23 February – Feast of the icon of the Mother of God "Fire-like"
An ancient Byzantine image, mentioned as early as AD 598 and known as Kathreptis ("Mirror"), became known in the Russian tradition as the “Fiery” icon of the Most Holy Mother of God. However, it didn't become widespread in the Russian Church until the 18th century. The icon's Russian name comes from the fiery red tones used for the Mother of God's face and garments. Another theory suggests the name comes from the fifth song of the Akathist to the Mother of God: “Rejoice, O Fire-like Chariot of the Word, O Sovereign Lady, living Paradise.” Russian copies often depict the Mother of God facing left, mirroring the Byzantine original. This might be because Russian icon painters used a tracing technique from a copy of the original (as with the Vatopedi icon of the Mother of God).
The miraculous image of the Mother of God known as Kathreptis is located in the Simonopetra Monastery on Mount Athos. Tradition dates its discovery on the Holy Mountain to 23 February 845. The story goes that when the iconoclast Emperor Theophilus threw the icon into a fire with others in the 9th century, it miraculously survived. It only charred, and the face and garments of the Mother of God turned a fiery red.
The miraculous image of the Mother of God “Kathreptis” from Simonopetra Monastery on Mount Athos
The earliest depiction of the "Fire-like" Mother of God in Russian iconography appears on the frame of the Vladimir icon of the Mother of God, surrounded by other images of her (1722, painted by the Moscow iconographer I. Dorofeev; now in a private collection). This originated from the Church of the Apostles Peter and Paul on New Basmannaya Street in Moscow. Both her face and maphorion are depicted in luminous scarlet. Later images of the Fire-like Mother of God appear both within similar collections and as standalone works.
Simonopetra Monastery, Mount Athos
As early as the 6th century, the poet and hymnographer Romanos the Melodist praised the Virgin Mary as "the dawn of the mysterious day". The "Fire-like" icon embodies her attributes – incorruptibility and a fiery appearance. One Old Testament prefiguration of Mary is the burning bush Moses saw ablaze yet not consumed. This symbolises the immaculate conception of Christ by the Mother of God through the Holy Spirit. The burning bush can also represent the purity of the Virgin Mary. Though born into a sinful world, she remained pure, untouched by sin and unknowing of transgression. This Old Testament symbol appears in church hymns: "As the bush burned but was not consumed, so you, O Virgin, gave birth" (Doxology of the 2nd Tone). In the hymn for the Annunciation, we sing: "Rejoice, O Unburnt Bush."
Because divine fire didn’t scorch Mary's womb, it certainly wouldn’t harm the Kathreptis icon. Nor could any earthly fire, kindled by madness and ignorance.
"To the light-receiving candle, revealed to those in darkness, behold the Holy Virgin, kindling a non-material fire, guiding all to divine wisdom, enlightening the mind with the dawn, and honoured with these praises:
Rejoice, O ray of the intelligent Sun; rejoice, O star of the unsetting Light.
Rejoice, O lightning enlightening souls; rejoice, for you frighten enemies like thunder.
Rejoice, for you shine forth with manifold brightness..."
(Ikos 11 of the Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos)
These appellations to the Mother of God in the Byzantine Akathist (the earliest hymn in her honour, from the 6th or 7th century) are echoed in akathists to other miraculous icons: “Rejoice, O fire of the Divine, unburnt, contained within your womb” (to the "Three-Handed"); “Conceiving the unburnt Divine fire” (to the "Tikhvin Icon"); “Rejoice, O fiery palace of Him who sits upon the Cherubim; rejoice, O light-bearing dwelling of Him who commands the Seraphim” (to the "Burning Bush").
Since the Church hasn’t yet composed a separate prayer for the “Fire-like” icon, let us turn to the Virgin Mary with this well-known prayer:
"Most Holy Sovereign Lady, my Mother of God, by your holy and all-powerful intercessions, drive away from me, your humble and wretched servant, despondency, forgetfulness, lack of understanding, and negligence. Cast out all vile, wicked, and blasphemous thoughts from my defiled heart and darkened mind, and quench the flame of my passions. For I am poor and wretched. Deliver me from many fierce memories and pursuits, and free me from all evil deeds. For you are blessed among all generations, and your most pure name is glorified forever and ever. Amen."
Prepared by the team of obitel-minsk.ru
Images from the internet
Sources:
1. Viewing "Mother of God Fire-like: Iconography and Painting Features in the Culture of Vetka." Art of Eurasia (eurasia-art.ru)
2. N. I. Komashko. "Fire-like Icon of the Mother of God." Orthodox Encyclopedia (26 May 2023). Accessed 22 September 2023.
3. Collection of images of revealed and miraculous icons of the Most Holy Theotokos glorified in the Orthodox Church. Moscow: Manukhin, 1866.
