On the Peter's icon, the Mother of God is depicted bust, Her right hand covers the breast of the Infant. Christ blesses with his right hand, holding a rolled-up scroll in his left hand. There are variants of this iconography: different icons, called Petrovskaya, differ in the rotation of the figures, the contact of the faces; on some icons, the left hand of the Mother of God is visible, hugging the Child by the shoulder.

The Petrovskaya icon of the Mother of God became the first miraculous icon of Moscow, it was painted by St. Peter the Metropolitan, the Moscow miracle worker, from him and got its name "Petrovskaya". The first edition of the life of the saint dates back to 1327. The Life reports that Abbot Peter was a skilled icon painter and painted the Peter's icon when he was the abbot of the Ratskiy Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Savior in Volyn. Together with the brethren, he presented the icon to Metropolitan Maxim, who brought it with him to Vladimir, where the Metropolitanate was at that time. After the death of Metropolitan Maxim, the Petrovskaya icon helped Saint Peter to become a metropolitan and returned to him as a miraculous icon.

In 1325 Saint Peter moved the Metropolitanate from Vladimir to Moscow, transferred the Peter's icon with him and placed it in the Dormition Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin. The icon was revered as miraculous and is mentioned in the annals in stories about the salvation of Moscow from enemies. In 1613, together with the Feodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God, she participated in the election of the young Tsar Mikhail Feodorovich to the All-Russian throne. Her veneration was directly connected with the glorification of Metropolitan Peter, signifying the patronage of the young Moscow principality of two of the greatest heavenly intercessors - the Mother of God and the first Moscow holy miracle worker. Created by the hands of Saint Peter and assisting him in obtaining the rank of metropolitan, this icon was especially revered by the Moscow church hierarchs.

At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, the miraculous ancient icon disappeared from the cathedral. The iconography of the icon is known from revered lists. The Novgorod copy of the Peter's icon dates back to the XIV century (collection of the Tretyakov Gallery), two other revered copies were in the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery and Kaluga. The list from the Trinity-Sergius Lavra was put there by Tsarina Anastasia Romanovna and Princess Ulyana Paletskaya in 1559. The earliest copy with the inscription "Petrovskaya" was made by Nazariy Savin in 1614 (in the collection of the Tretyakov Gallery).

Zhanna Grigorievna Belik,

Ph.D. in art history, senior researcher at the Andrei Rublev Museum, curator of the tempera painting fund.

Olga Evgenievna Savchenko,

Researcher at the Andrei Rublev Museum.

2. Tolstaya T.V. Assumption Cathedral. M., 2008.

4. Sedova R.A. Saint Peter Metropolitan of Moscow in the Literature and Art of Ancient Rus. M., 1993.

5. Lazarev V.N. Moscow School of Icon Painting. M., 1971. Ill. 62.

6. Antonova V.I., Mneva N.E. Catalog of Old Russian Painting of the XIV - Early XVII Centuries: An Experience of Historical and Artistic Classification. M., 1963.T. 2.M., 1963. Cat. No. 90. S. 316-317. Fig. 111.

7. Nikolaeva T.V... Old Russian painting of the Zagorsk Museum. M., 1977. Cat. No. 122.

Each image of the Mother of God is an object of special reverent reverence among the Orthodox people. The Peter's icon of the Mother of God is no exception. Since ancient times, she was revered as miraculous, and even powerful rulers resorted to her help.

The Peter's icon of the Mother of God became famous due to its author - Metropolitan of Kiev and All Russia Peter. He lived in the 13th century. The holy image of the Mother of God is miraculous and is revered by all Orthodox people. At the image of the Blessed Virgin, prayers are offered for intercession and change of life for the better.

The history of the icon

The shrine was named after the name of its creator - Peter. Metropolitan Peter was still an abbot when he painted this icon. He presented the shrine to Metropolitan Maxim, who took it to Vladimir, painted it with gold and adorned it with precious stones. Metropolitan Maxim kept the icon in his chambers and daily prayed before it.

The Petrovskaya Icon of the Mother of God performed many miracles. It was kept with them during the campaigns of the kings. For example, Patriarch Job took the shrine when he blessed Boris Godunov for the reign. The icon was present at processions of the cross and stood at the tomb of St. Peter of Russia. In the annals, the icon is described as "regenerating". She saved Moscow many times from enemy attacks. Soon the whole world learned about the miraculous properties of the Peter's Icon of the Mother of God. Christians from all over the world began to pray in front of the shrine, and for the Orthodox people, the shrine has become one of the most revered and widespread icons of the Mother of God.

Where is the miraculous image

The Peter's icon of the Mother of God can be found in many churches in Russia. The most revered and famous for their miracles are kept in Kaluga and the monastery in the city of Kirillov in the Kirillovsky monastery.

Description of the icon

The style of icon painting belongs to one of the favorite types of writing of the Theotokos icons, the name of which is "Tenderness". Another well-known icon, the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God, is also attributed to the authorship of Metropolitan Peter, which is confirmed by a noticeable similarity in writing.

The Mother of God appears majestically before the eyes of those praying. She is depicted up to the waist. The Holy Child is written on Her hands. The Virgin Mary with the Infant God is painted in a mirror image, which makes the shrine unique and distinguishes it from the Vladimir one. On the Peter's icon, the Mother of God embraces the Savior with her left hand, and with her other hand points to him, showing that He is the true Savior.

How does the Petrovsky image help?

The Petrovskaya icon of the Mother of God is a symbol of rebirth. She healed and helped many Orthodox people. The image of the Mother of God has repeatedly saved the cities of Russia from enemies. Before the shrine, Christians ask the Mother of God for a happy family life without quarrels and troubles. Women, whose grief is infertility, pray in front of the icon for the imminent birth of children. The miraculous image heals many diseases and helps women cope with difficult childbirth.

Celebration date

Prayer before the miraculous icon

“Oh, Great Virgin, Queen of Heaven, Keeper of all Christians! We pray to You and remember all Your pious deeds on sinful earth! Hear us, Virgin Mary! Become the intercessor of our land, our home, our country! Save us from enemy attacks, flood, fire, war and hunger! Heal from sickness and forgive us our sins! On our knees before You, Holy Virgin! Be the intercessor of our children, do not let them be offended. Strengthen our spirit and our faith! Deliver us from the temptations of the world. Be with us in moments of grief and fear. We glorify and praise You, the Most Pure Virgin! In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Till the end of time. Amen".

In every house there should be a place for the Peter's Icon of the Mother of God. After all, this shrine is a true and powerful intercessor of family happiness, well-being and prosperity. Do not hesitate to turn to the help of the Mother of God in difficult times. She will hear everyone and help. The main thing is that your requests are sincere and do not run counter to the commandments of the Lord. We wish you strong faith and spiritual harmony. take care of yourself and don't forget to press the buttons and

07.09.2017 05:01

In the Orthodox world there are many icons of the Mother of God, which have exceptional characteristics in healing and helping ...

We will try to answer the question in detail: the icon of the mother of God of Peter the Great on the site: the site is for our esteemed readers.

Peter's icon of the Mother of God

The name of the icon of the Peter's Mother of God comes from the name of its creator - the saint-icon painter Metropolitan Peter of Moscow. The icon was painted by the saint at a time when he was abbot in Volyn. Saint Peter presented it as a gift to Metropolitan Maxim, and the latter brought it to Vladimir, adorned it with gold and precious stones, and reverently kept it in his cell until the end of his life, praying before him for the observance of the flock entrusted to him.

After the death of Metropolitan Maximus, a certain abbot Gerontius, who wished to be ordained Metropolitan, took away the holy utensils, the pastoral staff and the Peter's icon of the Mother of God and went to Constantinople to receive dignity. Many Russian people, among whom was Prince Yuri Galitsky, having learned about the intention of Hegumen Gerontius, expressed their displeasure. Prince Yuri begged Abbot Peter to go to Constantinople, prevent the consecration of Gerontius and take the ordination himself. Saint Peter, obeying the will of the prince, set off for Constantinople and arrived there before Gerontius. Greek Patriarch Athanasius gladly received him and consecrated him to the rank of Metropolitan of All Russia.

