The Blessed Virgin Mary seven-shot value helps in what. What helps the seven-arrow icon of the mother of God

As the legend says, Icon "Seven Arrows" was written in ancient times, more than five hundred years ago and is of northern Russian origin. In pre-revolutionary times, the image of the Mother of God of the "Seven Arrows" was located near Vologda in the Church of St. John the Theologian, which is located on the banks of the Toshni River.

Against lameness and cholera

The icon became famous when a peasant suffering from lameness and already desperate to be cured heard a voice in a dream that told the sufferer to go to the bell tower of the Theological Church and find there the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, before which it was worth praying for healing from his illness.

In the Church, no one believed the peasant, and only the third time, when the sick man turned to the clergy with a request, he was allowed to go to the bell tower.

What was the astonishment when it turned out that for many years the icon, trampled down and covered with mud, served as one of the steps in the staircase leading to the bell tower. The icon was cleaned, a prayer service was held in front of it, and the peasant was miraculously healed of his long-standing illness.

Over time, this miracle would have been forgotten, if not for cholera outbreak, which happened in 1830 in the Vologda region. In those years, almost the entire European part of the country suffered from this scourge, and the Vologda province was no exception.

It so happened that it was to Vologda from Toshna that many Christian shrines were moved, one of which was the “Seven-shooter” image of the Virgin. The icon was placed in the summer church in the district of Zarechye in the church of Dmitry Prilutsky, located not far from the city bridge.

Believing townspeople surrounded the miraculous icon in a procession around Vologda, after which pestilence stopped just as suddenly as it started.

After the revolution of 1917, the icon disappeared from the Church of St. John the Theologian, and now in Moscow, in the Church of the Archangel Michael at the clinics on the Maiden's Field, there is a myrrh-streaming icon of the Mother of God "Seven Arrows".

Who helps "Seven-strelnaya"

It is noteworthy that usually the Mother of God is depicted together with her Son or with saints and angels. On this icon, she is depicted alone, pierced by seven swords. They are a symbol of the sadness and pain that the Blessed Virgin Mary experienced on earth.

Before the "Seven-strelnaya" it is accepted pray for enemies, for softening of the heart- that is why this image is also known as the icon "Softener of evil hearts." Prayers are also offered before her for the reassurance of the warring, for sending them patience, for a cure for lameness and cholera.

During the war years, prayers are read in front of the "Seven-strelnaya" so that the weapons do not touch the soldiers and defenders of the Motherland.

Before this icon, it is customary to put at least seven candles at once and read next prayer:

Oh, long-suffering Mother of God, Exceeding all the daughters of the earth, in Your purity and in the many sufferings You endured on earth, accept our painful sighs and save us under the shelter of Your mercy. We don’t know any other refuge and warm intercession for You, but, as having boldness to those born of You, help and save us with Your prayers, so that we unstoppably reach the Kingdom of Heaven, where with all the saints we will sing in the Trinity to the one God now and forever and ever ages of ages. Amen.

Where to place the "Seven-strelnaya" in the house

There is no strict rule in which part of the apartment to place the image of the "Seven-shooter" does not exist. Someone is more accustomed to putting all the icons to the home iconostasis, someone hangs it above the entrance to the main room at home, i.e. so that when entering the house, everyone can see this icon.

If it is not planned to create an iconostasis, then the image can be placed on the east side of the room facing the entrance, so that she would protect the house from visitors with unkind thoughts and intentions.

It is important that there is nothing next to the icon that could distract attention from it, i.e. photographs, posters, paintings. It is also not customary to put icons in the same corner where the TV is.

Icon of the Mother of God "Seven-shot»

The icon of the Most Holy Theotokos "Seven Arrows" is one of the most miraculous icons in Russia. For many centuries, Christians have called out to the Queen of Heaven through this icon if wars or rebellions broke out in the country.

Icon of the Mother of God "Seven Arrows" displays the gospel story of how the Virgin Mary with Joseph the Betrothed brought the Christ Child to the Jerusalem Temple on the 40th day after His birth. The holy elder Simeon the God-bearer, present in the temple, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, saw in the God-child the Messiah, the Redeemer, expected by all the people of Israel. Foreseeing the sorrow that the Mother of God would have to endure at the crucifixion of Christ, the righteous Simeon turned to Her with the words: “Behold, this lies for the fall and the rising of many in Israel, and for the subject of controversy, and the sword will pierce through your own soul” (Lk. 2: 34-35).

The icon depicts the Most Holy Theotokos without the Divine Infant with seven arrows or swords piercing Her heart. The number 7 in Holy Scripture generally means the “fullness” of something. In this case, the seven arrows piercing the Body of the Most Pure One, about which Simeon the God-bearer prophesied allegorically: “the weapon will pass through the soul,” mean the fullness of that grief, “sorrow and heart disease,” which were endured by the Blessed Virgin Mary in Her earthly life.

This image is sometimes supplemented by the image of the dead Christ on the knees of the Mother of God.

There is another interpretation of the image: the seven arrows piercing the breast of the Most Holy Theotokos denote the seven main human sinful passions that the Mother of God can easily read in every human heart. And the passions of a fallen nature pierce her soul no less than the vision of a host of demons rejoicing around the desecrated, tormented Son on the Cross.

According to legend, the original miraculous image of the “Seven-shot” Mother of God was painted in ancient times, more than 500 years ago.

The appearance of the icon is associated with healing help given to a peasant in the Vologda province in his illness, who lived for a very long time in the Kadnikovsky district near Vologda (on the banks of the Toshni River). For many years he suffered from relaxation and lameness and unsuccessfully tried in various ways to overcome his illness. Once, in a thin dream, a Divine voice commanded him to find the image of the Most Holy Theotokos on the bell tower of the church of the holy Apostle John the Theologian, where the dilapidated icons were kept, and with faith to pray before him for the healing of his illness. Arriving at the temple, the peasant was not immediately able to fulfill what was indicated to him in the vision.

