Childbirth helper icon meaning. The miraculous Icon of the Mother of God “Assistant in childbirth. What to pray for in front of this icon

GREAT

We magnify Thee, / Blessed Virgin, / God's Chosen Young Woman, / and we honor Your holy image, / also sharpen healing / to all who flow with faith.

ICONOGRAPHY OF THE IMAGE

The iconographic type of "Assistant in Childbirth" is close to the image of the Mother of God "The Sign", where the Infant of God is depicted not in the hands of a virgin, but in a circle of light in Her bosom. This is still only contained in the womb, and not the born Jesus Christ, the Sun of righteousness, which has not yet shone before the world. But on the icon "Assistant in childbirth" (variants of the name - "Help in childbirth", "Helper to the wives of children to give birth", "Help in childbirth") The baby is depicted not in a circle, but in an oval, and not bust, but standing in full growth.

As E. Poselyanin writes in the book "The Mother of God. Description of Her Earthly Life and Miraculous Icons", on the ancient icon of the Mother of God "Helping the Wives of the Child to Give Birth" the Mother of God is depicted with an open head and loose hair. Her hands are folded over her chest, with the fingers of her left hand half covering the fingers of her right. Below the folded hands is depicted the Eternal Infant, blessing with his gum hand, and holding his left on his knee. The extremities of the legs are visible from under His garment. On the Mother of God, the outer garment is red with gilding, with a gold star on each shoulder. The underwear is dark green with gilding and gold stars and the same trim on the collar and sleeves. The head of the Mother of God is slightly tilted. The Savior is dressed in yellow with gilding, with a dark green color on the chest. The entire image is placed on a crescent moon.

Before the icon of the Mother of God "Assistant in childbirth" they pray not only for the sending of a successful birth, but also in case of infertility.

TROPAR, voice 4th

The faces of angels reverently serve You, / and all the Powers of Heaven with the silent voices of You please, / Help in childbirth, / we earnestly pray to You, the Mother of God, / may abide in the glory of the Lord, / through the icon revealed by You / and the radiant ray of glory of Your miracles / may delight from darkness, // praying with faith to You and crying to God: Alleluia.

PRAYER

O Most Holy Lady the Lady Theotokos, who does not leave us in earthly life! To whom I will lift up my prayers, to whom I will bring tears and sighs, if not to You, all the faithful Consolation! With fear, faith, love, Mother of Zhivota, I pray: May the Lord make the Orthodox people understand for salvation, may he give birth to a child for You and Your Son for our delight, may he keep us in the purity of humility, in the hope of Christ's salvation, and grant us all, in the veils of Thy grace, earthly consolation. Keep us under the shade of Thy mercy, Most Pure One, help those who pray for childbirth, turn away evil libels of freedom, grave troubles, misfortunes and deaths. Grant the gracious insight, the spirit of contrition for sin, grant to behold all the height and purity of the teaching of Christ given to us; save us from fatal alienation. Yes, everyone, gratefully singing Your majesty, let us be vouchsafed to Heavenly tranquility and tamo with Thy beloved, with all the saints let us glorify One God in the Trinity: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and forever and ever. Amen.

ACATHIST OF THE MOTHER OF GOD IN FRONT OF THE ICON OF THE "ASSISTANT IN BIRTH"

Kontakion 1

Elected from all generations to the Assistant of the Christian clan, to a God-pleasing life giving birth, we bring thanksgiving singing to Ty, the Mother of God, about the gift of your wonderful icon. You, as a speedy and all-merciful Intercessor, do not leave us in sorrow, but we call Ty: Rejoice, Assistant in childbirth, bringing Your children to the King of Glory.

Ikos 1

The representative angel was sent quickly to the Mother of God: Rejoice, when God the Word is incarnate in Her womb; and we are sinners, marveling at the holy Nativity, before Thy wonderful icon with faith and hope, crying Thy: Rejoice, knowing the joy of Christ's Nativity; Rejoice, who gave us the Son of Light. Rejoice, you endured the afflictions of persecution with fruit in your womb; Rejoice, thou who didst succeed in maternal deeds on earth. Rejoice, turning the sorrows of childbirth into joy; Rejoice, creating us for Heaven by Your love. Rejoice, having enlightened you by the exploit of your life; Rejoice, you astonished the whole world with wonderful births. Rejoice, Assistant in childbirth, bringing her children to the King of Glory.

Kontakion 2

Seeing, the All-Immaculate, in the glory of Thy Son, abiding before us, as though sorrow from the pride of the heart of Thy faithful servants, even more angry for God's sake, they deliver, Thou had the pleasure to reveal Thy icon, glorifying miracles, and cover Thy love with Alluia with a cry.

Ikos 2

Having given birth to the life-giver, the Most Holy Theotokos, you have affirmed the gracious care of wives in childbirth, you have interceded for our minds from above, so that we will know that there is a good, pleasing and perfect will of God. We are astonished from above at the grace-filled strengthening with tears of joy crying Ty: Rejoice, turning us away from sins; Rejoice, you alleviate the hard lot of wives. Rejoice, softening our hearts with Your love; Rejoice, through your prayers of the Son you call us for help. Rejoice, never forgetting the Nativity of Thy Son; Rejoice, for not forsaking Christian wives in childbirth. Rejoice, in spiritual birth you bless everyone; Rejoice, invariably calling to the light of Thy Son. Rejoice, Assistant in childbirth, bringing your children to the King of Glory.

Kontakion 3

The power of the Most High through the grace of the Mother of God has sanctified the Russian land, the children of His spiritual izmlad with love are wise and the soldiers of Christ are constantly calling for the purity of Orthodoxy, but we resort to the Lord with faith, before Your icon, the Mother of God, crying to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 3

I have Thee, the zealous intercessor of the Christian family, as Mother of Thy children teaches us repentance and humility, currents of miracles for strengthening us from Thy honorable icon mercifully exude, grace from God for the salvation of all of us. For this reason we call Ty sitse: Rejoice, by the appearance of Thy icon, Thou hast drives away the darkness of fierce circumstances; Rejoice, in holy Russia, inspiring faithful children with the Orthodox faith. Rejoice, weakening pain during childbirth by the grace of the Holy Spirit; Rejoice, your love always exudes us. Rejoice, in sorrow for many wives enlightenment; Rejoice, granting to those who love Thy Son, prayerful care. Rejoice, softening our hearts with the joy of childbirth; Rejoice, bringing us back to the holiness and purity of childhood. Rejoice, Assistant in childbirth, bringing your children to the King of Glory.