Meanwhile, according to God's dispensation, the voyage of Hegumen Gerontius was unsuccessful. A violent storm arose, and headwinds, raising high waves, delayed the movement of the ship. On a stormy night, the Most Holy Theotokos appeared to Abbot Gerontius in the form as She is depicted in the icon of St. Peter, and sternly said to him: “You are in vain to labor, undertaking such a long journey. Know that you will not be entrusted with the priesthood that you wanted to enthrall. But the one who painted My image, Peter, the Abbot of the Rat, the servant of My Son and God, will be elevated to the supreme throne of the Russian metropolis, and will adorn it and save his people, for whom My Son and Lord Jesus shed His Blood; and having lived so piously, in good old age he will gladly go to the Lord of all. "

Terrified, awakening from sleep, Abbot Gerontiy told those who were with him on the ship about his vision and added that their work was in vain, for they would not get what they wanted.

The ship on which hegumen Gerontiy sailed, only with great difficulty reached the Constantinople pier. Appearing to Patriarch Athanasius, Gerontius, against his will, was forced to tell about his dream vision. The Patriarch took from him the holy vestments and the staff, as well as the icon of the Mother of God painted by Metropolitan Peter, and, passing all this to the lawful saint, said: “Take the holy image of the Mother of God, which you painted with your own hands, for for this sake the Lady herself gave you the gift, predicting about you".

In 1325, the Russian Metropolitanate moved from the city of Vladimir to Moscow. At this time, Metropolitan Peter transferred the icon of the Mother of God, painted by him, and placed it in the Moscow Dormition Cathedral, where before the revolution it constantly stayed above the altar. Only during large processions of the cross was the holy image carried along with another great Moscow shrine - the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God.

The Peter's icon has always been the subject of especially reverent veneration among the Russian people, and since antiquity has been revered as miraculous. Grand Duke Ivan Vasilyevich III prayed in front of her. At the end of the 16th century, Patriarch Job took with him the Vladimir, Don and Petrovsky icons to exhort Boris Godunov to accept the kingdom. Finally, with the Peter's icon of the Mother of God after the interregnum, in 1613, Archimandrite Theodorite of Ryazan went to Kostroma to visit Mikhail Feodorovich Romanov to call him to the kingdom.

At the turn of the 19th - 20th centuries, the Petrovskaya Icon of the Mother of God disappears from the cathedral. It contains a small pyadnitsa icon of unknown origin, which dates back to the 14th - early 15th centuries. There is an assumption that she is in fact the ancient revered image of the Mother of God of Peter. Confirmation of this opinion is the exact list made from the icon by Nazariy Savin in 1614, which not only repeats it to the smallest detail, but also contains the inscription "Petrovskaya".

The celebration of the miraculous image of the Peter the Great Mother of God takes place on August 24 / September 6, on the same day with the commemoration of the transfer of the venerable relics of St. Peter, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia, to the newly created Church of the Assumption (1479).

The icon of the Mother of God "Petrovskaya" belongs to one of the most beloved by the Russian people types of the Theotokos icons, called "Tenderness". A close iconographic analogy to the image is the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God. It is a known fact that Metropolitan Peter was the author of another famous icon - the Vladimir Mother of God, which was located in the Assumption Cathedral in the city of Vladimir.

In contrast to the glorified image, the figures of the Mother of God and the Infant Christ on the Peter's icon are presented bosom, and the image itself is given in mirror reflection.

There are characteristic features in the gestures of the hands of the Mother of God and the Savior. Rare in the Theotokos iconography is the image of the Mother's embrace of the Son. In the Peter's icon, the Mother of God embraces the Infant, wrapping her left hand around His shoulders, and with her right hand pointing to Him as the "True Path and Life." At the same time, the right hand of the Mother of God is written on the chest of the Savior, which also conveys another meaning of this gesture - the motherly caress of the Infant. On the red-background image of Our Lady of the 14th century, the Novgorod school, the gesture of the right hand of the Mother of God is even more characteristic - She wraps it around the neck of the Son.

The Savior's hands, in turn, respond to a mother's affection. The Infant Himself, as in the Vladimir Icon, presses His face against the face of the Mother of God. His left hand holds a scroll, and his right hand is folded in a gesture of priestly nominative blessing, which is quite rare for ancient images. The right blessing hand of the Christ Child rests on the breast of the Mother. On the venerated image of the 16th century. from the town of Kirillov, surprising in the warmth of the expression of the faces of the Mother of God and the Infant and the transmission of their mutual love, the Savior, like a child, presses a blessing hand to the very face of the Mother of God.

From the Petrovskaya Icon of the Mother of God in the city of Kaluga contains a list famous for miracles.

Honored list of the XVI century. is currently in Kirillo-Belozersky Museum-Reserve in the city of Kirillov.

O All-merciful Lady Theotokos, Heavenly Queen, Omnipotent Intercessor, our shameful Hope! Thanks to Thee for all the great good deeds, in the generations of the Russian people from Thee, before Thy most pure image we pray to Thee: save this city (all this, this holy abode) and the forthcoming Thy servants and all the Russian land from gladness, destruction, earth of shaking, flood, fire, sword, invasion of aliens and civil strife. Save and save, Lady, our Great Lord and Father Kirill, His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, and our Lord (name of rivers), Most Reverend Bishop (archbishop, metropolitan) (title), and all the Most Reverend Metropolitans and Archbishops. Grant them the goodness of the Russian Church to govern, the faithful sheep of Christ are infallible to keep. Remember, Lady, and the entire priestly and monastic rite, warm their hearts with zeal for Boz and walk worthy of your title and strengthen someone. Save, Lady, and have mercy on all Your servants and grant us the path of the earthly race without blemish. Confirm us in the faith of Christ and in zeal for the Orthodox Church, put into our hearts the spirit of the fear of God, the spirit of piety, the spirit of humility, give us patience in adversity, temperance in prosperity, love for our neighbors, forgiveness for the enemy, prosperity in good deeds. Deliver us from all temptation and from petrified insensibility, on the terrible day of Judgment, grant us with Thy intercession to become the right hand of Thy Son, Christ our God. All glory, honor and worship with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever and ever, befits Him. Amen.

The Petrovskaya Icon of the Mother of God: Ancient History

The icon, which will be discussed further, is very famous, its authorship is attributed to the Metropolitan of Kiev and All Russia Peter, who lived in the XIII century. This was the first metropolitan, whose permanent place of residence from 1325 became Moscow. The Peter's icon of the Mother of God - this is how it is called and revered as miraculous. The celebration in honor of her takes place on September 6 according to the new calendar, on this day the Church remembers the transfer of the incorruptible relics of St. Peter to the newly rebuilt Church of the Assumption (1479).

Saint Peter Rathensky (or Ratsky)

He was born in Volhynia into the pious family of Theodore. His mother, Eupraxia, had a vision of the Lord even before the birth of her son, in which it was revealed that her boy would serve for the Glory of God.

At the age of 12, young Peter entered the Volyn Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery, where he devoted almost all of his time to the study of Holy Scripture and icon painting. He distributed his icons to the monastic brethren and Christians who visited their monastery. One of these is the Peter's Icon of the Mother of God, dated 1327, according to the life of the saint. This icon and the icon of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, Saint Peter, accepting the blessing of the bishop, presented as a gift to the Metropolitan of All Russia Maxim, who visited their holy monastery. He sent the Peter's icon to Vladimir, where the chair of the Kiev metropolitans was then located, and in front of the icon of the Dormition he prayed all his life.

Miraculous image. Peter's icon of the Mother of God: photo

In 1305, after Metropolitan Maxim departed to the Lord, the Vladimir See was free for three years of troubled times, then a dispute over the place of the chief hierarch began. Galician prince Yuri sent Peter to Constantinople, and Mikhail Yaroslavovich of Tverskoy and Vladimirsky - his ascetic - hegumen Gerontius. Setting off on the road to Constantinople, Gerontiy took with him the Peter's icon and the bishop's baton. When he sailed on the sea, he had a vision. The Mother of God herself told him that he was working in vain, for he would not get the rank of hierarch, he would belong to the one who painted Her image - the servant of Her Son - the Ratsky abbot Peter, who will occupy the throne of the Russian Metropolitanate, he will godly live to old age and with joy will go to the Lord of all.

