Icon of the Mother of God “Iverskaya” "Goalkeeper"

Description of the icon of the Mother of God “Iverskaya” “Goalkeeper”:

In the 9th century, during the heresy of iconoclasm, near the city of Nicaea (modern Turkey), there lived a pious widow and her son, in whose house there was a miraculous icon of the Mother of God. When the soldiers sent to seek out and destroy the holy icons of the Mother of God entered the widow’s house, she, in the hope of preserving the shrine, begged the soldiers to leave the icon of the Mother of God until the morning, promising them a reward for this.

The selfish warriors agreed, but at the same time one of them, leaving, hit the face of the Mother of God with a spear, and blood immediately flowed from the pierced icon of the Mother of God. The amazed warriors left. Wanting to save the miraculous icon of the Mother of God from desecration, the widow took it to the sea and lowered it into the water. The icon of the Mother of God did not lie down on the water, but, standing upright, moved across the sea.

About two centuries have passed since then. One day, the monks of the Iveron Monastery on Athos saw a pillar of fire reaching to the very sky on the sea, at the base of which was an icon of the Mother of God standing on the water. After the prayer service, the monastery elder Gabriel, at the command of the Mother of God who appeared to him in a dream, walked on the water as if on dry land, accepted the icon of the Mother of God and placed it in the temple.

But the next day the icon of the Mother of God was not found in the place where it had been placed, but was discovered above the monastery gate. The image was taken to its original place, but the next morning it was again above the gate. This happened several times. Finally, the Most Holy Theotokos again appeared to the Monk Gabriel, saying that she did not want to be kept by the monks, but wanted to be their Guardian.

The monks built a gate church, in which the miraculous icon of the Mother of God remains to this day. By the name of the monastery, this icon of the Mother of God is called Iverskaya, and by the place of its location above the monastery gates - “Goalkeeper” or “Portaitissa”.

The history of the Iversky Monastery has preserved many cases of the miraculous help of the Mother of God through Her miraculous icon: the deliverance of the monastery from barbarians, the miraculous replenishment of food supplies, the healing of the sick.

The miraculous icon of the Mother of God was well known in Russia. During the reign of Alexei Mikhailovich (1645–1676), Archimandrite Nikon of the Novospassky Monastery (later Patriarch of All Rus') turned to Archimandrite Pachomius of the Iveron Athos Monastery with a request to send a list (copy) of the miraculous icon of the Most Holy Theotokos.

The priest Iamblichus Romanov was blessed to paint the icon of the Mother of God for Russia. Before this, the entire brethren of the monastery (three hundred and sixty-five monks) performed a great prayer service from evening until dawn and blessed the water with holy relics. They poured holy water over the miraculous icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Portaitissa” and again poured it over a new board prepared for writing the icon, made of cypress wood. After the Divine Liturgy, holy water and particles of holy relics were handed over to the icon painter, who, mixing them with paints, began to paint the icon of the Mother of God.

On October 13, 1648, the icon was brought to Moscow and solemnly greeted at the Resurrection Gate by many people, Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich and Patriarch Joseph.

When Nikon ascended the patriarchal throne, he planned to build a monastery on one of the islands of Lake Valdai in honor of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God, in the likeness of the Athos Iveron Monastery. Skilled painters were sent to Athos to paint a new copy of the ancient Iveron Icon of the Mother of God and draw up an accurate plan of the Iveron monastery. Through the efforts of Russian architects, the Iveron Mother of God Svyatoozersky Monastery was founded in Valdai, to which in 1656 the newly painted Iveron Icon of the Mother of God was brought from Athos.

Other revered copies of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God, installed in the Iveron Chapel at the Resurrection Gate, were also written on Athos. Thousands of Orthodox Christians from all over Russia came to venerate the miraculous image (one icon never left its place, while the other was taken from house to house in Moscow in a special carriage). Arriving in Moscow, Russian sovereigns, before entering the Kremlin, always prayed in the chapel at the Resurrection Gate in front of the miraculous icon of the Most Holy Theotokos.

In 1929, the chapel was destroyed, the icon of the Mother of God disappeared, but the mobile icon was preserved and is now in the Church of the Resurrection of Christ in Sokolniki. Nowadays, by the grace of God, the chapel has been recreated, and Orthodox Russia, on October 26, 1995, again met the image of the Iveron Mother of God, painted on Holy Mount Athos.

