Icon "The Bride is not native" ("Tenderness")

Wood, tempera. An original and rather rare icon in excellent condition. Icon The "non-native bride" is traditionally considered female, she protects girls and women, helps them to preserve the best feminine qualities, such as good temper, purity and chastity in girls. Size 180*225 mm. Guarantee of authenticity.

Among the numerous images of the Virgin, the icon "The Bride is not native" is considered one of the rarest. It is dedicated to the Annunciation, when the Archangel Gabriel announced to the pious Virgin Mary that she would give birth to a Child Who would become a Savior, and she would give birth while remaining a virgin.

It is difficult for us, modern people, to understand in what position an unmarried girl who gave birth to an illegitimate child would have been in those days. Both her name and the name of her family would be covered with indelible shame. But Mary, following the will of the Lord, humbly accepted this news. Then, according to the Gospels, They found her a husband – the pious Joseph, with whom She maintained a chaste relationship. However, at the time of the Annunciation, Mary did not know this, but, nevertheless, she showed obedience to God's will.

The more complete name of this icon is "Rejoice, the bride is not native", although sometimes you can find another name – "Tenderness". The image of the Virgin Mary here conquers not only with its external charm, but also with its depth. Her whole posture expresses submission to the Will of God, her eyes are humbly lowered, her crossed arms are pressed to her chest, as if She is trying to preserve the Good News brought by the archangel. Her whole image is imbued with humility, which is considered one of the main virtues, but there is no joy on Her face, because she already knows that a Son born miraculously will be sacrificed for human sins.

The icon "Rejoice, the bride is not native" ("Tenderness") was presented to St. Seraphim of Sarov by Emperor Nicholas I. It was painted on canvas and then attached to a cypress board. This icon became one of the venerable elder's favorites, although he had several images of the Virgin. He called it "The Joy of All Joys." As those who knew the elder intimately told, throughout his life he was under the protection and blessing of the Mother of God, who appeared to him in a dream. The oil from the lamp, which was constantly burning in front of the icon, had healing properties, and St. Seraphim used it to heal those who turned to him for help. In his dying hour, Seraphim of Sarov prayed before this icon and peacefully departed to the Kingdom of Heaven.

At one time , St. Seraphim of Sarov founded a convent in Diveevo, which was under the patronage of the elder throughout his life. After his death, the icon was handed over to novices, and she became considered the Supreme Abbess of the monastery. In 1902, Emperor Nicholas II presented the monastery with a silver lamp that was constantly burning in front of the icon. For the glorification of the Rev. The icon of Seraphim of Sarov was carried at the head of the procession from Diveevo to Sarov. Currently, the miraculous image is located in the church in honor of the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God, in the chambers of the Patriarch of All Russia.