In Constantinople, Gerontius involuntarily told about his vision to the Patriarch of Constantinople Athanasius, and he, taking the rod and the icon from him, gave them to Peter and blessed him to become the Metropolitan of All Russia. So the Peter's icon of the Mother of God returned to its creator and left for Vladimir. And when in 1325 the Russian Metropolitanate was transferred from Vladimir to Moscow, Metropolitan Peter also transferred his icon there and placed it in the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin.

In general, many interesting historical events are associated with this icon. For example, Patriarch Job, when he went to Boris Godunov to accept the kingdom, took with him three icons - Petrovskaya, Vladimirskaya and Donskaya.

And in 1613, the highly esteemed delegation with the Ryazan Archimandrite Theodoret took with them the Petrov's icon, which went to Kostroma to call on Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov to reign and put an end to the turmoil.

In the church chronicles of the 15th century, the Peter's icon was mentioned in stories about the salvation of Moscow from the conquerors and was called "life-giving" and, most likely, stood at the tomb of St. Peter. She was especially revered by the Moscow chief priests, she was brought to worship at their tombs or at religious processions.

Kremlin Assumption Cathedral

Today, the Peter's icon of the Mother of God is in the Assumption Cathedral, the bulk of icon painting specialists claim that this is the same icon that St. Peter wrote, although there are claims that its original disappeared even before the revolution.

In the period of the XIX - XX centuries, this ancient icon really disappeared from the cathedral, but the icon-spyadnitsa remained, the size of which was 30.5 by 24.5 cm. Its origin was unknown, but it dates from the late 14th - early 15th centuries and was located in the wall iconostasis in the Assumption Cathedral. Most likely, she is that revered ancient image, as evidenced by her exact list, made in 1614 by Nazariy Savin. In any case, he accurately repeats it and is inscribed as "Petrovskaya".

The Peter's icon of the Mother of God: what they pray for

The Peter's icon has become one of the most revered shrines in Russia and a symbol of the beginning of the formation of Moscow. Thanks to her, many wonderful events and healings for Orthodox Christians were received. She has become a powerful symbol of the protection of Russia from various harm.

Before this image, people pray for happiness in marriage, for children in case of childlessness and for help in difficult childbirth and various diseases. In such cases, the Akathist is usually read to the Petrovsky Icon of the Mother of God.

This icon belongs to the most beloved type of the Mother of God for the Russian people, and the closest iconographic analogy of this image is the Vladimir icon.

Iconography

In the Peter's icon, the Mother of God and the Child are depicted bust. Its characteristic features are that the Mother of God hugs the baby with her left hand, and with her right hand points to Him, which contains the whole True Path and Life. The right hand of the Mother of God also has another meaning - the motherly caress of her Son. The hands of Christ the Savior respond to motherly love and affection. He clings to the Mother, holds a scroll in his left hand, and the right hand that blesses Him rests on the breast of the Mother of God. This conveys the warmth of the expression of the mutual love of the Mother of God and the Child.

Prayer to the Peter's icon of the Mother of God begins with the words: "Oh, All-Merciful Lady Theotokos, Heavenly Queen, our shameful Hope ...".

Peter's icon of the Mother of God

Each image of the Mother of God is an object of special reverent reverence among the Orthodox people. The Peter's icon of the Mother of God is no exception. Since ancient times, she was revered as miraculous, and even powerful rulers resorted to her help.

The Peter's icon of the Mother of God became famous due to its author - Metropolitan of Kiev and All Russia Peter. He lived in the 13th century. The holy image of the Mother of God is miraculous and is revered by all Orthodox people. At the image of the Blessed Virgin, prayers are offered for intercession and change of life for the better.

The history of the icon

The shrine was named after the name of its creator - Peter. Metropolitan Peter was still an abbot when he painted this icon. He presented the shrine to Metropolitan Maxim, who took it to Vladimir, painted it with gold and adorned it with precious stones. Metropolitan Maxim kept the icon in his chambers and daily prayed before it.

The Petrovskaya Icon of the Mother of God performed many miracles. It was kept with them during the campaigns of the kings. For example, Patriarch Job took the shrine when he blessed Boris Godunov for the reign. The icon was present at processions of the cross and stood at the tomb of St. Peter of Russia. In the annals, the icon is described as "regenerating". She saved Moscow many times from enemy attacks. Soon the whole world learned about the miraculous properties of the Peter's Icon of the Mother of God. Christians from all over the world began to pray in front of the shrine, and for the Orthodox people, the shrine has become one of the most revered and widespread icons of the Mother of God.

Where is the miraculous image

The Peter's icon of the Mother of God can be found in many churches in Russia. The most revered and famous for their miracles are kept in Kaluga and the monastery in the city of Kirillov in the Kirillovsky monastery.

Description of the icon

The style of icon painting belongs to one of the favorite types of writing of the Theotokos icons, the name of which is "Tenderness". Another well-known icon, the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God, is also attributed to the authorship of Metropolitan Peter, which is confirmed by a noticeable similarity in writing.

The Mother of God appears majestically before the eyes of those praying. She is depicted up to the waist. The Holy Child is written on Her hands. The Virgin Mary with the Infant God is painted in a mirror image, which makes the shrine unique and distinguishes it from the Vladimir one. On the Peter's icon, the Mother of God embraces the Savior with her left hand, and with her other hand points to him, showing that He is the true Savior.

How does the Petrovsky image help?

The Petrovskaya icon of the Mother of God is a symbol of rebirth. She healed and helped many Orthodox people. The image of the Mother of God has repeatedly saved the cities of Russia from enemies. Before the shrine, Christians ask the Mother of God for a happy family life without quarrels and troubles. Women, whose grief is infertility, pray in front of the icon for the imminent birth of children. The miraculous image heals many diseases and helps women cope with difficult childbirth.

Celebration date

Prayer before the miraculous icon

“Oh, Great Virgin, Queen of Heaven, Keeper of all Christians! We pray to You and remember all Your pious deeds on sinful earth! Hear us, Virgin Mary! Become the intercessor of our land, our home, our country! Save us from enemy attacks, flood, fire, war and hunger! Heal from sickness and forgive us our sins! On our knees before You, Holy Virgin! Be the intercessor of our children, do not let them be offended. Strengthen our spirit and our faith! Deliver us from the temptations of the world. Be with us in moments of grief and fear. We glorify and praise You, the Most Pure Virgin! In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Till the end of time. Amen".

In every house there should be a place for the Peter's Icon of the Mother of God. After all, this shrine is a true and powerful intercessor of family happiness, well-being and prosperity. Do not hesitate to turn to the help of the Mother of God in difficult times. She will hear everyone and help. The main thing is that your requests are sincere and do not run counter to the commandments of the Lord. We wish you strong faith and spiritual harmony. take care of yourself and don't forget to press the buttons and

New article: prayer to the Peter theotokos on the site site - in all details and details from many sources that we managed to find.

icon of the Mother of God "PETROVSKAYA"

This image of the Mother of God was painted by the holy Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia Peter, when he was still hegumen of the Rat Monastery. Once the monastery was visited by the head of the Russian Church, Metropolitan Maxim of Vladimir. Accepting the bishop's blessing, Abbot Peter presented him with two icons, painted with his own hand: "The Dormition of the Most Holy MOTHER" and the icon, which later received the name of Petrovskaya.

When Metropolitan Maxim died, the Vladimir See for some time remained unoccupied. The Grand Duke of Vladimir decided to send his associate and like-minded hegumen Gerontius to the Patriarch of Constantinople with a request to appoint him to the Russian Metropolitanate. He, taking with him the bishop's baton and the Peter's icon of the Mother of God, went to Constantinople. However, the candidacy of Gerontius displeased many Russian people. Among the dissatisfied was also the Galician prince Yuri, who sent hegumen Peter to Constantinople. By Divine Providence, Father Superior Peter arrived in Constantinople before Gerontius and was consecrated by the Patriarch of Constantinople to the Metropolitan of All Russia.