There are icons of the Iveron Mother of God with a wound on the right cheek of the Mother of God, oozing drops of blood, and without a wound.

At the end of the twentieth century, the myrrh-streaming Iveron Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary from Montreal, whose custodian was the Orthodox Spaniard Joseph Muñoz Cortes, became famous. Unfortunately, in October 1997, after the villainous murder of Joseph, the miraculous image disappeared without a trace.

The celebration of the miraculous Iveron Icon of the Mother of God in the Russian Orthodox Church takes place three times: February 12/25 (this day is associated with the transfer of the copy of the Iveron Icon to the monastery in Valdai), October 13/26 (the day of the solemn meeting of the Athos shrine in Moscow in 1648) and on Tuesday Bright Week (it was on Tuesday of Bright Week, according to legend, that the icon appeared on the waters in front of the monks of the Iveron Monastery).

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Prayers to the Most Holy Theotokos in front of Her icon, called “Iverskaya”

Before the Iveron Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos they pray for deliverance from various misfortunes and for consolation in troubles, from fire, for increasing the fertility of the earth, for deliverance from grief and sadness, for the healing of physical and mental ailments, in difficult circumstances, for help to farmers.

O Most Holy Virgin, Mother of the Lord, Queen of Heaven and Earth! Hear the much-painful sighing of our souls, look down from Thy holy height upon us, who with faith and love worship Thy most pure image. Behold, immersed in sins and overwhelmed by sorrows, looking at Your image, as if You were alive and living with us, we offer our humble prayers. The imams have no other help, no other intercession, no consolation except You, O Mother, of all those who mourn and are burdened! Help us, the weak, satisfy our sorrow, guide us, the erring, on the right path, heal and save the hopeless, grant us the rest of our lives to spend in peace and silence, grant us a Christian death, and at the Last Judgment of Your Son, the merciful Intercessor will appear to us, and always We sing, magnify and glorify Thee, as the good Intercessor of the Christian race, with all those who have pleased God. Amen.

O Most Holy Lady Lady Theotokos, accept our unworthy prayer, and save us from the slander of evil people and from vain death, and grant us repentance before the end, have mercy on our prayer, and grant us a place of joy in sorrow. And deliver us, Lady, from all misfortune and adversity, sorrow and sorrow and from all evil. And make us, Thy sinful servants, worthy to be at the right hand at the second coming of Thy Son, Christ our God, and to be our heirs, to be made worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven and eternal life, with all the saints throughout the endless ages of ages. Amen.

Troparion, tone 1

From Your holy icon, O Lady Theotokos, healing and healing are given abundantly to those who come to her with faith and love. Thus, visit my weakness and have mercy on my soul, O Good One, and heal my body with Your grace, O Most Pure One.

Kontakion, tone 8

Even though Your holy icon, Mother of God, was thrown into the sea from a widow who could not save her from her enemies, the guardian of Athos and the goalkeeper of the Iveron monastery appeared, frightening enemies and in the Orthodox Russian country who reveres You, delivering You from all troubles and misfortunes.

Greatness

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

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Akathist to the Holy Mother of God in front of her Icon, called "Iveron"

To the chosen Voivode, our Lady Theotokos, we offer praise to You, Thy servants, for by the coming of Thy venerable image we have acquired a strong shield, an invincible wall, and a vigilant guard. You, who have an invincible power, cover and protect us, Lady, from all enemies, visible and invisible, and deliver us from all harm, mental and physical, so we call You: Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful.

An intercessor angel was sent to quickly say to the Mother of God, when the lot of apostolic service fell to Her in the lands of Iverstei: “Do not be separated from Jerusalem, the lot that fell to You will be enlightened in the last days, You will also work in the lands where God wills You.” In the same way, rejoice, because the Gospel is preached; Rejoice, Her idolatrous charm will be abolished. Rejoice, for the power of the prince of darkness will be destroyed; Rejoice, for the Kingdom of Christ will be established. Rejoice, you who have fallen into the darkness of idolatry to the light of the Gospel; Rejoice, having brought the children of God from slavery to the devil into freedom of glory. Rejoice, ready Servant of Your Son and God; Rejoice, you who heal the disobedience of Eve through obedience. Rejoice, height of virtues; Rejoice, depth of humility. Rejoice, even unfaithfulness knows the Creator; Rejoice, Her faithful ones are adopted as sons of the Father. Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful.