Only after the third request of the peasant, the clergy, who did not believe his words, allowed him to climb the bell tower. It turned out that for a long time this holy image was at the turn of the stairs of the bell tower of the temple. The icon turned face down was mistaken for an ordinary board, which served as a step of a ladder along which the bell ringers climbed. Horrified by this involuntary blasphemy, the clergy washed the image and served a prayer service before it, after which the peasant found complete healing.

Unfortunately, after the revolution, the miraculous icon disappeared. But numerous lists remained, which are also miraculous.

There is also a very similar type of icon of the Mother of God, which is called the icon of the Mother of God "Softener of Evil Hearts", or "Simeon's Prophecy". Its difference lies in the fact that the arrows piercing the heart of the Mother of God on this image are located three on the right and on the left, and one on the bottom, while the “Seven-shooter” icon has four arrows on one side and three on the other.

In modern iconography, these icons are considered to be varieties of the same iconographic type, and despite the differences, they are often combined and called the same - “Seven Arrows” (“Softener of Evil Hearts”). At the same time, in prayer practice, these two images are also combined, because. have the same meaning.

Finally, there is another icon that is similar in iconography to the "Seven Arrows" and "Softener of Evil Hearts" - this icon is called, which was previously located in the village of Zhizdra, Kaluga Region, "Passionate" or “And weapons will pierce your very soul”. She was set to celebrate on the same day as the Seven-shot. Unlike the common icons of the “Passionate” Mother of God, which belong to a completely different iconographic type - Hodegetria, the image from Zhizdra depicts the Mother of God in a prayerful pose. With one of her hands she supports the Baby Jesus, and with the other she covers her own chest, on which 7 swords are aimed. It is customary to pray to the Theotokos and ask Her intercession before this icon in the same way as before the “Seven Arrows”.

The celebration in honor of the icon of the Mother of God "Seven Arrows" takes place once a year - on August 26. This date is timed to coincide with the miraculous deliverance of Vologda from cholera in 1830 after the townspeople fervently prayed to the Mother of God in front of Her image of the "Seven Arrows" and made a procession around the city with the icon.

Before the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos "Seven Arrows" they pray when any discord, quarrel occurs in a person's life, enmity or complex litigation begins. This bright image of the Mother of God is also revered as the guardian of the hearth. They pray to the Blessed Virgin in front of the “Seven Arrows” icon in order to maintain harmony in the house, reconcile with relatives, resolve a long conflict with loved ones, improve relations between spouses, as well as children and parents.

Prayer

O long-suffering Mother of God, who exalted all the daughters of the earth in her purity and in the multitude of sufferings that you transferred to the lands, accept our painful sighs and save us under the shelter of your mercy. We don’t know any other refuge and warm intercession for You, but, as if you have boldness to God born of You, help and save us with Your prayers, so that we unstumblingly reach the Kingdom of Heaven, even with all the saints we will sing in the Trinity to the One God now and forever, and forever and ever. Amen.

There are very few truly believing Christians, who live according to the commandments of God, not out of fear of heavenly punishment, but according to the dictates of their hearts. There are also few people who observe fasts, confess and receive communion. Not everyone finds time to visit the temple and pray.

But even those who have forgotten the way to the church, mired in the routine of everyday affairs, probably have several icons at home. Every Orthodox wants to believe that the faces of saints depicted on them will help protect loved ones from big troubles and minor troubles.

From time immemorial, one of the most revered miraculous icons in Russia has been considered "Seven-strelnaya".

The miraculous appearance and disappearance of the image

The exact date of the painting of the icon is unknown. Most scientists believe that this shrine is about 500 years old. There is also an opinion that it is much older.

One wonderful story is associated with the advent of the "Seven-strelnaya". A simple peasant who lived in the 17th or 18th century near Vologda suffered from lameness for a long time. Neither doctors nor medicines helped. Once in a dream, he clearly heard a voice telling him to go to a local church, find an ancient image of the Mother of God there and pray for healing.

Early in the morning, the lame man hurried to the Theological Church and began to search. Very carefully, the man searched all the walls, looked into every corner, but found nothing. Climbing the bell tower, he drew attention to one of the stairs. Looking closely, the peasant discovered that this was the shrine that he had so stubbornly sought.

Due to the layer of dust covering the icon, the face of the Mother of God was almost invisible. After cleaning the image, the man, exhausted by his lameness, fell to his knees and began to pray. A miracle happened. The peasant's legs became absolutely healthy.

"Seven-strelnaya" gained wide popularity in 1830. At the beginning of the 19th century, cholera raged in some regions of Russia, taking thousands of human lives with it. When a terrible disease reached the Vologda province, the inhabitants took the holy image of the Mother of God and walked around the city in procession. Soon the cholera receded, and the rumor about the miraculous icon spread throughout the country.

After the revolution that took place in 1917, the shrine disappeared, its traces were lost. However, numerous lists are also considered miraculous. Some of them can be seen in the temples and churches of Moscow.

Image and meaning of the shrine

The “Seven Arrows” depicts the Mother of God with 7 arrows (daggers or swords) stuck into her chest. Some believe that this image is the embodiment of the sorrow and suffering of a mother, looking at the torment of her son. Others believe that the shrine symbolizes seven human vices and passions:

And although each of the sins committed by a person causes severe spiritual pain to the Blessed Virgin, She is ready to forgive anyone who sincerely repents and turns to the Lord. Calling on all people to be more merciful and kind to each other, the Mother of God prays for the salvation of every lost soul.

In most cases, the Mother of God is depicted alone on the "Seven Arrows". Much less often you can find icons on which Jesus is depicted next to the Mother of God (in infancy or after crucifixion).

