Guardian angel image in stones. Intercessor icon by date of birth. Family icon: a symbol of the family and the spiritual connection of generations

AND Guardian angels. All people live by what they see and think in images. Every person has the best developed associative memory. Therefore, it is safe to say that when we pray, we always imagine the person to whom we pray. The words of the Old Testament that the Lord God created man in his own image and likeness, interest in inner life - these are the main reasons that at one time had a strong influence on the preparation and appearance of the icon.

Icon- this is a window to the Upper World. It is one of the means of communication with God, as with a person of a more developed, perfect mind, one of the ways to unity with Him. Icons are mosaic, painting and sculptural images. They can be performed in any artistic manner. The main thing is that through them the order established back in 787 by the Seventh Ecumenical Council on the veneration and worship of the Prototype is carried out.

We pray through icons to the Heavenly Father, the Most Pure Virgin Mary - Mother of God, the Holy Heavenly Powers, we turn to people who, from the creation of the world to the present day, have approached God with their holiness. We ask for their intercession, help and participation in our lives.

Holy icons- visible, historical evidence of this help, they affect our memory, our mind, our sense of beauty: we need them in prayer, we honor and love them, but we never pray to them ourselves. Every icon is symbolic - it is a combination of two realities. An icon is a symbol in drawing, in space, in form, in color.

Currently, in the Christian Orthodox world there are many icons that help in different life situations. The images imprinted on them patronize people and therefore serve as a good gift for any significant date.

Icons chosen according to his date of birth help a person very well.(zodiac sign)

Icons of the Intercessor by date of birth and Guardian Angels

ARIES- those born from March 21 to April 20 need to ask for protection from the icon of the Kazan Mother of God, and you are protected by your Guardian Angels: Sophrony of Vrachansky, Saints Sophrony and Innocent of Moscow, Saint George the Confessor.

Icon of the Mother of God - Kazan

CALF- those born from April 21 to May 21 need to ask for protection from the icons of the Sporushnitsa of sinners (commonly called Sporushnitsa) - the Guarantor for sinners, the Intercessor and Helper of all those who have repented of their sins. Iveron Icon of the Mother of God, and you are protected by your Guardian Angels: Saints Stephen and Tamara. Apostle Saint John the Theologian.

Icon of the Mother of God - Helper of Sinners

TWINS- those born from May 22 to June 21, you need to ask for protection from the icons of the Mother of God “Seeking the Lost,” “The Burning Bush” and the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God, and your Guardian Angels protect you: Saints Alexei of Moscow and Constantine.

Icon - Recovering the Lost

CANCER- those born from June 22 to July 23, you need to ask for protection from the icons of the Mother of God of All Who Sorrow and the Kazan Mother of God, and your Guardian Angel protects you: St. Cyril.

Icon of the Mother of God - Joy to all who mourn

A LION- those born from July 24 to August 23, you need to ask for protection from the icon - the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos, and you are protected by your Guardian Angels: Saints Nicholas the Saint and Elijah the Prophet.

Icon - Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary

VIRGO- those born from August 24 to September 23, you need to ask for protection from the icons - the Burning Bush and the Passionate Bush, and your Guardian Angels protect you: Saints Alexander, John, Paul.

Icon - Passionate

SCALES- those born from September 24 to October 23, you need to ask for protection from the icons of the Pochaev Mother of God, the Burning Bush and the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, and your Guardian Angel protects you: St. Sergius of Radonezh the Wonderworker.

Icon - Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord

SCORPION- those born from October 24 to November 22, you need to ask for protection from the icons of the Quick to Hear Mother of God and the Mother of Jerusalem, and your Guardian Angel protects you: St. Paul.

Icon - Mother of God Quick to Hear

Icon of the Mother of God of Jerusalem

SAGITTARIUS- those born from November 23 to December 21 must ask for intercession from the icons of the Mother of God of Tikhvin and the Sign, and your Guardian Angels protect you: St. Nicholas the Saint and the Great Martyr St. Barbara.

Icon of the Mother of God of the Sign

CAPRICORN- those born from December 22 to January 20 will be protected by the icon of the Mother of God Sovereign, and you will be protected by your Guardian Angels: Saints Sylvester and Venerable Seraphim of Sarov.

Icon of the Mother of God Sovereign

AQUARIUS- those born from January 21 to February 19 will be protected by the icons of the Mother of God of Vladimir and the Burning Bush, and you will be protected by your Guardian Angels: Saints Athanasius and Cyril of Alexandria.

Icon of the Mother of God of Vladimir

Icon of the Burning Bush

FISH- those born from February 20 to March 20 should ask for intercession from the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God, and your Guardian Angels protect you: Saints Alexis and Milentius of Antioch.

Icon of the Mother of God of Iveron

Iveron Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Goalkeeper), it is advisable to have it in your home. It will protect your home from ill-wishers and enemies.

Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos Iverskaya Goalkeeper

If a symbol is connected to an image, then this symbol is artistic. The golden background symbolizes eternity, and where there is no time there is no space. There are no shadows, no gravitational forces - all this follows from the fact that it is not our world that is depicted. To depict the higher, the supernatural, it is necessary to disrupt the order of the natural.

