On June 10, the Orthodox Church commemorates the miraculous icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, which dates back to the 4th century. The Nicaean Icon of the Mother of God belongs to the iconographic type known as “Oranta” (The Praying One).
This icon became renowned in the year 304 during the siege of the city of Nicaea. One of the attackers seized the icon, threw it to the ground, trampled it underfoot, and pelted it with stones. That night, the Mother of God appeared to him and said:
“You have committed a great insult against Me. Know that by doing so, you have signed your own destruction.”
The next day, during the battle, the young man was killed—a stone struck him directly in the head.
In the year 325, during the First Ecumenical Council, it was decreed that the following hymn be sung before this icon:
“Thy womb became the Holy Table.”
These words are often inscribed directly on the icon itself.
There are countless miraculous icons in the world. Many locally venerated images exist—each city, village, or region often has its own sacred icon considered its heavenly protector.
Many families preserve special icons passed down from generation to generation, filled with the power of the prayers offered before them.
Each of these icons has its own history and a list of miracles performed through faith and prayer.
What matters most is to preserve sincere faith in one’s heart and soul.
What do people pray for before this icon of the Mother of God?
– For protection;
– For guidance on the path of truth.
In prayer itself, you will feel the power of the Mother of God’s intercession and come to understand how She helps.
Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos
O Most Holy Lady Theotokos!
You are higher than all angels and archangels, more honorable than all creation:
You are the Helper of the wronged, the Hope of the despairing, the Protector of the poor,
the Consolation of the sorrowful, the Nourisher of the hungry,
the Garment of the naked, the Healer of the sick, the Salvation of sinners,
the Aid and Intercessor for all Christians!
O Most Merciful Lady, Virgin Theotokos!
By your prayers, save and have mercy on our Orthodox homeland, the most reverend metropolitans, archbishops, and bishops, all clergy and monastics, military leaders, civil authorities, the armed forces, and all God-loving people. Protect all Orthodox Christians beneath your precious omophorion.
Implore, O Lady, Christ our God—Who was incarnate of you without seed—that He may strengthen us with His heavenly power against both visible and invisible enemies.
O Most Merciful Lady Theotokos!
Raise us up from the depths of sin, deliver us from famine, ruin, earthquakes and floods, from fire and the sword, from foreign invasion and civil strife, from sudden death, from enemy assaults, from pestilent winds and deadly plagues, and from every evil.
Grant, O Lady, peace and health to your servants—all Orthodox Christians.
Enlighten their minds and the eyes of their hearts to know salvation.
And make us, your sinful servants, worthy to be heirs of the Kingdom of your Son, Christ our God,
for His reign is blessed and glorified—with His Unoriginate Father and the Most Holy, Good, and Life-Giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
Amen.