Kontakion 4

The storm of fierce confusion in our country raised by the enemies of the Church, Holy Virgin, tame Thy children, lost in repentance and sorrow, make wise, the souls of the wives of Christ's warriors in childbirth strengthened the hope of light, teaching thereby Thy people gratefully petition God: Alleluia.

Ikos 4

Hearing Orthodox people the innermost secret, as if by Thy intercession, the Mother of God, the judgment of our fatherland was placed at mercy, and marveling from above at Thy grace-filled care, reverently crying out to Ty sice: Rejoice, our families delivering them from despondency; Rejoice, overshadowing the infants with Thy graceful covering. Rejoice, allowing us sorrow to cover our sins; Rejoice, guarding our children in holiness. Rejoice, enlightening our youth with the light of truth; Rejoice, guarding the married families with love before God. Rejoice, calling to the sacrament of the wedding of the family; Rejoice, you warn all the faithful from mortal fornication. Rejoice, Assistant in childbirth, bringing your children to the King of Glory.

Kontakion 5

The divine star appears to us, the Mother of God, Thy honest icon, shining all those who grieve in the birth of women with the rays of Thy miracles, wandering in spiritual darkness to the light of Thy Son, drowning in sinful passions, clotheing the grace-filled peace of God the Father, and on the path of salvation with the consolation of the Holy Spirit ... We, having found this joy by faith, cry out to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 5

Hearing Orthodox people, as if Thy holy icon, the Mother of God, the Lord glorifies many miracles: the sorrows of Christian women in childbirth relieve the hearts of the father and mothers for the glory of God, and fills your wonderful icon with joy, like sanctification, like a shield and help the Russian people venerate. For this, for the sake of crying Tisice: Rejoice, dwelling place and house of Christ our God; Rejoice, salvation of the Russian people into alienation from God by the spirit of the fallen. Rejoice, invincible Guardian of Christians; Rejoice, our sins before God the Redeemer. Rejoice, filling the hearts of wives with grace in childbirth; Rejoice, you tirelessly calling for spiritual birth in the sacrament of Baptism. Rejoice, great acquisition of virtues; Rejoice, God's favor to the weak. Rejoice, Assistant in childbirth, bringing your children to the King of Glory.

Kontakion 6

Before Thy most pure way, we preach, Madame Theotokos, Thy great mercies, as if protecting the families of Christians, covering the churches with the grace of the Holy Spirit, protecting the wives with children, and leading Thee truly invincible Helper, we bring Thy praises and joyfully crying out to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 6

Having recovered true enlightenment, the Most Pure Theotokos, Thy wonderful icon appeared, to parents for consolation, to scattered families in reunification, rebelling against the Lord in disbelief in warning, to all of us for strengthening and in eternal bliss in Christ by the Lord of the atonement given by the Lord. We are wondering at the care of us, gratefully crying to Ty: Rejoice, saving us from sudden death; Rejoice, driving away the gloomy spirits of Thy holiness. Rejoice, covering our departures from God with Your love; Rejoice, the one who teaches us truly prays. Rejoice, for you incline us to longsuffering in sorrows and afflictions; Rejoice, Thy God-bearing hand for us sinners to the Son in prayer incessantly lifts up. Rejoice, for not forsaking those who are faithful to Thy Son with intercession; Rejoice, covering the weak with Thy protective cover. Rejoice, Assistant in childbirth, bringing your children to the King of Glory.

Kontakion 7

Although all man may be saved and enlightened in truth, Merciful Lord, adopt us to Your Mother, to help Christian wives in childbirth, to our children in heavenly nourishment. We rite from God this joy with tears crying to the Almighty: Alleluia.

Ikos 7

The Creator and Master is our Lord, for the sin of the commandment of the human race and to the wife of Adam: “In sickness, give birth to your children,” do this as a punishment, for many people to understand salvation for the sake of their souls. For this sake, we, the Lady, falling to Thy most pure image, earnestly pray to Thee: open the doors of mercy to us, crying to Ty sice: Rejoice, village of the inaccessible Deity; Rejoice, Angelic and our incessant surprise. Rejoice, fulfillment of God's mercy and love; Rejoice, Giver of the Savior in childbirth of help. Rejoice, holy Trustee of righteousness; Rejoice, unshakable Pattern-Cutter of love and kindness. Rejoice, in the pride of the hardened you deprive of Thy intercession; Rejoice, for you do not avert your joyful gaze from baptized babies. Rejoice, Assistant in childbirth, bringing your children to the King of Glory.

Kontakion 8

It is strange for those of little faith to hear how Your holy image exudes currents of grace, gives joy to sinners who come to You in repentance, glorifies God with the healing of grieving and ailing wives in childbirth, but we worship him with faith. The image ascends to the prototype with honor, and globally glorifying Thee with joy we sing to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 8

Do not abandon all the former grief of the earth, Most Holy Theotokos, weakening the bonds of passions with grace-filled care, purifying our hearts in repentance by flowing intercession before God, transforming our hearts through the redemption of Christ. For this, we gloriously sing Ti taco: Rejoice, bringing you to God through repentance; Rejoice, through our repentance you open the doors of paradise. Rejoice, by parental repentance from the children of illness, turning away; Rejoice, through repentance, Spiritual peace in the families of the faithful. Rejoice, you extinguish demonic discord in families by repentance; Rejoice, for uniting us with Christ in church repentance. Rejoice, transforming those who come in repentance; Rejoice, through repentance through Thy intercession before the Son, saving you. Rejoice, Assistant in childbirth, bringing your children to the King of Glory.

Kontakion 9

You, the Most Holy Virgin, appeared to be of every angelic nature, the Most Holy Virgin, you have conceived God in the flesh, you have accommodated the Lord in Thy womb, the same as the Most Holy and Glorious Throne of the King of Kings magnifying Thee, crying to God for You: Alleluia.

Ikos 9

The vetians of God-prophesied prophecies are now visible about You, come true, Mother of God, as if you truly gave birth to God in the flesh, you gave birth to us. And do not deprive us of the future Kingdom of God, you protect us from the wiles of this world with your protection. We, however, invoke the promised bliss in Christ in our prayers and in repentance by crying Ty: Rejoice, strong strengthening of Orthodoxy; Rejoice, quick Salvation of our souls. Rejoice, rebirth alienated from God to faith; Rejoice, our spiritual insight. Rejoice, protecting us in the purity of Orthodoxy; Rejoice, tormenting us from a sinful fall. Rejoice, quick hearing of those crying to You; Rejoice, blessing childbirth. Rejoice, Assistant in childbirth, bringing your children to the King of Glory.

