The surviving icons, images of which can be seen in existing religious churches, have a long history old story. One of these is the Icon of the Life-Giving Source. It is known throughout the world as a shrine that has been able to heal a huge number of sick people. That is why, as a sign of gratitude, believers regularly venerate this sacred image not only with prayers, but also with the creation of various spiritual works in honor of it. These include poems, songs and precise lists of the icon of the Mother of God of the Life-Giving Spring.
Story
According to legend, during the time of the Byzantine Empire, which was the main founder of the Orthodox faith, there was a grove near its capital. After the stay of the Holy Virgin Mary in it, the wonderful expanses of wondrous nature became holy. Next to the growing trees, a spring flowed straight from the ground of the grove, which, according to rumors, had healing properties. And one day, approximately in 450 AD, a traveler named Leo passed by the described blessed places. Arriving in an extremely deserted place, he involuntarily glanced at a man who could not find a way out in the middle of densely growing vegetation. Coming closer, Leo Marcellus immediately realized that the man he saw was blind. Deciding to help him, the traveler sat the disabled man down and went to fetch water. And during the journey, he suddenly heard the voice of the Mother of God, indicating the place of the holy spring. Having reached it, Leo Markell took water and brought it to the guest he met. And as soon as the blind man drank the water that was delivered to him, he immediately began to see.
As a result, the man who had regained his sight, as a sign of respect, fell to his knees with the words of prayer, thanks to the Virgin Mary, who helped Leo discover a natural source with miraculous properties.
After this incident, Leo Marcellus, who later became emperor, ordered the construction of a temple Holy Virgin, and the source, after thorough purification, should be called Life-Giving.
Subsequently, after this event, in the center of the temple, an icon of the Life-Giving Spring was installed, which was painted by talented master icon painters.
Images of icons
In the icon, according to a special artistic design, you can see the Mother of God sitting in a huge gilded font. In her hands she holds her little son, Jesus Christ. Just below the bowl, the same Life-Giving Spring is clearly illustrated, lined with exquisite tiles around the edges.
Few people know, but on the first icons Mother of God There was no Life-Giving Spring, no reservoir of water and no fountain flowing from a bowl. However, in later compositions, this important element was added.
How does the “Life-Giving Source” icon help?
Myself Life-giving spring is the embodiment of the beginning of the life source. Personifying the image of the Mother of God, he is able to heal sick human souls.
The meaning of the Icon of the Life-Giving Source is extremely great.
It helps believers overcome many troubles and difficulties that can sometimes happen in everyday life.
This should include first of all:
- ridding people of strong addictions, which include smoking, alcohol and all kinds of highly addictive drugs.
- assistance in eliminating spiritual inner experiences. During prayer, a person’s stressful state is normalized, bringing his nerves and mood to complete control
- provides assistance in maintaining a sinless existence;
- healing from all diseases.
Prayer to the icon “Life-Giving Source”
While pronouncing sacred prayer words, people ask to cleanse their souls of any nasty evil spirits that cause health problems, as well as to replenish their internal reserves of strength.
The text of the prayer is as follows:
O Most Holy Virgin, All-Merciful Lady Theotokos! Your life-giving source, healing gifts for the health of our souls and bodies and for the salvation of the world, has given to us; Also, give thanks to the being, we earnestly pray to Thee, Most Holy Queen, pray to Thy Son and our God to grant us forgiveness of sins and to every grieving and embittered soul mercy and consolation, and freedom from troubles, sorrows and illnesses. Grant, Lady, protection to this temple and to 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, our Intercessor, in the glory of the Kingdom of the Son Yours and our God, to Him be glory and power with the Father and with the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.
The warrior Leo, who later became emperor (455-473), in a grove dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, met a blind man who asked for water. The lion could not find a water source for a long time, when suddenly he heard a voice Holy Mother of God, who pointed him to the source and ordered him to apply mud from those waters to the eyes of the blind man. After this, the blind man received his sight, and the warrior, having become emperor, marveled and rejoiced at miraculous healing, ordered the source to be cleaned and a temple was erected in its place. The temple was named - evidence of the miraculous power of the source.
After the fall of Constantinople, the temple was destroyed and rebuilt only in 1834-1835.