And at this time, the Mother of God appeared to Gerontius sailing on the sea at night during a storm and said: “You labor in vain, you will not get the rank of saint. The one who wrote Me, the Ratsky abbot Peter, will be enthroned to the throne of the Russian Metropolitanate. " Upon arrival in Constantinople, Gerontius, against his will, told the patriarch about the night vision. The patriarch took the bishop's staff and the Peter's icon from the failed applicant for the Russian ecclesiastical throne and handed everything over to the legitimate Russian metropolitan. So the Peter's icon returned to the one who once painted it.

In 1325, when the Russian Metropolitanate was transferred from Vladimir to Moscow, Metropolitan Peter also transferred the Peter's Icon of the Virgin to Moscow. Many important historical events are associated with this icon. So Patriarch Job took her along with the Vladimir and Don icons when he went to Boris Godunov to persuade him to accept the kingdom. And in 1613, the Peter's icon of the Most Holy Theotokos was taken with a delegation that went to Kostroma to call the boyar Mikhail Romanov to the kingdom.

Many experts believe that the Kremlin that is now in the Assumption Cathedral is the very image that was painted by St. Peter. Although there are suggestions that the original disappeared before the revolution.

Also read on our website:

Icons of the Mother of God- Information about the types of icon painting, descriptions of most of the icons of the Mother of God.

Lives of the Saints- Section dedicated to the Lives of Orthodox Saints.

Beginner Christian- Information for those who have recently come to the Orthodox Church. Spiritual instructions, basic information about the temple, etc.

Literature- Collection of some Orthodox literature.

Orthodoxy and occultism- The view of Orthodoxy on fortune-telling, extrasensory perception, evil eye, corruption, yoga and similar “spiritual” practices.

The Petrovskaya Icon of the Mother of God: Ancient History

The icon, which will be discussed further, is very famous, its authorship is attributed to the Metropolitan of Kiev and All Russia Peter, who lived in the XIII century. This was the first metropolitan, whose permanent place of residence from 1325 became Moscow. The Peter's icon of the Mother of God - this is how it is called and revered as miraculous. The celebration in honor of her takes place on September 6 according to the new calendar, on this day the Church remembers the transfer of the incorruptible relics of St. Peter to the newly rebuilt Church of the Assumption (1479).

Saint Peter Rathensky (or Ratsky)

He was born in Volhynia into the pious family of Theodore. His mother, Eupraxia, had a vision of the Lord even before the birth of her son, in which it was revealed that her boy would serve for the Glory of God.

At the age of 12, young Peter entered the Volyn Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery, where he devoted almost all of his time to the study of Holy Scripture and icon painting. He distributed his icons to the monastic brethren and Christians who visited their monastery. One of these is the Peter's Icon of the Mother of God, dated 1327, according to the life of the saint. This icon and the icon of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, Saint Peter, accepting the blessing of the bishop, presented as a gift to the Metropolitan of All Russia Maxim, who visited their holy monastery. He sent the Peter's icon to Vladimir, where the chair of the Kiev metropolitans was then located, and in front of the icon of the Dormition he prayed all his life.

Miraculous image. Peter's icon of the Mother of God: photo

In 1305, after Metropolitan Maxim departed to the Lord, the Vladimir See was free for three years of troubled times, then a dispute over the place of the chief hierarch began. Galician prince Yuri sent Peter to Constantinople, and Mikhail Yaroslavovich of Tverskoy and Vladimirsky - his ascetic - hegumen Gerontius. Setting off on the road to Constantinople, Gerontiy took with him the Peter's icon and the bishop's baton. When he sailed on the sea, he had a vision. The Mother of God herself told him that he was working in vain, for he would not get the rank of hierarch, he would belong to the one who painted Her image - the servant of Her Son - the Ratsky abbot Peter, who will occupy the throne of the Russian Metropolitanate, he will godly live to old age and with joy will go to the Lord of all.

In Constantinople, Gerontius involuntarily told about his vision to the Patriarch of Constantinople Athanasius, and he, taking the rod and the icon from him, gave them to Peter and blessed him to become the Metropolitan of All Russia. So the Peter's icon of the Mother of God returned to its creator and left for Vladimir. And when in 1325 the Russian Metropolitanate was transferred from Vladimir to Moscow, Metropolitan Peter also transferred his icon there and placed it in the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin.

In general, many interesting historical events are associated with this icon. For example, Patriarch Job, when he went to Boris Godunov to accept the kingdom, took with him three icons - Petrovskaya, Vladimirskaya and Donskaya.

And in 1613, the highly esteemed delegation with the Ryazan Archimandrite Theodoret took with them the Petrov's icon, which went to Kostroma to call on Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov to reign and put an end to the turmoil.

In the church chronicles of the 15th century, the Peter's icon was mentioned in stories about the salvation of Moscow from the conquerors and was called "life-giving" and, most likely, stood at the tomb of St. Peter. She was especially revered by the Moscow chief priests, she was brought to worship at their tombs or at religious processions.

Kremlin Assumption Cathedral

Today, the Peter's icon of the Mother of God is in the Assumption Cathedral, the bulk of icon painting specialists claim that this is the same icon that St. Peter wrote, although there are claims that its original disappeared even before the revolution.

In the period of the XIX - XX centuries, this ancient icon really disappeared from the cathedral, but the icon-spyadnitsa remained, the size of which was 30.5 by 24.5 cm. Its origin was unknown, but it dates from the late 14th - early 15th centuries and was located in the wall iconostasis in the Assumption Cathedral. Most likely, she is that revered ancient image, as evidenced by her exact list, made in 1614 by Nazariy Savin. In any case, he accurately repeats it and is inscribed as "Petrovskaya".

The Peter's icon of the Mother of God: what they pray for

The Peter's icon has become one of the most revered shrines in Russia and a symbol of the beginning of the formation of Moscow. Thanks to her, many wonderful events and healings for Orthodox Christians were received. She has become a powerful symbol of the protection of Russia from various harm.

Before this image, people pray for happiness in marriage, for children in case of childlessness and for help in difficult childbirth and various diseases. In such cases, the Akathist is usually read to the Petrovsky Icon of the Mother of God.

This icon belongs to the most beloved type of the Mother of God for the Russian people, and the closest iconographic analogy of this image is the Vladimir icon.

Iconography

In the Peter's icon, the Mother of God and the Child are depicted bust. Its characteristic features are that the Mother of God hugs the baby with her left hand, and with her right hand points to Him, which contains the whole True Path and Life. The right hand of the Mother of God also has another meaning - the motherly caress of her Son. The hands of Christ the Savior respond to motherly love and affection. He clings to the Mother, holds a scroll in his left hand, and the right hand that blesses Him rests on the breast of the Mother of God. This conveys the warmth of the expression of the mutual love of the Mother of God and the Child.

Prayer to the Peter's icon of the Mother of God begins with the words: "Oh, All-Merciful Lady Theotokos, Heavenly Queen, our shameful Hope ...".

Peter's Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos

Icon of the Mother of God Petrovskaya

The Peter's icon of the Most Holy Theotokos is so called because it was painted by Saint Peter, Metropolitan of Moscow (+ December 21, 1326) when he was still hegumen of the Rat Monastery in Volyn. During a visit to the Rat monastery by Saint Maximus, Metropolitan of Kiev and All Russia (+ December 6, 1306), Saint Peter presented him with this icon. The Metropolitan transferred it to Vladimir on the Klyazma, where his chair was then located. After the death of Saint Maximus, Abbot Gerontius, who decided to seize the metropolitan throne, went with this icon to the Patriarch of Constantinople Athanasius (1303-1311). During the voyage of Hegumen Gerontius, a terrible storm arose. At night, the Most Holy Theotokos appeared to him and said: "The ordination of the hierarch will not be entrusted to you, but to the one who painted My image." When he appeared before Patriarch Athanasius with the icon, Saint Peter was already in Constantinople. The patriarch handed the icon over to Saint Peter with the words: “Take the holy Mother of God image, which you painted with your own hands, for for this reason the Lady herself gave you a gift, having foretold about you.” Saint Peter transferred the icon to Vladimir, and in 1325, when the metropolitan see was transferred to Moscow, the icon was placed as a great shrine in the Moscow Dormition Cathedral.

Peter's icon of the Mother of God

Each image of the Mother of God is an object of special reverent reverence among the Orthodox people. The Peter's icon of the Mother of God is no exception. Since ancient times, she was revered as miraculous, and even powerful rulers resorted to her help.