Seeing the Holy Virgin God’s wondrous and new providence for Herself, as a servant of the Lord, ever ready to do His will, cry out: Alleluia.

The incomprehensible mind of the angelic verb is reasonable to You, Most Pure One, creating the Lord, direct Your procession to Mount Athos, where You preached the Gospel, and thus Your lot appeared. We joyfully cry out: Rejoice, you who sanctified Athos with Your coming; Rejoice, you who have cast down the idols. Rejoice, you who planted the true faith there; Rejoice, you who have driven away unbelief. Rejoice, you who have chosen this Mountain as your lot; Rejoice, you who promised grace to this place. Rejoice, faithful ones who live in her, Giver of earthly blessings; Rejoice, Helper of their eternal salvation. Rejoice, warm Intercessor for those living in Your lot; Rejoice, all their enemies are intimidated. Rejoice, you who promised the mercy of your Son to this place until the end of the age; Rejoice, foretold His grace to be everlasting. Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful.

The power of the Most High interceded with the Mother of God of autumn, the Holy Mountain and its abundance and wilds, like a vast village, showing everyone in monastic life who wants to reap salvation, and never sing: Alleluia.

Having a providence for Your lot, the people of the Iveron land, You set in the place where You Yourself landed on Athos, an abode for their family, in a quiet refuge for those seeking salvation, who wanted to give her Your icon as a shield and fence, so that they all cry: Rejoice, you who sent a preacher Gospels to the land of Iveron; Rejoice, you who have turned this country from the deceit of idolatry to the light of Christ. Rejoice, thou who hast given the wondrous vine to Nina of unfading branches; Rejoice, from her you brought forth a cluster of miracles and good faith. Rejoice, you who planted a spiritual garden on Athos; Rejoice, you who poured out a stream of spiritual enlightenment from him to the land of Iverstia. Rejoice, Euphemia, golden-speaking lips; Rejoice, invincible fortress Tornikia. Rejoice, strengthening of all the pious; Rejoice, guardian of the monks. Rejoice, quiet haven for those seeking salvation; Rejoice, you who prepare eternal rest for them. Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful.

I stormed inside with doubtful thoughts, the honest widow, even in Nicaea, was dismayed, seeing with the spear of the iconoclast warrior the holy and revered icon of the Mother of God was pierced and the aby shed blood and, overcome by fear, so that the holy icon would not be desecrated, with a prayer she was cast into the sea. Having seen the way right at the top of the water and flowing towards the West, cry out with joy: Alleluia.

Seeing the monks of the Holy Mountain appearing in the sea like a flame, like a pillar of fire, its top reaching up to Heaven, like a shining sun, and in the night they flowed to the edge of the sea and, seeing the holy icon of the Mother of God carried across the sea by power from above, they cried out to the Most Blessed One: Rejoice, Kupino, Foreseen by the legislator; Rejoice, pillar of fire, guide those who are in darkness. Rejoice, ladder reaching to Heaven, with which God descended; Rejoice, bridge, lead those who are from earth to Heaven. Rejoice, dawn of the mysterious day; Rejoice, Star that reveals the Sun. Rejoice, you who gave birth to the Ineffable Light; Rejoice, for you who taught only one thing. Rejoice, clothed in the sun, shining with grace and glory throughout the entire universe; Rejoice, lightning, enlightening souls and illuminating the meanings of the faithful. Rejoice, lightness, shining in the darkness; Rejoice, thou shalt shine forth enlightenment. Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful.

If you wanted to give your God-bearing icon to the Iversta monastery, you said to the Mother of God to St. Gabriel: “Go with the face of the monks to the shore of the sea, go down into the abyss and receive My icon.” He, who is embraced by faith and love, walks on water as well as on dry land, and is accepted into his arms and reaches a treasure otherwise unattainable, the property of the monks of his Iberian family, rejoicing from the waist up: Alleluia.

Having seen the icon of the Mother of God many times from the temple at the top of the monastery gates onto the city wall by an invisible force, the monks of the century were horrified and standing, calling to her like this: Rejoice, you deigned to give us the holy icon; Rejoice, you who promised us her protection to be. Rejoice, you who have shown Your love for our monastery; Rejoice, you who showed good thoughts about her. Rejoice, our help is in a foreign country; Rejoice, there is consolation in our journey. Rejoice, God's favor is upon us; Rejoice, our boldness towards God. Rejoice, deliverance of our tears; Rejoice, Protector of us orphans. Rejoice, our fence; Rejoice, our only Joy. Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful.