Kontakion 10

To save many wives in childbirth from the passions and misfortunes that encircle them, Thy wonderful icon, Bogomati, you have given, even for the sake of the devil's machinations subside, deadly diseases disappear, pains in childbirth weaken, but all, seeing the mercy shown by You, cry out to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 10

Thou art the Wall, the Virgin Mary, Holy Russia and her people, her fencing, the enemies of Orthodoxy, Rebuke, for wives-mothers a special Consolation, for little children, blessed Care. By the same thanks to Thee, crying out to God: Rejoice, who glorify Thee from troubles delivering; Rejoice, you who have forgotten Thee shaming. Rejoice, Orthodox mothers, Glory and Care; Rejoice, you who keep the faithful enclosure of chastity. Rejoice, saving oil of those who repent; Rejoice, Queen of Heaven of all who are born in Christ. Rejoice, multiplying our joy; Rejoice, protecting babies and mothers with Thy love. Rejoice, Assistant in childbirth, bringing your children to the King of Glory.

Kondak 11

We bring praise and gratitude singing to Ty, Most Holy Lady: under Thy protection in the Orthodox Church, by the grace of God, we are born, in Thy gracious nourishment we invariably manage, by Thy intercession in Christ we are saved from time immemorial, and having placed our hope on Thee, joyfully crying out to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 11

The light-receiving light of the true light has appeared to us on earth, enlighten the souls, teach those who honor Thee in faith in salvation, guard the babies in the womb of mothers, and sing to thee; Rejoice, in the birth of children weakening sorrow; Rejoice, our sins are forgiving by Your prayers to the Son. Rejoice, sending the humble wives to the soldiers of Christ; Rejoice, guarding the integrity of the young women. Rejoice, spiritually nourishing everyone invisibly; Rejoice, covering us with Your love in troubles. Rejoice, warning against blasphemous thoughts; Rejoice, for turning everyone away from the killing of unborn babies. Rejoice, Assistant in childbirth, bringing your children to the King of Glory.

Kondak 12

The grace of Thy heavenly glory was given to those who worship Thee with love, Lady, by faith, grant through Thy icon the communion of God, signs and miracles of healing, deliverance from spiritual sorrows. We led this treasure, crying out loudly to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 12

Singing Your miracles, which was in ancient and present times, we praise Thee, the Theotokos, who open the gates to eternal life with Thy prayers, by the grace of the Holy Spirit in earthly life, protecting, to the Lord the people chosen by Thy love, we are placing hope in Bose on Thy repentance crying and sitsa: Rejoice, salvation desperate; Rejoice, revival of those who perish. Rejoice, deliverance from troubles; Rejoice, affirmation of spiritual joy. Rejoice, Comforter of the offended; Rejoice, persecuted Patroness. Rejoice, fortifying the faithful in small things; Rejoice, you who nurtured those who loved the Lord. Rejoice, Assistant in childbirth, bringing your children to the King of Glory.

Kontakion 13

O All-chanted Mother, Assistant in childbirth, giving birth to all saints, the most holy Word, Hope of our spiritual awakening and in all good progress, in bodily childbirth, Blessed, consolation for Orthodox wives, create the Kingdom of Heaven, heirs of all, faithfully crying to God: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

( This kontakion is read three times, then ikos 1 and kontakion 1)

In this article we want to talk about the icon for pregnant women "Assistant in childbirth". Women pray to this shrine that she would help them cope with the physical torment she will go through in childbirth. However, not only pregnant women can turn to this icon for help. Girls who dream of motherhood, but suffer from infertility, can also pray to the "Assistant in childbirth". We will present you the text of the prayer to the icon of the Mother of God "Help in childbirth", we will tell you about its meaning and location.

The agony through which every woman in labor is so painful and strong that women, trying to find a way to make it easier to take into account and take into account the child, turn to the church for help, where they pray to the icon of the Mother of God, who has long played the role of the all-powerful intercessor of suffering women in childbirth.

There is a special icon that helps women in childbirth. She is called the "Childbirth Assistant". Although it has other names, which are also often used today when it comes to the icon of the Virgin and Child. But each of these icons has its own meaning in Orthodox history:

1. "Blissful womb." The first mention of this icon was recorded in a collection of Orthodox manuscripts of the early 18th century. It says that a shrine made of beautiful wood arose in Italy, and more specifically, in the town of Brie (therefore, the shrine is also called Bargradskaya), and was brought to our land in the XIV century. By the way, the relics of St. Nicholas were brought along with her. After the icon came to Russian soil, it was brought immediately to Moscow. Here she was adorned with a precious salary (by the way, it is still kept in the Armory Chamber of the GMMK). In the 19th century, the icon was decorated with a new frame made of pure gold, but it was stolen by the French during the war with Napoleon. Because of this, a silver setting was made for the shrine, but it was also confiscated during the Soviet era during a political campaign to confiscate church valuables (this happened in 1924, after which the fate of the icon is not known). But the entire Orthodox world still celebrates the day of this icon on January 8.

1. "The Word is made flesh." This icon is called Albazin (Amur), because it was found in a fortress called Albazia. Hieromonk Hermogenes brought her there in the 17th century. At the beginning of the 18th century, the shrine was moved to the city of Sretensk, because the Chinese began to attack the Amur. The shrine was saved by Bishop Benjamin of Kamchatka. At his request, a silver setting was made for the shrine in this city so that the icon could be worn in a procession of the cross. (Note that in those days this ritual procession took place only across the territory of the Far East).

According to historical facts, the icon "The Word of Flesh was fast" helped the inhabitants of Blagoveshchensk to cope with the siege of the city by the Chinese tribes at the beginning of the 20th century and the epidemic of the world plague, which flared up almost at the same time.

The entire Orthodox world venerates this shrine and celebrates its day on March 22. Now the shrine is located in Blagoveshchensk.

Both of these canonical versions of the image of the Mother of God are referred to as the "Assistant in Childbirth" shrine. You can bow to all of them, asking for help in labor pains.

The meaning of the icon "Assistant in childbirth"

The shrine "Assistant in childbirth" is an icon depicting the Mother of God:

• She has an uncovered head, which at the same time is slightly tilted to one side, and her hair down to her shoulders (this, by the way, is the Western tradition of icon painting, which confirms the Italian origin of the shrine).

