Is it possible to give icons as a gift: signs, opinion of the church. What icons to give for birthday

All others can present the husband and wife with icons that will patronize the young family. For instance, " Unexpected joy ". Such an image will help spouses live in love, happiness and mutual respect for many years, and will also give protection from troubles and hardships to their future children. It is better to put such an icon in the bedroom.

The most powerful shrine for newlyweds is considered “ Matrona of Moscow". You can ask this saint for health for the whole family, prosperity, deliverance from evil and envy. Matrona also helps with the conception of a child.

Housewarming

The icons will help to protect the house and keep it cozy. Cover», « Unbreakable wall», « Apostles Peter and Paul», You can also donate icons depicting Christ, the Mother of God and St. Nicholas the Wonderworker for housewarming.

How to choose an icon as a gift

The Church believes that giving icons is a rather difficult and very delicate matter. After all, if you give a person an image of a saint about whom he knows nothing, you can put the donee in an uncomfortable position. Therefore, we need to clearly understand to whom and why we are presenting such a holy gift.

Here is a short "guide" for choosing an icon as a gift for family and friends.

Woman

• « Fadeless Color"- one of the most favorite patroness icons among women. External grace, youth, chastity - this is the meaning of this face.
• « Upbringing"- for mothers this icon will be a good helper in raising their daughters and sons.
• « Cover"Is a strong icon for protection, because any woman is a gentle creature that needs constant care.
• Icon " Saint Euphrosynus Cook"- such a gift is appropriate for good housewives who love to cook. All dishes in the company with Euphrosynus will become even tastier.

Man

• Nicholas the Wonderworker will protect those who drive a lot, love to travel.
• Saint Joseph of Volotsk - this image is suitable for business men. It is the patron saint of entrepreneurs and businesses.
• Saint Tryphon - you can give an icon with his face to a man who is fond of hunting. And any man can - after all, each by his nature is a hunter, a breadwinner, a conqueror.

Mom

• Icon " The virgin"- the best gift for mom. So, the icon Vladimir Mother of God helps to get rid of fears, troubles and misfortunes. And the icon Kazan Mother of God - an intercessor in sorrows and sorrows.
• « All Tsaritsa"- this face bestows healing.
• « Unexpected joy"- a symbol of spiritual rebirth. It helps any desire to come true by accident.

Pope

• Icon of the holy great martyr George the Victorious - suitable for a man who is active, engaged in entrepreneurship.
• Icon " Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called»Will help a fishing lover with a good catch.

Son

• If the child goes to school, the best gift will be an icon with a face Sergius of Radonezh - he is a learning assistant.
• If the son is going to go to university or is already a student, the image will become his patron Saint Tatiana.
• In the army, the saints will help and intercede for the son George the Victorious or archangel Michael.

Daughters

• Icon " Affection"Can be an excellent gift for a young person who dreams of great love.
• To preserve youth and a blooming appearance, the image of a saint is suitable for a young girl Xenia of Petersburg or Paraskeva Friday.

How to accept an icon as a gift

It is very important to accept the icon with a bright feeling, with a smile and reverence. And to thank for such a gift not only the one who gives it, but also God: you need to put your forehead on your face and cross yourself.

If you are sure that the donor wishes you only happiness, you can safely accept the icon. If a shadow of doubt has crept in, it is better to take it to the church and perform the rite of consecration there.

It is impossible to throw away, donate or burn the icon - this is considered a very grave sin. If you do not leave the feeling that you want to free yourself from such a gift, you just need to take her to the church, talk to the priest and leave her in the temple.

An icon as a gift should be treated very carefully: you need to give and receive such a gift with bright feelings. Then the holy face will protect the donee's family for many years.

A gift is a responsible decision for a guest. Everyone wants to present something special. At the same time, the guest's desire to give part of his soul, to give warmth and cause a feeling of joy and a smile. could be a wonderful gift. But the question arises: is it possible to give an icon?

Is it possible to give icons: the opinion of the church and what image to give for a birthday?

The icon is divine imageor rather, the image of the face of several or one of the saints. She is a part of our soul, our religion. The image must be present in every home and must be consecrated in the temple. The image of the saints will always help family members, provide the necessary support and give spiritual support. They are addressed in the form of prayer, soul and gaze. They thank the saints and ask for help through icons.

