February 7 is the Day of the Icon of the Mother of God "Assuage my sorrows": what is the image known for, who does it help
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- February 7 is the Day of the Icon of the Mother of God "Assuage my sorrows": what is the image known for, who does it help
Orthodox believers celebrate on February 7 a holiday in honor of the icon of the Mother of God "Assuage my sorrows" — one of the most revered images of the Virgin, famous for numerous miracles. It is believed that she brings comfort to all who turn to her with prayers, helping to find hope and peace of mind. In 2026, the holiday falls on a Saturday. Izvestia tells about the history of finding the shrine, its amazing iconography and who it helps.
The history of the church holiday on February 7
The history of the miraculous image is inextricably linked with Moscow and goes back to the 17th century. According to church tradition, the icon was brought to the capital by Cossacks in 1640 and placed in the church of St. Nicholas on Pupyshy in Zamoskvorechye.
For a long time, she remained in oblivion, ending up in the bell tower after one of the fires and the rebuilding of the temple. The second acquisition and All-Russian glorification of the icon took place in 1760 after a miraculous event.
A noble woman, who was seriously ill and no longer harbored any hope of healing, saw the Virgin in a dream. The Blessed Virgin instructed her to go to Moscow, to the church of St. Nicholas, and find there an icon with the inscription "Assuage my sorrows." After a long search, a dusty image with such an inscription was actually found on the bell tower.
When the image was brought into the church and a prayer service was served, the patient, after saying prayers in front of the icon, was completely healed. It happened on January 25 (February 7, New style), 1760. It was in memory of this miracle that the celebration was established.
The icon gained special fame in 1771 during the plague epidemic in Moscow, when many citizens turned to it for comfort. Soon a special chapel was built for the miraculous image, and later a service and an akathist were composed.
Today, on February 7, the feast day, solemn divine services are held in many churches. Believers strive to take part in the service in order to ask the Queen of Heaven for mercy and strength together.
Iconography of the "Assuage My Sorrows" icon
Iconographically, the image of "Assuage my sorrows" belongs to the type of "Eleusa" ("Tenderness"), which emphasizes the deep heartfelt connection between the Mother of God and the Infant Christ, as well as Her compassion for all those who pray. However, some religious scholars classify the shrine as a "Hodgepodge", that is, a "Guide book", noting its unique iconography.
This drive has a number of characteristic details that make it easily recognizable.
The position of the Virgin Mary: The Virgin Mary is depicted with a slight tilt of her head, which She supports with Her hand, which symbolizes Her attention to human sorrows and deep empathy.
The Christ Child: The Savior, sitting in his Mother's arms, holds an unfolded scroll in his hands. Most often, words from the Holy Scriptures are inscribed on it.
A gesture of unity: The infant Christ touches the Mother of God with one hand, which is interpreted as a symbol of the inseparable connection between the Divine and the human, as well as a sign that through the Mother of God believers receive intercession before the Lord.
What do they pray for before the holy image?
As the name of the icon itself implies, it is traditionally prayed in front of her for the relief of mental and physical suffering, especially during periods of severe illness, loss and trials. But you can turn to the Blessed Virgin Mary in other difficulties of life.:
about peace and harmony in the family;
For help in despair and despondency;
about support in making important decisions;
on the fair resolution of conflicts;
for protection in court cases (this request is related to the text on the scroll of the Infant Christ, which contains the words from the text of the prophet Zechariah: "Judge justly, show mercy and generosity ...").
Where is the "Assuage My Sorrows" icon?
After the destruction of the icon's original location in the 1930s, the Church of St. Nicholas on Pupyshy, the miraculous image was moved. Today, the most revered ancient list, dating back to the XVIII century, is located in Moscow, in the church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Kuznetskaya Sloboda near the Novokuznetsk metro station.
Numerous venerated lists of the icon can be found in many parts of Russia. Among the most famous places of worship:
Church of the Resurrection of the Living on Arbat (Moscow);
Serafimo-Diveevsky Convent (Diveevo village, Nizhny Novgorod region);
churches of the same name in honor of the icon in Moscow, Volgograd, Voronezh, Bryansk and other cities.
It is worth noting separately that the icon "Assuage my sorrows" is an image different from another revered icon of the Mother of God — "Consolation in Sorrows and Sorrows", whose day is celebrated on December 2. The latter is of Greek origin and has its own separate history of veneration in Russia, although both images bring believers one of the main graces — solace in sorrows.
Earlier, Izvestia told how the image of the Mother of God "The Sign" is known.
All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.
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