• The shoulders of the Mother of God are covered with a red cape with gilding. Stars are depicted on each shoulder and sleeve in gold threads.
• The Mother of God folded her hands on her chest (while the fingers of the left hand cover the fingers of the right).
• Christ in a mandala is depicted under the hands of the Mother of God, which emphasizes the fact that he is supposedly in her womb. His right hand is raised up - with it he blesses everyone who turns to the shrine, and his left hand lies on his knee.
• The Savior covered his shoulders with a yellow cape with gold lettering. Only on his shoulders and sleeves is a crescent moon.

This description already fully explains the meaning of the shrine. The priests urge women to pray to this icon so that she will help them in childbirth. They say that after attending a service in the church while reading the akathist to the icon "Assistant in childbirth", a woman finds peace and hope for a safe delivery.

"Assistant in childbirth": what does the holy face help to cope with?

Women who prayed to this icon claim that she helped them even in situations when they lost heart, because none of the doctors could give a guarantee that they would someday be lucky enough to become a mother because of numerous miscarriages and threats of interruption.

There are also cases when a woman's pregnancy went well, but only the child took the wrong position shortly before giving birth. After the expectant mother went to church and prayed to the shrine, the child turned over, and the woman did not need hospitalization. How else to call such a case, if not a miracle?

To summarize, it is safe to say that the icon "Assistant in Childbirth" after the prayer service to her:

• facilitates the course of pregnancy (this is especially felt by women who constantly have some complications for 9 months)
• conquers infertility
• saves a child's life if doctors threaten to terminate a pregnancy
• helps to give birth to a healthy baby
• facilitates the delivery process
• calms the expectant mother, helps her to gather strength and get rid of fears

The miraculous icon "Assistant in childbirth": where is it?

As we have already mentioned, the shrine "Assistant in childbirth" has survived to this day in 2 lists.

If you want to bow to shrines, then you must know where they are:

• One of the versions of the icon "Assistant in Childbirth" is located in Moscow - in the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Savior and in the Church of All Saints
• The shrine is also in the church of the Holy Princes Gleb and Boris in the city of Borovsk
• You can pray to the Mother of God in the St. Petersburg Holy Trinity Cathedral
• In Yekaterinburg - in the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ
• The icon "Assistant in Childbirth" is also kept in Serpukhov in the Nikopol Church.

In each of the above-mentioned temples you can buy the icon "Assistant in childbirth" in different variations. Very often women buy small icons, on the back of which a prayer is written, it will be possible to read it during the delivery process. In addition, pendants with the image of the Mother of God with Christ in the womb are especially popular.

In every maternity hospital, in the delivery room, the icon "Assistant in childbirth" is always hung on the wall or on the bedside table so that the woman in labor can pray to the Mother of God for help during physical torment.

Childbirth Assistant Icon: Where to Hang?

Like any other icon, the shrine "Assistant in Childbirth" should be located in the house on the east side:

• it can be hung on the wall, placed near the bed, but only from the side opposite the entrance to the room;
• if your pregnancy is difficult, then hang the icon over the head of the bed on which you sleep and rest;
• if you cannot get pregnant for a long time, then place the icon in the place where the iconostasis is located in your house and read prayers in front of it every day.

"Assistant in childbirth": how to pray to the icon?

Before reading a prayer in front of a shrine, a woman must be psychologically prepared for this process. If you sincerely do not believe in the power of the icon, then, of course, it will not help you. You can ask the Mother of God for help only when your soul and heart are open, pure and sincere. Read the prayer every day, you can even read it several times. As soon as you feel that you are sad, bad, you are again in despair, immediately go to the icon - prayer will help you gather strength.

Icon "Assistant in childbirth": photo

Faith is a very powerful force that can heal a person's soul, health and psyche. Thanks to this power, hope, peace and tranquility return to us. We sincerely wish all women who are at the stage of family planning, or who are waiting for the birth of a baby, patience, strength, health and faith in themselves. May the “Assistant in Childbirth” shrine help you in this - a miraculous icon that saved the fate of a huge number of women and mothers.

Video: "Prayer to the Icon of the Mother of God Help in Childbirth"

Every expectant mother is worried about how the childbirth will go, worried. In such an important life event, the Icon "Assistant in Childbirth" will become a support. Since ancient times, the Mother of God has been considered the protector and intercessor of women. They also turn to her with everyday difficulties, but the most important thing is that she is a helper in childbirth! She needs to pray not only during the very birth of the baby, but also throughout the pregnancy. At all times, Orthodox women in childbirth prayed to the icon of the Mother of God during childbirth, believed in her support and help.
Many women prepare carefully for childbirth, but this should not be all about maternity courses and exercise. In preparation for such an important event, the correct psychological attitude.

In moments of birth torment and suffering, when a new life is born, women in labor in fervent prayer ask the Lord for help. In families of believers, you can often see the Icon helping in childbirth. It depicts the Mother of God with a baby in her bosom and hands raised for prayer. There is an older icon "The Assistant in the Birth of a Child", in which the Mother of God is depicted with her hair loose and her head uncovered. Her arms are folded on her chest, and just below them is depicted Mla de nets.

Childbirth assistant icon. Photo:

Childbirth icon - how to pray to the Mother of God correctly?

It is better to start praying to the icon of the helper in childbirth right away, when the woman became aware of the pregnancy, in order to protect the child who is under her heart, and not only for this. After all, we have many reasons to pray to the icon of the Mother of God, the helper in childbirth - for the very onset of pregnancy, and for the world in which we live, for the sun, for water, and for much more.
Every day we have thousands of reasons for thanksgiving, but we just don't see them.

The fact that a new life grows and develops inside the expectant mother, a new person - this is the greatest miracle. This is the love of God. In recent years, the statistics on this issue are not at all comforting. Millions of couples have been dreaming of a child for years, but not everyone succeeds in fulfilling their most cherished desire, even with the help of medicine.

Only with age does a woman understand that her most important destiny is the birth of a child. No success, no career, no money can fill the soul of a person as much as a child's laughter. Small children are disinterested, they love their parents just like that, for nothing. Who else can you expect this from in this fickle and selfish world?
It is better to follow the prayer rule every day, and after giving birth, do not forget about prayers of gratitude.

Childbirth Icon - Spiritual preparation for the birth of a child

To prepare for childbirth according to the church means to go through confession and communion. During pregnancy, it is recommended to attend church on condition. If there are no special complications, it is better to go to church, but if it is very difficult for a pregnant woman, she has dizziness, weakness, etc., it is better not to risk the health of the unborn baby, because you can pray to the icon to help in childbirth at home. If the expectant mother before pregnancy has never confessed, did not receive communion, and rarely went to church, or maybe not at all, pregnancy is the time to decide on this serious step. Many people note that after the sacrament and confession one feels lightness and the realization that the baby will be born without sins.

