Orthodox churches abound with the faces of saints who are able to provide their divine help to people in a difficult situation and in the presence of serious illnesses. Each icon is characterized by some of its own special action, allows you to improve a person's life in a particular area. In this article, I would like to invite you to understand the meaning of the icon of the Savior Not Made by Hands, as well as in what situations you can pray for her mercy.
AN OVERVIEW OF THE ICON WITH THE NON-CREATIVE SPAS
The Image of the Savior not made by hands is one of the original images that depicted the face of the Lord on itself. The image is very significant among adherents of the Christian religion, often it is put forward in one place with the cross and crucifixion.
If you are an Orthodox person and want to know the real characteristics of this icon, as well as from what troubles you can protect yourself with its help, be sure to read on.
HOW THE NON-CREATIVE IMAGE OF JESUS CHRIST FIRST
We can find out what the Savior looked like from a large number of different church traditions and legends, but at the same time the Bible does not mention a single word about Jesus' appearance. How, then, could an image of the face that we are talking about now appear?
Promotional video:
The history of the creation of the image of the "Savior Not Made by Hands" with all the details was preserved and transmitted by the Roman historian Eusebius (a student at Pamphilus, living in Palestine). It should be noted that Eusebius made a very great contribution to history - many of the information from the times of Jesus have survived to this day thanks to his efforts.
But how did the Savior Not Made by Hands appear? They knew about the glory of the Savior far from his place of residence; residents of other cities and even countries often visited him. Once the king of the city of Edessa (now it is modern Turkey) sent a herald to him with a message. The letter said that Avgar was worn out by old age and a serious illness of the legs. Jesus promised to send one of his disciples to help the ruler and bring enlightenment to his people with the help of the light of the Holy Gospel. The following incident was recorded and reported by Ephraim Sirin.
In addition to a messenger, Avgar also sent a painter to Jesus, but he was so much blinded by the divine radiance that he was unable to paint a portrait of Christ. Then the Savior decided to give Avgar a kind of present - a canvas (ubrus) with which he wiped his face.
The canvas retained the imprint of the divine face - that is why it was given the name not made by hands, that is, one that was created not by human hands, but by divine power (similar to the Turin Shroud). This was the first image that arose during the life of Jesus. And when the fabric was delivered by ambassadors to Edessa, it immediately turned into a local shrine.
When Jesus was crucified on the cross, the Apostle Thaddeus went to Edessa, healing Abgar and performing other miracles, and also actively converting the local population to become Christians. We learn about these amazing events from another historian - Procopius of Caesarea. And in the records of Evagrius (Antioch), it is told about the miraculous rescue of the townspeople from the ambush of enemies.
EXTERNAL VIEW OF AN ICON WITH THE NON-CREATIVE SALVATION
Historical documents have preserved to this day a description of the divine face, which was kept by King Abgar. The canvas was stretched over a wood base. Surprisingly, the Savior Not Made by Hands is the only image depicting Jesus as a human being, with an emphasis on his human nature.
And in all other images, the Savior is already depicted with elements of church paraphernalia, or performs certain actions. And on the image of the Savior, one can contemplate the image of Jesus, and he is not a "vision" of the author, but represents the real image of the Lord.
Most often we see the image of the Savior on the trim - the image of the Savior, depicted against the background of a towel with folds. Most boards are white. In some cases, the face is depicted against a background of brickwork. And in some traditions, angelic beings floating in the air hold the towel around the edges.
The image is unique for its mirror symmetry, into which only the Savior's eyes did not fit - they are slightly skewed, which adds to the facial expressions of Jesus' face more spirituality.
The list of the Savior Not Made by Hands, which is located in the city of Novgorod, is a standard of the antique incarnation about ideal beauty. In addition to perfect symmetry, great importance is attached here to the complete absence of emotions - sublime purity, the peace of mind of the Savior, which seem to charge everyone who turns their eyes to his icon.
WHAT THE IMAGE MEANS IN CHRISTIANITY
It is difficult to overestimate what the face of the Savior Not Made by Hands means - after all, its amazing appearance in itself is a rather significant argument at the time of the struggle with icons. In fact, it is the image that is the main confirmation that the face of the Savior can be depicted and used as a shrine and prayed to him about your requests.
The imprint preserved on the canvas is the main type of iconography, reminiscent of the divine principle of icon painting. This skill initially also had a descriptive function - stories from the Bible began to come to life before the eyes of the first adherents of Christianity. In addition, before there were practically no books, not even the famous Holy Scripture, which was a great rarity for a long time. Therefore, it is quite logical that believers really wanted to have a visible embodiment of the Savior.
The very fact that the icon depicts only the face of Jesus is intended to remind Christians that they can only be saved if they establish a personal relationship with Christ. And if this does not happen, none of the church rituals will be able to let the believer enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
On the image, Jesus looks clearly at the audience - as if he calls on everyone who turns their eyes to him to follow Him. The process of contemplating the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands allows one to realize the true meaning of life in Christianity.
WHAT IS THE ICON OF THE "NON-CREATIVE SAVAGE"
The amazing image of the Savior has certain characteristics:
- it is the described icon that is an indispensable element of the icon painters' training program and their first independent icon;
- this is one of the faces of Jesus, on which there is a closed halo. Halo is the personification of the harmony and completeness of the Universe;
- the image is symmetrical. Only Jesus' eyes tilt slightly to the side to show a more vivid picture. Symmetry in the image is intended to remind of symmetry in everything that was created by the Lord;
- the face of Jesus on the icon does not express the emotions of suffering or pain. On the contrary, it evokes associations with calmness, balance and purity, as well as freedom from any emotional experience. The face is often associated with the concept of "pure beauty";
- the icon shows only a portrait of the Savior, one of his head, even his shoulders are missing. This feature can be interpreted from different positions, in particular, the head once again emphasizes the primacy of the spiritual over the bodily, plus it acts as a kind of reminder of the importance of the Son of God in church life.
It is noteworthy that the described icon is the only image of only the face of Jesus. On all other holy Faces, you can find the Savior moving or standing at full height.
WHAT REQUESTS CAN I CONTACT WITH THE “NON-CREATIVE SALVATION”?
The icon is able to help out a person in a number of troubles, namely:
- if a person solves a difficult life problem, is in a difficult situation, from which it is difficult to find a way out, it is worth turning to the icon of the "Savior Not Made by Hands" for help;
- if faith is lost, the face of the Savior will also help;
- if there are various severe pathologies, it is also worth turning to the face;
- in the presence of bad, sinful thoughts, by praying at this icon, you can quickly get rid of the latter;
- praying from the image, it is real to receive mercy and condescension from the Savior, both for yourself and for your close circle;
- if you suffer from apathy, lack of physical energy - the face of the Savior Not Made by Hands also allows you to solve this problem.
Before you start asking for the help of Christ from his icon - repent and read the text of the prayer "Our Father".
In conclusion, I suggest you also watch an informative video about the icon "Savior Not Made by Hands":