The icons have an ascetic element - elongated facial features, emphasis on the eyes, pursed lips. If an icon can be called a “portrait,” then it is a portrait of the soul; it does not reflect the physical. The subjects of the icons depict events described in Holy Scripture. But in every event, in addition to its existential meaning, there is also another, higher meaning.

Depending on the life situation, a person offers prayer to a specific image of the Saint. In this regard, the number of icons with the face of Saints in the house has no restrictions. In order to feel the presence of the Lord in their home and rely in their soul on the Holy protectors and saints of God, believers, as a rule, have several images in their house at once.

Mandatory icons icons of the Savior and the Mother of God are considered, as well as a family icon - the keeper of the hearth, intended for prayer in front of her to the Lord God for the salvation, health and well-being of the family.

In addition, there are several more icons, the presence of which in the house is associated with the most important events in the life of a family - the birth of a child and marriage. These are dimensional, personalized and wedding icons that help a person in his affairs and protect him throughout his life. After purchasing or before donating, it is advisable to illuminate such an icon in the temple, thereby enhancing its divine and grace-filled power.

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Prayers for all occasions.

In difficult everyday situations, people turn to God. The Almighty hears their sincere prayers and helps those who ask. In order for God to help your trouble, you must correctly contact him and his helpers. You will learn about saints and prayers from this article.

Which saint and icon protects the house from fire, protects from thieves and enemies

One of the obligatory attributes of the Orthodox religion is an icon. She is an image of the image of the Saint. Of course, a believer can always turn to God when he needs it.

But sometimes it can be difficult to concentrate your thoughts on prayer. The icon is the symbol that helps the Orthodox to tune into a connection with the Lord. An icon that has not been consecrated in a church is just a piece of furniture. But when consecrated, it is a powerful amulet that protects your home from adversity.

It is important to know which icon needs to be placed in the house so that it protects it from robberies and disasters. Reliable shield against fires and lightning The following icons serve:

  • St. Nikita of Novgorod - protects from evil energy. It also eliminates fears and cleanses people’s souls. It should be placed in the main room.
St. Nikita of Novgorod
  • Burning Bush - it also protects people who work with fire or weapons.
Burning bush

It is customary to ask the Force before the faces to protect your home and material property from theft and robbery: ·

  • St. Theodore Tyrone the Great Martyr - it is recommended to place the icon if thieving, dishonest people live near you.
Theodore Tyrone
  • Mother of God “Sign” - protects from robberies.
Icon of the Mother of God “The Sign”
  • St. John the Warrior - helps to find thieves and recover stolen goods. You need to hang the image above the front door.


John the Warrior

Icons will help against the evil eye of unkind people, envious people and the thoughts of enemies:

  • Seven-arrow - depicts the Blessed Virgin, whose body was pierced by seven arrows, symbolizing the suffering that she had to endure. You can also pray to this icon for human mercy. They hang it opposite the door to the home. It is believed that people with bad thoughts will not be able to cross the threshold of the home where this shrine hangs.
  • The Ostrobramskaya icon of the Mother of God is a strong talisman against damage and dark forces. They also turn to her, asking for peace. Helps avoid quarrels in the family.
Ostrobramskaya Icon of the Mother of God

Do not forget that the icon is not the Almighty himself or the saints, but only their images. Therefore, pray not to the icon, but to the saint depicted on it. Priests always say that they venerate the icon, but do not worship it. You need to worship the Heavenly Father.

An icon works as a talisman only in cases where your faith in the Lord is strong.

IMPORTANT: Correctly place amulets-icons on the eastern wall of the house.

In the old days this is exactly what they did. Now, given the modern layout of our apartments, it is allowed to hang images of saints in other places. You just need to follow the main rules:

  • choose a place for the icon from where the entire room is visible. Wash and cross him.
  • The place for the images is selected once, do not move them unnecessarily.
  • Before installing the icon, walk through all the rooms with it.
  • Do not hang pictures or other decor between the icons on the wall
  • do not place them near a noise source (TV, stereo system)
  • You can decorate shrines with flowers or embroidered towels.
  • do not store icons in closed drawers or cabinets
  • you can put candles or a lamp next to it

Prayer to protect the house

In various situations, believers ask God or the Saints for protection. Such an appeal is, in essence, a prayer, which can be mental or pronounced out loud.

This is a person’s attempt in moments of weakness to receive help from Higher powers. Sometimes, leaving our home even for a short time, we are overcome with anxiety for its safety. What about situations when we leave for a long time?

In order to protect your home from unkind people and disasters, they use a talisman prayer. It also helps to get rid of negativity and unfavorable energy at home. You can turn to the Almighty or to the Saints who protect your home:



  • go to church.
  • write notes for the health of your family.
  • Place candles in front of the images of the Son of God, Nicholas the Pleasant and the Blessed Matrona of Moscow.
  • get some holy water.
  • purchase candles (12 pcs.).
  • in your house, light them near the icons.
  • read the prayer.
  • Wash your face and your household with water from the church.
  • Spray the corners of the home with the remaining water.