In anticipation of childbirth, inner peace of mind is important, do not let bad things into it (anger, displeasure, irritation, etc.). The childbirth icon helps when people believe in it. Faith is the main thing. We must try to do good deeds. Some kind of material assistance is not required. You can support your neighbor with an act or a kind word. The most important thing is an open heart and a kind spirit. Many people notice that when carrying a child, a woman goes deep into herself - that is. it is focused not on the external environment, but on its internal content. The Lord gives a pregnant woman protection from external negativity, she ceases to react sharply to external stimuli, during this period she is more interested in what is inside her, and not outside.

Do prayers work during childbirth?

Many women in labor celebrated real "miracles" after reading the prayer at the Icon before giving birth. Someone had a baby who had been lying incorrectly for several months until this moment, suddenly assumed a favorable position for birth, someone else prayed for the pain to recede, and, indeed, received a little respite. The most important thing is to pray to the icon of the Mother of God of the family, not just for show, but from the heart, from the heart, and believe.

Other ways to prepare yourself for childbirth

It is very good to talk to the unborn baby. At first it may look strange, but soon the mother will learn to feel and understand her child. And the child will be closer to the mother spiritually after birth.

There is a sign that you cannot buy things for a child during pregnancy. If mommy believes in this, and this causes her fear, then it is better not to do this, because the more we are afraid of some event, the more likely it is that it will happen.

It is believed that a cap sewn by the expectant mother protects the child from the evil eye. In general, any little thing made with joy, care and love carries good energy and has the properties of protection. Therefore, while waiting for the baby, you can do sewing or knitting, and most importantly - think only about the good.

An icon during childbirth is important, but the main thing is faith. Faith in the help of the Lord, faith that everything will be fine with the child and the mother herself. During childbirth, it is better to think about what great joy awaits the woman in labor as a reward for all the suffering.

Many images of the Mother of God have been painted over the millennia. Believers have a tradition to refer to certain miraculous icons of the Mother of God. Each icon with its own name is miraculous. This means that through prayers to the Mother of God, miracles are performed through this icon, which are documented and recognized by the Church.
Women and girls especially often ask for the intercession of the Queen of Heaven before God - after all, She Herself was familiar with women's difficulties and troubles.

During the period of pregnancy and childbirth, which is important for every woman, and even simply if they want to have children, they pray to the Most Holy Theotokos in front of the icon "Assistant in childbirth." Women's health is a fragile thing, in addition, many expectant mothers today spoil their health already in their youth. In this article, we will tell you how to bear a child with the help of God, what patron saints pregnant women have, how to prepare for childbirth and what prayers to read to pregnant women, referring to the Mother of God.

HOW TO RECOGNIZE THE ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD "HELP IN BIRTH"

The first icons of the Mother of God, according to Holy Tradition, were painted by the holy Evangelist Luke, a disciple of Christ, a doctor and an icon painter. He created three main iconographic types of images of the Mother of God: Odigitria (translated into Russian - a Guide or Pointing the Way), Eleussa (Merciful, Affection), and Oranta (Intercessor). The type is icons united by one composition, clothing and pose of the Mother of God and the Infant of God. According to legend, all of them were painted from life - that is, the Mother of God herself posed for icons - and on the boards from the table at which the Last Supper took place, the last supper of Christ with the apostles on earth, when He established the Sacrament of the Sacrament.

Later, on the basis of the icons of St. Luke, many iconographies of the Mother of God appeared: each icon with a separate name differs in composition, the pose of the Mother of God or the Child, and their clothing.

The image of the Mother of God "Assistant in childbirth" belongs to the most rare iconographic type "Oranta" or "Sign".

There are two versions of the Childbirth Assistant icon:

• • On the first, the Most Holy Theotokos stands in full growth, her hands are raised up in a prayer gesture, and the Infant Christ is written at the chest level. It resembles the usual image of the "Sign" (Oranta).

• • Hands raised and outstretched to the sides, palms outward - an ancient pose of intercession. This prayer gesture is repeated by the priest at each Divine Liturgy and All-night Vigil. This pose gives all the icons of the Sign, especially such as the "Assistant in Childbirth", where the Mother of God stands at full height, solemnity and majesty. The pose is extremely stable, and the composition of the icon is symmetrical. This image of the Virgin was often depicted on the walls of temples in fresco painting or mosaics: for example, the famous icon of Oranta was painted in Yaroslavl in 1218, and the mosaic of the Virgin of Oranta on a gold background is located in the apse conch (on the hemisphere of the altar protrusion).

Images of the Mother of God, similar to the Icon of the Sign, have survived from early Christian times. Obviously, they were originally painted as wall images. The earliest known frescoes of this iconographic type date back to the 4th century and are located in the catacombs of St. Agnes in Rome. However, the Infant Christ does not dwell in the sphere, but sits on the lap of the Mother of God.

Already in the art of Byzantium and Ancient Russia, the image of Oranta with Emmanuel (the name is translated from Hebrew as "God with us"), that is, the Mother of God with Christ the three-year-old boy, hovering in a medallion at the level of the mother's chest or waist, arose. It is the development of this iconographic type over the centuries that the icon "Assistant in childbirth" is.

Another icon is more ancient, it also has a name in Old Russian: "The helper, the wife of the child to give birth." This image has become known and revered already in our time. The icon is unusual, first of all, in that the Mother of God is depicted on it with her head uncovered, her long hair in waves lies on Her neck and shoulders (which may indicate the Western, Italian origin of the image). The Virgin Mary is depicted to the waist or in full growth with her arms folded crosswise on her chest. However, the fingers of the hands only slightly cover each other so that the hands of the Mother of God seem to create a dome over the little Christ. At the same time, the head of the Mother of God is tilted, completing the sensation of a sphere around the Infant.

• • At the level of the waist of the Mother of God is depicted the Infant Jesus blessing people, holding his left hand on his knee; from under the gold with a green tint of clothes, children's legs are visible. Also, the hands of the Lord can be folded on top of each other at chest level. He seems to soar in front of the Mother of God - such an image, together with the gesture of the Mother of God protecting Christ, gives the feeling that He is inside Her, that She is still pregnant. The Mother of God and Her Divine Son are inside the crescent, this shows their Omnipotence.

