All parents planning to baptize a child are interested in the definition of the patron saint. Now appeared new tradition among Orthodox believers - personalized icons according to date of birth. A Christian can have many patron saints, and the church approves of the sincere desire of the parishioners.
When my daughter and I approached the church bench, our eyes ran wide with the number of images. It is extremely difficult to navigate directly when purchasing a holy image, so you need to inquire in advance about your patron saint. In the article I will tell you about the images of the Virgin Mary and saints that can be personalized.
In Rus', they learned about heavenly patrons in the 4th century. Babies were specially named as a saint, so that he would protect and guide the baby along the path of truth. However, saints are mistakenly confused with a guardian angel. An angel is acquired after baptism, and a patron saint can be chosen.
Angels are disembodied beings who help the believer, and saints are simply people in the flesh. They are also sometimes called angels, but they were still people. IN Orthodox Church There are calendars, in which all the saints and martyrs for the Christian faith are written.
The Church venerates saints on a specific day of the year, but sometimes the dates of veneration of saints coincide. And then parents have a choice of which saint to take as their child’s patron. After this, you must definitely buy an icon of your saint and constantly pray to him. First, parents pray for their child, and then the child himself, as he grows up, can pray to his saint.
The tradition of naming a child after a saint has ancient roots and special meaning. It is believed that the name of the saint has positive influence per person, since it belonged to a righteous Christian. The name, as it were, guides a person through life, determining the choice of the right path. Just as the saint was God-fearing during his lifetime, so the namesake under his care will also be an exemplary Christian.
If the church kiosk does not have an icon of your patron, you can order it from an icon painting workshop.
How to determine a name day if the name of another saint is given at baptism (not the one who was honored on this date)? Then you need to look at the calendar for the day of veneration of your namesake, following the day of baptism. For example, if a girl was baptized Anna on November 21, then her name day should be celebrated on December 3 - the day of veneration of St. Anna. And 21.11 is celebrated as the day of the angel.
Icons based on the person’s date of birth and name will be constant companions, a talisman against diseases and difficult circumstances.
Such icons have powerful powers that can protect against terrible life events and sudden death. With a personalized icon, a believer must spend his life until last minute. Personalized icons differ from others in that the saints are depicted from the waist up. The images are framed in a wooden frame and are accompanied by a prayer message to their patron.
A short prayer to your saint:
Measurement icons
Measuring icons are sometimes ordered for baptized babies. The patron is drawn in full growth, and the size of the icon corresponds to the height of the baby. These are also personalized icons based on date of birth and name. The image is placed above the baby's cradle so that he remains under the constant protection of the heavenly patron.
When the child grows up, parents should tell about his patron. After all, it is necessary that a child, from childhood, establish a spiritual connection with his saint and establish a trusting relationship. Reading stories about the life of a saint is intended to guide the child’s steps along the path of righteousness and holiness.
Date of birth and icons
The tradition of choosing an icon by date of birth has appeared recently. For a Christian, it is the icon whose day of veneration coincides with his physical birthday that seems closer and dearer to him. Which patroness icon is considered the strongest by date of birth? The church fathers advise choosing the image that you like best.
The people especially reverence the image of the Mother of God, because the believer intuitively feels support from her and trusts more.
Winter months
- 23.11 - 21.12: Tikhvinskaya. The Omen. (St. Pleasant, St.).
- 22.12 - 20.01: Sovereign. (Blessed Sylvester and Venerable Sarovsky).
- 21.01 - 20.02: Burning Bush. Vladimirskaya. (St. and Athanasius).
Icon of the Sign helped the Novgorodians save the city from enemy invasion. This happened in 1170. The arrow hit the eye of the Virgin Mary, from which blood flowed. Having seen this miracle, the Novgorodians, with faith in their hearts, were able to drive the enemies away from the city walls. The second time the icon saved the city from the Swedes was in 1611. She surrounded the city walls with an invisible shield, which the enemy troops could not defeat.
Image of Tikhvinskaya was written during the life of the Virgin Mary by the Evangelist Luke. This image can be chosen to protect children and heal illnesses. They say that the icon was transported on a plane over Moscow when the Nazis stood at the walls of the city. Thanks to the defense of Tikhvinskaya, the enemy was defeated, and Moscow was saved from the invaders.