Can I give images as a gift?

To date, opinions are divided. Some believe that the icon is a symbol of blessing and respect. Others are incredulous and fearful. The Church refutes any opinions about the holy images, their allowed to give... But let's try to figure out how to give it and who can be given such a gift.

Is it possible to give an icon as a gift and to whom?

As a gift, it can cause conflicting feelings. Some consider it to be a connection with the spiritual world, while others, on the contrary, associate a lot of superstitions and beliefs with it. The Church, on the contrary, considers the image of the saints and God a wonderful gift for any occasion... In addition, having the Saints at home, you can even find your self. It is believed that this is a wonderful and bright gift.

Unfortunately, people rarely give each other icons. A special date can be selected for this. But often people bring images from memorable places. The icon can be presented at or christening children. But as a birthday present, it will also work.

The image of the Saint is perfect as a gift. It can be given as a gift so that a person can overcome difficulties in life and become a patron. The priests note that giving the icon is recommended only from a pure heart... Only in this case can she bring happiness and become a talisman in the house. Time can add value and meaning to it, and so over time, you can pass it on to your children or grandchildren.

In no case should you give it as a gift if.

1. You don't know anything about the person. He may relate well to the gift, but have a different faith.
2. Give it only as a gift when there is nothing else to give.
3. It should never be given as a home decoration. It is for prayer only.
4. It should only be given if it is illuminated in the church. All other images are not allowed to be donated.

Signs about icons

Some signs mark which ones are worth giving and which are not. Let's look at what signs exist in Christianity.

1. On Birthday, only personal names are given - for men and women.
2. A sick person is advised to give them only for healing.
3. Male and female colleagues need those who help in business.
4. The family should only be given by those who bless the family hearth.
5. A young woman can be presented with the image of a saint, and for a young man, a saint.
6. At the wedding, it is customary for the images to be presented by the relatives of the newlyweds. They buy the Mother of God for the bride, and Jesus Christ for the groom.
7. Images can be donated at any time, but the most important are those dedicated to an important event.

Other than that, it's worth knowing where is the icon in the house... Previously, it was placed in the most prominent place in the house. You can only donate consecrated icons, so if you want to make an icon for someone as a gift, the embroidered or woven image must be consecrated in the church. Several centuries ago, they said that giving icons is not worth it. After a person has accepted the icon and put it in his home, it brings trouble, and family members begin to suffer from serious illnesses.

In our time, it is necessary to donate an icon, since close people want only good and do it from a pure heart. The Church insists that she must be sanctified... Only in this case can she bring joy and grace into the house. In addition, she must cleanse from negativity and bless everyone who lives in the house.

When can you give them as a gift?

There are many holidays for which you can donate an image. It could even be any holiday date. But best of all, when a person gives icons to the sacraments, for example, baptism, wedding or the birth of a person.

1. ... Earlier it was customary to give a “measured” icon for the baptism of a child, which identified the growth of the baby. Now this tradition has remained and many order this particular image. On the edge of the icon, you can depict the Holy Guardian Angel or the patron saint of children - St.Stillian. At the same time, you can give any icon, regardless of the gender of the child. The main thing is to present a gift from a pure heart and with all your soul, only then will the icon be good for the baby.
2. Birthday... In order to give an icon on your birthday, you need to have heartfelt feelings for a person. These gifts should not be made as a souvenir. It is worth noting that it should be given only to a believer. Only in this case peace will enter the house and a person's life will improve. Presenting it, it is important to choose the right image. Each of them has its own image. For example, for a student, you can give the image of St. Sergius of Radonezh. The image of St. George the Victorious is best suited for future military men. Another image you can give a man to a businessman is Saint Joseph of Volotsky. For drivers or those who drive a vehicle, Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker is ideal. Recommended for women to give Holy Mother of God... For those who need success in business, it is best to give the Holy Guardian. Ideal for family happiness. And many others can also be a great gift for believers. For more information, contact the rector of the church or in the church shop. Everyone can find the perfect image. The main thing is that the person who receives the icons as a gift should experience sincere joy. Do not be afraid of the existing signs, these are just myths that do not have any confirmation. The image of the Saints is always good and good.
3. Wedding or wedding... Several centuries ago, the sacrament of weddings arose in Christianity. Today, many couples are ready to tie the knot for life. And three centuries ago only rich people could afford such a sacrament. The sacrament of the wedding is carried out in the church, therefore the presence of images is one of the stages to achieving the goal. The main thing at the ceremony is the images of the Holy Mother of God and the Lord God, who are called the wedding couple. Thus, the images are the witnesses of the couple's marriage. In the case of the sacrament of a wedding, the images must be selected in advance and carefully thought out. After all, it is they who will accompany the couple throughout their lives. As a rule, icons are ordered exclusively on a wooden basis. This is necessary in order to be able to restore them. According to custom, these icons will subsequently be passed on from generation to generation. These images are the connection of lovers with each other. They will remind the couple that they made a vow before God to love each other.

