Русская Версия

September 24, 2009
Nyack, NY: The miraculous icon of the Mother of God the “Softener of Evil Hearts” visits Holy Protection Church

The miraculous icon of the Mother of God the “Softener of Evil Hearts” visited Holy Virgin Protection Church on Monday, September 21, the great feast of the Nativity of the Mother of God. The icon was greeted by Archpriest Ilya Gorsky and Protodeacon Serge Arlievsky at the doors of the church, which was filled to capacity with over 200 worshipers. A moleben and an akathist were served.

About the Icon of the Mother of God the "Softener of Evil Hearts:"

The Most Holy Theotokos, on Her icon the "Softener of Evil Hearts" (or the Mother of God "of Seven Arrows," or "Seven Poniards"), is depicted being pierced by seven arrows (or swords). For many years this icon was kept in a curve in the stairwell of the church bell tower of St. John the Theologian Church (near Vologda). The icon, with her face looking down, was mistaken for a regular plank of wood (similar to what that on which one would walk), until a lame man in Kadnikovo had a vision that he would be healed by praying in front of this icon. When the icon was found, a moleben was served before it, after which the ailing man was healed.  The icon became especially renowned in 1830, during the a raging cholera outbreak in Vologda. In the pre-Revolutionary publication "Miraculous Icons of the Mother of God," a difference is noted between this icon, the "Softener of Evil Hearts" (also known as the "Prophecy of Symeon"), and the Mother of God "of Seven Arrows," in which the arrows piercing Our Lady's heart are positioned differently: on the icon "Softener of Evil Hearts" ("Prophecy of Symeon"), three arrows are on the left, three on the right, and one (the seventh) comes up from below; on the icon "of Seven Arrows," three are on one side, four on the other. They are also noted here to have different days of commemoration: the "Softener of Evil Hearts" is celebrated on February 2/15 and on the Sunday of All Saints; the icon "of Seven Arrows," on August 13/26. It has been reported that this icon, located in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow, miraculously streamed myrrh during the election of the new Patriarch, Kyrill. All those who turn to this icon in prayer sense that with the softening of evil hearts comes an easing of spiritual and physical suffering. People come to realize that, when they pray for their enemies before this icon, their feelings of enmity are softened, and that strife and hatred leave, giving way to kindness.

Photo-report

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese