Icon "Wisdom of God Sophia": what are they praying for?
The icon "Wisdom of Sophia" is considered veryrare, so it is almost impossible to meet in many churches, but there is a certain number of temples, where it takes its place of honor.
Who is in the center on the icon "Wisdom of God Sophia"?
The icon "The Wisdom of God Sophia" is nothingother, as the reincarnation of the Mother of God, showing all of Her wisdom. The wisdom is Christ himself, who, by sacrificing himself, was able to save all mankind. On the icon you can see not only Sophia, but Christ himself, next to him is John the Baptist, who was always with Christ all His earthly life. Also on the icon you can see the disciples of Christ, who carefully heed His teachings. It is written in the book of Solomon. The image on the icon once again reminds all believers why the Son of God came to this earth and from whom He was born.
Icon of "Sophia of the Wisdom of God" Kyivhelps to overcome many troubles. It depicts a temple in which the Mother of God stands in a beautiful chiton and with a covered head. Hands stretched forward. Under the icon there is an inscription: "Wisdom build a house for yourself and establish the pillars of the seven". It also has God the Father and the Holy Spirit. On both sides, the Mother of God is surrounded by seven archangels.
How do the archangels look on the icon?
Icon of the Mother of God "Sophia the Wisdom of God"includes also the images of the archangels, who were always close to the Son of God, Jesus Christ. Archangels are painted with wings, and each of them holds a certain sign of holiness. Archangel Michael is on the right side, he has a fiery sword in his hands. Uriel holds the zipper, which is lowered down. Raphael has around him an apavastra of the world of everything. On the left side are also the faces of the archangels. The first to the left is Gabriel, who holds the flower of a loose lily in his hands. Selafil holds the rosary. Jehudiel is depicted with the royal crown, and Varahiel has flowers in his hands and is on a white board.
All of them are located above the head of the Mother of God,which stands on the cloud. Under It is a church with secret records from the Old Testament. Also on the icon there is a pulpit consisting of seven steps. Each of them is signed. A believer can read these words:
- Vera.
- Hope.
- Love.
- Humility before the Lord.
- Nobility.
- Glory.
- Purity of thoughts.
It is believed that such an icon should be in every house, as it is responsible for well-being in the family.
When they pray before the icon of "Sophia the Wisdom of the Mother of God"?
Priests say that to praybefore the icon can be at any time, it should be done when the person's soul requires. In each house there must necessarily be a holy corner where the image stands, a lamp is lit and candles are lit.
If in your house there will be an icon "Wisdom of GodSofia ", then we can say with confidence that there will be no disputes in it, it will happen in the family to avoid various troubles, a favorable ground will be created for full trust to every person who crosses the threshold of the house and comes with pure thoughts.
Few people know the power of the icon "SofiaWisdom of God, "as the believers pray to her, but all who have ever confronted her know for sure that all the requests that are uttered before her in prayer remain with the Lord God.
Where is the oldest icon "Sophia the Wisdom of God" and what does it mean?
Copies of icons for today there are many,but one of the oldest is in Kiev, in the famous St. Sophia Cathedral. This image has come a long way, since it was once brought from the Church of Justinian in Byzantium.
The icon "Sophia the Wisdom of God"meaning has a slightly different, because it is some kind of road between the earthly and heavenly world. In addition to the archangels, our forefathers are depicted in the heavens. At seven steps are the biblical heroes. So, on the fourth step is Moses with tables with the inscription calling to honor the Word of God. After Moses, Aaron and David are also depicted. On the left are the prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel.
What other icons are there? The Wisdom of God Sophia?
It should be noted that the Kiev image is notone of a kind, there is still an icon "Sophia the Wisdom of God of Novgorod", which has its own distinctive characteristics. It depicts the Savior, before which stands the Mother of God and John the Baptist in prayer.
The main figure on the icon is the LordThe Almighty, on which the king's garments are worn, and behind him are fire-wings. The Lord is on the throne, which rests on seven pillars, around a blue background, symbolizing the heavens with the stars.
Novgorod icon is considered wonderworking, withThere are records in the history, when people really could cure with it. Every year on the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary near the Kiev and Novgorod icons thousands of believers gather who ask for help in solving problems.
What to say and ask before the icon?
In the holy scripture it is said that the Lord God hearsall the prayers that the person utters, that is why before the icon "Sophia the Wisdom of God" a special prayer is pronounced, which must be known and read correctly. It is addressed to the Mother of God and the Lord God Himself. Everyone who prays before the icon must clearly understand that Wisdom is the fullness of the knowledge that a person has about God.
The icon enables a person to ask the LordGod to give Wisdom in order to make the right decision in various matters. It is also believed that it can help resolve conflicts not only within the family, but also in work. By saying a prayer, a person can feel how the decision comes by itself, but you should learn to hear God's hints and listen to his teaching.
Before the icon you can ask for health and happiness to every Orthodox Christian who fulfills all the commandments and seeks to know the teachings of God, to receive from Him a piece of wisdom and understanding.
The Interpretation of the Prayer Before the Icon
If there is an icon in the church "Sophia WisdomGod "prayer must be pronounced appropriate. It is important to remember that it is read in such a way that the believer is well aware of what is at stake. Rastolkuem some words in prayer before this icon." Incomprehensible and Vsepetaya Wisdom "implies a that a person does not fully understand all the Wisdom given by God to him, and can not use it correctly, as Jesus himself commanded us.
From the history of the writing of the icon
The icon "The Wisdom of God Sophia" was originally written as an explanation of the fact that God can exist in three persons: God the Father, God the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Some historians claim that the name Sophia wasis chosen not in vain, since it most suits the name of this icon. For example, Sofia most of all personifies Wisdom, so it is indicated in the Holy Scriptures. If you translate the word Sofia from Greek to French, it will designate the Trinity.
The icon of Sophia appeared in the churchConstantinople, but to this day it never came. Archaeologists have long excavated to find exactly this image, but, unfortunately, virtually nothing is known about the sources of iconography. Many believers still argue, why Sofia is depicted as a female figure, because it means nothing else than the Wisdom of God?
But the answer to this question remains a secret. Among the many options most of all Orthodox Christians are worshiped with the icon "Wisdom of God Sophia" of Kiev and Novgorod.
The role of icons in the spiritual life of Christians
Athanasius of Alexandria said that in the imageWisdom can act not only the Mother of God, but all other manifestations of spiritual life. For example, it can be a church, a saint or even just a human soul, because in everyone in whom God lives, there is this Wisdom.
Archbishop Ignaty of Voronezh spoke about that,that the Wisdom and the Temple of Sophia are in heaven, namely on the Divine Throne, where there are angels and God. But at the same time Ignatius claimed that Wisdom is present everywhere, in all the worlds, visible and invisible, in the souls of people, churches and in heaven, by the same account as on earth.
Understanding this can be so difficult forman, that all the secrets and secrets of spiritual life will be revealed only before the icon of Wisdom. Therefore, millions of pilgrims annually rush to that temple and cathedral, where exactly this image is located.
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