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.
An Orthodox icon is not just a depiction of a face, but a shrine that helps the human soul 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 your loved one closer to God and give him the opportunity to communicate with him as often as possible.
But still, before presenting such a gift, first ask the hero of the occasion how he feels about 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
Signs about Orthodox shrines
- Probably, each of us has heard that a donated Orthodox shrine can bring disaster to the person who accepted it as a gift. Our grandmothers took this sign quite seriously, so most often they acquired images for themselves in church. Now let's figure out what their fear was based on.
- Previously, it was believed that it was through the icon that envious people brought damage to a person. And since it was most often hung in the most visible place, the damage acted faster and people began to quarrel and get sick for no reason. But in fact, this sign has no basis in reality. After all, if a brother, sister or mother gives you such a surprise, they are unlikely to try to harm your family with their gift.
- Moreover, such a gift is presented only to the sanctified, which means that it can protect you from the most evil intentions. There is also an opinion that you cannot give hand-embroidered or painted icons. It is believed that due to the fact that they were made not by clergy, but by ordinary people, it is impossible to turn to God through them. Some believers generally consider this a very great sin.
- But in fact, even an embroidered icon can become a real Orthodox shrine. Simply, before giving a gift to a person, it will need to be brought into the temple and consecrated. After the priest performs the necessary ritual on it, it will be no different from the icons that are sold in the church.
What to do with the image from the coffin after burial?
An icon that has been near the body of the deceased involuntarily instills superstitious fear in the family members of the deceased. It seems to be a holy relic, but related to death. The most common options for using the image in the future are:
Take it to the Church. Servants take such icons and place them in a separate corner of the Temple.
Take it to the Church for a while. As a rule, after finishing the recitation of Sorokoust, the icon is taken into the house for repose. It is believed that an icon prayed in this way will help the soul of the deceased overcome passions on a difficult path.
Take it home. The icon is attached to other icons. Only on memorial days is he set aside separately and church candles are lit in front of him alone.
Is it possible to give an icon for a birthday?
Birthday icons
A birthday is a special event in the life of every person, that’s why you want to receive the most sincere gifts on this holiday. And what could be more soulful than an Orthodox icon? Such a gift will show the hero of the occasion how warmly and well you treat him. And most importantly, it will remind him of your friendship all his life.
And you shouldn’t listen to people who say that you can’t give icons as gifts. Believe me, if you do this with the most sincere feelings, then your gift will bring exclusively positive emotions to the birthday boy. But if you have already decided to give an icon for your birthday, then take its choice very seriously.
Since there are shrines that can be given exclusively to men or exclusively to women, it would be better if, before you finally decide on your choice, you try to study this issue more deeply.
Iveron Icon of the Mother of God
Shrines that can be given to women:
- Kazan Icon of the Mother of God (capable of healing from illnesses and giving family well-being)
- Vladimir Icon (relieves heart disease and conveys the prayers of mothers for children)
- Icon of the Mother of God of Three Hands (will help get rid of sad thoughts and protect the house and its household from everything bad)
- Iveron Icon (you should pray to this image for 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:
- The Savior Not Made by Hands (should be given to those representatives of the stronger sex who do not have the opportunity to often attend church)
- The face of St. Nicholas (a wonderful gift for those men who travel a lot or simply have work that involves traveling)
- Icon of the Guardian Angel (will help protect your loved one from temptations and troubles)
- The image of the Patron Saint in business (will help you choose the right direction in life, and can also help you sort out family matters)
Who should I present it to?
Is it possible to give angel figurines as gifts to pregnant women? Yes, sure. With this little sign of attention you will please the expectant mother and show her that there is no need to worry about the baby’s future - he already has his own guardian in heaven.
There is an opinion that this will help the pregnant woman cope better with childbirth. You can also present a similar figurine for the birth of a child.
Another option is to buy an angel for mom. She will probably be pleased with such a sign of attention; you will prove to her how much you love her and how close she is to you. You can give an angel to your loved one, which means you care about him.
Buy a figurine for yourself so that it reminds you of the love and care of your family. Maybe it will become a talisman and amulet for all occasions.
Is it possible to accept an icon as a gift?