If you look at the image itself or at the photo of the “Seven-shot” icon, you can see how three arrows dig into the body of the Mother of God from one side, and four more from the other. It is this arrangement of arrows that is a distinctive feature of this image.

There is an icon very similar to the "Seven-shooter" - "Softener of evil hearts." Another name is Simeon's prophecy. The arrows on it are three on each side, and the seventh pierces the heart of the Virgin from below.

From the point of view of iconography, these images belong to the same type. Therefore, the image of the Virgin with seven arrows can be called:

• "Seven-shooter".
• "Simeon's Prophecy".

All names will be correct.

Acquisition and placement of "Semistrelnaya"

You can buy the “Seven Arrow” icon in almost any church or church shop, as well as order it via the Internet. The price depends on the size, method of execution and the material from which the salary is made. For example, a small-sized image made by screen printing (silk-screen printing) in a silver frame can be purchased for 300 rubles. The price of an icon decorated with gold and stones, the size of which is comparable to an album sheet, reaches 8,000 rubles.

But to talk about a holy image in terms of its value is fundamentally wrong. Even the simplest, without any frills, icon has miraculous power and is able to protect the believer. For an Orthodox who sincerely prays for the softening of his heart and the salvation of his soul, the holy face of the Mother of God is truly priceless.

Where is the best place to hang it?

Anyone who is thinking about how to properly hang the "Seven-shooter" icon needs to know that the location of the shrine is of fundamental importance. Often it is hung opposite the front door so that it is in the field of view of anyone who steps over the threshold of the house. If a believer has an iconostasis, then the "Seven-shot" should be placed next to the rest of the icons.

It is not recommended to keep various amulets or talismans next to the holy image that have nothing to do with Orthodoxy. In addition, it is not advisable to put the icon on the same shelf with a TV, computer, telephone and other equipment, as well as next to various photographs and other images.

Whom does the icon help and from what does it protect?

It is generally accepted that the image of the Virgin will help to avoid quarrels and discord between spouses, parents and children, protect from envious people and ill-wishers, and protect from enemies. Christians believe that the icon "Softener of Evil Hearts" is able to protect the home from robbery and theft, as well as prevent anyone who tries to enter the house with bad intentions. It also helps in reconciliation of enemies, softening their hearts.

If anger has settled in a person’s soul, he has become irritable, aggressive, then he should turn to the Seven-shot icon for help. Prayer may contain a request to improve relations in the family, humility of the soul, deliverance from hardness of heart.

You can turn to the Mother of God in your own words, the main thing is that a person sincerely believes in Her help and intercession.

The Mother of God, looking at us from the Seven-Arrow Icon, is able to see the secret thoughts of every person, all his actions and mistakes made on the path of life. It is impossible to hide anything from Her attentive gaze. But She always responds to the request and gives protection to those who cry out to Her, again and again praying to the Lord for the forgiveness of our sins.

It doesn't matter how much it costs and where the "Seven-strelnaya" hangs. A person is brought closer to God by repentance for evil deeds, sincere prayer, the desire to be better and deep faith. And money and the external situation are completely irrelevant here.

Icon Seven Arrows

Despite the large number of saints and miracle workers whose believer a person can ask for protection and patronage The Mother of God remains the most beloved image in Russia. There are a huge number of varieties of her icon - alone or with the Infant Christ. The image "Seven-shot icon" or "Tenderness of evil hearts" belongs to a single type.

Origin story

Like many icons, the first seven-shooter icon was found miraculously. She was found by a peasant from the Kadnikovsky district (near Vologda) in the Church of St. John the Theologian, located on the banks of the Toshni River. Until the moment of finding the icon, they walked, taking it for an ordinary floorboard or step. After the revolution in 1917, the icon disappeared and even a trace has not yet been found.

According to legend, the image was obtained in 1830, when a cholera epidemic occurred in Vologda. According to some legends, a peasant who found a shrine immediately recovered from a serious illness, after the Mother of God helped the whole district to overcome the disease. According to another version, the peasant suffered from severe lameness and weakness. The Mother of God appeared to him in a dream and ordered him to find her icon and pray before it.

Historians, however, cannot name the exact time of writing the image. Written sources of the 19th century indicate that its age is already more than the 5th century, that is, the time of writing is no later than the 14th century. However, since the icon was painted on canvas, which was then pasted onto a board, the 18th century is more often considered to be the date of painting. According to some assumptions, the Seven-shooter image is written off from the unknown image of the Virgin of the 17th century.

Description of the Seven-Arrow Icon and Its Meaning

The icon depicts the Mother of God to the waist, her head is slightly tilted to the right and down, her eyes are fixed upwards. Virgin in closed robes- usually red, but there are also options with blue fabric embroidered with gold patterns. She holds her hands near her chest, and 7 swords or daggers are aimed at her heart - 3 on the right side and 4 on the left. The background can be solid gold or with angels on it. And also angels and Christ himself can be present on the icon.

The image looks similar to the image of the Virgin "Softener of Evil Hearts", on which the Mother of God is also pierced with 7 swords. The difference is mainly in the location of the swords: in this version, they pierce the heart with 3 daggers on each side and 1 below. Today, both options are considered varieties of one common iconographic type. The meaning of the images and prayers for both icons is the same. Sometimes the full name is written as "Seven-shot Mother of God Softening evil hearts."

7 arrows or swords piercing the Mother of God is a symbol of grief and pain that she experienced when she saw her son and God on the cross. The number "7" itself has different interpretations:

1. 7 human sins or passions who are trying to break through the protection of Our Lady;
2. The number itself is a symbol of fullness, excess - that is, piercing the Virgin with just such a number of arrows shows that she experienced the highest, most complete pain from the execution of Christ, both as a mother and as a believing woman.