In memory of this miracle, on the day of the Icon of the Mother of God of the Life-Giving Spring, a small consecration of water is performed - it occurs several times throughout the year, the great consecration of water is performed only on the feast of Epiphany (Epiphany)
Iconographically, the image of the Mother of God, the Life-Giving Source, goes back to the Byzantine image of the Lady Victorious type, which in turn goes back to the image of the Sign type. Initially, the icon of the Life-Giving Source was transmitted in copies without an image of the source; later a bowl (phial) was included in the composition, and then also a reservoir and a fountain.
On Bright Week, the service is filled with joyful Easter chants, fasting on Wednesday and Friday is canceled, the entire Liturgy is served with open Royal Doors and after each liturgy there is a procession of the cross.
On the same day, at the Liturgy, the Gospel about the expulsion of traders from the temple is read.
Appearance of the Icon of the Mother of God “Life-Giving Spring”
In the 5th century in Constantinople, near the so-called “Golden Gate”, there was a grove dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. There was a spring in the grove, glorified for miracles for a long time. Gradually, this place was overgrown with bushes, and the water was covered with mud.
Icon of the Mother of God “Life-Giving Spring”
One day the warrior Leo Marcellus, the future emperor, met in this place a blind man, a helpless traveler who had lost his way. The lion helped him out onto the path and sit down in the shade to rest, while he himself went in search of water to refresh the blind man. Suddenly he heard a voice: “Lion! Don’t look far for water, it’s close here.” Surprised by the mysterious voice, he began to look for water, but did not find it. When he stopped in sadness and thoughtfulness, the same voice was heard a second time: “King Lion! Go under the shade of this grove, draw the water that you find there, and give it to the thirsty person, and put the mud that you find in the source on his eyes. Then you will know who I am, who sanctifies this place. I will help you soon build a temple here in My name, and everyone who comes here with faith and calls on My name will receive the fulfillment of their prayers and complete healing from ailments.” When Leo fulfilled everything he was commanded, the blind man immediately received his sight and, without a guide, went to Constantinople, glorifying the Mother of God. This miracle happened under Emperor Marcian (391-457).
Emperor Marcian was succeeded by Leo Marcellus (457-473). He remembered the appearance and prediction of the Mother of God, ordered the source to be cleaned and enclosed in a stone circle, over which a temple was built in honor of the Most Holy Theotokos. Emperor Leo called this spring the “Life-Giving Spring,” since the miraculous grace of the Mother of God was manifested in it.
Emperor Justinian the Great (527-565) was a man deeply committed to Orthodox faith. He suffered from water sickness for a long time. One day at midnight he heard a voice: “You cannot regain your health unless you drink from My fountain.” The king did not know what source the voice was talking about, and became despondent. Then the Mother of God appeared to him in the afternoon and said: “Get up, king, go to My source, drink water from it and you will be healthy as before.” The patient fulfilled the will of the Lady and soon recovered. The grateful emperor erected a new magnificent temple near the temple built by Leo, at which a populous monastery was subsequently created.
In the 15th century, the famous temple of the “Life-Giving Spring” was destroyed by Muslims. A Turkish guard was assigned to the ruins of the temple, who did not allow anyone to approach this place. Gradually, the severity of the ban softened, and Christians built a small church there. But it was also destroyed in 1821, and the source was filled up. The Christians again cleared the ruins, opened the spring and continued to draw water from it. Subsequently, in one window, among the rubble, a sheet half-rotten from time and dampness was found with a record of ten miracles from the Life-Giving Spring that occurred from 1824 to 1829. Under Sultan Mahmud, the Orthodox received some freedom in performing divine services. They used it to build a temple over the Life-Giving Spring for the third time. In 1835, with great triumph, Patriarch Constantine, concelebrating with 20 bishops and large quantities the temple was consecrated by pilgrims; A hospital and almshouse were set up at the temple.
One Thessalian experienced from his youth 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 would pour three vessels of life-giving water on it, and only after that they would bury 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.
The appearance of the Mother of God to Leo Marcellus took place on April 4, 450. On this day, and also every year on Friday Holy Week Orthodox Church celebrates the renovation of the Constantinople temple in honor of the Life-Giving Spring. According to the charter, on this day the rite of blessing of water is performed with Easter procession.
The Most Holy Theotokos with the Infant God is depicted in the icon above a large stone bowl standing in a reservoir. Near a reservoir filled with life-giving water, those suffering from bodily ailments, passions and mental infirmities are depicted. They all drink this life-giving water and receive various healings.