The Peter's icon of the Mother of God became famous due to its author - Metropolitan of Kiev and All Russia Peter. He lived in the 13th century. The holy image of the Mother of God is miraculous and is revered by all Orthodox people. At the image of the Blessed Virgin, prayers are offered for intercession and change of life for the better.

The history of the icon

The shrine was named after the name of its creator - Peter. Metropolitan Peter was still an abbot when he painted this icon. He presented the shrine to Metropolitan Maxim, who took it to Vladimir, painted it with gold and adorned it with precious stones. Metropolitan Maxim kept the icon in his chambers and daily prayed before it.

The Petrovskaya Icon of the Mother of God performed many miracles. It was kept with them during the campaigns of the kings. For example, Patriarch Job took the shrine when he blessed Boris Godunov for the reign. The icon was present at processions of the cross and stood at the tomb of St. Peter of Russia. In the annals, the icon is described as "regenerating". She saved Moscow many times from enemy attacks. Soon the whole world learned about the miraculous properties of the Peter's Icon of the Mother of God. Christians from all over the world began to pray in front of the shrine, and for the Orthodox people, the shrine has become one of the most revered and widespread icons of the Mother of God.

Where is the miraculous image

The Peter's icon of the Mother of God can be found in many churches in Russia. The most revered and famous for their miracles are kept in Kaluga and the monastery in the city of Kirillov in the Kirillovsky monastery.

Description of the icon

The style of icon painting belongs to one of the favorite types of writing of the Theotokos icons, the name of which is "Tenderness". Another well-known icon, the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God, is also attributed to the authorship of Metropolitan Peter, which is confirmed by a noticeable similarity in writing.

The Mother of God appears majestically before the eyes of those praying. She is depicted up to the waist. The Holy Child is written on Her hands. The Virgin Mary with the Infant God is painted in a mirror image, which makes the shrine unique and distinguishes it from the Vladimir one. On the Peter's icon, the Mother of God embraces the Savior with her left hand, and with her other hand points to him, showing that He is the true Savior.

How does the Petrovsky image help?

The Petrovskaya icon of the Mother of God is a symbol of rebirth. She healed and helped many Orthodox people. The image of the Mother of God has repeatedly saved the cities of Russia from enemies. Before the shrine, Christians ask the Mother of God for a happy family life without quarrels and troubles. Women, whose grief is infertility, pray in front of the icon for the imminent birth of children. The miraculous image heals many diseases and helps women cope with difficult childbirth.

Celebration date

Prayer before the miraculous icon

“Oh, Great Virgin, Queen of Heaven, Keeper of all Christians! We pray to You and remember all Your pious deeds on sinful earth! Hear us, Virgin Mary! Become the intercessor of our land, our home, our country! Save us from enemy attacks, flood, fire, war and hunger! Heal from sickness and forgive us our sins! On our knees before You, Holy Virgin! Be the intercessor of our children, do not let them be offended. Strengthen our spirit and our faith! Deliver us from the temptations of the world. Be with us in moments of grief and fear. We glorify and praise You, the Most Pure Virgin! In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Till the end of time. Amen".

In every house there should be a place for the Peter's Icon of the Mother of God. After all, this shrine is a true and powerful intercessor of family happiness, well-being and prosperity. Do not hesitate to turn to the help of the Mother of God in difficult times. She will hear everyone and help. The main thing is that your requests are sincere and do not run counter to the commandments of the Lord. We wish you strong faith and spiritual harmony. take care of yourself and don't forget to press the buttons and

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Prayer to the Peter theotokos

Peter's icon of the Mother of God

The name of the icon of the Peter's Mother of God comes from the name of its creator - the saint-icon painter Metropolitan Peter of Moscow. The icon was painted by the saint at a time when he was abbot in Volyn. Saint Peter presented it as a gift to Metropolitan Maxim, and the latter brought it to Vladimir, adorned it with gold and precious stones, and reverently kept it in his cell until the end of his life, praying before him for the observance of the flock entrusted to him.

After the death of Metropolitan Maximus, a certain abbot Gerontius, who wished to be ordained Metropolitan, took away the holy utensils, the pastoral staff and the Peter's icon of the Mother of God and went to Constantinople to receive dignity. Many Russian people, among whom was Prince Yuri Galitsky, having learned about the intention of Hegumen Gerontius, expressed their displeasure. Prince Yuri begged Abbot Peter to go to Constantinople, prevent the consecration of Gerontius and take the ordination himself. Saint Peter, obeying the will of the prince, set off for Constantinople and arrived there before Gerontius. Greek Patriarch Athanasius gladly received him and consecrated him to the rank of Metropolitan of All Russia.

Meanwhile, according to God's dispensation, the voyage of Hegumen Gerontius was unsuccessful. A violent storm arose, and headwinds, raising high waves, delayed the movement of the ship. On a stormy night, the Most Holy Theotokos appeared to Abbot Gerontius in the form as She is depicted in the icon of St. Peter, and sternly said to him: “You are in vain to labor, undertaking such a long journey. Know that you will not be entrusted with the priesthood that you wanted to enthrall. But the one who painted My image, Peter, the Abbot of the Rat, the servant of My Son and God, will be elevated to the supreme throne of the Russian metropolis, and will adorn it and save his people, for whom My Son and Lord Jesus shed His Blood; and having lived so piously, in good old age he will gladly go to the Lord of all. "

Terrified, awakening from sleep, Abbot Gerontiy told those who were with him on the ship about his vision and added that their work was in vain, for they would not get what they wanted.

The ship on which hegumen Gerontiy sailed, only with great difficulty reached the Constantinople pier. Appearing to Patriarch Athanasius, Gerontius, against his will, was forced to tell about his dream vision. The Patriarch took from him the holy vestments and the staff, as well as the icon of the Mother of God painted by Metropolitan Peter, and, passing all this to the lawful saint, said: “Take the holy image of the Mother of God, which you painted with your own hands, for for this sake the Lady herself gave you the gift, predicting about you".

In 1325, the Russian Metropolitanate moved from the city of Vladimir to Moscow. At this time, Metropolitan Peter transferred the icon of the Mother of God, painted by him, and placed it in the Moscow Dormition Cathedral, where before the revolution it constantly stayed above the altar. Only during large processions of the cross was the holy image carried along with another great Moscow shrine - the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God.

The Peter's icon has always been the subject of especially reverent veneration among the Russian people, and since antiquity has been revered as miraculous. Grand Duke Ivan Vasilyevich III prayed in front of her. At the end of the 16th century, Patriarch Job took with him the Vladimir, Don and Petrovsky icons to exhort Boris Godunov to accept the kingdom. Finally, with the Peter's icon of the Mother of God after the interregnum, in 1613, Archimandrite Theodorite of Ryazan went to Kostroma to visit Mikhail Feodorovich Romanov to call him to the kingdom.

At the turn of the 19th - 20th centuries, the Petrovskaya Icon of the Mother of God disappears from the cathedral. It contains a small pyadnitsa icon of unknown origin, which dates back to the 14th - early 15th centuries. There is an assumption that she is in fact the ancient revered image of the Mother of God of Peter. Confirmation of this opinion is the exact list made from the icon by Nazariy Savin in 1614, which not only repeats it to the smallest detail, but also contains the inscription "Petrovskaya".

The celebration of the miraculous image of the Peter the Great Mother of God takes place on August 24 / September 6, on the same day with the commemoration of the transfer of the venerable relics of St. Peter, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia, to the newly created Church of the Assumption (1479).

The icon of the Mother of God "Petrovskaya" belongs to one of the most beloved by the Russian people types of the Theotokos icons, called "Tenderness". A close iconographic analogy to the image is the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God. It is a known fact that Metropolitan Peter was the author of another famous icon - the Vladimir Mother of God, which was located in the Assumption Cathedral in the city of Vladimir.

In contrast to the glorified image, the figures of the Mother of God and the Infant Christ on the Peter's icon are presented bosom, and the image itself is given in mirror reflection.