The following tips will also help protect your home from negativity:

  • invite a priest to the house so that he can bless the room.
  • try not to quarrel or swear in the house.
  • when leaving home, bless it.

Family icon - the keeper of the hearth, helping in love and family life

It is believed that every home should have icons. In difficult life situations, images of Saints help people.

By turning to icons, it is easier for a believer to cope with unfavorable circumstances. A family icon brings special grace. It is believed that a strong family can only be based on a common faith and spiritual closeness.

Family icon - Joseph, Mary, Jesus

A family icon is passed down from generation to generation, and represents a spiritual shrine of the family. The tradition of having a family icon dates back to the times of Ancient Rus'. Such an icon can depict:

  • heavenly patrons of family members.
  • saints, especially revered in the family A family icon can also become an icon with which any favorable events in the family and miraculous incidents are associated, or an ancient shrine preserved by all generations.

To have a family icon that has protected more than one generation means to have a powerful amulet for your family. Such a shrine is endowed with special, very strong positive energy.

Not all families have such shrines. You can choose an icon yourself that will help you create and maintain a strong, loving family. Traditionally, icons with images of: ·

  • Murom miracle workers Peter and Fevronia - despite all the trials they managed to preserve love. Having died in different monasteries on the same day and hour, after death their bodies ended up together.
Peter and Fevronia
  • Saints Joachim and Anna - parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The icon is considered the patroness of childless couples.
Joachim and Anna
  • Holy Martyrs Adrian and Natalya - having been tortured in the name of faith, Adrian died, and Natalya died on his tomb.
Adrian and Natalia
  • Saints Samon, Guria and Aviv are the patron saints of married women. The icon helps guide the family in the right direction and bring harmony to family life.
  • The Most Holy Theotokos “Unfading Color” - preserves peace and love in the family, reconciles in moments of quarrels and disagreements.
"Eternal Color"
  • Mother of God “Unbreakable Wall” - takes trials and troubles away from the family. Helps to return an unfaithful spouse to the family.
"The Unbreakable Wall"
  • Saint Matrona the Blessed is a faithful assistant in family affairs and will help find a way out of a difficult situation.
Matrona of Moscow
  • Iveron Mother of God - helps to avoid conflicts and swearing in the family.


Icon of the Iveron Mother of God

Place icons in your home - patrons of family happiness. They will help maintain good relationships, love and respect for each other in your family, soften quarrels, and help on difficult days.

Prayer for family well-being and happiness

For every person, family and loved ones are the most important component of life. Disagreements and quarrels between loved ones cause deep emotional wounds and take away strength.

Sincere prayers addressed to the Heavenly Father or patron saints will help preserve well-being, love and happiness in the family. You can pronounce it in your own words. The main thing is sincere faith and Divine love in your heart and soul.





Icon bringing good luck and prosperity to the home, family

It’s good when our loved ones are prosperous and our family lives in stable prosperity. Sometimes it happens that luck seems to turn away from us, and no matter how hard we try, we cannot get out of difficulties.

Icons depicting Saints will help you overcome family problems and bring prosperity to your home:

  • Saint Spyridon the Wonderworker of Trimifunts - an assistant in material and housing problems. They pray to this icon for the successful sale or purchase of a house if there is not enough money to purchase important purchases.
icon of St. Spyridon of Trimythous
  • The Holy Great Martyr Tryphon - in the old days they prayed to him during famine. This image will serve as a reliable shield from property damage and financial problems · John the Merciful - helps to find stable income and material well-being
icon of the Holy Great Martyr Tryphon

Prayer for prosperity and money and luck

We all know: money is not the most important thing in life. However, no one wants to end up in poverty. And we all want monetary stability and financial well-being.

In order to avoid difficulties with money and attract good luck in life, you can ask God or your guardian angel for this. Use these prayer words:



Orthodox Christians often turn to the Saints with requests for prosperity:

  • Spyridon of Trimifuntsky
  • To the Wonderworker Nicholas
  • Tikhon Zadonsky
  • Xenia the Blessed
  • John the Merciful


The most powerful icon against diseases that helps in health

We don’t think about health until we or our loved ones suffer from illness. Unfortunately, even the latest advances in medicine cannot overcome some diseases. And believers ask for healing from the Higher Powers.

In Orthodox iconography there are a number of miraculous healing icons that are especially revered by the people. There are many legends about how images of Saints helped to save people from terrible illnesses and even blindness. Which icon should you turn to to ask for health for yourself and your loved ones?

  • The image of Jesus Christ is considered the most important icon that helps with illness and suffering. The Savior himself experienced terrible physical torment, so he understands the pain of the asking person
  • The Icon of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear” is one of the most healing icons. Known among the people for its miraculous healing ability.


Icon of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear”
  • Image of Saint Panteleimon - he is one of the most powerful patrons of people who experience physical suffering. His image can protect even from the most terrible diseases. They also pray to the Saint when a complex operation is ahead. Healing icons are placed near the sick person’s bed and they are addressed in prayer every day.
St. Panteleimon

Prayer for healing and health

In case of illnesses of yours or your loved ones, use the Divine power of words. Pray to the Lord or the Holy Great Martyrs for protection over you and for health.

