The history of the Icon of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin can be traced back to the 10th-century Constantinople, the capital of Byzantium. One of the greatest Christian relics, the robe of the Virgin Mary, was kept at the Blachernae church in the city’s suburbs. The church was of great significance to local residents.
When the Saracens, nomadic Bedouin tribes, besieged the city, a great many citizens gathered in the Blachernae church hiding from the blood-thirsty enemy. Seeking protection and salvation, they began to pray. Among them was Andrew the Fool-for-Christ who raised his head and saw the Virgin Mary surrounded by angels and numerous saints, including John the Baptist on one side, and John the Apostle on the other. They walked through the air and the dome of the church and came down to people.
For a long time, the Mother of God prayed for salvation together with the people. Afterward, she stood at the altar and then extended her head cover called an omophorion over the worshipers protecting them from the Saracens. At the break of dawn, the enemy was defeated, and Constantinople was saved. This miracle inspired the Icon of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin which is still believed to provide protection to Orthodox Christians.
The detailed composition of the icon may vary, for example, the head cover may be red instead of white. It can be held either by the Mother of God or by angels. However, the icon always represents the same concept: the celestial church coming down to support the earthly church. The celestial beings arrive to protect people and help them withstand the attack of non-Christians.
The icon is believed to protect against hardships and misfortunes. In front of this icon, Christians pray for the safety of their home and ask to be saved from all troubles and problems. Often, they ask the Mother of God to cure their illnesses or to protect them from such. However, the icon gains particular importance in the times of attacks from ill-wishers and enemies. Since olden times, the Mother of God has been considered the patroness of the Cossacks. Her icon was found in each house, the Cossacks prayed to her with hope and faith before any battle and later came back to thank her for the victory.
When the Saracens, nomadic Bedouin tribes, besieged the city, a great many citizens gathered in the Blachernae church hiding from the blood-thirsty enemy. Seeking protection and salvation, they began to pray. Among them was Andrew the Fool-for-Christ who raised his head and saw the Virgin Mary surrounded by angels and numerous saints, including John the Baptist on one side, and John the Apostle on the other. They walked through the air and the dome of the church and came down to people.
For a long time, the Mother of God prayed for salvation together with the people. Afterward, she stood at the altar and then extended her head cover called an omophorion over the worshipers protecting them from the Saracens. At the break of dawn, the enemy was defeated, and Constantinople was saved. This miracle inspired the Icon of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin which is still believed to provide protection to Orthodox Christians.
The detailed composition of the icon may vary, for example, the head cover may be red instead of white. It can be held either by the Mother of God or by angels. However, the icon always represents the same concept: the celestial church coming down to support the earthly church. The celestial beings arrive to protect people and help them withstand the attack of non-Christians.
The icon is believed to protect against hardships and misfortunes. In front of this icon, Christians pray for the safety of their home and ask to be saved from all troubles and problems. Often, they ask the Mother of God to cure their illnesses or to protect them from such. However, the icon gains particular importance in the times of attacks from ill-wishers and enemies. Since olden times, the Mother of God has been considered the patroness of the Cossacks. Her icon was found in each house, the Cossacks prayed to her with hope and faith before any battle and later came back to thank her for the victory.