There are characteristic features in the gestures of the hands of the Mother of God and the Savior. Rare in the Theotokos iconography is the image of the Mother's embrace of the Son. In the Peter's icon, the Mother of God embraces the Infant, wrapping her left hand around His shoulders, and with her right hand pointing to Him as the "True Path and Life." At the same time, the right hand of the Mother of God is written on the chest of the Savior, which also conveys another meaning of this gesture - the motherly caress of the Infant. On the red-background image of Our Lady of the 14th century, the Novgorod school, the gesture of the right hand of the Mother of God is even more characteristic - She wraps it around the neck of the Son.

The Savior's hands, in turn, respond to a mother's affection. The Infant Himself, as in the Vladimir Icon, presses His face against the face of the Mother of God. His left hand holds a scroll, and his right hand is folded in a gesture of priestly nominative blessing, which is quite rare for ancient images. The right blessing hand of the Christ Child rests on the breast of the Mother. On the venerated image of the 16th century. from the town of Kirillov, surprising in the warmth of the expression of the faces of the Mother of God and the Infant and the transmission of their mutual love, the Savior, like a child, presses a blessing hand to the very face of the Mother of God.

From the Petrovskaya Icon of the Mother of God in the city of Kaluga contains a list famous for miracles.

Honored list of the XVI century. is currently in Kirillo-Belozersky Museum-Reserve in the city of Kirillov.

O All-merciful Lady Theotokos, Heavenly Queen, Omnipotent Intercessor, our shameful Hope! Thanks to Thee for all the great good deeds, in the generations of the Russian people from Thee, before Thy most pure image we pray to Thee: save this city (all this, this holy abode) and the forthcoming Thy servants and all the Russian land from gladness, destruction, earth of shaking, flood, fire, sword, invasion of aliens and civil strife. Save and save, Lady, our Great Lord and Father Kirill, His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, and our Lord (name of rivers), Most Reverend Bishop (archbishop, metropolitan) (title), and all the Most Reverend Metropolitans and Archbishops. Grant them the goodness of the Russian Church to govern, the faithful sheep of Christ are infallible to keep. Remember, Lady, and the entire priestly and monastic rite, warm their hearts with zeal for Boz and walk worthy of your title and strengthen someone. Save, Lady, and have mercy on all Your servants and grant us the path of the earthly race without blemish. Confirm us in the faith of Christ and in zeal for the Orthodox Church, put into our hearts the spirit of the fear of God, the spirit of piety, the spirit of humility, give us patience in adversity, temperance in prosperity, love for our neighbors, forgiveness for the enemy, prosperity in good deeds. Deliver us from all temptation and from petrified insensibility, on the terrible day of Judgment, grant us with Thy intercession to become the right hand of Thy Son, Christ our God. All glory, honor and worship with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever and ever, befits Him. Amen.

Religious reading: the icon of the mother of God the Peter's prayer to help our readers.

icon of the Mother of God "PETROVSKAYA"

This image of the Mother of God was painted by the holy Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia Peter, when he was still hegumen of the Rat Monastery. Once the monastery was visited by the head of the Russian Church, Metropolitan Maxim of Vladimir. Accepting the bishop's blessing, Abbot Peter presented him with two icons, painted with his own hand: "The Dormition of the Most Holy MOTHER" and the icon, which later received the name of Petrovskaya.

When Metropolitan Maxim died, the Vladimir See for some time remained unoccupied. The Grand Duke of Vladimir decided to send his associate and like-minded hegumen Gerontius to the Patriarch of Constantinople with a request to appoint him to the Russian Metropolitanate. He, taking with him the bishop's baton and the Peter's icon of the Mother of God, went to Constantinople. However, the candidacy of Gerontius displeased many Russian people. Among the dissatisfied was also the Galician prince Yuri, who sent hegumen Peter to Constantinople. By Divine Providence, Father Superior Peter arrived in Constantinople before Gerontius and was consecrated by the Patriarch of Constantinople to the Metropolitan of All Russia.

And at this time, the Mother of God appeared to Gerontius sailing on the sea at night during a storm and said: “You labor in vain, you will not get the rank of saint. The one who wrote Me, the Ratsky abbot Peter, will be enthroned to the throne of the Russian Metropolitanate. " Upon arrival in Constantinople, Gerontius, against his will, told the patriarch about the night vision. The patriarch took the bishop's staff and the Peter's icon from the failed applicant for the Russian ecclesiastical throne and handed everything over to the legitimate Russian metropolitan. So the Peter's icon returned to the one who once painted it.

In 1325, when the Russian Metropolitanate was transferred from Vladimir to Moscow, Metropolitan Peter also transferred the Peter's Icon of the Virgin to Moscow. Many important historical events are associated with this icon. So Patriarch Job took her along with the Vladimir and Don icons when he went to Boris Godunov to persuade him to accept the kingdom. And in 1613, the Peter's icon of the Most Holy Theotokos was taken with a delegation that went to Kostroma to call the boyar Mikhail Romanov to the kingdom.

Many experts believe that the Kremlin, which is now in the Assumption Cathedral Peter's Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos and there is the very image that was painted by St. Peter. Although there are suggestions that the original disappeared before the revolution.

Also read on our website:

Icons of the Mother of God- Information about the types of icon painting, descriptions of most of the icons of the Mother of God.

Lives of the Saints- Section dedicated to the Lives of Orthodox Saints.

Beginner Christian- Information for those who have recently come to the Orthodox Church. Spiritual instructions, basic information about the temple, etc.

Literature- Collection of some Orthodox literature.

Orthodoxy and occultism- The view of Orthodoxy on fortune-telling, extrasensory perception, evil eye, corruption, yoga and similar “spiritual” practices.

The Petrovskaya Icon of the Mother of God: Ancient History

The icon, which will be discussed further, is very famous, its authorship is attributed to the Metropolitan of Kiev and All Russia Peter, who lived in the XIII century. This was the first metropolitan, whose permanent place of residence from 1325 became Moscow. The Peter's icon of the Mother of God - this is how it is called and revered as miraculous. The celebration in honor of her takes place on September 6 according to the new calendar, on this day the Church remembers the transfer of the incorruptible relics of St. Peter to the newly rebuilt Church of the Assumption (1479).

Saint Peter Rathensky (or Ratsky)

He was born in Volhynia into the pious family of Theodore. His mother, Eupraxia, had a vision of the Lord even before the birth of her son, in which it was revealed that her boy would serve for the Glory of God.

At the age of 12, young Peter entered the Volyn Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery, where he devoted almost all of his time to the study of Holy Scripture and icon painting. He distributed his icons to the monastic brethren and Christians who visited their monastery. One of these is the Peter's Icon of the Mother of God, dated 1327, according to the life of the saint. This icon and the icon of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, Saint Peter, accepting the blessing of the bishop, presented as a gift to the Metropolitan of All Russia Maxim, who visited their holy monastery. He sent the Peter's icon to Vladimir, where the chair of the Kiev metropolitans was then located, and in front of the icon of the Dormition he prayed all his life.

Miraculous image. Peter's icon of the Mother of God: photo

In 1305, after Metropolitan Maxim departed to the Lord, the Vladimir See was free for three years of troubled times, then a dispute over the place of the chief hierarch began. Galician prince Yuri sent Peter to Constantinople, and Mikhail Yaroslavovich of Tverskoy and Vladimirsky - his ascetic - hegumen Gerontius. Setting off on the road to Constantinople, Gerontiy took with him the Peter's icon and the bishop's baton. When he sailed on the sea, he had a vision. The Mother of God herself told him that he was working in vain, for he would not get the rank of hierarch, he would belong to the one who painted Her image - the servant of Her Son - the Ratsky abbot Peter, who will occupy the throne of the Russian Metropolitanate, he will godly live to old age and with joy will go to the Lord of all.

In Constantinople, Gerontius involuntarily told about his vision to the Patriarch of Constantinople Athanasius, and he, taking the rod and the icon from him, gave them to Peter and blessed him to become the Metropolitan of All Russia. So the Peter's icon of the Mother of God returned to its creator and left for Vladimir. And when in 1325 the Russian Metropolitanate was transferred from Vladimir to Moscow, Metropolitan Peter also transferred his icon there and placed it in the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin.

In general, many interesting historical events are associated with this icon. For example, Patriarch Job, when he went to Boris Godunov to accept the kingdom, took with him three icons - Petrovskaya, Vladimirskaya and Donskaya.