Believe that the Heavenly healers will hear every one who asks and suffers. They provide their help by relieving physical pain and giving strength of spirit.



Prayers for the health of a sick person have truly enormous power. He must be baptized in the church. You can say words of prayer in the Temple or at home, turning to the images.

Saint protecting children

The clergy say that children have special guardianship of Heaven, since they are still defenseless and pure before the world. A child baptized in a church has his own Guardian Angel. Take care of him too Savior and Most Holy Theotokos.

Among the Orthodox Saints there are those who especially patronize small children. This is due to the peculiarities of their actions in earthly life. The main patron who protects children is the Saint Stylian of Parthagon.

Stylian of Parthagon

From an early age he was distinguished by his desire for holiness. Having reached adulthood, he distributed property to the poor, took monastic vows and settled in a cave. After Divine grace descended on Stylian, he began to heal the sick. He especially devoted his life to the treatment and spiritual education of children.

In addition, Saint Stylian was considered the patron saint of babies who were yet to be born. Women suffering from infertility call for his help and ask him to give them children. On the icons Saint Stylian is depicted with a baby in his arms. They honor him November 26.

The following Heavenly patrons also protect children from evil forces and misfortunes:

  • Wonderworker Saint Nicholas
  • Holy Martyr Neophytos of Nicaea
  • Holy Child - Martyr Gabriel of Bialystok
Gabriel of Bialystok

The saint after whom the child is named. Icons depicting these helpers of God should be placed in the child’s room. Church ministers point out that these images are not a talisman for a child. Help is sent by the Almighty through the prayers of the Saint, to whom you address through the icon.

Prayer for the health of the child

The most powerful prayer is, of course, a mother’s prayer for the health of the child. Because there are no thoughts or words more sincere than a mother’s prayer for her child.

When a child is sick, loving parents are ready to do anything to make the illness go away. However, do not forget that prayer for your children is not bargaining with Heavenly powers.

Often in sad moments we make any vows to God, if only he would help in healing our loved ones. And when recovery happens, we forget about what was promised.

Prayer for the health of the child should be conscious, devoid of thoughtless vows. After all, the Heavenly Healer helps us without asking for anything in return. It is customary for Orthodox Christians to pray for the health of their children to:

  • Jesus the Savior
  • Blessed Virgin Mary
  • Healer Panteleimon
  • Matrona Blessed of Moscow


You need to pray for the recovery of children correctly:

  • Decide which Saint you will pray to.
  • go to church and write a note about the child's health.
  • place candles in front of the icons of the Savior, Mother of God and Saint.
  • in prayer, first ask forgiveness for your sins and weaknesses.
  • ask to heal the servant of God (name) from illness and not torment his soul with suffering.
  • When you pray for a child under seven years old, say “God’s child.”
  • collect holy water.
  • At home, read a prayer by placing your hand on the child’s head.
  • wash him with holy water.
  • It’s better to pray several times a day, even when you’re just thinking about your child.

There are many canonical prayers for the healing of children. They can be found in Prayer Books or on the Internet. But know that when you ask for the healing of a child, you can speak in your own words, it is not necessary to memorize the texts.



God will hear you in any case, because prayer comes from the heart. The clergy say that the Lord is merciful to the mother’s words, so you can pray to Him for an unbaptized child.

Icon of the patroness of women for marriage

Almost every worldly girl wants to start a family by marrying a good man. In the Orthodox understanding, the purpose of marriage is not only the birth of children, but also spiritual unity. Therefore, you should not be embarrassed to ask the Lord for marriage.

The desire to meet a worthy man in order to live with him in love is natural and natural. Sometimes a believing girl or her parents go to churches and monasteries where the relics of Saints or miraculous icons are kept. There they offer their prayers, asking Heaven to arrange their personal lives.

Often these prayers are prayed before icons:

  • Great Martyr Paraskeva Pyatnitsa - she has long been considered the main patroness of girls of marriageable age. The martyr is not only a healer of various ailments, but also helps girls marry for love. In the old days, an icon with the image of Paraskeva stood in every home and helped women in marriage.
  • Fedorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God - this miraculous icon is revered as a reliable patroness of young virgins for marriage.


  • “The unfading color” of the Most Holy Theotokos – helps in choosing the right husband.
  • Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker - people turn to him in many difficult life situations, he also helps to arrange a happy marriage.
  • Andrew the First-Called - it is recommended that the parents of their daughters pray to her that they be chaste and marry safely.


Andrew the First-Called
  • Matrona of Moscow is the comforter of lonely hearts and the guardian of the family, helping young virgins find family happiness.
  • Saint Seraphim of Sarov - helps women get married in adulthood.
Saint Seraphim of Sarov

The words of prayer pronounced on the holiday have special power. Protection of the Virgin Mary. Many girls wait for this day to ask the Heavenly Powers for marriage. They pray about this before the face of the Mother of God.

