November 20 is the Day of the Icon of the Virgin Mary "The Ascension of the Baby": the history and meaning of the image

Every year on November 20, Orthodox believers honor the icon of the Mother of God "Baby's Leap", a miraculous image famous for its help in giving children and the safe course of pregnancy. In 2025, the holiday falls on a Thursday. Izvestia tells about the history and significance of the miraculous image.

The Feast of the Icon of the Mother of God "The Ascension of the Baby" — the history of the image

The finding of the icon of the Mother of God "The Ascension of the Infant" took place on November 20, 1795 in the Nikolo-Ugreshsky Monastery, located near Moscow. This ancient monastery was founded in 1380 by the Holy Prince Dmitry Donskoy at the place where the image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker appeared to him.

The details of the finding of the icon "Vygranie" have not been preserved, but it quickly became one of the main shrines of the Nikolo-Ugresh monastery. According to legend, through the prayers of this image, many believers were cured of diseases, and childless couples were able to conceive a child.

There are several versions of the origin of the icon "Baby's Leap". According to one of them, this ancient image was created in Greece, where it became famous for numerous miracles. Another theory suggests that it is a Russian icon, painted according to the Greek model.

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The Nikolo-Ugreshsky monastery suffered greatly during the anti-religious campaign of the Soviet government. In 1925, it was completely closed, and a children's colony was built in its place. In the 1990s, the building was returned to the Orthodox Church, but the miraculous icon "The Baby's Leap" was lost.

In 2004, an anonymous group of believers donated to the monastery a copy of the image, which, although different from the original one, belonged to the same iconographic type. It is now in the altar in the Transfiguration Cathedral.

Icon of the Mother of God "Baby's Leap" — meaning

"The Baby's Wriggle" is the Russian name for one of the variants of the iconographic type of Our Lady of Eleusa (Tenderness). In it, the baby Jesus stretches out his arms to the Mother of God, as if playing with his mother. The Virgin Mary presses her cheek to her son, expressing boundless love and tenderness.

"Exuberance" is one of the most emotional iconographic types. He emphasizes the closeness between Mother and Son, presenting them at the moment of natural human communication. The composition conveys the warmth of family relationships and maternal care. At the same time, it is believed that the Virgin's love for Christ also reflects her love for all mankind.

Icon of the Virgin Mary "Baby's Leap" — what helps

The Mother of God is revered as the main intercessor of people before God. Believers turn to her in any situation in the hope of receiving help and comfort. Therefore, the icons of the Mother of God also have no "specialization" — you can pray for everything in front of them.

Nevertheless, there are images that have become famous for certain miracles, so they are more often prayed in front of them for a specific purpose. The icon "Baby Jumping" is one of these icons. Childless couples who dream of having a child, as well as pregnant women who want to give birth to a healthy baby, resort to her help.

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In front of the icon of the "Baby's Leap", one traditionally prays for:

• giving children to childless couples;
• the safe course of pregnancy;
• successful childbirth;
• health of infants and their mothers;
• help in raising children.

Where is the icon of the Mother of God "Baby's Leap"?

The most ancient list of the icon "Vygranie" is kept in the Vatopedi Monastery on Mount Athos. This image has a special significance in the Orthodox tradition and attracts many pilgrims.

In Russia, several venerated lists of the icon are in various churches and museums. The Moscow and Kostroma icons of the Mother of God "The Ascension of the Infant" are represented in the collection of the State Tretyakov Gallery. Another revered list is located in the Moscow Novodevichy Monastery. This image is available for the worship of believers and continues to attract those who seek help in matters of motherhood and childbirth.

Prayer to the icon of the Mother of God "The Ascension of the Baby"

"Most Holy Virgin, Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given birth and birth to the mother and child, have mercy on Your servant (name) and help her in this hour so that her burden may be safely resolved. O all-merciful Lady Theotokos, who did not ask for help in the birth of the Son of God, grant help to this servant who requires your help, especially from You. Grant her good help in this hour, and vouchsafe the child to be born to them and to enter into the light of this world at a suitable time and a wise light in the holy baptism of water and the spirit. We bow down to you, Mother of the most High God, praying: Be merciful to this mother, when the time comes for mother to be, and beseech the incarnate of You, Christ our God, that he may strengthen you with his strength from above. Amen to that."

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the history and significance of the Shuisko-Smolenskaya Icon of the Mother of God.