“Rejoice, for You lift Your hands in intercession for us to God...”
(Ikos 5 of the Akathist before the icon of the Most Holy Mother of God “Surety of Sinners”)
Truly, the love of the Most Holy Mother of God for mankind knows no bounds. Born upon the earth and crowned in Heaven, She has not turned away from the struggles of Adam’s children in this vale of tears, but ever remains their intercessor and surety before the Lord Jesus Christ. “I am the surety of sinners before My Son,” and “He has given Me power to be heard on their behalf,” — so declare the scrolls held on one of Her wonderworking icons. Furthermore, there comes a revelation of the heavenly servanthood of the Queen of Heaven herself: “And whoever brings joy to me — through me, they shall find endless gladness.”
Image of the Most Holy Mother of God “Surety of Sinners” at Nikolo-Odrinsky Monastery
The icon “Surety of Sinners” is one of the most beloved and honoured throughout Russia. The golden crowns set with pearls and precious stones on the heads of the Mother of God and the Christ Child hint at the icon’s likely origin in the southern Russian lands. Its veneration began in the nineteenth century at the Nikolo-Odrinsky Monastery in the Orel province, now part of the Bryansk region. For years, the image had stood in obscurity among other ancient icons in the chapel by the monastery gates.
In 1844, at the request of Alexandra Pochepina, the widowed wife of a merchant, the icon was brought out. She had come to the monastery seeking help for her ailing two-year-old son, Timofei. After prayers were offered before the icon, the boy recovered. Elder Serapion, the abbot, then washed the holy image and transferred it in a solemn procession from the chapel to the main church.
Soon, more miracles began to occur. When outbreaks of cholera struck Karachev and Orel, the faithful flocked to the Odrinsky Monastery — both those in good health and those already struck down by the disease. Despite the crowds surrounding the icon, no one contracted the disease, and all the afflicted found healing. At the townspeople’s request, the icon was taken to Orel, after which the pestilence in the city ceased.
Copy of the “Surety of Sinners” icon in the Church of St Nicholas in Khamovniki (Moscow)
In 1847, a copy of the icon from Odrinsky Monastery was sent to Moscow for Lieutenant Colonel Dmitry Nikolaevich Boncheskul, a parishioner of St Nicholas’s Church in Khamovniki. He received the copy as a blessing, for he had hosted a monk from Odrinsky who had come to raise funds for the wonderworking icon’s decoration. Dmitry Nikolaevich began to notice that his icon gave off a holy radiance and even streamed myrrh. Sick parishioners who anointed themselves with the fragrant drops recovered. Soon, he donated the image to his parish church. Since then, the icon has never left the walls of St Nicholas’s Church in Khamovniki.
Icon of the Most Holy Mother of God “Surety of Sinners” at Korets Holy Trinity Monastery (Ukraine)
Another ancient “Surety of Sinners” icon safeguards the Orthodox faith at Korets Holy Trinity Monastery in the Rovno region, Ukraine. Its history is intertwined with the steadfast confession of faith witnessed in this land for centuries. In 1622, Prince Samuil of Korets, a defender of Orthodoxy, was captured and taken to Turkey. Under pressure from Catholics aligned with the Ottomans, his brother Ioann wavered and converted to the Latin faith. The Jesuits persuaded Ioann to surrender the family’s treasured relics: the burial shroud of the Mother of God and the “Surety of Sinners” icon. Yet, by God’s mercy, that year — on the Thursday following Holy Pentecost — a procession had carried these precious items safely to Korets Monastery, saving them from falling into Latin hands. To honour this event, a feast day was established, still celebrated annually with great reverence. The prayers of the Mother of God spared Korets time and again — whether from invading armies, wild storms, or life’s daily trials.
Churches and chapels dedicated to the icon of the Mother of God “Surety of Sinners”
Across the globe, churches have risen in honour of the wonderworking image of our heavenly Protectress.
"All sorrow ceases now, and the chill of despair melts away. Sinners bowed in grief find comfort and are touched by Heaven’s bright love. For today, the Mother of God stretches out Her saving hand and from Her most pure image speaks to us: I am the Surety of sinners before My Son. He has granted Me the power to plead for them always." — So declares the troparion chanted before this holy treasure.
Church of the Icon of the Mother of God “Surety of Sinners” at Nikolo-Odrinsky Monastery
The Virgin, painted together with Her Son on a simple wooden panel, always welcomes the lost into Her arms. From days of old until now, She has served as a faithful helper of our frail and struggling human race.
Cathedral of the Icon of the Mother of God “Surety of Sinners” in Shanghai
"Rejoice, You who open the doors to the Kingdom of Heaven for us sinners.
Rejoice, You who cut through the darkness of our wrongdoings like a bolt of lightning.
Rejoice, You who soften our hearts with sweet fragrance.
Rejoice, You who pour forth miracles everywhere.
Rejoice, You who by Your icon gladden all the people."
(from Ikos 5 of the Akathist Hymn before the icon of the Most Holy Mother of God “Surety of Sinners”)
Prepared by the team of obitel-minsk.ru
Photographs from the internet
Sources:
1. Rejoice in You: Wonderworking Icons of the Mother of God, compiled by N. Dmitrieva. Moscow, 2004.
2. The Unshakeable Wall: The Manifestations of the Mother of God in the Russian Land, compiled by V. V. Arkhipov. Moscow: Russian Chronograph, 2013.
3. The History of the Church and Icon of the Mother of God “Surety of Sinners”
4. https://pravoslavie.ru/51846.html
