Icons are the main cult decoration of Christian churches. True believers consider them to be an important part of the household. Orthodox churches keep a huge number of icons, which depict the faces of the Saints and scenes from the Holy Scriptures. A person who first came to church for help from God needs to know which icons to turn to with a request.
Purpose of icons
The icon "Holy Trinity", symbolically embodying wisdom, reason and love, is the main shrine of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. It is generally accepted that the "Trinity" should be in every home, since it is important in the fate of a person. Before this icon, you need to confess, asking for the forgiveness of sins, pray to those who have lost hope.
The image of the Savior Not Made by Hands has always been beloved in Russia, it is no coincidence that the Savior's face was depicted on the banners of Russian soldiers. They turn to the Savior with requests to forgive sins, heal ailments, and instruct them on the righteous path. There is another type of image of the Savior, called the Savior the Almighty, which depicts the Heavenly King and Judge. Before this image, you need to thank God, pray for your loved ones and ask for solutions to life's problems.
There are a large number of options for the icons of the Mother of God. This is due to the fact that the Most Holy Theotokos appeared to people in different territories and at different times. And icon painters reflected her appearance in icons, which were then accepted by the Church. In the book of Yevgeny Poselyanin, written at the end of the 19th century, more than six hundred icons of the Mother of God are mentioned that worked real miracles. The most famous and revered icons of Vladimir, Kazan, Tikhvin, Iveron. In difficult times for Russia, the icon of the Kazan Mother of God was the defender of the Russian people. Since the time of baptism, the Kazan Mother of God has been helping a person in labor, blessing those entering into legal marriage, and stopping the fire. In his everyday needs, a person can always turn to her. Waiting for the accomplishment of important life events, one should pray to the Vladimir Mother of God, whose image accompanied the kings ascending to the throne. You can ask this Mother of God for the healing of the soul and bodily weakness, for the softening of the hard-hearted. The Tikhvin icon of the Mother of God is considered a guidebook that preserves a person on a long journey. The icon-keeper, protector from evil forces, ailments, enemies and slander is the Iberian Mother of God.
The Russian people at all times treated Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker with special love. The icon with his image must be purchased into the house, because it protects the wealth in the family, saves from want. Nicholas the Wonderworker patronizes travelers, stands up for unjustly offended people.
The Great Martyr Panteleimon gave healing from serious illnesses during his lifetime. They ask Saint Panteleimon for health and help in overcoming ailments.
Among the "modern" revered saints is Blessed Matrona, to whose relics a huge number of people come daily with various requests.
Saint Sergius of Radonezh patronizes schoolchildren and students. An icon with his face must be taken with you when going to study or an exam. Those people whose work is associated with a great risk to their lives (for example, military, firefighters, rescuers) are protected from trouble by St. George the Victorious.
Any person has a patron and patron icon. You can define "your" icon by date of birth.
Prayer in front of the images of the Saints
Standing in front of the icons, it is necessary to pray, that is, to have a sincere conversation with the Saints asking for help. This sincere conversation must be correct, only then will it be heard.
When addressing the Saints, one must not be distracted by extraneous thoughts, one must concentrate and not pretend. You can say the prayer out loud or in a whisper, but with feeling. You need to ask only for spiritual help for yourself and others, but not material. Before asking the Saints for anything, an apology is offered for personal sins. You need to turn to God with your requests for a long time, and not wait for their fulfillment immediately. It is important not to lose faith, patience and hope.
You can turn to God in church and at home, but it is believed that prayers in the church have great power.