Troparion to the Icon of the Mother of God “Life-Giving Spring”
Let us, people, draw healing for our souls and bodies through prayer, the River that precedes everything - the Most Pure Queen Theotokos, pouring out wonderful water for us and washing away black hearts, cleansing sinful scabs, and sanctifying the souls of the faithful with Divine grace.
Prayer before the icon of the Mother of God “Life-Giving Spring”
O 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, that He may 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 our many 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 make 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. Amen.
Description of the icon of the Mother of God “LIFE-GIVING SOURCE”:
In the 5th century in Constantinople, near the so-called “Golden Gate”, there was a grove dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. There was a spring in the grove, glorified for miracles for a long time. Gradually, this place was overgrown with bushes, and the water was covered with mud.
One day the warrior Leo Marcellus, the future emperor, met in this place a blind man, a helpless traveler who had lost his way. The lion helped him out onto the path and sit down in the shade to rest, while he himself went in search of water to refresh the blind man. Suddenly he heard a voice:
"A lion! Don’t look far for water, it’s close here.”
Surprised by the mysterious voice, he began to look for water, but did not find it. When he stopped in sadness and thoughtfulness, the same voice was heard a second time:
“Lion King! Go under the shade of this grove, draw the water that you find there, and give it to the thirsty person, and put the mud that you find in the source on his eyes. Then you will know who I am, who sanctifies this place. I will help you soon build a temple here in My name, and everyone who comes here with faith and calls on My name will receive the fulfillment of their prayers and complete healing from ailments.”
When Leo fulfilled everything he was commanded, the blind man immediately received his sight and, without a guide, went to Constantinople, glorifying the Mother of God. This miracle happened under Emperor Marcian (391-457).
Emperor Marcian was succeeded by Leo Marcellus (457-473). He remembered the appearance and prediction of the Mother of God, ordered the source to be cleaned and enclosed in a stone circle, over which a temple was built in honor of the Most Holy Theotokos. Emperor Leo called this spring the “Life-Giving Spring,” since the miraculous grace of the Mother of God was manifested in it.
Emperor Justinian the Great (527-565) was a man deeply committed to the Orthodox faith. He suffered from water sickness for a long time. One day at midnight he heard a voice: “You cannot regain your health unless you drink from My fountain.” The king did not know what source the voice was talking about, and became despondent. Then the Mother of God appeared to him in the afternoon and said: “Get up, king, go to My source, drink water from it and you will be healthy as before.” The patient fulfilled the will of the Lady and soon recovered. The grateful emperor erected a new magnificent temple near the temple built by Leo, at which a populous monastery was subsequently created.
In the 15th century, the famous temple of the “Life-Giving Spring” was destroyed by Muslims. A Turkish guard was assigned to the ruins of the temple, who did not allow anyone to approach this place. Gradually, the severity of the ban softened, and Christians built a small church there. But it was also destroyed in 1821, and the source was filled up. The Christians again cleared the ruins, opened the spring and continued to draw water from it. Subsequently, in one window, among the rubble, a sheet half-rotten from time and dampness was found with a record of ten miracles from the Life-Giving Spring that occurred from 1824 to 1829. Under Sultan Mahmud, the Orthodox received some freedom in performing divine services. They used it to build a temple over the Life-Giving Spring for the third time. In 1835, with great triumph, Patriarch Constantine, concelebrated by 20 bishops and with a large number of pilgrims, consecrated the temple; A hospital and almshouse were set up at the temple.
One Thessalian from his youth had a strong desire to 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 the last days of his life in piety.
The appearance of the Mother of God to Leo Marcellus took place on April 4, 450. On this day, as well as every year on Friday of Bright Week, the Orthodox Church celebrates the renovation of the Constantinople temple in honor of the Life-Giving Spring. According to the charter, on this day the rite of blessing of water is performed with an Easter religious procession.
The Most Holy Theotokos with the Infant God is depicted in the icon above a large stone bowl standing in a reservoir. Near a reservoir filled with life-giving water, those suffering from bodily ailments, passions and mental infirmities are depicted. They all drink this life-giving water and receive various healings.
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.
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.
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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 “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 holy monastery this observance), 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.
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 whole-bearing image of the Most Holy Theotokos, who poured out drops of her outpourings, and showed miracles to the people of the faithful, 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 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.