How does prayer help?

Since immediately after the miraculous finding, the peasant who found her was healed, they first of all come to her for the sake of health. But her help doesn't stop there. She helps:

In other words, the image saves people from bodily or mental ailments, the machinations of ill-wishers and envious people, from enemy weapons.

Days of veneration and location of the icon

The days of veneration of the Seven-shot Mother of God are:

1. Her "holiday" - August 26.
2. The first Sunday after the feast of the Holy Trinity.
3. Sunday in the Week of All Saints is the 9th Sunday after Easter.

These days it is worth ordering a prayer service to the Virgin Mary.

In churches and monasteries there are several lists (copies) of the Seven-Arrowed Icon, where you can also purchase a “home version” that will protect the family and apartment. The most famous lists can be found:

From these places it is worth bringing not only the image itself, but also holy water or consecrated oil.

Rules for choosing a place for an image

To pray to the Seven-shot Mother of God, it is not necessary to travel to different cities. The icon can also be placed in the house in order to be able to pray to it regularly. There are several general rules for choosing the right place for the image:

How to pray correctly

The prayer of the Seven-shot Mother of God “Softening of evil hearts” is a Troparion, tone 5: this is a prayer-request for protection from all kinds of misfortunes. Then they say Kontakion, voice 2: a request to soften evil hearts. Both texts can be found on the Internet and rewritten. After they say the request itself and be sure to thank at the end for the help.

But the prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos "Seven Arrows" may be independent, the main thing is that the words come from a pure heart.

1. It is best to allocate morning or evening for prayer - a time when you can communicate with the Mother of God without fuss.
2. Before prayer, it is necessary to wash (cleanse externally) and throw all problems and insults out of the head (cleanse internally). This will help you get the correct setup.
3. Facing the icon, you need to cross yourself and turn to the Mother of God, then make the request itself. The latter should be polite, do no harm to anyone (one cannot ask for evil even for a bad person), completely sincere. They usually address "Mother Comforter".
4. In the end, you need to thank the Mother of God herself and God. End the prayer with the word "Amen".

For our readers: the icon of the seven-shot prayer to it with a detailed description from various sources.

In the tradition of Orthodoxy, there are a lot of different icon-painting images of the Mother of God. Most of them are little known, being purely local shrines. However, there are examples marked by general church veneration. Among them, with its unusualness, the image called the Seven-shooter stands out. This icon, as well as the prayers that are offered before it, will be discussed in this article.

The meaning of the image

The seven-shooter icon of the Mother of God has another name - "Softener of Evil Hearts." More rarely, it is also called Simeon's prophecy. At its core, this icon is an illustration of the event of the Feast of the Meeting of the Lord, that is, the feast of the Meeting of the Lord, described in the Gospel. When Jesus Christ was still a baby, his mother, that is, the Mother of God, brought him for the first time to the Jerusalem temple. There they were met by a righteous man named Simeon. According to legend, this man was one of the translators of the Holy Scripture into Greek, which took place in Egypt three hundred years before the birth of the Savior. When Simeon translated the book of the prophet Isaiah, he doubted whether it was written correctly that a virgin would conceive and give birth to a son. After hesitating, he nevertheless decided that this was a mistake, and wrote the word "woman" in the translation. At the same moment, an angel appeared before him, who informed him that the original prophecy about the conception of a virgin was true, and in order to dispel his doubts, he would be given the opportunity to see this wonderful baby. And so Simeon had been waiting for this meeting (meeting - in Slavonic) for three hundred years at the temple. And finally, I waited. When Mary handed the baby to him in her arms, a prophetic spirit descended on him, and he spoke a prophecy about the newborn Jesus, noting that his mother's "weapon would pierce the soul." It is this weapon, that is, the suffering of the Mother of God, that is symbolically depicted on the Seven-shooter icon in the form of seven swords piercing her heart. Seven swords are depicted, since in the biblical tradition this number means completeness and completeness.

This legend is no doubt apocryphal to the original Christian tradition. But this does not detract from its moral significance, which gave birth to a second, more practical interpretation. Since Mary is revered in Orthodoxy as the heavenly queen and spiritual mother of all Christians, the weapon that pierces her is not only sorrow from the torment Jesus Christ accepted on the cross, but also human sins, for the sake of which he suffered this crucifixion. Seven swords in this context mean the seven deadly sins that pierce the loving and grieving heart of the Mother of God.

Origin of the image

Where this icon came from, no one knows. According to a pious legend, it was discovered by a peasant from Vologda, who was seriously ill with lameness and partial paralysis. No doctors could cure him. Once, in a dream, he was instructed to climb the bell tower of the local church of St. John the Theologian and take the icon from there. Of course, the clergy of the cathedral did not take this revelation seriously and twice refused the old man's request, knowing full well that there were no icons there. But the peasant was persistent, and in the end he was allowed to climb the belfry in order to ascertain for himself the meaninglessness of his own words. However, having barely gone upstairs, he recognized the icon in one of the boards, which served as a step on the stairs. The image was immediately lowered down, cleaned and served a prayer service. It was then that the first prayer of the Mother of God of the Seven Arrows was uttered, as a result of which the peasant was completely healed. Since then, miracles began to happen from the icon. And this, in turn, led to the spread of fame about the miraculous image. They began to make lists from it, of which there are now a huge number in several varieties. The original image after the repressions of the 1930s, unfortunately, disappeared, it has not yet been found.

