November 25 is the Feast of the Icon of the Theotokos "The Merciful": the history and meaning of the image

Every year on November 25, Orthodox believers honor the miraculous icon of the Mother of God "The Merciful." In 2025, the celebration falls on a Tuesday. Izvestia tells us what the image is famous for and how it helps.

Feast of the Icon of the Mother of God "The Merciful" ("Kikkskaya") on November 25 — the history of the image

According to church tradition, the icon of the Mother of God "The Merciful" was created by the apostle and Evangelist Luke himself during the lifetime of the Virgin Mary. The second name of the image, "Kykkos", comes from Mount Kykkos in Cyprus, where the shrine is kept to this day.

Before finding a permanent place of residence, the icon traveled to many countries. Initially, it was located in one of the first Christian communities in Egypt. In 980, the image was transported to Constantinople, where it remained until the beginning of the 12th century.

The shrine came to Cyprus thanks to God's providence. One day, the ruler of the island, Manuel, got lost in the mountains while hunting and met the monk elder Isaiah. Not wanting to be recognized, the monk tried to escape, but Manuel caught up with him and severely beat him, for which he was stricken with a serious illness.

Elder Isaiah, in turn, received a revelation according to which, in order to receive forgiveness, Manuel must go to Constantinople and bring the miraculous image of the Mother of God to Cyprus. At the same time, a misfortune occurred in the family of the Byzantine Emperor Alexius — his daughter Komnene fell ill.

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The princess's illness was similar to the ailment that Manuel suffered from. Seeing this as a sign from above, the ruler of Cyprus asked the emperor to send him an icon of the Virgin. Alexy agreed, and his daughter immediately recovered. But, having witnessed the miracle, the emperor did not want to part with the image, then the disease struck him as well. Having repented, he fulfilled his promise, having previously ordered a copy of the miraculous icon.

In Cyprus, the shrine was placed in a temple specially built for it. Over time, a monastery was formed there, for the construction of which Manuel donated funds. Numerous miracles took place from the icon, called "The Merciful One." Many believers and even representatives of other religions were cured of serious ailments after praying in front of the icon.

The icon of the Mother of God "The Merciful" — what helps

The icon "The Merciful" belongs to the iconographic type of "Eleusa", which means "Tenderness". On it, the Mother of God is depicted with the infant Christ sitting on her arm and pressing his cheek against his Mother's cheek. A special feature of this "Kikka" image is the dynamic position of Jesus, who seems to be playing in the arms of the Virgin Mary.

Believers turn to the "Merciful" icon with a variety of requests. She is particularly popular with those who have problems conceiving a child.

What do they pray to the icon of the "Merciful"?:

• about getting rid of the drought;
• about healing from various ailments;
• about getting rid of infertility and giving a child;
• about support in difficulties and sorrows;
• for help in carrying the monastic cross;
• about getting rid of headaches;
• about helping with family matters.

Nevertheless, the clergy note, you can pray before the "Merciful" image about anything, because a person does not turn to the icon, but to the Queen of Heaven herself, who will not ignore a sincere petition.

Where is the icon of the Mother of God "The Merciful"?

The original icon of the Mother of God "The Merciful" resides in the Kykkos Monastery on the island of Cyprus. The image is located in the local row of the iconostasis of the cathedral church of the monastery, occupying the third place to the left of the Royal Gates. It is placed in a special kiosk, decorated with a salary and, according to ancient tradition, is half covered with a golden curtain.

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In Russia, lists of the miraculous image appeared in the 17th century. One of the most famous and revered is kept in the Moscow Zachatievsky Convent. After the ruin of the monastery in the 20s of the XX century, the miraculous list was transferred to the nearby church of the Prophet Elijah in Obydenskiy Lane, but in 1999 the shrine was returned to its "native" monastery. Today, it continues to attract numerous pilgrims, especially those who pray for the gift of children and the strengthening of the family.

Prayer to the icon of the Mother of God "The Merciful"

"O Most Holy and most blessed Mother of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ, Merciful Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary! Falling down before Your most holy and miraculous icon, we humbly pray to You, our Good and Merciful Intercessor: hearken to the voice of our sinful supplications, do not despise the sighs of your soul, see the sorrows and troubles that have befallen us, and as a truly loving Mother, strive to help us helpless, despondent, who have fallen into many and grievous sins and are always angering the Lord. And may our Creator, our Intercessor, not destroy us with our iniquities, but show us His loving mercy. Ask us, O Lady, of His goodness, bodily health and spiritual salvation, a pious and peaceful life, fruitful land, good air, timely rains, and a blessing from above for all our good deeds and beginnings, just as you graciously looked upon the humble hymn of the novice of Mount Athos, who sang a hymn of praise before Your Most Pure icon, And thou didst send the Archangel Gabriel to him to teach him to sing the heavenly song, which the angels praise Thee to the mountain, and accept our prayer now fervently offered to Thee, and bring it to thy Son and God, that He may be merciful to us sinners, and show His mercy to all who honor Thee and worship Thy Holy Image with faith. O All-merciful Queen, Mother of God, All-merciful, stretch out Your God-bearing arms to Him, in His name, as you bore a baby, and beseech Him to save us all and deliver us from eternal perdition. Show us, O Lady, Your generosity: heal the sick, comfort the sorrowful, help the needy: grant us all to bear the yoke of Christ with patience and humility, vouchsafe us to end this earthly life piously, to receive a Christian death without shame, and to inherit the Heavenly Kingdom, through Your maternal intercession to Christ our God, who was born of You, Who is with the Beginningless His Father and the Most Holy Spirit are worthy of all glory, honor, and worship, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the history and significance of the icon of the Mother of God "Skoroposlushnitsa."