Hodegetria - what is it? Icon "Hodegetria"

This article will consider the question: "Hodegetria - what is it?" In addition, we learn more about the origin of this icon, as well as the ancient character of the image, about which legends go. Consider the existing icons and lists from the original image.

Hodegetria - what is it?

Where did this image come from? According to tradition, it was originally written by the apostle Luke during the lifetime of the Mother of God. This image, which later became known as the Virgin Hodegetria, was sent to Constantinople in the fifth century. For a long time he was in the monastery Odeon. Some researchers believe that this icon was a list with Vlakherna. In that first image, a small part of the Mother of God was kept.

To date, the Tretyakov Gallery holds one of the oldest such images, which remained the same as it was before. This icon originates from Pskov and dates from the end of the 13th century. Previously, she was in the church of St. Nicholas from the Skin.

It should be noted that the name of this image has its own legend. According to her, the Mother of God appeared before two blind men and in some incomprehensible way led them to the temple in Vlaherna. I put the sufferers before the icon of the same name, and they have received their sight. Since then, this image has received the name "Hodegetria", which from the Greek translates as "guide".

According to another legend, the icon became a blessing for the wedding of Anna, who was the daughter of the Greek emperor Constantine Porphyrogenus. After a long trip to Russia, it acquired its name.

"Hodegetria" in Russia

On the territory of present-day Russia, the icon fell somewhere in the middle of the XI century. She was brought by Princess Anna, who after a while became the wife of Vsevolod Yaroslavich Chernigov. This image was originally miraculous and enjoyed a special veneration of Christians. After a while, the Hodegetria, the icon of the Mother of God, began to be called Smolensk.

A lot of lists from this icon spread very quickly across Russia. Of course, the image itself underwent some changes, since there was no strict iconographic canon for this type of the Mother of God, and no one demanded an exact copy of the shrine. However, the general features of the icon persisted.

A special attitude to the Theotokos in Russia

So, the icon "Hodegetria" in Russia is quite popular and very revered. Evidence of this are the numerous lists of the first image, which diverged in Ancient Rus. It should be noted that the Mother of God is supportive of people living in this territory, since in many localities she is considered to be a patroness and intercessor.

Very often sincere prayer saved a person from any misfortune or trouble. There is a lot of evidence about this in ancient times and today.

Iconography of the image

The icon "Hodegetria" is a special image of the Mother of God. In translation from Greek, as already mentioned, this "guidebook". The icon is of special importance for Christians. This image is usually depicted as Our Lady with the Child. Her hand is the finger pointing to the Son (located in front of the chest), and also to the salvation of all mankind. This moment is very important. The baby himself sits on the left hand. His left hand is occupied by a folded scroll, and the right one is raised in a blessing gesture. The legs of the baby are either crossed or straight. Usually the Son is depicted frontally, but sometimes it can be painted and half-turned. In any case, the blessing gesture persists. The Virgin is sometimes portrayed on the throne, sometimes full-length or waist-deep.

It should be noted that this image was known for a long time, even before the VI century, in Palestine and Egypt. After that, its widespread spread throughout the Orthodox East. In the III century there is a theological interpretation of this image, namely the interpretation of the moment of the Incarnation at the Mother of God. It should be noted that it is from this story that new ones appear that are directly connected with the Mother of God. This is the "Burning Bush", and "The Unbreakable Wall", and many others.

Smolensk icon - the most popular for this type

The icon "Hodegetria Smolenskaya" is considered the prototype of all such icons in Russia. Its history goes back centuries, however it is mostly legends that were passed from mouth to mouth. It is believed that it is a list of that first icon that was written by the apostle Luke. In Russia, it came, as it was written above, with the daughter of Emperor Constantine.

After the death of Prince Vsevolod Yaroslavovich and his wife Anna, the icon was inherited by their son - Vladimir Monomakh. He transferred the miraculous image to Smolensk and placed it in the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin. Since then the icon has become Smolensk.