What do they pray for in front of the Seven-shot image of the Mother of God

As before any icon, the prayer of the Mother of God of the Seven Arrows can be dedicated to any occasion. However, the specificity of the image has formed a special sphere of needs, mainly in which they turn to Mary in front of this icon. First of all, these are requests for peace and for overcoming anger, hatred and revenge on the part of someone. Actually, that is why it was nicknamed "Softener of Evil Hearts." Offended people, stern bosses, strict parents and teachers - in all these cases, a prayer can be addressed to the icon of the Seven Arrows. How to pray to the Mother of God does not really matter. Examples of prayers will be given below, but in general you can refer to Mary in your own words, as long as they are sincere. What matters is not the beauty of prayer, but a fervent believing heart. If this condition is met, then without a doubt, the prayer to the icon of the Seven Arrows will be heard. When to pray, how, how much - it doesn't matter.

The text of the prayer in front of the Seven Arrow Icon

For example, we will nevertheless cite several generally accepted texts that are read in churches at public services and at home by believers. The main prayer of the Mother of God of the Seven Shooters in Russian translation sounds like this:

“Oh, much-suffering Mother of God, surpassing all the daughters of the earth in her purity and in her sufferings that you endured on earth! Accept our mournful prayers and keep us under the protection of your mercy. Because we do not have another shelter and such an ardent intercessor as you - we do not know. You have boldness in prayers to the one born by you, so help and save us with your prayers so that we can freely reach the kingdom of heaven and there with all the saints sing the one Trinity - God, now and ever and forever and ever. Amen!"

Such is the usual prayer of the Mother of God of the Seven Arrows. The queen of the Christian faith is represented in it as an intercessor, which she is, according to the ideas of Orthodox Christians. There are also shorter prayers dedicated to this image. They have a special liturgical purpose and are called troparion and kontakion.

Troparion, tone 5

Soften our evil hearts, Mother of God, and destroy the attacks of those who hate us, and deliver our soul from embarrassment, looking at your holy image. By your compassion and mercy towards us, we are brought to tenderness and we kiss your wounds, but we are afraid of our arrows that torment you. Do not let us, good mother, perish in our hardness of heart from the cruelty of our neighbors, since you are truly a softening of evil hearts.

Kontakion, tone 2

By your grace, mistress, soften evil hearts, send benefactors, protecting them from all evil, praying for you fervently before your holy icons for good.

The kontakion, the troparion and the official prayer of the Mother of God of the Seven Arrows reflect its main idea - the overcoming of evil in the hearts. However, this icon also serves as a symbol of heartfelt sorrow, so any suffering of the soul can be poured out in front of this image. For example, it may be a request for help in arranging a happy personal life.

Prayer to the icon of the Seven-shot Mother of God from loneliness

O lady-mistress of the Mother of God, pour out your great mercy on me, giving me the strength to get rid of the heavy burden of the loneliness of the soul. Free me from every evil curse, from the influence of unclean spirits, from the evil that has been brought to my life. Amen!

Iconographic reference

Icon of the Mother of God "Softener of Evil Hearts"

Finding an ancient icon

Icon "Seven Arrows"

Prayer Rules

"Softener of Evil Hearts" ("Simeon's Prophecy")

Useful articles:

• How to pray correctly
• What is a prayer rule

Prayer before the icon

"Softener of evil hearts" icon of the Mother of God. Gallery of Shchigry icons.

Troparion, tone 5:

Prayer 1

Prayer 2

Akathist to the Mother of God in front of the icon "Softener of Evil Hearts".

about the seven-shot holy icon of the Mother of God. prayer

Seven-shooter St. The icon of the Mother of God is called so because it depicts the Mother of God without the Divine Infant. bowing Her head towards the right shoulder and pierced in the chest with seven arrows or swords, of which four are on the left side, and three on the right. Such an image of the Mother of God is completely identical with the image of Her icon “Softener of Evil Hearts”, or “Simeon's Prophecy”, on which only the swords are located somewhat differently: three on the right and left, and the seventh one on the bottom.

The Seven-shooter icon itself is at least 600 years old. Before the revolution, she was on the churchyard near the city of Vologda in the Church of St. John the Theologian, on the banks of the river Toshnia. In 1830, she became famous for delivering the inhabitants of Vologda from the cholera that raged among them. The church commemoration of this icon takes place on August 13 (together with the “Passion” icon of the Mother of God) according to the church style or on August 26 according to the new one. Legends about the symbolic images on these icons (“Seven Arrows” and “Softener of Evil Hearts”) were placed under February 2 (February 15, according to a new style), i.e. on the day of the celebration of the Meeting of the Lord, with the addition that the celebration of this sv. Icons are usually celebrated on the week of All Saints. This placement of the legend about these icons under the Candlemas indicates a direct connection between the image of the breast of the Mother of God pierced with seven swords and the prophetic saying of the holy righteous Simeon the God-Receiver:

34 And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold, this lies for the fall and the rising of many in Israel, and for the subject of controversy,

35 And to You Yourself a weapon will pierce the soul, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.

The image of the breast of the Mother of God pierced by seven swords symbolizes the fulfillment of the words of St. Simeon the God-Receiver about the passage of the holy soul of the Mother of God by a weapon. The weapon itself, symbolically depicted with seven swords (the number seven here means the perfect fullness of the spiritual “weapon” that struck the Mother of God), means the unbearable spiritual sorrow that the Most Holy Theotokos experienced during the hours of crucifixion, torment on the cross and death on the cross of Her Divine Son Jesus Christ. The spiritual torments of the Mother of God were aggravated to the extreme by the fact that only She alone and John the Theologian, adopted by Her at the cross by the Lord Himself, saw in the spirit what happened during the suffering of the Savior on the Cross: a gathering of all demons rushing to the immortal soul of the Savior to inflict torment for the sins of the whole family human, which He voluntarily took upon Himself. From this inexpressible torment, our Savior cried out: “My God, My God, why did you leave me?”. Darkness came from the gathering of demons. From the contemplation of these superhuman and incomprehensible torments, the Blessed Virgin lost consciousness, and John the Theologian's mind was clouded for a while. From that time on, the Blessed Virgin and Saint John the Theologian became companions of the Lord in spirit.