Icon of Our Lady Sovereign traces its history back to the moment of abdication of Nicholas II from the reign. On it, the Mother of God is depicted with the attributes of royal power, seated on a throne. This image was found in the basement of a church in the city of Kolomna on the exact date of his renunciation. Believers found protection in the person of the Mother of God, who said that she would not leave the Russian people and would protect them.
Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God very revered in Rus'. According to legend, the prototype was painted on a tablet from the table at which the Mother of God herself, her faithful husband and the Infant of God ate. The evangelist drew the image. When the Most Pure Virgin saw her image, she blessed everyone who looked at it.
Image of the Burning Bush Since ancient times it has been revered as a talisman against fires and lightning strikes. Also, the icon can protect against any natural Disasters and diseases. The symbolism of the image goes back to Old Testament times, when Moses saw a bush burning with heavenly fire. This bush is symbolically depicted in the form of paired four-pointed stars, in the center of which St. with the Divine Child.
Spring months
- 21.02 - 21.03: Iverskaya. (Venerable Milentius of Antioch and St.).
- 21.03 - 20.04: Kazanskaya. (Innocent of Irkutsk, Confessor, St. Sophronius).
- 21.04 - 20.05: Iverskaya. Helper of sinners. (St. and, Theologian).
Image of the Iveron Mother of God was painted by the evangelist during the life of the Mother of God. This icon is distinguished by a wound on the face of the Most Pure One. The legend says: this wound appeared when a certain pagan warrior pierced the image with a spear. Then the Holy Face was thrown into the river, and the current brought it to the Iveron monastery. This monastery is located on the holy Mount Athos in Greece. The icon became the patroness of the monastery and repeatedly protected the monastery from harm.
Image of Our Lady of Kazan preserved after a big fire in Kazan. The Virgin Mary appeared to little Matrona and indicated that she needed to find her image under the rubble. The discovered icon was transferred to the Assumption Cathedral of the city. Unfortunately, the prototype of the icon has not survived to this day. But numerous copies have the same miraculous powers as the original. The image of Kazanskaya helps to overcome not only external, but also internal enemies. The image is healing.
Face of the Helper of Sinners It has own story. One day, many believers from the Oryol province began to have identical dreams that in a dilapidated chapel there was the face of the Virgin Mary, forgotten by everyone. The image was found and updated. The icon brings relief from serious illnesses; many Orthodox Christians have recovered from it.
Summer months
- 21.05 - 21.06: Recovery of the dead. Burning bush. Vladimirskaya. (St. and Moscow).
- 22.06 - 22.07: Joy to all who mourn. Kazanskaya. (St. Cyril).
- 23.07 - 23.08: Pokrov Holy Mother of God. (Prophet, Nicholas the Wonderworker).
Icon of the Recovery of the Dead takes care of parishioners who find themselves in desperate situations. Numerous testimonies describe avoiding premature death. The icon defeats the dark forces that haunt the soul.
Image of joy to all who mourn helps everyone who finds themselves in difficult living conditions. This applies to illness, sorrow, poverty, addictions. The Mother of God sees every heart and will not leave anyone to perish.
Image of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary We especially honor the Orthodox. The history of the icon goes back to the beginning of our era, when, through the prayer of Christians, the Veil of the Mother of God herself was thrown over the city of Constantinople. This cover protected the city from enemy invasion.
Radonezh).
Image of Our Lady of Passion teaches humility and submission to the will of the Creator. On the list we see that the Mother of God humbly carries her child to suffer. Among the symbols of the icon one can highlight the instruments of torture that Christ will have to endure.
Image of Our Lady of Pochaev revered as a miracle worker. The prototype is located in the Pochaev Lavra, pilgrims come to it for deliverance from terrible life situations and diseases. According to believers, the icon resurrected dead people.
Image of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross captured the fact of finding the tree on which he received the crucifixion. The image helps to receive healing, find inner harmony, and strengthen faith.
Image of the Jerusalem Icon was written by the evangelist Luke after the resurrection of Christ from the dead. This image is considered miraculous, since many Christians received healing through it. The icon also saves from black magic and the affairs of sorcerers.