• • The fingers of the blessing Child are folded in a special gesture of a noun blessing that bestows grace and is used by priests in the Orthodox Church today. The meaning of this gesture in the icon and in life is a blessing in the name of Jesus Christ. The fingers of the right hand are folded to form the IC XC monogram, where the straight index finger is the letter "I" of the Greek alphabet, the middle and pinky are two letters "C", and the letter "X" is formed by the crossed thumb and ring fingers.

• • The color of the icon is bright and memorable. The cloak of the Mother of God is bright scarlet or bright red with burgundy tones, it has an assist - golden "threads" indicating the grace of God, as if shining from above to the Most Holy Virgin. Sometimes golden stars are depicted on the shoulders of the Mother of God, which illustrate her Virginity both before the Nativity of the Lord and after. The lower chiton of the Virgin has a deep emerald color, also with a golden tint.

MEANING OF THE MOTHER OF GOD ICON "HELP IN BIRTH"

The name of the icon is not in vain. It reflects the theological meaning of the icon and the grace of the Mother of God, which She gives to pregnant women praying in front of this icon and women wishing to have a child. In the image of "Assistant in Childbirth" the meaning of the intercession of the Mother of God was supplemented by a visual understanding of the Incarnation of Christ. The image of "Assistants in Childbirth" combines the image of the pregnant Mother of God in the Annunciation, her expectation of the Nativity of Christ and the protection of the Most Holy Theotokos, covering all people.

Interestingly, in the Byzantine Empire, icons of this type were festive images of the Nativity of Christ. Only in Russia did they acquire an independent meaning and were called the "Sign", which means a sign of the Mother of God's mercy to all people.

Many cases of healing from infertility and finding the joy of motherhood by desperate women after praying in front of the icon "Assistant in childbirth" have been witnessed. The Church blesses to strengthen their faith and support medical treatment in cases of infertility with regular prayers. You should never despair: remember the will of God and the fate of the parents of the Mother of God herself, who only in old age were able to find the long-awaited Daughter, who became the Queen of Heaven.

Pregnant women, who are always experiencing special anxiety for babies, which sometimes takes irrational forms due to the condition of pregnant women, also need to find peace of mind in prayer.

If an ultrasound scan shows developmental abnormalities - also do not have an abortion, do not kill the baby. All predictions can be wrong, and the grace of the Queen of Heaven and the fulfillment of the commandment of God to preserve the life of a child is a truth proven by many centuries of church life.

WHERE IS THE ICON OF THE "ASSISTANT IN BIRTH" AND HER WONDERFUL LISTS

The icon was revealed in the early 1990s, but even in such a short period by church standards, it became famous for its miracles. The icon was found on a pious elderly woman - a parishioner of the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in the city of Serpukhov. Probably, the image was painted for one of the churches of Serpukhov and was hidden during the years of persecution of believers under Soviet rule. The icon was covered with dust and soot, but after restoration it shone with the colors that are visible on all its copies. Now the image is in the same Nikolsky Cathedral in Serpukhov (Moscow region). Residents of Moscow will simply get to the miraculous icon by making a small pilgrimage to venerate the shrine.

In honor of the icon "Assistant in Childbirth", some churches and additional altarpieces in churches have already been consecrated - this means that on the day of commemoration of the icon, especially solemn services are performed here with small processions of the cross around the temple (which even pregnant women can pass through). In Moscow, you can find lists of the miraculous image and consecrated thrones of churches:

• • In the St. Alekseevsky convent;

• • At the Krasnoselsky Church of All Saints;

• • In the Conception Convent;

• • In the Transfiguration Cathedral on Bolvanovka.

You can also bow to the image of "Childbirth Assistant" in other cities of our country:

• • In the Holy Trinity Cathedral of the Izmailovsky Regiment in the city of St. Petersburg;

• • In the church of the holy noble princes Boris and Gleb in the city of Borovsk, Kaluga region;

• • In the Nativity of Christ Church in the city of Yekaterinburg.

January 8, immediately after the Nativity of Christ, is widely celebrated every year in Serpukhov and in all the churches listed, the day of commemoration of the icon "Assistant in childbirth".

Long trips are not recommended for pregnant women, so you can ask your loved ones to go on a pilgrimage by submitting a note for you. But every pregnant woman can easily purchase an icon of the Virgin in a church shop. This is a rather rare image, so it is better to look for it in a shop at the cathedral of your city or at a monastery. Place the image next to the bed, pray daily morning and evening prayers for a successful pregnancy and childbirth in front of the "Help in Childbirth" icon, complementing the morning and evening prayer rules by reading the Gospel. So, with the help of God and the Most Holy Theotokos, you will more easily go through the difficult path of pregnancy.

You can take the same image with you to the maternity ward.

HOW TO PRAY BEFORE THE ICON OF THE "ASSISTANT IN BIRTH"

• • Start praying by becoming self-absorbed. Stand in front of the image, wait a while. Cross yourself twice, bow, kiss the image of the Virgin on the hand or the hem of the garment, then cross again and bow. Light a thin wax candle bought in the temple on a candlestick or an icon lamp - if possible, this is not necessary.

• • Read the words of the prayer slowly, you can aloud. Be baptized after each prayer. Do not forget about prayer in the temple and attending services on weekdays when there are few people.

• • You can pray in your own words, especially if your soul is heavy. A prayer appeal to the Most Holy Theotokos helped many women in all the difficulties associated with pregnancy. It is known that this condition is unpredictable, and diseases with it are not easy to treat. Therefore, prayer often works real miracles: childbirth is accelerated and contractions are facilitated, dangerous diseases pass without complications for mother and child. Believe in the Lord, read spiritual books, trust your doubts and repentance to the priests. Expectant mothers are advised to look only at the beautiful, listen to more good music and read the right books - it's high time to look at the beautiful icon of the Virgin Mary more often and pray in front of her.

MIRACLES FROM THE ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD "HELP IN BIRTH"

In Serpukhov, an akathist is read in front of the miraculous icon "Help in Childbirth". Its author is one of the priests of the Moscow diocese, who carries out his ministry to this day. Miracles from the icon are documented. For example, the rector of St. Nicholas Cathedral in Serpukhov told in an interview for the press about two cases:

• • One woman had a difficult pregnancy, towards the end of which the fetus was in a head-down presentation. Papers were being prepared for hospitalization and, possibly, artificial childbirth. However, the expectant mother managed to visit the Serpukhov Church and venerate with prayer the icon "Assistant in Childbirth". During hospitalization, it was found that the baby turned over to a normal position: the doctors noted this as a rare case and let the woman go home before the due date.