It is for this inexpressible experience and compassion, which is rightly called a weapon that pierces the soul, that the Blessed Virgin and John the Theologian were granted special grace to see the thoughts of human hearts. Since then, each of them sees and knows the dispensation of each person. This brings new sorrows to their souls, which are depicted with seven swords piercing the soul. This is the second meaning of these seven piercing swords (now seven swords mean the seven main sinful passions of human fallen nature), which is reflected in the beautiful troparion icon “Softening Evil Hearts”: (I quote from memory, since I don’t have it at hand):

“Soften our evil hearts to the Mother of God and quench the misfortunes of those who hate us, and resolve all the narrowness of our soul! Looking at Your holy image, we are touched by Your sufferings for us, but we are horrified by the arrows of our tormenting Thee! Do not give us the Merciful Mother in our hardness of heart and perish from the hardness of our neighbors, for You are truly a softening of evil hearts.

This magnificent troparion filled with the spirit of repentance perfectly conveys one of the spiritual meanings of these marvelous icons of our Intercessor, the Lady Theotokos. The second meaning, which was given above, is contained in one of the names of icons of this type - “Simeon's prophecy”.

And since you have dreamed of this icon more than once, it means that the Mother of God, Who sees through your soul, is dissatisfied with your sinful state, Catherine. She calls you to repentant purification and softening of your heart through it, and the achievement of unfeigned love for your neighbor. The Mother of God wants you to stop hurting Her with your sins. It is possible that someone on earth or in heaven prays to the Mother of God for you, here She, merciful, has come to your aid by giving the “Seven-Arrowed Icon” and explaining its meaning.

Father Oleg Molenko's answer

Above the entrance to the house, it is desirable to hang the Ostrobramsky icon, and the Seven-shooter icon of the Mother of God should be hung opposite the entrance to the house (a person entering the house is between two icons).

The seven-shot icon protects the house from evil spirits, from the visits of the low beings of the subtle world. This image is popular not only for getting rid of ailments, he received the greatest fame for his ability to protect from evil people. If you have an ill-wisher or someone is trying to harm you, then it’s enough just to make a prayer so that an improvement in the situation will soon become noticeable. The protection that this icon gives is very reliable! Also, do not neglect the power of the Seven Arrows when praying for health and deliverance from ailments. The icon is honored on August 13/26.

O Most Holy Lady, my Lady Mother of God, Heavenly Queen! Save and have mercy on me, Thy sinful servant, from vain slander, from all sorts of troubles and misfortunes and sudden death. Have mercy on me in the hours of the day, both in the morning and in the evening, and at all times preserve me: standing, sitting, observe, and walking on every path, and sleeping in the hours of the night, cover and intercede. Protect me, O Lady Mother of God, from all my enemies, visible and invisible, and from every evil situation. Wake up at any place and at any time, Mother Preblagaya, an invincible wall and a strong intercession. Oh, Blessed Lady, Lady of the Virgin Mother of God! Accept my unworthy prayer and save me from sudden death, and grant me repentance before the end. You appear to me the keeper of all life, Most Pure; You deliver me from demons at the hour of death; You give me peace even after death.

We run under your mercy, Virgin Mother of God: do not look down on our prayers in sorrow, but deliver us from troubles, O One Pure and Blessed One.

Prayer at the Icon of Our Lady of the Seven Arrows

Holy Mother of God Virgin! Cover our house and us sinners on this day (night or days) with Your honest cover and deliver us from all evil!

O long-suffering Mother of God, who exalted all the daughters of the earth, according to Your purity and the multitude of sufferings You have transferred to the lands, accept our painful sighs and save us under the shelter of Your mercy. We don’t know any other refuge and warm intercession for You, but, as if you have boldness to the One born from You, help and save us with Your prayers, so that we unstoppably reach the Kingdom of Heaven, even with all the saints we will sing in the Trinity to the one God now and forever, and forever and ever. Amen.

Soften our evil hearts, Mother of God, and quench the misfortunes of those who hate us, and resolve all the narrowness of our soul. Looking at Your holy image, we are touched by Your suffering and mercy for us and kiss Your wounds, but our arrows, which torment You, are horrified. Do not give us, merciful Mother, to perish in our hardness of heart and from the hardness of our neighbors, Thou art truly evil hearts Softening.

To the Chosen Virgin Mary, the highest of all the daughters of the earth, the Mother of the Son of God, who gave Him the salvation of the world, we call with tenderness: look at our many-sorrowful life, remember the sorrows and illnesses that you endured, as our earthly one, and do with us according to your mercy, let us call you: Rejoice, much-sorrowful Mother of God, transforming our sorrow into joy.

By Thy Grace, Mistress, soften the hearts of the villains, send down the benefactors, keeping them from all evil, praying to Thee earnestly before Your honest icons.

We magnify Thee, Blessed Virgin, God-chosen Maiden, and honor Your holy image, and bring healing to all who flow with faith and love.

Pray, my brethren, to the Mother of God, when a storm of enmity and malice arises in your house. She is omnipotent and omnipotent. can calm the hearts of men. She is definitely an abyss of beneficence and generosity.” (St. Righteous Father John of Kronstadt)

The Ostrobramsk Icon of the Mother of God (lit. Aušros Vartų Dievo Motina, Polish Matka Boska Ostrobramska, Belorussian Mother of God of Vastrabramskaya) is located on the city gates of Vilnius (Sharp Gate) and is revered by both Catholics and Orthodox around the world.

Seven-shot prayer

The image of the Mother of God depicted on the icon with seven swords is very popular among believers. Even in ancient times, a large number of legends about the healing power of this image are known. Therefore, it is not surprising that the seven-shot prayer of the Mother of God is used quite often to help in difficult situations.