Before contacting the Intercessor, you should prepare:

  • let go of grievances, forgive those men with whom you did not have a good relationship.
  • take a swim, cleanse yourself not only spiritually, but also physically.
  • tidy up your house, your home should also be harmonious.
  • ask your parents for blessings; say the words of prayer.


You can also pray to other Saints who are close to you in spirit. You don't need to know any special words.

Ask about what worries you: about the desire to get married, about the fear of loneliness, about how you see your future husband and marriage with him. At the end of the prayer, do not forget to thank the Saint for his help and for what you already have in your life.

Among believers, the prayer for marriage to Saint Joseph is considered very powerful:



Prayer to Joseph

Remember that we are rewarded according to our faith. Miracles happen more often than we think.

The most powerful icon in the world

In the Orthodox world The most powerful icon is considered to be the icon of the Mother of God “The Tsaritsa”(Greek Pantanassa). This is a small image dating from the 17th century. This icon is located in Greece, in the Vatopedi monastery on Holy Mount Athos.

Since the beginning of this century, this miraculous shrine began to flow myrrh. It depicts the Most Pure Virgin in crimson robes, seated on the Throne. In the hands of the Mother of God is a baby, the Son of God, holding a scroll. And in the background there are two Angels.

This image of the Mother of God has the most powerful healing power. The miraculous properties of this shrine are known throughout the world.

She helped many people get rid of terrible diseases, including cancer. She is also approached by people who pray for their children if they have become alcoholics and drug addicts.

Mandatory three icons that should be in every home

There are a large number of icons depicting the faces of saints. This is due to the fact that there are a great many human needs and needs.

Each Saint is endowed with a certain gift for his work or suffering. People turn to them with prayers.

There are no restrictions on the number of icons in the house. You can place as many shrines as you see fit.

However, don't get too carried away. After all, a person’s faith is measured not by the number of icons, but by his thoughts and actions.

Kazan Mother of God
  • Holy Trinity Life-Giving(as a symbol of unity and love).


The Holy Trinity

It is believed that they should be present in the home of all Orthodox Christians. But some clergy say that images are mandatory Son of God and Mother of God.

They are taken to the wedding, and then left in the house as guardians of the family hearth. And the person chooses the third icon himself. This could be a face:

  • Saint Panteleimon the Healer.
  • Nicholas the Wonderworker.
  • The saint in whose honor you or family members were baptized.
  • Saint, who is your Guardian Angel.

A strong Orthodox prayer-amulet to all saints for help, in gratitude, for all occasions: text

There are a great many Orthodox prayers: about health, marriage, from the evil eye, etc. In difficult times, we read them, turning to our Heavenly Helpers.

And there are “universal” prayers, amulets for all life situations. The effectiveness of their words is enhanced by time. Learn these prayers yourself and teach them to your children. Explain that prayer is communication with our Lord.

A very strong prayer-amulet, a real “shield” even in very dangerous situations, is this:



Also protects humans out of trouble, a dashing person turns to his Guardian Angel:



Prayer to the Guardian Angel

Prayer Request 12 apostles for help:



Somewhere far away in heaven, the Old Angel taught young angels - the guardians of the family hearth - the difficult science of bringing love to families.

- It will be easy for you with people who are happily married. You will only sometimes have to adjust some of their wishes. This is acceptable with happy families. But it will

It’s much harder with people who consider themselves unhappy.

This is what I want to say. They may not actually be unhappy, but they convince themselves of this so well and for so long that we have no other choice... we do it for them.

- Can I ask a question? — the smallest of the angels raised his hand,

- How will I understand who is happy and who is unhappy?

“Don’t worry, you’ll figure it out,” the Old Angel thought for a moment, and then added,

— Your textbooks contain a description of the three most common options.

He walked to the table and opened the book lying on the table.

“Look,” he leafed through and, having found the desired page, quoted, “Pay attention to how they, that is, the husband and wife, talk to each other.

If they talk loudly, even sometimes shout, it means that they are unhappy with each other. Their hearts were so far away from each other that I could not hear the voice of the heart. That's why they raise their voices to shout to the other person.

Second option: talk quietly. This means that tender feelings reign here. Hearts are so close that they can even hear each other’s whispers.

And the third option: when two people just sometimes whisper to each other. But more often they just look into each other’s eyes and understand everything without words. This means that their hearts have become one. Such people have the same feelings for two and the same love for two.

If you look closely, it turns out that their auras have almost merged into one.

So, your task is to lead people away from loud conversations by any means. Especially if there are feelings. You need to help them maintain these feelings. Otherwise, these angry conversations take people so far away from each other that sometimes it happens that there is no turning back. We've passed the point of no return, you know?

The young angels watched their teacher in fascination.

- And you can do it. It is not for nothing that you have been given the title of angel - guardian of the family hearth.

The Old Angel looked up at his students and smiled:

- Well? On the road. Help people learn to talk with their eyes.