The preacher of Gabriel doing His will, you advertised to him, the Lady: I ​​did not come to be kept from you, but may I be your guardian not only in the present, but also in the future. Behold, I give you a sign: until you see My icon in the monastery, the grace of My Son and mercy will not fail you, so that everyone may cry out to Him: Alleluia.

Great joy arose to those who heard Your promises, O Mother of God, and to You, the Heavenly Goalkeeper, a temple at the gates of the monastery with joy the monks erected and cried out like this: Rejoice, our Guardian in the present age; Rejoice, our Representative in the future. Rejoice, you who teach us the fear of God, Rejoice, who instruct us on the path of virtue. Rejoice, our boldness and hope; Rejoice, our hope and protection. Rejoice, you who bowed down the compassion of your Son to us; Rejoice, proclaiming His grace to be with us endlessly. Rejoice, you who gave the holy icon as a pledge of mercy; Rejoice, you who gave her the gift of miracles. Rejoice, you who reflect all evil from the monastery; Rejoice, you who open the entrance to all good things. Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful.

Sometimes the wicked Amira wants to destroy the Iveron monastery and scatter the herd of monks gathered there; soon she will recognize the strong intercession of the monastery from the Mother of God, seeing her ships mired in the depths of the sea and her warriors lost. And he came with humility; giving silver and evil to the monastery, asking for prayers. The foreigners, seeing this, cried out to God: Alleluia.

New and countless miracles were shown by the Mother of God, in the monastery, the shortage of wine, torment and oil, replenishing, healing demons, granting walking to the lame, sight to the blind and healing every ailment, and, seeing these miracles, they sing to You: Rejoice, Chosen Voivode, conquering enemies; Rejoice, quick help to those who call upon Thee. Rejoice, you who do not despise our prayers; Rejoice, you who do not retreat from Your promises. Rejoice, you who transform the sorrow of the monastery into joy; Rejoice, replenishing the depletion of the monastery. Rejoice, recovery of sight for the blind; Rejoice, you who walk with the lame. Rejoice, Healer of all the weak; Rejoice, Comforter of all who mourn. Rejoice, for you do not cease providing and saving us; Rejoice, for you are delivering us from such troubles. Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful.

The Iveron monastery, strangely covered by the icon of the Mother of God, heard Patriarch Nikon, longing for the Russian country to receive Her grace; For this reason, having created a monastery in honor of the glorious image, carefully ask for an image of the miraculous image of the Mother of God, so that, protected by Her protection, they cry out to God: Alleluia.

All beings in the Highest, but also not retreating below, You deigned, O Mother of God, just as the blessing of Mount Athos was granted to the Monk Anthony of old for the establishment of the Pechersk monastery, to grant Your grace to the new monastery in the Russian country, with which You blessed Athos, in the likeness of Your honorable image; We also cry out to Ti: Rejoice, covering the Russian countries, broadening the clouds; Rejoice, the Orthodox faith is protected and affirmed in it. Rejoice, unshakable pillar of the Orthodox Church; Rejoice, denunciation of heresies and schisms. Rejoice, thou illuminating the whole country with the bright rays of miraculous icons; Rejoice, you who exude gifts of healing and mercies from them. Rejoice, intimidation of enemies; Rejoice, joy of the saints.

Rejoice, praise of the priests; Rejoice, Teacher of monks. Rejoice, salvation of our entire family. Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful.

Having every diligence to paint the honorable image of the merciful Goalkeeper, the host of Iveron fasters perform prayer services; He washes the deck with water from the wonderful icon, on which an honest image is depicted, and sanctifies the Venerable Jamblichus, who labored in fasting, prayer and vigil with all the brethren, writing off the wax, holy water and consecrated relics of the honest image of the Mother of God, taking out the prayer and crying out to God: Alleluia .