The first healing happened to one peasant who, in a dream, was told by a voice to find this relic and prays before it. Later, the icon saved the whole city from death, and it was in 1830 in Vologda. At that time they had an epidemic of cholera, nothing helped, until the moment they turned to the saint.

This icon has the following image - the Mother of God, painted on canvas, pierced by 7 arrows or swords. An appeal to her is read on many occasions, the Seven-shot Prayer has always helped those who ask. This image is a good guardian of a house or a person from all the evil that surrounds it. To protect your home from bad guests, place the icon in front of the front door so that it sees the eyes of those entering. Before you hang the icon, be sure to read the prayer. It has been proven that people with bad thoughts will stop visiting this place.

Prayer to the Mother of God seven-shot

“O long-suffering Mother of God, Exalting all the daughters of the earth, according to Your purity and the multitude of sufferings You have transferred to the lands, accept our many painful sighs and save us under the shelter of Your mercy. We don’t know any other refuge and warm intercession for You, but, as if you have boldness to the One born from You, help and save us with Your prayers, so that we unstoppably reach the Kingdom of Heaven, even with all the saints we will sing in the Trinity to the one God now and forever, and forever and ever. Amen".

Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary seven-shot:

Soften our wicked hearts. Mother of God,

and quench those who hate us,

and all the narrowness of our souls, let go,

looking at your holy image,

We are touched by your suffering and mercy for us

and we kiss your wounds,

but our arrows, tormenting you, we are horrified.

Do not give us, Mother of Mercy,

perish in our hardness of heart and from the hardness of our neighbors,

Thou art truly the softening of evil hearts.

The icon of the Mother of God shows her grief, after the death of her son Jesus Christ, the arrows that pierced her symbolize the sins of mankind, because of which Christ was crucified. This suggests that she sees all the sins in the soul of every person, when, after realizing them and confessing, people pray to soften the hearts of their enemies, the Heavenly Intercessor always hears and helps believers.

The ancient Seven Arrow Icon of the Mother of God reminds a person of the need for a vigilant attitude towards his sinful nature, teaches patience, love for enemies. It is considered very useful to turn to the icon in difficult times, when thoughts about revenge appear in the soul.

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Prayer of the Mother of God "Softener of evil hearts"

There are a great many images of the Holy Virgin depicted on the icons and lists from them, one of the most revered and famous is the icon “Softener of Evil Hearts”, also referred to as “Seven Arrows”. Today it is revered as miraculous, and the prayer for the softening of evil hearts is used by believers as a petition for recovery from serious illnesses, elimination of anger and intolerance, cure for serious infections, and granting peace and tranquility.

Iconographic reference

The icon depicts the Mother of God alone. Moreover, there is a difference between the icons "Softener of evil hearts" and "Seven-shooter".

In the first case, the Virgin is pierced by swords, located three on the right and left, and the seventh below.

In the second, the Virgin is pierced by arrows, three on one side and four on the other. Swords and arrows are a prototype of the deep sadness that the Great Benefactor carried in her soul all her life.

Finding an ancient icon

The following has long been known about the first glorification of the "Seven-shooter" image. A peasant from one of the districts of the Vologda province for a long time suffered from pain in his legs and limped heavily, it was very difficult for him to walk and the man's body was very relaxed. He was treated for a long time by many healers and healers, but nothing helped him. But only the Mother of God was able to restore his lost health.

Once, during a dream, a commanding voice was heard, instructing him to climb the church bell tower, find there an ancient icon of the Theotokos and pray fervently before it. Only then will he be granted the desired healing from a serious illness. The peasant came to the temple twice, talked about the "night order" and tried to fulfill the decree given to him in a dream vision, but the ministers of the church did not believe him and did not let him into the bell tower. For the third time, seeing the persistence of the ailing lame man, the acolytes went to meet him: the invalid climbed the belfry and immediately found the icon. She was lying in the dust by the stairs and the ringers, not noticing the shrine under their feet, walked straight along it, as if on an ordinary board. The icon was immediately cleaned of dust, washed of dirt, and a prayer service was served. The peasant, who prayed earnestly during the service, soon received the coveted healing.

Prayer Rules

Prayer for the softening of evil hearts is one of the most powerful prayers to the Most Holy Theotokos. In order for the requested to be realized as quickly as possible, it is necessary:

• come to an Orthodox monastery;
• put a candle in front of the icon of Jesus Christ;
• kiss the lips and forehead to the Holy Crucifix;
• go to the icon "Softener of evil hearts" or "Seven-shooter", light a candle and read a prayer (you can pray in your own words).

You can pray at home in front of the icon. To do this, you need to purchase a candle in the church, light it during prayer and ask the Queen of Heaven for help in business and intercession before the Lord for the bestowal of Divine Grace.

Prayer before the icon

According to a long-established tradition, before the face of the Holy Virgin, they pray for their enemies, for the mitigation of enmity between people and for the bestowal of a feeling of mercy.

Soften our evil hearts, Mother of God, and quench the misfortunes of those who hate us, and resolve all the narrowness of our soul. Looking at Your holy image, we are touched by Your suffering and mercy for us and kiss Your wounds, but our arrows, which torment You, are horrified. Do not give us, merciful Mother, to perish in our hardness of heart and from the hardness of our neighbors, Thou art truly evil hearts Softening.

To the Chosen Virgin Mary, the highest of all the daughters of the earth, the Mother of the Son of God, who gave Him the salvation of the world, we call with tenderness: look at our many-sorrowful life, remember the sorrows and illnesses that you endured, as our earthly one, and do with us according to your mercy, let's call you ti:

Rejoice, much-sorrowful Mother of God, transforming our sorrow into joy.