The prototype of the icon of the Quick Hearer is located on Athos. According to legend, a monk with a torch was making his way in the dark to have a meal and suddenly heard an order “not to smoke near the icon of the Mother of God.” Not paying attention to what he heard, the monk instantly lost his sight. Only the fervent prayer of the Mother of God healed his eyes. The image is called Quick to Hear, since the Mother of God promises quick help to all sufferers.
Bottom line
Now you know how to choose personalized icons. I would especially like to note that we must not forget about the dates of honoring our patron saints. Write it down in a notebook, circle it on your calendar. These days should not be confused with Angel Day - this is the date of your baptism. The name day coincides with the time of honoring the saint whose name you were named at baptism. If the day of baptism coincides with the time of honoring the saint whose name you were named, then the name day and namesake are celebrated on the same day.
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Instructions
Using the Internet will make your task even easier. On a website dedicated to choosing a child's name, type your name in the search bar. full name, and you will receive all the saints who have it with dates. Choose the one that is closer to your date of birth and announce to your relatives and friends that they have a new reason to congratulate you and give gifts - this is your name day.
Video on the topic
The celebration of a name day is a day of veneration of a saint who is considered your patron and bears the same name as you. But you can simply choose your patron saint using this calendar. His name may not be the same as yours, but he will become your guardian simply because you were born on the same day. If you know the date on which you were baptized, and this is not a problem for many now, because people began to carry out the baptism ceremony at a conscious age, then you can choose the one who is honored on this day as your patron saint.
In order to make it easier for a person to pray and concentrate on sacred words, the Church advises doing this in front of the faces of the Heavenly saints. God is inaccessible to the senses and is outside of space-time relations, so it is easier for a believer to establish a connection with the Lord through these images.
There is a certain pious tradition that connects a person’s date of birth with a certain patronizing icon. Let's try to figure out what kind of relationship this is.
Match by date of birth
There is a widespread belief that a strictly special icon corresponds to a certain date of birth. It comes to the point that icons are distributed according to zodiac signs - a lot of pseudo-Orthodox sites write similar information. Of course, true Orthodoxy has nothing to do with such classifications, and horoscopes and zodiac signs in general are a heresy and are not recognized by Christianity.
Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “The Sign”
There is a pious tradition of special veneration of those icons, the date of remembrance of which is as close as possible to the date of birth of a person. So, for example, on July 21, the appearance of the miraculous icon of the Mother of God “Kazan” is celebrated. People who were born close to July 21 can consider Kazan as their icon.
However, one should not betray too much of great importance coincidence of dates. No one bothers you to pray or especially venerate any other icon that you prefer. Some images can be passed down from generation to generation, as an inheritance. Such icons can patronize not only one specific family, but the entire clan.
You need to understand that an icon is not an amulet, not a magical artifact, not a “board” for the fulfillment of desires. An icon is an image, but we pray not to a physical image, but to a prototype. Ultimately, all our prayers should be addressed to the Lord.
If you feel that your prayer comes most from the heart in front of an icon, the date of veneration of which does not coincide with the date of your birth, this should not bother you at all. There is no need to give any special attention this issue. It is not a sin to venerate an icon that coincides with your date of birth, but if this coincidence is given special significance, sacred meaning, if the opinion arises that this particular icon is particularly “strong” - this contradicts Orthodox faith.
Icon of the Mother of God “Iverskaya”
How to choose the right personalized icon
The tradition of giving newborns the names of certain saints appeared in Rus' in ancient times. The heavenly saints became persistent patrons and protectors of man; from birth they provided divine help in difficult moments. Currently, this forgotten tradition is being restored in Russia.
Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God
Every Orthodox believer is under the heavenly protection of a certain saint. A personalized icon with the image of the heavenly patron has the ability to set one in a prayerful mood and reminds that a person is never left alone.
- To find out the name of your patron, you need to look at the church calendar. Often a child receives the name of the saint whose date of birth is closest to the day the newborn is born.
- Parents often name their child after a great ascetic, whom they especially reverence and glorify.
- You can also find out the name of the Divine Patron in the cathedral where the baptism ceremony took place. If in church calendar there is no name by which a person was called before this sacred ritual; he is given a second name, consonant or suitable in meaning to the first.