The prophets of many prophecies, like voiceless fish, we see about You, Mother of God: they are perplexed as to how to properly praise all Your miracles, revealed to our race from Your holy icon: even more on the way to the Russian country, this miracle worker, commanded the pious Manuel to give a ransom to the infidels who rebuke the procession of the holy icon to the Russian country, and giving it exclusively to him afterwards. We, marveling, truly cry out to Ti: Rejoice, inexhaustible source of miracles; Rejoice, Giver of all mercy. Rejoice, always warm Intercessor to God for us; Rejoice, His providences for us are a treasure. Rejoice, refuge for those in trouble; Rejoice, consolation to those who mourn. Rejoice, healing of the sick; Rejoice, strengthener of the weak. Rejoice, intercession of widows; Rejoice, merciful Mother of the orphans. Rejoice, conversion of those who are astray to the path of truth; Rejoice, calling sinners to repentance. Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful.

Wanting to save many people from troubles and sorrows, you, O Mother of God, exude an endless source of mercy from Your icon to our family: behold, in the capital city of Moscow, the good Goalkeeper appears to all who worship You, giving quick help, and in the new monastery of Iversty, streams of grace flow from Your icon You are issuing, and in other cities, abodes and places, those who honor You fulfill your useful request. Moreover, glorifying God, who gave us such grace, we cry out to Him: Alleluia.

Thou art a wall to the monastic rite, to the Mother of God, and to all who resort to Thee; for the Creator of Heaven and earth, dwell in Your virgin womb, teach all zealots of purity and chastity to proclaim to You: Rejoice, tattered vessel of virginity; Rejoice, purest image of chastity. Rejoice, devil of seedless disgrace; Rejoice, Unbrided Bride. Rejoice, you who gave birth to the Sower of Purity; Rejoice, you who united the faithful of the Lord. Rejoice, quick Helper in the storm of temptation; Rejoice, you who reflect the enemy’s accusations. Rejoice, you who drive away the darkness of harmful passions; Rejoice, purifying thoughts. Rejoice, you who teach us to despise earthly pleasures; Rejoice, you who guide minds and hearts to the Heavenly One. Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful.

All singing is overcome, striving to meet the multitude of Thy bounties: equal to the sand of the songs we bring to Thee, our Lady Theotokos, we accomplish nothing worthily, even as Thou hast given to us, crying out for Thee: Alleluia.

As a light-receiving candle, which appears to those in the darkness of troubles, we see the holy icon of the Mother of God: for we receive the immaterial fire of grace, illuminating everyone with the rays of miracles, teaching us to cry out to the Blessed One: Rejoice, speedy help in all your needs; Rejoice, quick hearing in the midst of sorrow. Rejoice, thou who deliverest us from fire, sword and the invasion of foreigners; Rejoice, freeing us from hunger and vain death. Rejoice, you who protect us from the plague and destruction of mortals; Rejoice, sudden help to those in need along the way, on land and on the waters. Rejoice, healing of mental and physical ulcers; Rejoice, you who accept those left by doctors into Your hands. Rejoice, merciful Comforter of all those who mourn and are burdened;

Rejoice, you who do not reject all the despised and rejected. Rejoice, you who snatch away the most desperate from the pit of destruction; Rejoice, and me, naked of good deeds, not leaving me with Your cover and intercession. Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful.

The grace of giving away the debts of the ancients, of all debts, the Resolver of man, came with Himself to those who had departed from His grace and, tearing apart the handwriting, granted us a strong God-gracious intercession, so that we all cry out with Her prayers: Alleluia.

Singing Your miracles shown to us in this life, we praise You. Mother of God, as an inexhaustible source of mercy. But, falling to Thee before Thy miraculous icon, we humbly pray to Thee to provide us with protection and protection on the day of our death, and when the imams appear before the terrible Throne of Thy Son for judgment, and cry out to Thee: Rejoice, thou who sittest in glory before the Throne of Thy Son and there remembering us; Rejoice, forever reigning with Your Son and God and interceding for us. Rejoice, you who give the end of life without shame to those who trust in You; Rejoice, you who arrange a painless and peaceful death. Rejoice, deliverance from bitter ordeals; Rejoice, liberation from the power of the prince of the air. Rejoice, there is no remembrance of our sins; Rejoice, for in the Lord we have the hope of a blessed life. Rejoice, you who make a standing place for those who trust in You at the right hand of Your Son;

Rejoice, thou who art worthy to hear the blessed voice of Onago, who promises the inheritance of the Heavenly Kingdom. Rejoice, good Mother, who makes all who honor Thee live with You; Rejoice, strong hope of eternal salvation for all Christians. Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful.

