In Russia, the Orthodox Church venerates the miraculous icon “Sign” on December 10, depicting the Most Holy Theotokos. According to the old style, this holiday fell on November 27.
On the icon, the Mother of God is inscribed with prayerfully raised hands, on her chest is the image of the Infant Christ.
10th of November.
Icon of the Mother of God “Sign”.The Icon of the Mother of God, depicts the Most Holy Theotokos, sitting and prayerfully raising Her hands; on Her chest, against the background of a round shield (or sphere), the blessing Divine Child – Savior-Emmanuel. https://t.co/XnbdWHxrdN pic.twitter.com/lEiY2uD4Yo
– Archpriest Sergei Ryzhov Mutually read 99.5% (@ 663060) December 10, 2021
The “sign” has been “responsible” for miracles for nine centuries, since the XII century, when the icon saved the people of Novgorod from the siege. The city was encircled by the soldiers of Andrei Bogolyubsky, but on the third day of the enemy’s standing, the residents had hope – a voice was heard to the archbishop of Novgorod. A wonderful voice ordered the clergyman to take the icon with the image of the Mother of God out of the church and surround the fortress wall with it. During this procession, one of Bogolyubsky’s archers struck the “Sign” with an arrow – tears flowed from the eyes of the Mother of God.
According to Calend, at the same time, the Heavenly Intercessor terrified the besiegers and they began to retreat.
Our ancestors, the Slavs, also believed that the day of the Sign would predict the future. On this holiday, they were looking for signs indicating fate, for which they carefully observed nature. So, at dawn, it was required to turn towards the north wind, so that it “took away all troubles and sorrows.”
Source: Rosbalt
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