- There are no strict rules regarding what name to baptize a child and who to choose as his patron. If a certain saint is revered in a family, a child born on any day of the year can be named after him, and not just on the eve of the day of veneration of this saint.
In a church shop, a person buys personalized icons, where the patron is most often depicted half-length. Such a face is hung in the holy corner, next to the images of the Savior and the Mother of God.
On a note! Sometimes a tradition is practiced when a measured icon is made for babies, having a size identical to the height of the newborn. Heavenly patrons on such relics are depicted in full height. A similar icon is placed above the baby’s crib, this helps protect the newborn.
The meaning of personalized icons
Having a person’s heavenly patron can strengthen one’s faith, cut off despondency, and instill peace. By praying daily before the icon, an Orthodox believer is able in due time to feel the presence Heavenly Father, His endless love and forgiveness.
The patron saint should not be confused with the Guardian Angel. A patron saint is a person who once lived on earth, made of flesh and blood, who served the Lord with his life in such a way that he was honored to become famous. After their death, saints are able to greatly help living people by praying for them before the Lord. But the Guardian Angel is an incorporeal being of the spiritual world; he has never been a person. We receive a Guardian Angel in the Sacrament of Baptism and we can also pray to him and ask for help.
Important! Saints and angels assigned to a person according to church traditions of names and dates of birth help make it easier to get through difficult earthly path, filled with temptations, misfortunes and mistakes. Only holiness knows Right way, this road must be trusted.
However, sacred images are only intermediaries between direct contact with the rays of the Holy Spirit. Gradually adapting to prayers in front of the paintings, the believer becomes more righteous and discards selfish desires.
How to understand who my patron is
In difficult life circumstances We are supported by relatives, friends, acquaintances. But there are times when the help of loved ones is not enough. It is then that we remember about the heavenly patron - the protector of all people who have received holy baptism.
Who is the patron saint
Parents give their newborn child the name they like, which is entered on the birth certificate. In church, the priest names the child in honor of the saint, whose memory falls on baptism or the day following it. This is how we receive a heavenly benefactor - an intercessor from troubles, misfortunes, and the evil intentions of bad people. Many people confuse their saint with their Guardian Angel. An angel is a nameless, disembodied spirit. Heavenly patron- a person who lived a pious life, performed many godly deeds and was canonized after his repose.
How to find out the name of your patron saint
It is necessary to know your saint. After all, we resort to his intercession in Hard time, we thank him for his support and participation.
Where can you find out the name of your defender? In the church where you were baptized. Metric documents about all the rituals performed are stored there. Ask the clergyman to pull up the archival records, naming the date of the christening.
But not everyone remembers the time of the sacrament, because many of us were baptized in infancy. In this case, open the church calendar - calendar or calendar and find your name. The namesake saint, whose memory is celebrated shortly after your birthday, is your intercessor in heaven. If there are many saints with your name in the calendar, choose the one whose life is close to your spirit.
When a public name is missing from the calendar, or sounds in a Western European manner, the priest translates it into the Church Slavonic form. For example: Agatha - Agafya, Oksana - Ksenia, Svetlana - Fotinia, Zhanna - Joanna, Denis - Dionysius.
A saint, revered and loved by your family, who helps in difficult situations for many generations, can become a heavenly patron.
Feast of the patron saint
Name day is the day of remembrance of the saint whose name you were named at baptism. On this important day, attend a church service, pray for the well-being of friends and enemies, and give alms to the poor. At home, organize a holiday or tea party for your loved ones with all sorts of goodies, gifts, souvenirs, and intimate conversations. Buy an icon of a saint in the temple, pray to him not only when grief and misfortune are behind you, but also on happy days.
If you have rare name, and getting a personalized icon is problematic, buy an icon of All Saints. This is a universal image, and whoever your heavenly intercessor is, he will hear the words of your request or prayer and support you at the crossroads of life.
Heavenly patrons know all the problems and needs of man. They constantly intercede for us before the Lord, asking us for a happy and comfortable life. Don’t forget to say thank you to the invisible savior for all your blessings, behave with dignity and then you will feel the constant care of your heavenly patron.
