A man created in the image and likeness of God,very often seeks support and protection from the Mother of God and God Himself. The Lord blessed the people with a multitude of icons with miraculous powers. Images of the Mother of God enjoy a special love among the parishioners, it is always easier for the Intercessor Mother to come, for the mother remains the mother.
The icon of Gerontiss is unique in that it has God'sThe mother is represented in full growth. She is alone, without the Son. The full growth of the Mother emphasizes Her greatness, determination and strength. Being an old man, the Virgin in prayer asks the Son to help people. The open arms testify to the incessant prayer for all who need it and the readiness to accept any request.
At the feet of Our Lady is a jar filled with oil.The life-giving fluid flows over the edge, which symbolizes the constant fullness of the mercy of the Lord. No matter how many people ask, God will always give a lot more, even over the edge. Only to ask is necessary with faith, in purity and simplicity, in humility and patience, having forgiven the offenders.
Icon of the Mother of God Gerontiss, the meaning of whichit is difficult to overestimate, more than once rescued from death, healed from diseases and even cancer, restored the joy of motherhood, prolonged life and helped to calmly withdraw into the world of God.
Athos monasteries are the stronghold of Christianity. Monastery Pantokrator, whose name translates as "Almighty", according to legend, is built on the site indicated by the Mother of God herself.
In 1361, the Greek emperor Alexei Stratopedarh and his brother John Primikiri decided to build a temple.
Gerontissa, the icon of the Mother of God, was broughtto the site of the construction of the new church, but in the morning the builders did not find here either her or the tools. After a short search, things were found quite elsewhere. This was repeated for several days until the novices understood that the Mother of God herself was choosing a place for the construction of a new church, a sheer cliff above the sea, perhaps to emphasize the precariousness of this world and the strength of God's protection.
At present, it is not an altar, but the north-eastern column of the monastery is decorated with an icon of the Mother of God. The image of Gerontiss became the guardian of the magnificent and picturesque Pantokrator temple.
Gerontissa, the icon of the Mother of God, is especially reveredelderly people. One of the first miracles performed by her was the case in the monastery. The dying hegumen, anticipating a near death, asked to perform the sacrament and the liturgy that lets go of sin. The clergyman did not understand the importance and urgency of the moment and did not hurry to fulfill his duty, when the Greek icon of the Mother of God Gerontiss spoke, commanding that the hegumen, who soon departed, went to another world. After that, the icon acquired its name - Gerontissa, Staritsa, Mentor.
The XVII century was marked by a new miracle, whenthe time of severe hunger after incessant prayer near the icon in the pantry appeared a bright light. The brothers who entered the cell saw that all the jars were filled with oil that flowed over the edge. Having given the praise of the Icon of the Instructor, the novices perpetuated the miracle by adding a jug of oil to the image.
Its miracles and divinityGerontissa, the icon of the Mother of God, demonstrated more than once. During the attack of the pirates, who took all the silver and wanted to split the icon, they were blinded. Frightened, the robbers threw an image into the well. Only 80 years later the descendants of the repentant robber came to Athos on purpose and found the icon. The miracle was that it remained completely undamaged.
Icon Defender stopped the fire in 1950, turning the fire in the other direction.
Great and wonderful are the works of the Lord, and Gerontiss, the icon of the Mother of God, the prayer near which works miracles, to that confirmation.
The Mother of God became the guardian of the elders.Repeatedly after the prayer before the icon healing came. The Mother of God helps during childbirth, not only old men but also barren ones come to her. For children are the consolation of old age.
Exact copies of the miraculous icon, with the blessing of the prior, were consecrated and sent to many monasteries so that the Orthodox of the whole world could pray before the miraculous image.
The great mercy of the Mother of God extends to those in whom love and reverence live, who, with faith and humility, constantly asks for their salvation and their loved ones.
Prayer is very powerful."Skoroposlushnitsa" is an icon of the Mother of God, which is especially beloved. It is after the request made to her that the petitions are most quickly executed, assistance is received and healing is effected.
Particularly revered icon in the Transfigurationmonastery, for after she was said a prayer, "Skoroposlushnitsa", the icon of the Mother of God, twice saved the monastery from ruin in a miraculous way.
1878 was the year of the first ruin, but the Athonite elders heard about the disaster and gave the church a list of the icon of the Mother of God. A couple of years later, the monastery restored its former glory and God's power.
In 100 years the Savior-Transfiguration Monastery becamejust a warehouse of the military unit. 1995 is the year of the new revival of the church, but things went badly, there was no money for restoration. And again, the icon "The Skoropodshnitsa" and the zealous prayer of the elders created a miracle. The temple was rebuilt, and funds and people appeared. Monks are sure - "Skoroposlushnitsa" helps.
Many people refer to the icon as to the living, flowers and gifts are brought to it as a token of gratitude for the answers to prayers.
And the miracles presented by the icon of the Mother of God, notterminate. So, in the city of Murom, the mother prayed at the icon "Skoroposlushnitsa" about the fate of the missing son in the war, prayed with the belief that he was alive. However, after a while, a closed zinc coffin was brought. The undertakers did not have time to dig a grave, as a son, alive and unharmed, appeared in the house. The error came out, another guy was sent to the coffin, and the native son of that woman was in captivity. Subsequently, they were repeatedly seen near the image of the Savior.
The Icon of the "Fast-Eater" helps the patients anddependent on alcohol and drugs. Many former drug addicts without any treatment simply remain in the monastery and pray about the miraculous image, from which grace, extraordinary love and tenderness comes.
Nothing strengthens faith as much as the testimonies of people who received help, or the miracle they saw.
They come to the Mother of God with requests forthe restoration of families, and the most inexplicable miracle comes to the house of mutual understanding, patience, love returns. Maybe the young people do not understand what happened, but all the mother who knelt before the miraculous icon knows.
The Mother of God also hears requests for the employment of children, about well-being. Mother will always understand the mother.
The icon of Gerontiss leaves no one unanswered,especially the requests of children for the recovery of their parents. There were cases of healing when people recovered right in the temple, after kissing the icon. At that moment, surprise, admiration and gratitude covered all those present in the monasteries.
After receiving an answer to their prayers, people gain faith, their lives change, values change, and real faith comes to the great power of God and the Mother of God.