And in 1613, the highly esteemed delegation with the Ryazan Archimandrite Theodoret took with them the Petrov's icon, which went to Kostroma to call on Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov to reign and put an end to the turmoil.

In the church chronicles of the 15th century, the Peter's icon was mentioned in stories about the salvation of Moscow from the conquerors and was called "life-giving" and, most likely, stood at the tomb of St. Peter. She was especially revered by the Moscow chief priests, she was brought to worship at their tombs or at religious processions.

Kremlin Assumption Cathedral

Today, the Peter's icon of the Mother of God is in the Assumption Cathedral, the bulk of icon painting specialists claim that this is the same icon that St. Peter wrote, although there are claims that its original disappeared even before the revolution.

In the period of the XIX - XX centuries, this ancient icon really disappeared from the cathedral, but the icon-spyadnitsa remained, the size of which was 30.5 by 24.5 cm. Its origin was unknown, but it dates from the late 14th - early 15th centuries and was located in the wall iconostasis in the Assumption Cathedral. Most likely, she is that revered ancient image, as evidenced by her exact list, made in 1614 by Nazariy Savin. In any case, he accurately repeats it and is inscribed as "Petrovskaya".

The Peter's icon of the Mother of God: what they pray for

The Peter's icon has become one of the most revered shrines in Russia and a symbol of the beginning of the formation of Moscow. Thanks to her, many wonderful events and healings for Orthodox Christians were received. She has become a powerful symbol of the protection of Russia from various harm.

Before this image, people pray for happiness in marriage, for children in case of childlessness and for help in difficult childbirth and various diseases. In such cases, the Akathist is usually read to the Petrovsky Icon of the Mother of God.

This icon belongs to the most beloved type of the Mother of God for the Russian people, and the closest iconographic analogy of this image is the Vladimir icon.

Iconography

In the Peter's icon, the Mother of God and the Child are depicted bust. Its characteristic features are that the Mother of God hugs the baby with her left hand, and with her right hand points to Him, which contains the whole True Path and Life. The right hand of the Mother of God also has another meaning - the motherly caress of her Son. The hands of Christ the Savior respond to motherly love and affection. He clings to the Mother, holds a scroll in his left hand, and the right hand that blesses Him rests on the breast of the Mother of God. This conveys the warmth of the expression of the mutual love of the Mother of God and the Child.

Prayer to the Peter's icon of the Mother of God begins with the words: "Oh, All-Merciful Lady Theotokos, Heavenly Queen, our shameful Hope ...".

Peter's icon of the Mother of God

Cost and terms

Wooden board 19 × 15 cm, gesso, tempera, gilding of halos.

The celebration of the Peter's Icon of the Mother of God takes place in August August 24 (September 6 NS) - the day of the transfer of the relics of St. Peter, Metropolitan of Moscow, Wonderworker of All Russia (1479).

About the Peter's icon of the Virgin

The Peter's icon of the Mother of God is the only miraculous icon of the Mother of God, which was named not by the place of its discovery or appearance, but by the name of the author.

Grand Duke John Vasilyevich III prayed before the icon of the Mother of God of Petrovskaya; Patriarch Job took it with him along with the Vladimir and Don icons when he wanted to convince Boris Godunov to accept the kingdom; with the Peter's icon of the Mother of God in 1613, the Ryazan Archimandrite Theodorite went to Kostroma to visit Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov to call him to the kingdom.

The Peter's icon of the Mother of God is considered the first Moscow miraculous icon. The history of the veneration of shrines in Moscow Russia of the XIV-XV centuries has been little studied and is poor in material. Nevertheless, the written sources of that time contain some information about the revered icons. On the basis of the copies-lists of icons that have survived to this day, one can form an idea of ​​which icons were especially revered shrines in Moscow Russia of the XIV-XV centuries.

Probably the very first miraculous icon of Moscow was the Mother of God of the letter of Metropolitan Peter, after the death of the saint in 1326, apparently placed in the Assumption Cathedral. In the life of Metropolitan Peter 1, the early edition of which dates back to 1327, it is said that Peter, being hegumen of the Transfiguration Monastery in Volyn and a skilled icon painter, painted an icon of the Mother of God and presented it to Metropolitan Maxim, who brought it to Vladimir, where the chair of the Kiev metropolitans was located. ...

After the death of Maxim in 1305, a dispute began over the place of the chief hierarch of the Kiev world-state: the Galician prince Yuri Lvovich sent Peter to Constantinople, and Mikhail Yaroslavich of Tverskoy sent hegumen Gerontius. The day before, Prince Yuri begged Abbot Peter to go to Constantinople, to prevent the consecration of Gerontius and to take the priesthood himself. Saint Peter, obeying the will of the prince, set off for Constantinople and arrived there before Gerontius. Greek Patriarch Athanasius gladly received him and consecrated him to the rank of Metropolitan of All Russia.

Hegumen Gerontius was on the way at that time, he took with him on the road the image of the Mother of God, which was with Metropolitan Maxim. During the voyage of Gerontius a terrible storm arose in Constantinople. In a dream, he had a vision of the icon of the Mother of God, from which there was a voice: In vain are you, elder, laboring, for you will not get the hierarchical rank you are looking for. But the one who wrote me - the Ratsk hegumen Peter - the servant of My Son and God and My, will be enthroned on the hierarchical throne and will rightly save His people, for whom My Son - Christ the Lord - shed His blood, received from Me, and having lived God pleasingly, in good old age he will gladly go to the Lord of all. "

Thus, the icon helped Peter to become a metropolitan and returned to him as a glorified miraculous image. In written sources of the 15th century, there is no direct evidence of the whereabouts of the icon of the letter of Metropolitan Peter. Apparently, it was placed at his tomb and was called "life-giving", since in the chronicle stories about the salvation of Moscow from enemy invasions by the intercession of the Mother of God and Archbishop Peter, this image is invariably mentioned together with the Moscow saint. The icon, revered in the XIV-XV centuries as the miraculous Petrovskaya, disappeared from the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries.

One can get an idea of ​​its iconography by the image of the miraculous Mother of God image in the hagiographic icon of Metropolitan Peter of the late 15th - early 16th centuries from the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin, as well as from copy-copies of the 16th-17th centuries. Currently, in the Assumption Cathedral there is a small icon-spider (from the word span - “the stretch between the large and index fingers stretched along the plane”, we read in the Explanatory Dictionary of the Russian Language by V. I. Dal, about 15 cm), it is of unknown origin , but its iconography completely coincides with the miraculous Petrovskaya. Perhaps this is either the revered icon itself, or an early list of it. An indirect evidence confirming the identification of the icon from the Assumption Cathedral with the miraculous Petrovskaya one is the icon-copy, executed by Nazariy Savin in 1614. It repeats not only the iconography of the Kremlin icon (very accurately, down to small details), but also the types of faces with their peculiar features. This is the only one of the lists that has the name "Petrovskaya" (inscription on the background on the left).

In the XIV-XV centuries, the icon of the letter of Metropolitan Peter was predominantly a Moscow shrine; her veneration was directly connected with the glorification of Metropolitan Peter, marked the patronage of the young Moscow principality of two of the greatest heavenly intercessors - the Mother of God and the first Moscow holy miracle worker. Created by the hands of Abbot Peter and assisting him in obtaining the dignity of metropolitan, this icon was especially revered by the Moscow saints: during their lifetime it accompanied them in processions of the cross, and upon death it was brought to their holy graves for worship. In the minds of the people of the XVI-XVII centuries, she was not only a living embodiment of the image of the Most Pure, revealed to the inner gaze of the monk-icon painter, but also bore a reflection of the glory of its creator - the Moscow miracle worker Metropolitan Peter, just as the legendary prehistory of the miraculous Vladimir icon was consecrated in the name of the evangelist Luke, a witness to the authenticity of the face of the Mother of God, and her fate in Russian history has been associated with the great names of sovereign rulers and spiritual rulers.

Based on materials from the source: Shchennikova L.A. "The icons of the Mother of God, venerated in Moscow Russia of the XIV-XV centuries."