The tradition of using personalized icons originates around the 4th-5th centuries. It was then that Christianity becomes not only the official religion, but also finds itself in a kind of flowering, which in turn is modified into various shapes veneration by people.
The essence of a personal icon
The icon depicts the image of the namesake patron saint. Since ancient times in Rus', each person had his own patron and carefully preserved his face. The same name means having the same name. According to Russian tradition, each child was given the name of one or another saint at baptism. This tradition has not lost its relevance today.
The patron saint becomes an eternal companion from birth to the end of earthly life and then leads to resurrection after death.
Although, of course, strictly speaking, this is not specifically done by the saint, but by the Lord, but the saint is perceived here as a kind of intermediary.
Therefore, we can say that a personalized icon is a personal intermediary for communication with the higher world, an opportunity to always turn to the Almighty. After all, as you know, holy people, through their own efforts, managed to achieve better communication with the Lord and a purer faith. Therefore, the prayers of saints in a relative sense are more valuable and the intercession of a saint for you before the Almighty also has high value and can help in many matters.
The name given at baptism becomes decisive for the rest of one’s life, influences the formation of one’s personality, and unites the spiritual and natural principles together. Often a personal icon is immediately painted by name, which becomes part of spiritual practice. But how do you know which patron to choose? This is a responsible choice on which your whole life depends.
When the baptism process is completed, the priest gives the person a new name in honor of which he is baptized.
Selecting an icon by person's name
The saint's name can be found in the church calendar. To find it, you need to pay attention to the names of the same saints, whose celebration days are closest to the date of birth. After the name has been chosen and the baptism has taken place, you should purchase an icon for the birthday and the name of the namesake patron saint, which you should always have with you and keep in your home.
It will not be difficult to choose an icon of the Mother of God by month of birth, and also to understand which icon of the patroness is suitable by name based on the days of veneration of saints in different periods of the year.
We offer a universal calendar that will allow you to make a very accurate choice, although, of course, if you want to understand this matter in detail, then it is quite important to seek advice from your confessor.
So, before you are the periods in which birthdays and corresponding icons fit.
- 12-20.01 The veneration of Blessed Sylvester and Seraphim of Sarov dates back to this period; the optimal icon would be the “Sovereign” icon of Our Lady;
- 01-20.02 The saints for these people are Athanasius and Cyril. The Burning Bush is also used;
- 02-20.03 The period of birth corresponds to St. Milentius of Antioch, St. Alexei, and the optimal icon Mother of God birthday during this period is Iverskaya;
- 03-20.04 Saint Sophronius and Innocent of Irkutsk, as well as the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, date back to this time;
- 04-20.05 Saints Stepan and Tamara, John the Theologian and the icon called “Helper of Sinners” are venerated;
- 05-21.06 You should choose personalized icons for a person from the images of Saints Constantine and Alexei of Moscow, as well as Our Lady of Vladimir and the images of “The Burning Bush” and “Recovery of the Lost”;
- 06-22.07 Saint Cyril and “Joy to All Who Sorrow.”
- 07-23.08 Elijah the Prophet, Nicholas the Wonderworker, and you should also prefer the icon “Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God,” which is especially valued in Russia;
- 08-23.09 Those born in this period should make their images images of Saints Paul, John, Saint Alexandra, images of the Mother of God “Passionate” and “Burning Bush”;
- 09-23.10 You should choose Sergius of Radonezh and the Pochaev Mother of God;
- 10-22.11 Saint Paul, “Quick to Hear” and “Jerusalem” icon;
- 11-21.12 Saint Barbara and Nicholas the Pleasant, “The Sign” and “Tikhvin” icons of the Mother of God for protection.
Now it will not be difficult for every reader to understand which icon is suitable not only by name, but also by birthday.
How does a personalized icon help?
Orthodox people have always sought help from the saints; they turned to them with various needs.
IN difficult situation when a person must do Difficult choice or go through difficult life trials, a prayer addressed to the saint will strengthen strength and faith
Through prayer, a person receives the help of the Lord God, forgiveness of sins, and help in business.
Your own patroness icon by name, like a guardian angel, protects a person all his life.
The heavenly protector saves you from troubles and failures, helps you determine which actions are harmful to you. spiritual growth, relieves pain
The personal icon is the most powerful protection in life, significant spiritual value.
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