An icon is not just a graphic representation of this or that saint. It is a sacred object, full of special meaning from the point of view of a Christian. There are many legends associated with the icons that one wants to believe in - they say that they appeared somewhere in a miraculous way, that the sick were healed near them, and sinners comprehended the joy of repentance.
One of the most revered and beloved by the people of saints in Russia has always been the Mother of God, therefore there are especially many icons of the Mother of God, and they are distinguished by their diversity: the Kazan icon, the Fedorov icon, Vladimir, Unexpected joy, Umachchenie of evil hearts … one of these icons is called "The Indestructible Wall ".
The history of the image
The peculiarity of this icon is that the Mother of God is depicted here without a baby in her arms. Here, in her image, not so much the mother's principle is emphasized, but the intercession of the holy virgin, which she promises to Christians. The Mother of God in this icon stands in full growth on a quadrangular gold stone, raising her hands, as if praying for all Christians. Such an image is called the Mother of God Oranta (from the Latin word orans - "praying").
The original of the icon is in Kiev, in the St. Sophia Cathedral. It is a large mosaic image located in the vaulted part of the central apse of the cathedral.
Founded in the time of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, St. Sophia Cathedral in Kiev for eight centuries of its existence could not remain unharmed. Various parts of it were repeatedly destroyed, they were restored - but this does not apply to the central apse, where the mosaic image of the Mother of God is located. Such safety can already be considered a miracle! That is why the image received the epithet "Unbreakable Wall" and became known as miraculous. In Kiev, they believe that the city will not perish as long as the icon exists.
In this name there is also an association with an excerpt from Canon 9 of the Prayer to the Mother of God: "Refuge and intercession to Thee, awake, Virgin, and an unbreakable wall, refuge and cover and gladness."
Veneration of icons and miracles
Special prayers, troparia and akathist are dedicated to the icon of the Mother of God "The Unbreakable Wall". Orthodox Christians celebrate a holiday in her honor on June 13 (May 31, old style).
Through prayers in front of this icon, healings were performed more than once, missing people were found, marital relations were restored in families where things were going to divorce.
One of the miracles associated with the image took place at the beginning of the 20th century in the Spaso-Eleazarov monastery (Pskov region). Elder Gabriel saw in a dream a beautiful city, to which a wide road led, along which many people walked to the city, but the terrible giant captured them with his net. There was another road to the side - a narrow, steep path. Few travelers chose her, the giant also tried to catch them, but the net hit the wall protecting people. And then the elder recalled the words from the akathist dedicated to the icon "Unbreakable Wall": "Rejoice, the Unbreakable Wall of the Kingdom …", he realized that the Queen of Heaven had erected a wonderful wall.
Turning to the saints in prayers, people most often expect protection from earthly adversities. But the main thing that a Christian should be afraid of is sin, a temptation that can prevent a person from achieving unity with God, from this one must ask for protection from the Mother of God and other saints. This is the deep meaning of the elder's vision, and this should be remembered by any Christian who prays in front of the icon of the Mother of God "The Unbreakable Wall".