“Angel” translated from Greek means “messenger, messenger.” His task is to convey God's will to people. Guardian Angel is a person’s protector and assistant in overcoming difficulties. It promotes spiritual growth and successful passage of life.

The Guardian Angel does not always manage to positively influence a person. Refusal of faith, a tendency to aggression and anger destroys the spiritual principle. Changes for the worse begin to occur in a person’s life - troubles, illnesses, failures.

The Icon of the Guardian Angel helps visualize the image. Helps you start communicating with your bright spirit. Through prayers, a person is able to restore the lost connection with his protector and take the path of goodness and purification.

Why is a Guardian Angel needed?

Guardian Angel is a mediator between man and God. He is a messenger of good thoughts and communicates through an inner voice. For Christians, the Guardian Angel is a protective spirit. The clergy claim that only those who have undergone baptism receive a Guardian Angel. Therefore, they try to baptize a newborn as early as possible so that he has his own protector.

The Guardian Angel warns of dangers and helps to avoid temptation. The miraculous rescue of people who survived disasters, intuitive insights or prophetic dreams - this is how the Guardian Angel protects his ward. He will never harm a person. Daily prayer to the Guardian Angel will help you find a common language with him and overcome life’s difficulties. The Holy Fathers advise talking to your bright spirit, asking him for advice or help.

The more faith a person has, the closer the Guardian Angel is to him. If a Christian does not listen to his inner voice, then the bright spirit can leave him. Then troubles and illnesses appear in a person’s life. The Christian is deprived of his personal protective spirit.

Guardian Angel Icon

In Orthodoxy, a bright spirit is assigned to a person to take care of him and help him spiritually develop. The Guardian Angel communicates with his ward through his inner voice and intuition. Warns him of the danger that has arisen and inspires him to do good deeds.

The Guardian Angel never conveys God's will through third parties. Only through direct communication, in prayer or internal dialogue, is contact with the bright spirit possible.

The Icon of the Guardian Angel can be worn on the body or in a home iconostasis. She protects a person day and night. A home icon will protect the house and promote peace in the family. The Guardian Angel will help you listen to yourself and avoid troubles. The body icon will protect you from misfortunes and accidents. The protector does not interfere with a person’s main life path.

Features of the Guardian Angel icon

The Icon of the Guardian Angel has symbolic features. In iconography, each object or gesture carries its own meaning. A special feature of the icon with the Guardian Angel is the “eye in the forehead”. The third eye is a symbol of clairvoyance and intuition. There are other elements needed when writing guardian angels.

  • The wings symbolize the speed of the Angel, his ability to move from the real world to the world of spirits.
  • The staff means the messenger of God, his spiritual mission on earth.
  • A mirror and a rod - a ball with a cross - in the hand of an Angel help to see danger and warn a person about it.
  • Toroki - gold ribbons in hair - symbolize communication with God and obedience to his will.

Invisible protection is bestowed by the Guardian Angel icon. Its meaning lies in blissful instruction and creative insight. It helps you walk the spiritual path in harmony with yourself and the world around you.

Guardian Angel and Patron Saint

One should distinguish between a Guardian Angel and a patron saint. The latter is selected by name and date of birth. A patron saint is a real person who went his own way in life and was canonized (for example, Alexander Nevsky, Seraphim of Sarov).

Baptismal names are chosen in honor of a saint whose birth falls during the same period as that of the newborn. The Orthodox calendar marks all the days of veneration of patron saints. The birthdays of a person and his patron, identical in name, are located nearby (within a period of up to 8 days).

Nevertheless, the patron saint is also called the Guardian Angel. And his birthday is an angel's day. The patron saint has its own prayers, icons, and akathists. The Icon of the Guardian Angel by name also protects other people with the same name and date of birth. A person can choose a patron saint himself or receive his protection after baptism.

The Guardian Angel is not a real person. This is a bright spirit that does not have a name or gender, but has personal qualities. One Guardian Angel is assigned to each person. On icons he is depicted with white wings. There is a hierarchy of disembodied spirits. It includes seraphim, cherubim, archangels, angels. There are morning and evening prayers and canons written for the Guardian Angel.

How to pray to the Guardian Angel

Prayer in front of the icon helps to visualize the bright spirit and tune in to spiritual communication with it. Priests recommend listening to your inner voice, because it is at this moment that the bright spirit talks to a person.

The prayer rule for a Christian contains daily prayers to the guardian angel. They are small and easy to remember. The prayer to the Guardian Angel is said thoughtfully and with love. You can write it on a piece of paper and carry it with you as a talisman.

Morning prayer will protect you from negative influences for the whole day, help you avoid conflicts, and set you up for good deeds.

Evening prayer will protect the sleeper from the invasion of evil spirits. Will promote prophetic dreams or warnings.

There are different prayers to the guardian angel. They can be said in any life situation that requires advice or help from a bright spirit.

  • Prayer for success in business.
  • To find happiness.
  • To protect against misunderstanding.
  • About abundance on the table.
  • About prosperity in the house.
  • For protection from enemies and ill-wishers.
  • About healing.
  • To protect against accidents.
  • Prayer of thanksgiving.

