MOTHER OF GOD SEMISTRELNAYA

Day 323: March 31

Mother of God Semistrelnaya (the Softening of Evil Hearts)



Forty days after the birth of the God-Child, He was taken to the Temple of Jerusalem, the center of the nation's religious life. The mother went to the temple with the Child, to offer a young lamb or a dove to the Lord as a sacrifice of purification. The All-Holy Virgin, the Mother of God, was in no need of purification, since she had given birth to the source of purity and holiness without defilement. However, she humbly complied with the commands of the law. On this day, the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos "Semistrelnaya" known as "The Softening of the Evil Heart" or "The Prophecy of Simeon" is also commemorated. The Mother of God is depicted without her child, with seven swords piercing her heart: three from the left side, three from the right, and one from below.

Among the copies of the famous and miraculous icon of the Mother of God "Softening of Evil Hearts", the Myrovlite icon that appeared in Russia at the end of the twentieth century and acquired international fame currently enjoys special veneration. At present, the sanctity of trials and the abundance of miracles that occur, such as the outpouring of myron and the influence of spiritual force, are unparalleled.

This icon is a normal icon printed on paper, which like many others was purchased at the ordinary stall of a church. On May 3, 1998, its owner, Margarita Vorobyov, reported that myron (or scented chrism oil) dripped onto the surface of the icon. These phenomena of myron and perfume effusion have been repeated several times.

On August 12, 2000, small wounds appeared on the Virgin's arms and neck and clear blood appeared on her left shoulder. Soon the news of the sinking of the nuclear submarine "Kursk" spread. They were days of universal mourning, and around November 21, 2000, the day of St Michael the Archangel, a trickle of blood began to flow on the icon for the first time that could be collected on a cotton ball. Since then, the icon, in addition to effusing myron and bleeding, has been accompanied by an uninterrupted fragrance.

A reliquary frame was built to preserve this precious image, and a church was built in the village of Bachurin near Moscow. Today, the arrival of this icon is expected all over the world. The Icon has already visited many dioceses in Russia and has been abroad several times – in Belarus, the Czech Republic, the USA, Australia, Ukraine, Mount Athos, Germany... Many people with love and reverence come to venerate the image of the Queen of Heaven, and have witnessed cases of healing, experiencing a sense of particular spiritual joy.

Through the miracles performed by the "Softening of Evil Hearts" icon, people are strengthened in faith, and many are turning to the Lord. The icon of the Mother of God, like the preaching and miracles performed by the apostles, preaches the Orthodox faith. It also shames the accusations of atheists and sects who compare icons to idols. The outpouring of the fragrant perfume and blood tells people that the miraculous icon is alive, and through it we can touch its prototype, which is the Queen of Heaven herself, our Patroness and Help of Christians, Consoler and Helper.

On January 27-29, 2009, the Myrovlite icon of the Mother of God "Softening of Evil Hearts" was located in the Church of Christ the Saviour, the Moscow Cathedral at the Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church. In front of it and the miraculous icon of the Mother of God Theodoroskaya, the election of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill took place.

The miraculous image "Softening of evil hearts," which pours out myron and blood, really sweetens bitterness, anger, indifferent, cold hearts. The Mother of God through her icon pours out upon us the abundant grace of the Holy Spirit, who enlightens our souls darkened by passions, softens them, and grants conversion of heart. The miracle of the shedding of myron and blood from the miraculous icon converts people from the drug of atheism and unbelief, leading many to faith. People seem to wake up from their spiritual slumber by turning their hearts to God, glorifying our heavenly Queen the Mother of God: "Rejoice, sorrowful Mother of God, transform our pain into joy!"


St Justin Russolillo Writes...

"Be with us, O Mary, in all the phases of our spiritual struggle with the spirit of darkness, with the spirit of the world and with the human spirit; in all the necessary trials, to which we are subjected in the pursuit of every virtue."

(Justin Russolillo, Devotional, Vocationist Editions, Pianura, 2009, p. 94)

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