* Blackness is 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 sing praises of 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 man in the desert: he cried out to You in gratitude: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
Understanding Your Divine voice, governor, 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 your wondrous voice, Mother of Mercy, indicating the source of water, giving water to those who are thirsty and indicating blindness to heal, and seeing the event of words, cry out to your mother: 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 Thy miracle, Mother of God, was the governor, as the wondrous blind man saw with water from Thy Life-Giving Source, enlighten the dark apples of our souls, so that we gratefully preach Thy 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 it, 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 filth, 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, comfort 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, Lady of the world, You have shown the Life-giving Source to everyone, so that there will be protection from all illnesses, 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, calling in repentance from the depths of our souls: 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 Your grace, the Life-Giving Source, Most Holy Virgin, we resort to You, as if to an unbreakable wall and intercession, look with mercy, Most Holy Theotokos, at our fierce bitterness and heal the souls and bodies of our sorrows and illnesses, let us call to You: 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 this prayer of gratitude, grant us the source of the life of the present and the future: let us call You: Alleluia.
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 painted for new church.
In the 6th century, Emperor Justinian the Great, after drinking water from a spring and being cured of a serious illness, built a temple built by Emperor Leo near the temple. new temple, under 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. Built subsequently small church 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.
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 Venerable Seraphim Sarovsky sent people to pray in front of the miraculous icon, and received healing from it.
On Friday of Bright Week after the Liturgy in Orthodox churches Usually a prayer service is performed 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 Spring" miraculous icon 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 breast, sitting in a pool in the form of a large stone bowl, from which through drain holes water pours 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 18th-19th centuries, especially revered icons of the “Life-Giving Source” were located in the Sarov Hermitage, in Tula, in Novodevichy Convent in Moscow and in many other cities throughout Russia, including in the Solovetsky Monastery (written by order of the Solovetsky Archimandrite in Constantinople).
Celebration of the Life-Giving Source icon on Easter Friday.
Orthodox people all over the world treat the Most Holy Theotokos with the greatest love. Some of Her images became famous among the people as miraculous, among them the icon of the Mother of God “Life-Giving Spring”. Many copies have been made from this Face, and prayer in front of it grants Orthodox Christians healing from mental and physical ailments.
The Mother of God is the source of life for Her Son; it was with the Most Pure Virgin that the milestone of salvation for the Orthodox people began.
The history of the appearance of the face
In the 5th century in Constantinople, next to the Golden Gate, there was a grove. A small spring flowed under the shade of its trees, bringing coolness in the hot summer. He was glorified by many miracles. Gradually, the water was covered with mud, and the ground around was overgrown with wild bushes.
One day, a warrior, the future emperor Leo Marcellus, met a blind man at a spring. This happened on April 4, 450. The helpless blind traveler has lost his way. The lion led him onto the path and helped him settle down in the shade of the trees so that he could rest from the road while he went in search of water.
Suddenly he heard from nowhere a quiet and gentle female voice. He told him that water was very close. The lion, surprised by the miracle, looked around, but found neither water nor the mysterious interlocutor.
The voice rang out a second time and ordered him to go into the grove and find water there, and put mud from its surface on the blind man’s eyes. Glas promised to “reveal himself” and help build a temple in his name. Those who visit him will receive the fulfillment of their requests and be healed of illnesses. Markell did everything as he was told. The blind man's eyes immediately began to see.
They both fell on their faces and lifted up thanksgiving prayers Mother of God, for they realized that it was Her voice that was heard in the grove. Soon the traveler continued his journey on his own.
In order for the church clergy to pray for people in need, you must first write a note listing their names. Each note should indicate no more than 10 names, they must be indicated in Orthodox writing and in genitive case. For example, about the health of (who?) Euthymius, Sergius, John, Demetrius, Tatiana, Julia, Apollinaria, Euphrosyne.
Important! The Church prays only for those people over whom the Sacrament of Holy Baptism has been performed.
If the priests serve a water-blessing prayer service, then at the end of it each parishioner can take with them the water blessed during the prayer service. It should be taken in the morning on an empty stomach with the prayer “To receive holy water.”
The holiday in honor of the icon of the Mother of God “Life-Giving Spring” was established in memory of the renovation of the Constantinople Church of the Most Holy Theotokos Life-Giving Spring, which was erected over the miraculous spring by the will of the Blessed Virgin Mary by Emperor Leo I Marcellus - this day fell on Friday of Easter week.
Important! Now every Bright Friday in Orthodox churches the rite of blessing of water is performed with an Easter religious procession.
Watch a video about the icon *Life-Giving Spring*