O All-Singing Mother, Most Holy Lady Virgin Mary! Look upon us, who humbly offer these small prayers with tears before Your most pure image and have placed all our hope and hope in You, and deliver us from all troubles and misfortunes in this life and from future torments, so that, saved by You, we cry out: Alleluia.

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

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The Iveron Icon of the Mother of God is a helper in all troubles, especially in illnesses and in case of fire. Farmers order services from her. Orthodox Christians place this image at the entrance to the house, as a shield from visible and invisible enemies.

This icon is the keeper of the hearth, the patroness of women and mothers. Before her they pray to the Mother of God for a successful marriage for both the girl and the boy.

Iveron Mother of God

Listen to the Prayer of the Mother of God of Iverskaya

Prayer of the Mother of God of Iverskaya

O Most Holy Virgin, Mother of the Lord, Queen of Heaven and Earth! Hear the much-painful sighing of our souls, look down from Thy holy height upon us, who with faith and love worship Thy most pure image.

Behold, immersed in sins and overwhelmed by sorrows, looking at Your image, as if You were alive and living with us, we offer our humble prayers. The imams have no other help, no other intercession, no consolation except You, O Mother, of all those who mourn and are burdened!

Help us, the weak, satisfy our sorrow, guide us, the erring, on the right path, heal and save the hopeless, grant us the rest of our lives to spend in peace and silence, grant us a Christian death, and at the Last Judgment of Your Son, the merciful Intercessor will appear to us, and always We sing, magnify and glorify Thee, as the good Intercessor of the Christian race, with all those who have pleased God. Amen.

Orthodox Christians revere the Virgin Mary and often rely on her in their affairs. Prayer to the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God helps in healing the sick, protects from injustice and abuse, strengthens the faith of those who doubt God and instructs those who have strayed from the right path in life.

The history of the Iveron Icon began in the 9th century, when Orthodox Christians in Byzantium were persecuted and iconographic images of saints were destroyed.

According to legend, the servants of Emperor Theophilus burst into the house of one poor Christian woman in order to destroy the icon, and one of the soldiers pierced the image of the Mother of God with a spear. The place where the spear touched the icon immediately began to bleed, which plunged the desecrator into deep shock.

Realizing that it would be difficult to save the icon, the woman gave it to the sea waters to the will of God. And a miracle happened - the icon not only did not drown, but intact (except for the mark from the tip of the spear) floated to the Iveron Orthodox monastery, where it remained for a long time.

Since then, the miraculous image has repeatedly shown amazing divine signs to the laity, so belief in its special power spread over time and was confirmed by various miracles.

In Tsarist Russia, royal persons came to pray to the list (copy) of the icon hung over the Moscow Resurrection Gate - hence the other name “Goalkeeper” - before each journey or campaign. The goalkeeper was also taken to the yards of the sick, believing in her healing power.

Now in Moscow there is a new copy of the Iveron Mother of God, sent from Athos at the end of the 20th century, since the previous icon along with the chapel was destroyed during the revolution of 1917.

Who turns to Our Lady of Iveron

The image of the Iveron Mother of God is easy to identify by the mark of the spear on the right cheek of the Mother of God. The days of veneration of this icon of the Mother of God are marked in the Orthodox calendar on February 25 and October 26. In honor of the miraculous image of the Mother of God, a special akathist is sung in churches three times and a sincere prayer to the Most Holy One is read. Also, any Christian can read this akathist in gratitude to the Mother of God or when difficulties arise.

The gatekeeper or Portaitissa, as the icon is called, is still kept on Mount Athos and is accessible twice a year to the eyes of every layman who has made a pilgrimage here.

In prayer, Christians glorify the Mother of God and ask to give their instructions, to intercede before the Almighty for the children of men at the hour of the Last Judgment, to heal the seriously ill and to help humbly endure the trials sent by God.

The prayer of the Iveron Mother of God is read by undivided Christian believers, hoping for a solution to various everyday problems:

• spouses whose family is on the verge of collapse ask for help;
• farmers and landowners pray for a good harvest and fertile land;
• Before starting any important task, Christians ask Our Lady for blessings;
• women diagnosed with infertility cry to the Virgin Mary for the gift of a child.

With any troubling question, you can turn to the Mother of God, praying in front of the Iveron Icon, the main thing is to be pure in soul and sincerely believe in the help of higher powers.