Icon of a spiritual protector for a child

One of the most revered is the icon of the Guardian Angel for a child. It will help you cope with fear, protect you from troubles, and protect you from danger. The icon can be placed next to the baby’s bed to avoid illness and the evil eye. You can explain to the child that he has a heavenly protector who will help in troubles and failures.

It is in the house that the icon should be located. The Guardian Angel, whose meaning for a child is to prevent negativity, will save you from many troubles. Children's energy protection is weak, so an evil look or an unkind word can cause harm. The Guardian Angel protects the baby from troubles.

Icon of the patron saint for a child

If the Orthodox calendar lists several patron saints with a date close to the child’s birthday, then you can independently choose the patron you like. You should familiarize yourself with his life. Find out why and why he was canonized.

For example, the icon of St. Cyril (Guardian Angel) has several options in the iconography. It may depict Cyril of Radonezh or Cyril of Alexandria.

There are other patron saints with this name. Their celebration days are January 31, February 8, 17, 27, March 22, 31, April 3, 11, May 11, 17, 24, June 22, July 22, November 20, December 21.

The Guardian Angel Kirill icon will help boys and men with the same name. When choosing a patron saint, you can start from the date of birth or from his biography. In Orthodoxy, spiritual kinship is more valued. If the biography of the patron saint is impressive, then it is not necessary to adhere to a specific date of birth.

Icon-intercessor

In addition to guardian angels and patron saints, there is also an intercessor icon. You can also select it by date of birth. However, each image has its own meaning, and then the intercessor in a specific life situation acquires great value.

The Intercessor Icon and the Guardian Angel are called upon to protect the home, family, and specific people. People turn to them in grief and illness. They ask you to protect your family and friends from misfortune, to save your family, and to prevent the anger or hatred of other people.

It is most convenient to select an intercessor icon and patron saint based on the horoscope. We should not forget that we should not only ask for help from heavenly powers. But also thank them for the successful completion of affairs, invisible help, protection.

Aries

Saint George the Confessor, Sophronius and Innocent of Irkutsk will help. Icon of the Kazan Mother of God. Prayer before it will protect you from visible and invisible enemies, give you strength, and help with eye diseases.

Taurus

Patron saints are John the Theologian, Stephen and Tamara. The Iveron Mother of God icon and the “Helper of Sinners” will help in healing from diseases, grant forgiveness and repentance. They bring comfort in despondency and grief, sorrow and illness. Patron saints grant understanding to spouses.

Twins

You should ask for protection from the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God, the images “The Burning Bush”, “Recovery of the Lost”. Patron saints are Alexei of Moscow and Konstantin. You can pray for the health of your children and the safety of your marriage. About healing for fever, toothache. Icons-intercessors will help to enlighten people who drink and renounce their faith.

Cancer

The icon of St. Cyril (guardian angel), “Joy of All Who Sorrow,” and the Kazan Mother of God will help. Miraculous images grant physical and spiritual healing. They will deliver you from pride and the sin of unbelief. The patron saint will help in sorrow and troubles.

a lion

Elijah the Prophet, Nikolai Ugodnik will protect you in everyday difficulties. The Intercessor Icon “Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos” bestows strength and patience. It will help in realizing sinful deeds and will guide you on the path of truth and goodness.

Virgo

Patron saints - Alexander, Paul, John. Icon-intercessor - “Passionate”, “Burning Bush”. They will help in grief and misfortune. They give healing and consolation. They will help you to know yourself and your spiritual path.

Scales

Patron Saint - Sergius of Radonezh. Guarded by the icon of the Pochaev Mother of God, “The Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord”, “The Burning Bush”. They will protect the house from fires and unkind people. They will bring spiritual revival, the joy of repentance.

Scorpion

Saint Paul, the Guardian Angel, will protect and help. Icon - Intercessor of the Mother of God of Jerusalem, “Quick to Hear.” They will heal from cancer, bring comfort and forgiveness. They will help pregnant women and protect small children. They will show the way in confusion and bewilderment.

Sagittarius

Protected by Nicholas the Pleasant, Saint Barbara. The icon of the Tikhvin Mother of God “The Sign” strengthens the relationship between parents and children. They will protect against diseases and prevent the baby from being exposed to the evil eye. They give a long-awaited baby to desperate parents.

Capricorn

Saint Sylvester, Seraphim of Sarov - heavenly patrons. The “Sovereign” intercessor icon will help you find truth and love and heal you from illnesses. Gives peace and tranquility in the family and country. Reconciles enemies, strengthens family ties.

Aquarius

Protected by Saints Cyril and Athanasius. Icon of the Vladimir Mother of God, “The Burning Bush”. They will help in healing from cardiovascular diseases, protect from enemies and slander. They will save the house, get rid of quarrels and swearing.

Fish

Milentius of Antioch, Alexius - patron saints. The icon of the Iveron Mother of God will help in intercession before God, giving consolation in sorrow and troubles. It will help in difficult life circumstances and increase the fertility of the land.

