastery on the site of the appearance of the image of the saint of God. As you already understand, the holy prince fulfilled his promise. The revealed icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker became the symbol of the above-mentioned monastery. It was consecrated in honor of the saint cathedral church of this monastery. Subsequently, the holy image of the Virgin Mary “Leaping of the Child” appeared within the walls of the Ugresh monastery.
Further history of the canvas
The miraculous shrine remained within the walls of the monastery until the 1918 revolution. As a result of the coup, the monastery of Nikolaev, among many, was devastated by the Bolsheviks. As a result, the shrine disappeared from the cathedral church. Throughout many years she was considered lost forever. But at the beginning this century, in 2003 the holy image again reminded of itself. An absolutely miraculous incident occurred: a woman called the Ugreshskaya monastery, which had already been completely restored by that time, and stated that she wanted to donate an icon of the Most Holy Theotokos to the monastery. This lady said the following. One day her relatives bought an old holy image from a certain collector. This person mentioned that the icon purchased by the woman’s family had something to do with the Nikolo-Ugreshsky monastery near Moscow. All this time, pious Christians kept the miraculous shrine, but in the end they decided to return it to their native land.
The woman who called did not deceive: the mentioned people, after a telephone conversation with a representative of the monastery, really soon donated the icon “Leaping of the Dead” to the Ugresh monastery. The holy image was installed exactly in the place where it had once been located. With the return of the Orthodox relic to the cathedral church of the monastery, none of the inhabitants were left in doubt: the once lost icon of the “Leaping of the Child” is exactly what the monastery had been missing for decades. Today this holy painting is in the altar of the Transfiguration Cathedral. According to other sources, it can be seen in the Kolomenskoye Museum.
There are several copies of the original painting “The Leaping of the Child”. Some can be seen in the Tretyakov Gallery, one is in the Vatopedi monastery, the other is in the Novodevichy Convent in Moscow.
What to pray for at the icon
At the very beginning of the article it was said that the main requests made near the holy image of the “Leaping of the Child” come from women and relate to healing from infertility, as well as successful resolution of the burden. But that's not all. The icon of the Mother of God helps established parents in raising their children, giving them mental and physical strength. The Virgin Mary is asked to convert lost souls return your children to the true path, to the bosom of Orthodoxy. You can turn to the holy image of the “Leaping of the Child” with any problems associated with offspring: the Mother of God will certainly heed the prayers, support, console and “resolve” the situation. You just need to sincerely believe and not give up in your pleas for help, and demonstrate your perseverance to the Most Pure One.
The prayer text that should be said at the shrine is as follows:
Most Holy Virgin, Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, who weighed the birth and nature of mother and child, have mercy on Thy servant (name) and help at this hour so that her burden may be resolved safely. O all-merciful Lady Theotokos, even though you did not demand help in the birth of the Son of God, give help to this servant of yours who requires help, especially from You. Grant her blessings at this hour, and grant her the birth of a child and bring her into the light of this world at the right time and the wisdom of light in holy baptism with water and spirit. We fall down before you, Mother of the Most High God, praying: Be merciful to this mother, the time has come for her to be a mother, and beg Christ our God, who has become incarnate from you, to strengthen you with his power from above. Amen.