Prayer for the Iveron Mother icon

“Most Holy Virgin, Mother of Christ our God, Queen of Heaven and earth! Hear the much-painful sighing of our souls, look down from Thy holy height upon us, who with faith and love worship Thy most pure image. Behold, immersed in sins and overwhelmed by sorrows, looking at Your image, As if You are alive and exist with us, we offer our humble prayers. The imams have no other help, no other intercession, no consolation, except You, O Mother of all who grieve and are burdened! Help us, the weak, assuage our sorrows, guide us, the erring ones, on the right path, heal our painful hearts and save the hopeless, grant us the rest of our lives to spend in peace and repentance, grant us a Christian death and at the Last Judgment of Your Son, the merciful Representative will appear to us May we always sing, magnify and glorify Thee, as the good Intercessor of the Christian race, with all those who have pleased God, forever and ever. Amen."

The healing power of the "Gatekeeper"

There were so many miracles that happened after the laity turned to the Mother of God for the Iveron Icon that the monks had to create a special chronicle with descriptions of magical phenomena and acts of God. The icon from the Iversky Monastery heals even such ailments that modern, developed medicine is powerless to deal with.

As the true patroness of all women, the Blessed Virgin does not leave mothers with their sorrows about the fate of their children, helps women with conception and successful delivery of the burden, gives hope for the healing of childhood illnesses, and supports in the fight against behavioral problems in difficult teenagers.

You should not look for explanations for the actions of the Lord, you should simply believe and honor the Almighty and follow the commandments that help you live.

Video: Prayer before the Iveron Mother of God icon

Iveron Icon of the Mother of God

Iveron Icon of the Mother of God. Prayers.

Currently, the original Iveron Icon of the Mother of God is kept in Greece on Holy Mount Athos. As legend says, the holy Apostle Luke painted the face of the Iveron Mother of God in the first century, when the Mother of God was still alive. She has another name - Goalkeeper. The image of the Iveron Mother of God very often warned the monks about imminent troubles.

The Iveron Icon is venerated three times a year: on the twenty-fifth of February, the seventeenth of April, and the twenty-sixth of October. A distinctive feature of the icon is a bleeding wound on the face of the Virgin Mary.

The Iveron Icon of the Mother of God helps. The Iveron icon helps all people who have repented of their sins; it helps a person find strength and his right path to the future. The icon helps, even if you pray not for yourself, but for your relatives. If you have mental or physical problems, then the icon is of great importance. With the help of the icon they receive peace of mind and get rid of various troubles. Since the icon has a second name, Goalkeeper, you should keep this icon near the entrance in your home, and this gives greater protection from negativity that will not appear in your home.

Description of the Iveron Mother of God icon. The icon is quite large in size, 137 x 87 centimeters. She has two salaries, which change periodically. In the sixteenth century in Georgia, craftsmen made a minted rite, on the reverse side there is a cross and a monogram: “Christ bestows grace on Christians.” The second salary was made at a later time, but it has its own peculiarity. On the margins of the image the apostles are depicted in full height.

The miraculous image of the Iveron Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos has proven its miraculous power many times; there is even a known case when the monks themselves from the monastery on Mount Athos were taught a lesson. One day a poor man asked to stay at the monastery for the night, and the monks demanded payment from him for the night. The poor man went to Kareya, and on the way he met a woman who took pity on him and gave him a gold coin. He came to the monastery again and gave the monks a gold coin. Although the monks thought that the poor man had stolen this ancient coin, because they saw exactly the same coin in the donations to the icon of the Mother of God. That same day, all the food on the island spoiled, and the monks never again thought of taking money from travelers for overnight accommodation.

There is an interesting fact. Near the Iveron Icon there is an unquenchable lamp, which can sway on its own for no reason. Moreover, its swinging occurred before the tragic events. When the Turks were advancing on Cyprus, the lamp began to sway very violently, and oil began to pour out of it. It was also rocking before America attacked Iraq. One more time she swayed before the earthquake in Armenia.

History of the Goalkeeper icon.