I came to our country as a gift from the Patriarch of Constantinople Luke to Prince Mstislav. Now it is the most revered miraculous image in Russia. The Don icon of the Mother of God was also once presented as a gift to Prince Dmitry. He received this image before the Battle of Kulikovo from the Cossacks from the city of Sirotin. Parents often gave icons to their children or priests to spiritual children.

In our time, this custom is again becoming common among believers. In this connection, the questions arise: "To whom, which image suits better?" and "Is it possible to give an icon for a birthday, because this is a secular holiday?"

What the Church says to those who want to buy an icon

First of all, you need to understand that the holy image is not an interior decoration. Do not take it as a talisman either. The icon is needed to pray. She brings grace into the house, but only if a person himself asks God for help and protection. If you put it in the house and forget it, it won't make any sense.

Icon as a gift

When choosing an icon for someone as a gift, you should consider whether this person is religious enough to treat the image with appropriate reverence. And, of course, such a gift is hardly suitable for people of another faith.

About icons in Orthodoxy:

What holidays can you give icons

In principle, you can give it just like that. But you can, of course, and for the holiday:

• for the baptism of a child;
• name day or wedding.

Nowadays, icons are also given for birthday. This is a new tradition, but of course there is nothing wrong with it. You can also donate a holy image to any other significant event in a person's life - a housewarming party, the beginning school year, admission to a university, etc.

Icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

Who can give which icon to

In the church people there has long been a custom, as it were, to divide icons and saints "according to specialization." Like the fact that before the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God those who wish to have children pray, and Saint Elijah the Prophet protects the astronauts. In fact, this is not true.

You can turn to any saint for help in any need. And above all, you need to pray to God. If any saint occupies a place in a person's thoughts greater than Christ, then this is already idolatry.

But if you understand the conventionality of such a division of saints, then there is nothing wrong with this tradition. And, choosing an icon as a gift, you can take the image of a saint, who is considered the “patron saint of the profession” of a person. Or an icon in front of which it is customary to pray for some special needs. A person will be pleased to receive such a gift.

"Patrons of the professions"

If you want to give an icon to a doctor, you can choose the image of the Great Martyr Panteleimon the Healer. And if your doctor is also a surgeon, for him there is St. Luke Voino-Yasenetsky, who was an archbishop, confessor and the best surgeon in the country.

The patroness of students is the great martyr Tatiana, since her church is located at Moscow State University, and she herself was a deaconess during her lifetime, which means she was quite educated. You can present her image to congratulate the person on the beginning of the first course.

And the schoolchildren have another patron - the Monk Sergius of Radonezh. In childhood, the saint was taught with great difficulty, until he met an angel. Once a child saw a mysterious monk outside the village, complained about his difficulties, and asked him to pray.

The monk prayed, visited the boy, and then went out and disappeared. And the future reverend from that time became a very successful student. It is customary to turn to him if the child is not easily given knowledge. In similar cases, they pray in front of the image of the Mother of God "Adding Mind".

Archangel Michael and the Great Martyr George the Victorious are considered to be assistants to the soldiers. And also Alexander Nevsky, Fyodor Stratilat and others. There are many saints with a military profession.