• • One married couple went through a long series of tragedies: a woman had miscarriages six times in a row. The family prayed with tears in front of the image of the "Assistant in Childbirth". The new pregnancy was difficult, but the future parents diligently attended prayer services in front of the icon, my mother daily took holy water, consecrated by the icon. So the long-awaited baby was born - another pious Serpukhov woman.

WHAT IS ASKED FOR THE ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD OF HELP IN BIRTH

Contrary to the name, which says about the help of the Mother of God only during childbirth, it is known that the Most Holy Lady helps through this image in all difficulties associated with conceiving and bearing children:

• • When planning a pregnancy;

• • On the healing of infertility;

• • In requests for a specific gender of the child;

• • On the relief of toxicosis and pregnancy disorders, difficulties in carrying the baby;

• • About keeping the child at risk of miscarriage;

• • On the correction of fetal defects, the healing of the child in the womb, if the tests show deviations in his development;

• • On overcoming psychological difficulties during pregnancy: fears, depression, self-doubt, dissatisfaction with your appearance - remember that you can always set aside a couple of minutes for foundation and mascara, and you will definitely take up your figure after giving birth;

• • About successful and timely childbirth;

• • About the future health of the baby.

The prayer to the icon of the Assistant in childbirth can be read online in Russian according to the text below:
My queen, Abiding, my hope is the Mother of God! Accepting and caring for orphans, wanderers, the Representative, the grieving Joy, the unjustly offended Patroness! You see my misfortune, you see my sorrow too - help me as a weak one, feed me as a stranger. You know my offense, deliver me from it as you wish. I have no other help but You, no other Representative before God, no good Comforter, except You, O Mother of God! Preserve me and cover me forever and ever.

O Most Holy Lady the Lady the Theotokos, who in earthly life never forgets us! To whom, besides You, I will direct my prayers, I will lift up my tears and sighs, besides You, all believing people Consolation! To You, Mother of the Lord - the Life of the Giver - with fear, faith and love, I implore: may the Lord enlighten all Orthodox people, direct them to salvation, give us children who are pleasing and good to You and Your Son. May the Lord preserve us in the purity of humility, in the hope of salvation in Christ, give all of us who are under the cover of Your Grace, and earthly consolation. Keep us in the shadow of Your mercy, O Most Pure One! Help those praying for childbirth, free them from evil slander, heavy troubles and misfortunes, turn away death and disease. Give the sight of grace and goodness, the spirit of contrition for sins, let us see the full height and purity of the teaching given to us by the Lord Jesus; Save us from bodily and spiritual destruction, apostasy from the Church, so that we all, gratefully singing Your majesty, receive heavenly rest and there, with all the saints, faithful friends of God, forever glorify God, One in the Most Holy Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

You can memorize short prayers to the icon "Assistant in childbirth": troparion and kontakion - and pray them during tests, with pains and contractions.

O Mother of our God, having conceived Christ the Life-Giver in Your womb, You Yourself did not require help in His birth, it is so easy to be relieved of the burden of Your slave (s), bless and help, and help her baby (their) to be born in a favorable time, and accept it (their) under Thy Holy Protection, we pray to Thee, Mother of the Lord Most High: You are to all women in labor and pregnant women, an Assistant, Intercessor before God to all Thy servants.
You comforted Eve's tears, and fulfilled the writings of the prophets, conceived the Infant of God from the Holy Spirit, and gave birth to Him humbly in the manger of the Bethlehem cave. We come to You, Keeper of women and babies, we bring our prayer sighs and sorrows to You, we magnify You: Rejoice, Good Mother of the Lord, Help in childbirth.

PREPARING FOR BIRTH AND PRAYER DURING BIRTH AND BIRTH

• • To prepare for the birth of a baby, you need not only your body, but also your soul - one might say, psyche - and spirit. Every woman, even before planning pregnancy, and even more so before childbirth, must begin the Church Sacraments: be baptized, if not baptized, confess and receive Holy Communion. The child must be born in a married marriage: together with your spouse, proceed to the Sacrament of the Wedding. It will not necessarily be a lavish celebration, but your family will receive blessings from God and the power to have a baby.

• • Attend divine services more often - this can be done on weekdays, when there are not many people in the church. In the temple, a woman needs to be in appropriate clothes: a skirt below the knee and a scarf (headscarf, scarf) - by the way, skirts and shawls can be borrowed for free during their stay in the temple.

• • You can come to Confession without preparing for Communion. That is, before Communion, Confession is necessary, but you can come to Confession separately. Preparing for confession is basically thinking about your life and repentance, that is, recognizing that certain deeds that you have done are sins. Before Confession you need:

• • If you have never confessed, remember your life from the age of seven (it is at this time that a child growing up in an Orthodox family, according to church tradition, comes to the first confession, that is, he can clearly be responsible for his actions). Realize what transgressions cause remorse in you, because conscience, according to the word of the Holy Fathers, is the voice of God in a person. Write down all the sins that you remember, with the knowledge of your unrighteousness and the promise to God not to repeat these mistakes. In confession, you cannot and should not tell about the history of each sin, its name is enough. Remember that many deeds encouraged by the modern world are sins: an affair or a relationship with a married woman is adultery, sex outside of marriage is fornication, a clever deal where you got a benefit, and another was given a poor-quality thing - deception and theft. All this also needs to be written down and promised to God not to sin again.

• • Read Orthodox literature about Confession. A sample of such a book is "The Experience of Building Confessions" by Archimandrite John Krestyankin, a contemporary elder who died in 2006. He knew the sins and sorrows of modern people.

• • Confession usually takes place half an hour before the start of each Liturgy (you need to find out about the time from the schedule, it is held in the morning) in any Orthodox church. On it you need to take only a sheet of written sins (it is needed so as not to forget to name the sins). The priest will come to a table near the altar (left or right) with a cross and the Gospel, read some prayers, and then people will come up to him in turn. Come, read the sins from the note, say: "I repent." We will be entrusted with an epitrachelion, then you need to kiss the Cross and the Gospel.

Preparation for the sacrament for pregnant women is being shortened. Usually it takes 2-3 days of fasting; in the morning before the Liturgy, you can not eat or drink anything either. However, fasting for a pregnant woman remains a limitation in her strength: for example, with the refusal of only one type of food (or meat, or milk and eggs, or fish). Sometimes for the health of the child, doctors prohibit food restrictions - this must be taken calmly, informing the priest in confession. The main thing is not to overeat, to eat in moderation and not for the sake of pleasure, not to gluttony. The same applies to Great Lent. You can, for example, eat boiled meat instead of grilled fatty steak.