Iconography of the Petrovskaya Icon of the Mother of God

The icon of the Mother of God "Petrovskaya" belongs to one of the most beloved by the Russian people types of the Theotokos icons, called "Tenderness". A close iconographic analogy to the image is the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God.

The Mother of God is depicted bust, like the Infant. Her head is slightly tilted towards Jesus Christ, Who in some icons holds a scroll in his left hand, the fingers of His right hand are bent, but not in a finger-pattern. It is usually depicted that the Mother of God with her right hand touches the neck or breast of the Infant, indicating Him as the "True Path and Life"; another meaning of this gesture is also conveyed - motherly caressing the Infant. The very first image of the letter of Saint Metropolitan Peter was a small pyadnichnaya icon with a bust-length image of the Mother of God and the Child. “At the turn of the 20th century, the traces of this miraculous icon are suddenly and strangely lost, and now we can only pray to its lists,” V. Bychkov writes in his book “The Meaning of Art in Byzantine Aesthetics”.

Icon of the mother of god petrine prayer

Peter's icon of the Mother of God

The name of the icon of the Peter's Mother of God comes from the name of its creator - the saint-icon painter Metropolitan Peter of Moscow. The icon was painted by the saint at a time when he was abbot in Volyn. Saint Peter presented it as a gift to Metropolitan Maxim, and the latter brought it to Vladimir, adorned it with gold and precious stones, and reverently kept it in his cell until the end of his life, praying before him for the observance of the flock entrusted to him.

After the death of Metropolitan Maximus, a certain abbot Gerontius, who wished to be ordained Metropolitan, took away the holy utensils, the pastoral staff and the Peter's icon of the Mother of God and went to Constantinople to receive dignity. Many Russian people, among whom was Prince Yuri Galitsky, having learned about the intention of Hegumen Gerontius, expressed their displeasure. Prince Yuri begged Abbot Peter to go to Constantinople, prevent the consecration of Gerontius and take the ordination himself. Saint Peter, obeying the will of the prince, set off for Constantinople and arrived there before Gerontius. Greek Patriarch Athanasius gladly received him and consecrated him to the rank of Metropolitan of All Russia.

Meanwhile, according to God's dispensation, the voyage of Hegumen Gerontius was unsuccessful. A violent storm arose, and headwinds, raising high waves, delayed the movement of the ship. On a stormy night, the Most Holy Theotokos appeared to Abbot Gerontius in the form as She is depicted in the icon of St. Peter, and sternly said to him: “You are in vain to labor, undertaking such a long journey. Know that you will not be entrusted with the priesthood that you wanted to enthrall. But the one who painted My image, Peter, the Abbot of the Rat, the servant of My Son and God, will be elevated to the supreme throne of the Russian metropolis, and will adorn it and save his people, for whom My Son and Lord Jesus shed His Blood; and having lived so piously, in good old age he will gladly go to the Lord of all. "

Terrified, awakening from sleep, Abbot Gerontiy told those who were with him on the ship about his vision and added that their work was in vain, for they would not get what they wanted.

The ship on which hegumen Gerontiy sailed, only with great difficulty reached the Constantinople pier. Appearing to Patriarch Athanasius, Gerontius, against his will, was forced to tell about his dream vision. The Patriarch took from him the holy vestments and the staff, as well as the icon of the Mother of God painted by Metropolitan Peter, and, passing all this to the lawful saint, said: “Take the holy image of the Mother of God, which you painted with your own hands, for for this sake the Lady herself gave you the gift, predicting about you".

In 1325, the Russian Metropolitanate moved from the city of Vladimir to Moscow. At this time, Metropolitan Peter transferred the icon of the Mother of God, painted by him, and placed it in the Moscow Dormition Cathedral, where before the revolution it constantly stayed above the altar. Only during large processions of the cross was the holy image carried along with another great Moscow shrine - the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God.

The Peter's icon has always been the subject of especially reverent veneration among the Russian people, and since antiquity has been revered as miraculous. Grand Duke Ivan Vasilyevich III prayed in front of her. At the end of the 16th century, Patriarch Job took with him the Vladimir, Don and Petrovsky icons to exhort Boris Godunov to accept the kingdom. Finally, with the Peter's icon of the Mother of God after the interregnum, in 1613, Archimandrite Theodorite of Ryazan went to Kostroma to visit Mikhail Feodorovich Romanov to call him to the kingdom.

At the turn of the 19th - 20th centuries, the Petrovskaya Icon of the Mother of God disappears from the cathedral. It contains a small pyadnitsa icon of unknown origin, which dates back to the 14th - early 15th centuries. There is an assumption that she is in fact the ancient revered image of the Mother of God of Peter. Confirmation of this opinion is the exact list made from the icon by Nazariy Savin in 1614, which not only repeats it to the smallest detail, but also contains the inscription "Petrovskaya".

The celebration of the miraculous image of the Peter the Great Mother of God takes place on August 24 / September 6, on the same day with the commemoration of the transfer of the venerable relics of St. Peter, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia, to the newly created Church of the Assumption (1479).

The icon of the Mother of God "Petrovskaya" belongs to one of the most beloved by the Russian people types of the Theotokos icons, called "Tenderness". A close iconographic analogy to the image is the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God. It is a known fact that Metropolitan Peter was the author of another famous icon - the Vladimir Mother of God, which was located in the Assumption Cathedral in the city of Vladimir.

In contrast to the glorified image, the figures of the Mother of God and the Infant Christ on the Peter's icon are presented bosom, and the image itself is given in mirror reflection.

There are characteristic features in the gestures of the hands of the Mother of God and the Savior. Rare in the Theotokos iconography is the image of the Mother's embrace of the Son. In the Peter's icon, the Mother of God embraces the Infant, wrapping her left hand around His shoulders, and with her right hand pointing to Him as the "True Path and Life." At the same time, the right hand of the Mother of God is written on the chest of the Savior, which also conveys another meaning of this gesture - the motherly caress of the Infant. On the red-background image of Our Lady of the 14th century, the Novgorod school, the gesture of the right hand of the Mother of God is even more characteristic - She wraps it around the neck of the Son.

The Savior's hands, in turn, respond to a mother's affection. The Infant Himself, as in the Vladimir Icon, presses His face against the face of the Mother of God. His left hand holds a scroll, and his right hand is folded in a gesture of priestly nominative blessing, which is quite rare for ancient images. The right blessing hand of the Christ Child rests on the breast of the Mother. On the venerated image of the 16th century. from the town of Kirillov, surprising in the warmth of the expression of the faces of the Mother of God and the Infant and the transmission of their mutual love, the Savior, like a child, presses a blessing hand to the very face of the Mother of God.

From the Petrovskaya Icon of the Mother of God in the city of Kaluga contains a list famous for miracles.

Honored list of the XVI century. is currently in Kirillo-Belozersky Museum-Reserve in the city of Kirillov.

O All-merciful Lady Theotokos, Heavenly Queen, Omnipotent Intercessor, our shameful Hope! Thanks to Thee for all the great good deeds, in the generations of the Russian people from Thee, before Thy most pure image we pray to Thee: save this city (all this, this holy abode) and the forthcoming Thy servants and all the Russian land from gladness, destruction, earth of shaking, flood, fire, sword, invasion of aliens and civil strife. Save and save, Lady, our Great Lord and Father Kirill, His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, and our Lord (name of rivers), Most Reverend Bishop (archbishop, metropolitan) (title), and all the Most Reverend Metropolitans and Archbishops. Grant them the goodness of the Russian Church to govern, the faithful sheep of Christ are infallible to keep. Remember, Lady, and the entire priestly and monastic rite, warm their hearts with zeal for Boz and walk worthy of your title and strengthen someone. Save, Lady, and have mercy on all Your servants and grant us the path of the earthly race without blemish. Confirm us in the faith of Christ and in zeal for the Orthodox Church, put into our hearts the spirit of the fear of God, the spirit of piety, the spirit of humility, give us patience in adversity, temperance in prosperity, love for our neighbors, forgiveness for the enemy, prosperity in good deeds. Deliver us from all temptation and from petrified insensibility, on the terrible day of Judgment, grant us with Thy intercession to become the right hand of Thy Son, Christ our God. All glory, honor and worship with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever and ever, befits Him. Amen.