Icon of St. George the Victorious

Diplomats and postal workers have different salaries, but they share the same heavenly patrons. These are, of course, angels. The word "angel" itself is translated as "messenger". Especially in this case, the icon of the Archangel Gabriel is suitable, because he was the herald of all the most important evangelical events.

Veterinarians can pray to Saints Cosmas and Domian. During their lifetime, these two saints of God loved to heal animals.

The Monks Cyril and Methodius can be considered the patrons of teachers and instructors. This is especially true for philologists. After all, the two holy teachers were not only missionaries, but also the creators of the Slavic writing and liturgical languages.

Singers and musicians can be presented with the image of St. Romanus the Sweet Songwriter.

Agronomists, and everyone who is engaged in agriculture will suit the icon of the Mother of God "The Contestant of Breads".

And separately, flower growers have a heavenly patroness Dorothea. When this martyr was led to execution, the pagan philosopher Theophilus met her and, with a mockery, asked the saint to send him flowers from the Garden of Eden. The holy virgin fulfilled his request. After that, Theophilus converted to Christianity and became a martyr himself.

Astronauts and pilots revere the Old Testament prophet Elijah, since he, apparently, was the first person to visit space, and not Gagarin at all. The Bible describes how he was taken alive to heaven and ascended there in a chariot of fire.

Family shrines

Parents traditionally give the images of Christ and the Mother of God to those who marry. In the church, you can even buy special icons called "wedding".

Icon for wedding

Among the saints, the patron saint of the wife and husband is the icon of the patron saint, in whose honor the person was named. Can be given on the day of an angel (saint's day, also called name day), christening or birthday. You can order a "family image", which depicts the patron saints of all family members.

Gifts for Great Church Feasts

Each of the 12 great holidays has its own icon, they can be found easily. Most often they give an image of the Resurrection of Christ for Easter or an icon of the Nativity.

The other 10 holidays are less celebrated and less well known. But sometimes it happens that a person was born on one of these holy days. Then it is good for him to have a suitable icon in the house. For example, if the birthday is August 19, this is the holiday of the Transfiguration of the Lord, December 4 is the Introduction to the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary, etc.

Important! You can only pray before a consecrated image. If the icon was purchased not in a church, but was made to order, then before giving it, it must be taken to the priest for illumination.

From our article you will find out whether it is possible to give icons for the holidays, and also get acquainted with the opinion of the church on this matter.

Orthodox icon - this is not just an image of a face, but a shrine that helps the human soul to cope with all life's temptations and troubles. That is why a consecrated Orthodox icon is an ideal gift for loved ones. With its help you will bring a loved one to God and give him the opportunity to communicate with him as often as possible.

But nevertheless, before presenting such a present, first ask the hero of the occasion how he relates to this kind of gifts. After all, if for some reason a person is far from the Christian faith, then your surprise will not bring him much benefit.

Is it possible to give icons as a gift: signs

• Probably, each of us has heard that a donated Orthodox shrine can bring trouble to a person who has accepted it as a gift. Our grandmothers were serious enough about this sign, so most often they themselves acquired images in the church. Now let's look at what their fear was based on.

• Previously, it was believed that it was through the icon that envious people put damage to a person. And since it was most often hung in the most conspicuous place, the damage acted faster and people began to quarrel and get sick for no reason. But in fact, this sign has no justified basis. After all, if a brother, sister or mother makes such a surprise to you, then they are unlikely to try to harm your family with their present.

• Moreover, such a gift is presented only to the consecrated, which means that he can protect you from the most evil intentions. There is also an opinion that one cannot donate embroidered or painted icons with oneself. It is believed that due to the fact that they were made not by priests, but by ordinary people, one cannot turn to God through them. Some believers, in general, consider this a very great sin.

• But in fact, even an embroidered icon can become a real Orthodox shrine. Simply, before giving a present to a person, it will need to be brought to the temple and consecrated. After the priest has performed the required ritual over him, he will be no different from the icons that are sold in the church.

Can I give an icon for my birthday?

Birthday - this is a special event in the life of every person, therefore, one would like to receive the most sincere gifts on this holiday. And what could be more sincere than an Orthodox icon? Such a present will show the hero of the occasion how warm and well you treat him. And most importantly, it will remind you of your friendship all his life.