In Asia Minor in the ninth century, there lived a widow and her son, and they had an icon of the Mother of God. At that time there was oppression of Orthodox believers and persecution of icons. One day soldiers came to them and one of them threw his spear at the image. Blood suddenly began to flow from the cut of the icon and the soldiers, out of horror and surprise, fell to their knees and began to ask forgiveness for the sin they had committed. To save the icon, the woman and her son came to the seashore, began to pray and threw the icon into the sea. The image floated. A couple of centuries later, the elders who lived on the island of Athos saw a pillar of fire emanating from the sea. A few days later they went down to the sea to look at this miracle up close. There was no limit to surprise, because the light was emitted by the icon of the Mother of God. They prayed to the icon for a very long time, after which they took it and placed it in the altar of the temple. But in the morning everyone saw that the icon had somehow ended up above the gates of the monastery. No matter how many times they moved the icon, it still somehow returned to its place above the gate. That's why she got the name Goalkeeper.

The Iveron image of the Mother of God is one of the most ancient Christian shrines. This icon is very revered by believers, because it has repeatedly proven its power by performing miracles. Below we will tell the story of the image and when the prayer to the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God is read.

General information about the icon

Being one of the oldest images of the Virgin Mary, this icon has a truly unique history. It was written by the Apostle Luke himself after receiving the blessing of the Queen of Heaven.

The history of this image began in the 9th century. At this time, Christians were persecuted for their faith, and their shrines were actively destroyed. During these troubled times, a legend appeared about a wound oozing blood on the face of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Therefore, all copies copied from the first image show traces of blood.

According to legend, during the persecution of Christians, one warrior entered a woman’s house. She prayed before the face of the Mother of God. The warrior pointed his spear at the image. Blood began to flow from the place where the weapon hit. This phenomenon frightened the man.

The woman tried to save the icon. But her attempts were in vain. She had to give the image to the sea waves. The image did not sink. He washed up on the shores of the Iveron Monastery. For several days people observed a strange phenomenon - a pillar of fire on the waves. When they approached the shore, they found an icon standing there.

The second name of the image is “Goalkeeper”. Another legend is associated with this name. The holy face of the Mother of God was placed in the Athos monastery. But the very next day the icon was found above the gate. She was returned to the monastery. However, the next day she again found herself above the gate.

This went on for several days, until the Virgin Mary herself appeared to Saint Gabriel in a dream. She declared her will that she wanted to be a “Goalkeeper”. That’s why the image was placed above the Resurrection Gate.

Before important events, imperial persons came to the image to pray. The icon was taken to the sick, as it showed healing power. It was destroyed in 1917, along with the chapel in which it was located. However, copies of it have survived. They still give miracles to this day. In 1994, a chapel was built near the Resurrection Gate, which today houses a copy of that icon.

A prayer said in front of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God can work real miracles. The text of the prayer request has been passed down from generation to generation for many centuries. The Mother of God in this image is asked for the following:

• healing from illnesses;
• finding a soul mate;
• successful marriage;
• protection from the injustices of this world;
• help in finding the true path;
• strengthening faith in God;
• about the birth of a long-awaited child;
• assistance in acquiring family happiness, so that spouses always find mutual understanding.

Prayer words in front of this image are read when it is necessary to heal a patient from various ailments. A prayer read with sincere faith grants not only healing from physical, but also from mental torment. There are many stories where prayer to the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God helped people survive difficult life situations, and also prevented illness from destroying the body shell.

They also offer a prayer to the Mother of God asking for help in raising children and healing their body and spirit. She also helps with family problems. The Mother of God can help return a husband who intends to leave the family.

For the Virgin Mary to help, you need to visit the temple and ask the holy image for help in solving a difficult life issue. If faith is strong, then the Mother of God will definitely answer prayer.

Video “Prayer before the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God”

In this video you can listen to an audio recording of a prayer before the Iverskaya icon.

Text of the prayer to the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God

O Most Holy Virgin, Mother of the Lord, Queen of heaven and earth! Hear the much-painful sighing of our souls, look down from Thy holy height upon us, who with faith and love worship Thy most pure image.

Behold, immersed in sins and overwhelmed by sorrows, looking at Your image, as if You were alive and living with us, we offer our humble prayers. Imams have no other help, no other intercession, no consolation except You, O Mother of all who mourn and are burdened!

Help us, the weak, satisfy our sorrow, guide us, the erring, on the right path, heal and save the hopeless, grant us the rest of our lives to spend in peace and silence, grant us a Christian death and appear to us at the Last Judgment of Your Son, merciful Intercessor, yes We always sing, magnify and glorify Thee, as the good Intercessor of the Christian race, with all those who have pleased God. Amen.