By the number of perfect miracles she is at one of the first places from her kind. It was the "Mother of God Hodegetria of Smolensk" in 1239, who was the patroness and savior of the Russian land from the invasion of the troops of Khan Baty.

In the beginning of the XV century the icon was transferred to Moscow and placed in the Kremlin in the Annunciation Cathedral. After a while, she was returned to her homeland, in Smolensk. After that, the image made many more trips and relocations, especially during wars, invasive actions, but always returned to their homeland. Unfortunately, after the events of World War II, the fate of the image is unknown.

At one time with this icon was written many lists, which spread throughout the territory of Russia. In Smolensk in place of the ancient icon is now another, which also has miraculous properties. It is considered one of the most important shrines of the Russian land.

Tikhvin Icon

Along with the Smolensk image is revered and "Tikhvin Hodegetria." The icon of the Mother of God has the same ancient history, during which there were wonderful moments. It is believed that the image disappeared from Constantinople after its fall, and after a while appeared in Russia near Tikhvin.

According to legend, the Patriarch of Constantinople himself said that this is the same icon that once was in the Vlaherna church. In Tikhvin monastery the image was placed in the same way as originally in the temple of Constantinople. There he stayed all the time until the monasteries and churches began to close all over the country (Soviet times).

In the Soviet years, the icon was in America, and since 2004 it returned to Russia, where the Tikhvin Monastery began to be recreated.

The Kazan icon

Another famous "Our Lady Hodegetria" is in Kazan. This icon was found in 1579 in the city of Kazan, after it had a terrible fire that destroyed almost the entire settlement. The image of the Virgin was revealed to a little girl, who dug out the icon from under the ashes.

Wonderful acquisition of the image after the terrible tragedy struck everyone very much. Many at that time went to bow to her, she gave hope of salvation (after all, the cold came, and many people remained on the street, without shelter and any property).

Later, at the behest of Ivan the Terrible, the Kazan Cathedral was built, and near it a women's monastery was founded . Miracles began to happen near the icon immediately after gaining (an epiphany of two blind men).

To date, the original icon does not exist, it was lost after a while. However, numerous lists from it exist to this day, famous for their miracles.

Other well-known icons of this type

The icon "Hodegetria Smolenskaya", of course, is the most famous among others of this type. However, there are many other similar ones. One of these icons is Georgian. Initially, she was in Georgia, but after 1622 she was taken to Persia (the country was conquered by Shah Abbas). Her journey was long, and it stopped in the Arkhangelsk province in the Krasnogorsk monastery. To date, the original image is lost, but there are lists from it. Prayers before the icon are raised for the sake of getting rid of various epidemics, and also to cure ear and eye diseases.

Another, no less important, icon, which depicts the Mother of God Hodegetria, is the Iberian. This image has no less mysterious history. In the IX century, she was in the house of one pious woman. It was an iconoclastic period, and she decided to save the icon from destruction by lowering it into the waters of the sea. An icon appeared only two centuries later near Mount Athos near the Iberian monastery. For her, the gate church was built, where the image is kept to this day.

Of course, this is far from all images of this type that are stored and honored in many monasteries and temples. There are quite a few of them, and they all have their own special power and patronage.

Temples dedicated to the image of "Hodegetria"

Having considered the question: "Hodegetria - what is it?" - it should be noted that other sacred objects correspond to this image. For example, in many cities of Russia and other countries, there are temples that are built in honor of the image of the "Guide". Consider the list:

• The church in Kimzha, is in the Arkhangelsk region (does not work);
• Church in Disney, Belarus (acting);
• Chapel-temple Odigitriya, she is in Simferopol, Crimea (acting);
• The church in Kasimov, is in the Ryazan region (in effect).

And such churches, chapels and temples quite a large number, as the veneration of the Virgin Orthodox is great.

Conclusion

So, now you know the answer to the question: "Hodegetria - what is this?" And also about where this iconographic type originated and what are the most famous icons dedicated to him. It is understandable why in Russia this image is so revered, for more than once the Theotokos saved people from various ills, instilled faith and hope, and did not let them lose courage.