And do not listen to people who say that it is impossible to give icons. Trust me if you do it with the most sincere feelings, then your present will bring the birthday boy extremely positive emotions. But if you have already decided to give an icon for your birthday, then be very serious about choosing it.

Since there are shrines that can be given exclusively to men or exclusively to women, it will be better if, before you finally decide on the choice, you try to study this issue more deeply.

Shrines that can be given to women:

• Kazan Icon of the Mother of God (able to heal diseases and give family well-being)
• Vladimir icon (relieves heart disease and conveys mothers' prayers for children)
• Icon of the Theotokos Three-handed (will help get rid of sad thoughts and protect the house and its household from everything bad)
• Iberian icon (with this image you need to pray for the forgiveness of your sins)
• Bethlehem icon (given to those women who dream of children and family well-being)

Shrines that can be given to men:

• Savior Not Made by Hands (must be given to those of the stronger sex who do not have the opportunity to visit church often)
• The face of St. Nicholas (a great present for those men who travel a lot or just their work is connected with the road)
• Guardian Angel Icon (will help protect your loved one from temptation and trouble)
• The image of the patron saint in business (will help you choose the right direction in life, and will also be able to help sort out family affairs)

Can an icon be accepted as a gift?

• As mentioned above, you should not believe in signs that a donated icon is capable of harming a person or his environment. If you know the donor of this present very closely and you are sure that he has extremely warm feelings for you, then you can safely accept his surprise. If you have any doubts, then just take the gift and go to church, tell the priest about everything that worries you, and ask to consecrate the present.

• Yes, and do not forget that such a surprise cannot be accepted as a regular gift. The usual words of gratitude do not speak for the icon. If you want her to really bring only positive emotions to your home, then thank not only the donor, but also God for this present, and be sure to attach your head to the face of the Saint. But whether to take an icon as a gift from strangers or unfamiliar people is up to you.

• If you feel that they are giving it to you with the purest intentions, then you can accept the present. If you have even the slightest doubt, then try to tactfully refuse the gift. After all, if you take it, and then realize that it was presented with malicious intent, it will be quite difficult to get rid of it. You cannot simply throw it out on the street or burn the icon. Such actions are considered a very strong sin. To get rid of such a gift, you will have to go to the church and ask the clergy to take it from you.

Why, for what purpose is the icon presented?

In the old days, icons were given exclusively for weddings, christenings and housewarming, and this was done mainly by parents, godparents, or simply the closest relatives. It was believed that in this way you can protect the house and its household from damage and the evil eye. In our time, few people pay attention to signs and most often give icons only because such a present is considered very fashionable.

But any clergyman will tell you that you need to give such a present wisely. If you just want to make a gift for yourself to a loved one, then present him with the intercessor icon. Such an image is selected by date of birth or by the name of the Guardian Angel. If you know that a person needs to heal mental wounds or get rid of some physical ailment, give him Mother of God of Pochaev... She will be able to restore health to a person and restore his faith.

Also, with the help of the icon, you can try to bring to faith a relative who is very far from God. But keep in mind that it is necessary to present such a present only if you are sure that it will not cause discord in your friendship. And, in general, an Orthodox icon presented for a birthday, wedding or christening is a guarantee that the heroes of the occasion will have a long and happy life.

What icon do parents give the newlyweds for a wedding?

Nowadays, not a single wedding is complete without a wedding, so the parents of the newlyweds are obliged to make sure that the newly formed family has its own personal wedding couple. If desired, parents can give the children the icons with which they themselves were married, but it will still be better if they buy in the church and consecrate the images Saint and Mother of God.

It is believed that these two shrines are able to protect a young family from strife and give them family well-being. You can also choose icons as a wedding couple. Peter and Fevroni... It is these saints in ancient Russia were considered the patrons of married couples. In addition, a good gift from parents can be Fedorovskaya icon of the Mother of God.

She is considered the best helper for expectant mothers, and also helps to conceive and bear a baby without problems. In addition, parents can present as a wedding present the image of the Holy Forefathers... Such a symbolic gift may be a wish that the newly formed family in the future will become the ancestor of a strong and cohesive family.