Orthodox doctrine calls the family a small Church, where all family members represent a single whole, and individually each bears their own responsibilities. In the likeness of the Church of Christ, which is one body of Christ, with the head - the Lord Jesus Christ. Respectively family icon represents an image of special spiritual unity and protection of heavenly mentors for all household members. It is the family icon that helps family members unite for joint prayer, when everyone prays with one spirit for family well-being.

The custom of having a particularly revered icon in the family, passed down from generation to generation, and called a family icon, goes back centuries. A traditional family icon depicts the heavenly patrons of family members. The image of patron saints of ancestors who have already passed away - the founders of the clan - is allowed. Therefore, such icons are sometimes called “ancestral”. The family icon could depict saints especially revered in this family, even if no one bears their names, for example, the patrons of the city or area where the family lives. In some families, the heavenly patrons of the profession are revered, for example. Saint Nicholas of Myra the Wonderworker is considered the patron saint of sailors. Images of these saints may also be present on the family icon.

There are other options for family icons. If some miraculous event in the life of a family is associated with an icon, or the icon is a blessing from parents for a marriage, such an image becomes especially revered in the family. They are used to bless younger generations for all important events: military service. on a long trip, to start a family, etc.

These could be icons of the Savior, the Mother of God, the Twelfth Feast, or some saint. If the family has an old icon. handed down from generation to generation for many years - such an icon is also called a family icon. Examples of such icons can be found in the works of Russian classics.

Why do we even need icons? The Holy Fathers did not ignore this unique phenomenon of church life - Orthodox iconography. Their understanding of the meaning of the icon helps to tune the mind and heart to perceive holy images and to pray.

“Icons are required by our nature. Can our nature do without an image? Is it possible, when remembering something absent, not to imagine it? Didn't God Himself give us the ability to imagine? Icons are the Church’s answer to the crying need of our nature.”

“An Orthodox Christian turns his face to the holy icons of the Savior, the Mother of God, Angels and various saints in order to clearly demonstrate his faith in their presence, in their closeness to himself; in holy icons they realize, fulfill our Orthodox faith, but without holy icons we seem to hang in the air, not knowing to whom we pray. Praying to the Lord, the prophet David said: “Seek His face; I will seek Your face, Lord."

“The Lord is all in every place; therefore He is all on the icon, and the face of the Savior on the icon must be looked at as a living Savior.” Holy Righteous John of Kronstadt/

“Depict with colors according to Tradition, this painting is as true as the Scriptures in books, and Divine grace rests on it, because what it depicts is holy.” Saint Simeon of Thessalonica

For any icon, including family icons. cannot be treated as a talisman or amulet. This is an expression of purely pagan ideas about the world - deifying matter. The icon conveys spiritual reality, the spiritual appearance of a person. An icon of a saint is not a portrait of him, although portrait resemblance is present in every iconographic image, just as an icon telling about the event of a great holiday is not a genre painting. The iconographic image shows us a prototype of ideal humanity. By pictorial means this can only be expressed in symbolic form. Everything on the icon is a symbol - the saint’s pose, his gestures, clothing and its colors. For example, the Mother of God is often depicted on icons with her hand pressed to her chest - this is a sign of heartfelt empathy.

Two hands raised up express a prayer for peace. A hand extended forward with an open palm is a sign of obedience and submission. This gesture can be seen on the icons of holy martyrs. This is how St. is depicted. Reverend Martyr Grand Duchess Elizabeth - she holds the temple with one hand, and stretches the other with an open palm forward. The iconographic image is a story about the feat of her life.

The iconography of family icons allows for great diversity. The heavenly patron saints are usually depicted in full growth - this is a family icon in the traditional sense. On such icons they often write at the top the blessing of Jesus Christ or the Virgin Mary with the Child Christ, or covering with the Veil. Another version of the family icon, when the Mother of God and Child is written in the center, and the patron saints of family members are depicted in marks on the margins - in small “windows” on both sides of the Mother of God.

Family icons signify spiritual kinship. After all, it depicts saints who in earthly life could be separated by many millennia, cultural and national differences, but now in the Kingdom of Heaven, they are in love, in unity, and Divine radiance.

According to the savior, a lasting house can only be founded on a spiritual stone—the Christian faith. Family ties become stronger and deeper when they are supported by spiritual closeness - a common faith, a common view on important aspects of life. Sometimes, one glance at the icon is enough for the irritation in the soul to subside, for the quarrel that has flared up to pass without a trace, without which family life cannot exist even among people who love each other.

The family icon, passed down from generation to generation, as a shrine, as a spiritual connection between generations, was especially revered in Rus'. After Baptism, babies were brought to the family icon, as a sign that new members had arrived in the home Church. In front of such an icon they prayed and asked for blessings for their deeds, children were blessed for their studies, adults for service, and for marriage. Our believing ancestors did not begin a single business without prayer and without God's blessing.

Family icons are painted to order not only for your family, but also as a gift to loved ones. Before buy a family icon , you need to find out which saints are the patrons of family members.

If you find it difficult to determine the patron saint, we recommend reading the article Name at Baptism in the information section. You can also go to any Orthodox church and consult with the priest.