O much-sorrowful Mother of God, softening of evil hearts and surpassing all the daughters of the earth, in Your purity and in the multitude of sufferings You have transferred to the earth, accept our many painful sighs and save us under the shelter of Your mercy. We don’t know any other refuge and warm intercession for You, but, as you have boldness to the One Who is Born from You, help and save us with Your prayers, so that we will unstoppably reach the Kingdom of Heaven, even with all the saints we will sing in the Trinity to the One God now and forever, and forever and ever. Amen.

O who will not please Thee, Virgin of Grace, who will not sing of Your mercy to the human race. We pray to you, we ask you, do not leave us in the evil of the perishing, dissolve our hearts with love and send Your arrow to our enemies, may our hearts be wounded by peace to those who persecute us. If the world hates us - You stretch out Your love for us, if the world drives us - You accept us, give us the grace-filled power of patience - to endure the trials in this world without grumbling. Oh lady! Soften the hearts of evil people who rise up against us, so that their hearts do not perish in evil - but pray, O Gracious One, for Your Son and our God, let their hearts die in peace, but the devil - the father of malice - be put to shame! We, singing Your mercy to us, evil, indecent, we will sing to You, O Wonderful Lady Virgin of Grace, hear us at this hour, contrite hearts of those who have, protect us with peace and love for each other and for our enemies, eradicate from us all malice and enmity, let us sing to You and Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Important! Your desire will be fulfilled only if it does not contradict the Commandments of the Lord and if it is the Will of God!

The myrrh-streaming miraculous image of the Blessed Virgin Mary is kept on Maiden's Field in Moscow, in the Church of Michael the Archangel. The celebration of the icon, also called "Simeon's prophecy", takes place annually on August 26 and on the week of All Saints.

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Prayer of the Seven-shot Mother of God - Softening of evil hearts

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The prayer for help addressed to the Mother of God Virgin Mary is one of the most powerful petitions of the Lord. There are a lot of images of the Queen of Heaven imprinted on icons and lists, and one of them is the miraculous Mother of God of the Seven Arrows.

This face of the Blessed Virgin is considered one of the most powerful icons in the Orthodox church world. For many centuries in a row, Orthodox believers have called for the help and intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary through this image.

Prayer to the Icon of the Mother of God "Seven Arrows"

The icon depicts the Virgin Mary, without the Son of God Jesus Christ, her heart is pierced by seven arrows or swords. Why just seven? In the Orthodox world, the number seven denotes the "fullness" of anything.

This image of the Most Pure Theotokos symbolizes the fullness of all the grief that Mary experienced during her lifetime, the weapon passed through the soul, through her sorrows and heart diseases. Also, there is another vision of this image: the seven arrows are the seven sinful passions of a person, which the Most Holy Theotokos can easily read in any heart.

A strong prayer to the “Seven Arrows” icon helps everyone who asked for help, which is why, every day in the church of the most holy of the angels Michael, many people gather to ask the Virgin Mary for help.

What prayer to read to the "Seven-shooter" icon

Orthodox believers ask the Virgin Mary for reconciliation between the warring, deliverance from hardness of heart, deliverance from anger and hatred towards anyone. The prayer of the “Seven-shot” Mother of God - “Softening of Evil Hearts” is called to give people hope that mercy, kindness and love will reign in the world, there will be no place for enmity, anger and rage.

The images of the Mother of God “Seven Arrows” and “Softener of Evil Hearts” are often confused, since they are almost identical, the only difference is that in the first case, arrows pierce the Virgin Mary, and in the second, swords pierce. But among the people, as a rule, both images are referred to as the Mother of God "Seven-shot".

The prayer to the Theotokos of the Seven Arrows is pronounced at her miraculous face in these words:

“O long-suffering Mother of God, Exalting all the daughters of the earth, according to Your purity and the multitude of sufferings You have transferred to the lands, accept our many painful sighs and save us under the shelter of Your mercy. We don’t know any other refuge and warm intercession for You, but, as if you have boldness to the One born from You, help and save us with Your prayers, so that we unstoppably reach the Kingdom of Heaven, even with all the saints we will sing in the Trinity to the one God now and forever, and forever and ever. Amen".

Prayer of the Seven-shot Mother of God - how to ask correctly

In order for the petition to the Mother of God to come true in the fastest way, you need to follow some rules:

• Go to an Orthodox church;
• Put a candle for health in front of the icon of the Virgin;
• Pray before the icon of the Son of God Jesus Christ;
• Buy a candle with which you will pray at home;
• Returning home, retire to a separate room, put a candle in front of the image of the Virgin and ask the Queen of Heaven for help in matters disturbing the soul.

Today, the miraculous myrrh-streaming image of the Blessed Virgin Mary is kept in Moscow, on Maiden Field, in the Church of the Archangel Michael.

Days of veneration of the holy face:

The image of the Blessed Virgin, pierced by seven arrows, is revered according to the new style on August 13 (old style - August 26).

Most importantly, do not be afraid to seek help from the Lord God, the Mother of God, Jesus Christ or God's Saints and Great Martyrs. Sincere prayer is a powerful weapon to solve any problems.

Not a single conspiracy, not a single magical deed can be compared with prayer in terms of the power of influence. God commanded people to turn to him for help, and not to the dark forces of the devil. Any appeal to the Lord must begin with the prayer "Our Father", and then ask for the indulgence of God's grace, healing from an illness or solving a problem.

Do not be afraid to turn to the Lord, he will hear everyone and help even in the most insoluble situation.

God bless you!

See also the video prayer to the Most Pure Theotokos "Softener of Evil Hearts":

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One thought on “Prayer of the Seven-shot Mother of God - Softening of evil hearts”

Nothing more vile can be found in combination with the prayer of obsessive and irremovable advertising of women's blouses and anything else!!