In principle, there are no special rules that would say that only the above-named icons can be given for a wedding celebration. If you went to church and you liked, for example, the image of Xenia of Petersburg, then feel free to buy it. The main thing is that your present is presented with the purest thoughts and good wishes, and, of course, must be consecrated even before the wedding.

What icons are given for christening to a boy and a girl?

• It is necessary to prepare very seriously for the baptism of a child, as well as for any important event in life. Moreover, both parents and godparents should do this. Of course, the best gift for little man there will be an Orthodox icon. Such a present in the future will protect the baby from all evil and bad, and will also help his fragile soul move in the right direction.

• Godparents must give the baby Measured icon... It is generally accepted that it must be made to order so that its dimensions strictly correspond to the growth of a small person. But if for some reason you do not have the opportunity to make such an image, then calmly buy a ready-made one in the church, consecrate it and give the child for christening. A good option might be Nominal icon... It should depict the face of the Saint, who is the patron saint of the baby.

• Such an image is also necessarily sanctified in the temple even before the christening and is presented to the child after the ritual itself. Usually such a present is placed near the baby's bed so that he can freely look at it. It is believed that in this way the child, albeit unconsciously, will communicate with his Guardian Angel.

In addition, the following shrines can be given for christening:

• Panteleimon the Healer
• Matrona of Moscow
• Our Lady
• Nicholas the Wonderworker

What icon is given for housewarming?

The most optimal housewarming gift is icon of the Mother of God "Intercession"... It is believed that with her holy veil she will be able to protect the house from fire, and from water, and from an evil look. It is best to give such a gift without witnesses and preferably before guests begin to gather in the house. Ideally, of course, with this image, the family should enter a new house and only after that begin to settle down in it.

Therefore, if you have the opportunity to present a gift before the housewarming, then be sure to do it. If you know that the owners already have such an image, then you can purchase a so-called folding for them. This shrine consists of three connected icons, which depict Christ, the Mother of God and Nicholas the Wonderworker... Such a gift can replace the iconostasis, which simply must be in every believing family.

Shrines that can be donated for housewarming:

• Image with a cross (will protect the house from envy and filth)
• Icon "Unbreakable Wall" (will protect your home from thieves and natural disasters)
• Image " Burning bush» (this gift is able to protect the house from fire and thunderstorms)
• Icon "Impassable door" (able to take people with bad thoughts away from you)
• The image of "The Queen of Breads" (will help find strength to overcome spiritual and material difficulties)

What icons are given for a wedding?

• As mentioned a little above, the best wedding gift can be icons of the Saint and the Mother of God or the image of Peter and Fevronya... But only parents or godparents can give such a present to the newlyweds. The rest of the guests can present the spouses with icons that will protect their young family.

• For example, you can give spouses image "Unexpected joy"... Before him, the bride and groom will be able to beg God for a peaceful marriage for themselves and a happy life for their future children. It is necessary to place such a present in the matrimonial bedroom and every morning or evening to thank the Saint for the day lived in peace and harmony.

• But, perhaps, the most powerful protector of married couples is considered icon of the Blessed Matrona of Moscow... This saint can help in solving almost all family problems. They turn to her if they cannot conceive a baby, beg her health for a loved one and be sure to ask her to protect the family from anger and envy. Therefore, if you want the newlyweds to live happily ever after, then give them this very image.

Is it possible to give icons: the opinion of the church

• People began to present icons as a gift in the most ancient times. At that time, shrines were very expensive, as most of them were decorated with gold or silver. Therefore, such a gift was quite a good investment. Most often, the image was placed in the "red corner", and it was done so that visiting guests could see it.

• And although modern shrines can be made of wood and paper, in their beauty and spiritual content they are in no way inferior to ancient images. Therefore, in our time, people do not stop giving them to each other, and they do it with great joy. Moreover, absolutely all priests recommend the icon as a spiritual gift that can cleanse a person's soul from bitterness and anger.

• In view of this, if you decide to give a loved one an Orthodox icon, then feel free to buy it and do not pay attention to any bad omens... The main thing is to give your present with pure thoughts and the best wishes.