The main thing during pregnancy is peace of mind and tranquility, the health of the mother and child. Likewise, church life at this important time should bring you spiritual consolation and peace of mind, and not deprive you of strength through fasting and constant presence at divine services. Pray more at home, read spiritual books, and listen to chants are great art. When visiting the temple, rejoice at the icons, the decoration of the temple, the help of God - it is sincere faith, trust in the Lord and the Mother of God that are the guarantee of the tranquility of a pregnant woman. Doctors can be wrong - the Lord is never wrong. Pray more often, placing your destiny in the hands of God. On the day of childbirth, relatives and friends in childbirth can order a prayer service to the Most Holy Theotokos in the church and pray for him during childbirth - at this time, everyone is usually just nervous, not having any opportunity to help, while it is better to turn to the Heavenly Doctor - the Lord.

A strong prayer that relatives have read since ancient times right during childbirth or labor:

O Most Holy Virgin, Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, You have known the torment of childbirth and pregnancy, and the nature of Motherhood - have mercy on Your servant (name) and help her now to be relieved of the burden safely. Oh, Merciful Lady Theotokos, You did not need help in the birth of the Son of God, but give Yourself help to Your servant, who especially needs Your Protection.
Give her strength at this hour, and give the baby, who is born into the light of God, into this world, at an auspicious time, to be born and enlightened by the Intelligent Light of God in Holy Baptism with water and the Spirit. Before Your icon, we worship You, Mother of God the Most High, praying: be merciful to this woman, for whom the time has come to become a mother, and pray the Lord Jesus Christ, incarnate through You, to strengthen her with His power and grace from above. Amen.

There are also two more icons of the Most Holy Theotokos, in front of which, if necessary, you can pray for pregnancy, childbirth and the health of the baby: the image of "Leaping Baby" and "Three Years".

Also, the following saints are the patrons of pregnant women and women in labor:

• • The parents of the Most Holy Theotokos are righteous Joachim and Anna;

• • The parents of Saint John the Baptist are righteous Zechariah and Elizabeth;

• • Great Martyr Catherine;

• • Blessed Matrona of Moscow;

• • Blessed Xenia of Petersburg;

• • Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker;

• • The Holy Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna is the wife of the Passion-Bearer Tsar Nicholas II.

Be sure to thank the Lord after a happy birth. Relatives can immediately order a thanksgiving service in the church. You can pray to the Mother of God in your own words with gratitude and a request for the Protection of the Queen of Heaven over the baby. Forty days after giving birth, you need to come to the temple for the priest to read the prayer of permission over you. Now you can baptize your newborn baby.

Through the prayers of the Most Holy Theotokos, may the Lord keep you!

The image of the Mother of God "Assistant in childbirth" also refers to the iconographic type of Immakulat, which translates as "pure, spotless." "Help in childbirth" (another name for the icon) is especially necessary for women who pray for a safe resolution of childbirth. It also helps those who want to get rid of infertility no less.

Origin and meaning

Historical path icons of the Mother of God "Assistant in childbirth" nobody knows. There is no information about the location of the original either.

It was the Theotokos who always prayed for help in any matters related to childbirth, who herself became the Mother of the Infant Jesus, and then saw the death and Resurrection of her Son. It is she who can understand the pain and experiences of a pregnant woman or a woman who wants to give birth, and also provide her with the necessary patronage.

History of acquisition

During Great Lent, Archpriest Vladimir Andreev gave communion at home to an old woman who was very glad to hear that the parish of St. Nicholas Cathedral in Serpukhov would be revived. In honor of this event, she handed over to the archpriest the salary that had been stored earlier in the attic. The image was framed with a smoked robe, but after the layers of perennial dust had been cleaned off by restorers, the face of the Mother of God “The Assistant in Childbirth” was revealed.

After that, the icon became the cause of many miraculous events that were witnessed and described by Vladimir Andreev, and in order to see it, pilgrims from all over the world began to flock to Serpukhov.

Description

In canon execution icon of the Mother of God "Assistant in childbirth" has two different options:

1. The Mother of God stands at full height, her hands are raised to heaven in prayer. In front of her (at chest level), the Infant is depicted.
2. The head of the Blessed Virgin is uncovered, slightly tilted, and the hair is loose (given this subtlety, many believe that the origin of this option is Western). The color of the outer garment is red with a golden sheen. Stars are sometimes depicted on the shoulders. The underwear is dark green (also gilded). The fingers of the right hand partially overlap the fingers of the left. The Savior is depicted below the Virgo's palms folded together. His right hand is outstretched in a blessing gesture, and his fingers are folded so that they form a monogram of his (Jesus Christ) name, made up of the letters of the Greek alphabet. The Infant God holds his left hand on his knee. The image as a whole is placed on a crescent moon.

In addition to these two well-established image types, there are many others that differ in detail and style of writing.

Where is

It is rather difficult to find a "Childbirth Assistant" on the territory of Russia. One of the lists was acquired not so long ago - in 1993. He was transferred to Serpukhov, to St. Nicholas Cathedral, and he was placed in the chapel of the Mother of God "Helping Childbirth". It is believed that this image has miraculous power and helps in case of complications during pregnancy or infertility.

Also, the image lists can be seen in:

• The Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Savior on Bolvanovka (Moscow);
• Krasnoselsky Church of All Saints (Moscow);
• Izmailovsky Holy Trinity Cathedral (St. Petersburg);
• Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ (Yekaterinburg).

What to pray for

As the name suggests the icon of the Mother of God "Assistant in childbirth" you need to ask for a safe delivery. She gives future mothers peace and hope, helps to give birth to healthy children, despite the disappointing forecasts of doctors. Some with fervent prayers were able to achieve a cure from infertility and waited for the onset of pregnancy.

In addition, she should pray to:

• the pregnancy was generally easier;
• the child has taken the correct position;
• facilitate the course of childbirth;
• cope with frequent depression and fears in pregnant women;
• gain courage, fortitude;
• to gain hope that all hardships will be resolved safely.

Having gained the spiritual strength and support of the Mother of God, any woman will be able to cope with the difficulties of childbirth and even feel joy from them. There are special prayers to appeal to her, but it is not at all necessary to know them, the main thing is to ask the Virgin for help from the bottom of her heart and then she will hear.

Honoring Day: January 8 / December 26 (New / Old Style). On the same day, the day of the icon of the Mother of God, the Blessed Womb, is celebrated.