It is best to accept an Orthodox shrine as a gift
- As mentioned above, you should not believe in signs that a donated icon can cause harm to a person or his environment. If you know the giver of this gift very closely and are absolutely sure that he has exceptionally 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 bless the gift.
- Yes, and do not forget that such a surprise cannot be accepted as an ordinary gift. The usual words of gratitude in such cases are not spoken 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 gift, and be sure to venerate the face of the Saint with your head. But whether to take an icon as a gift from strangers or unfamiliar people is up to you to decide.
- If you feel that they are giving it to you with the purest intentions, then you can accept the gift. 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 given with malicious intent, it will be quite difficult to get rid of it. You cannot simply throw an icon into the street or burn it. Such actions are considered a very strong sin. To get rid of such a gift you will have to go to church and ask the clergy to take it from you.
How to properly bring holy images to young people as a gift?
In order for the icon to become a real amulet for the newlyweds, they must consciously and with sincere joy and gratitude accept this gift from their parents. And parents need to think through the parting words with which they will present their gift.
If the newlyweds get married in church, then during the sacrament the bride’s mother blesses her son-in-law with an icon of the Lord Almighty and bids the couple a happy life. The groom's parents consecrate the bride with the face of the Holy Mother of God and accept her into their home.
Interesting Facts:
- Our ancestors revered church canons and considered wedding icons to be a talisman and guardian of the clan. They treasured them with trepidation and passed them on to subsequent generations.
- Priests of the Orthodox Church say that not only parents, but also guests of the celebration can give icons to young people. The only condition is to present a priceless gift from a pure heart and with wishes of happiness and love to the newlyweds.
Why and for what purpose do they give an icon?
Icons are given in order to demonstrate respect and favor.
In the old days, icons were given exclusively for weddings, christenings and housewarmings, and this was done mainly by parents, godparents or simply the closest relatives. It was believed that in this way it was possible to protect the house and its household from damage and the evil eye. Nowadays, few people pay attention to signs and most often give icons solely because such a gift is considered very fashionable.
But any clergyman will tell you that you need to give such a gift wisely. If you just want to give a gift to your closest person, then give him an intercessor icon. This 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 the Mother of God of Pochaev . She will be able to restore health to a person and restore his faith.
Also, with the help of an icon, you can try to bring a relative who is very far from God to faith. But keep in mind that you should present such a gift only if you are absolutely sure that it will not bring discord to your friendship. 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
Angel in religion
First of all, an angel is a religious symbol. In Christianity, these human-like winged creatures fight evil, serve God and carry out his will. It is enough to recall the Archangel Gabriel, who appeared to the Virgin Mary and brought her good news.
Such a gift for a believer usually means a guardian angel who will look after him and protect him from dangers and failures. So you seem to say: “You are very important to me. I am worried about you".
Is it possible to give angels to non-believers? Of course you can! Even atheists will understand and appreciate the symbolism.
However, if you want to please a follower of another religion, then this is not the best option. He may be uncomfortable with such disregard for his religion and way of life.
What icon do parents give newlyweds for their wedding?
Icons for newlyweds from parents
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 they wish, parents can give their children the icons with which they themselves were married, but it will still be better if they buy and consecrate the images of the Saint and the Mother of God .
It is believed that these two shrines are able to protect a young family from discord and give them family well-being. of Peter and Fevronya as a wedding couple . It was these saints in ancient Rus' that were considered the patrons of married couples. In addition, the Fedorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God .
She is considered the best assistant to expectant mothers, and also helps to conceive and bear a baby without any problems. an image of the Holy Forefathers as a wedding present . Such a symbolic gift may be a wish that the newly formed family in the future become the ancestor of a strong and united clan.
In principle, there are no special rules that would say that only the above-mentioned icons can be given for a wedding celebration. If you went to a church and liked, for example, the image of Xenia of Petersburg , then feel free to buy it too. The main thing is that your gift is presented with the purest thoughts and good wishes and, of course, must be consecrated before the wedding.
Beliefs and superstitions
Icons are a special topic in religion. Many of the superstitions and beliefs associated with them have come to us since ancient times. In the past, it was common practice to pass on icons from generation to generation. New images of saints could not be bought just like that. Wealthy families who had icons in their homes almost always bought them in special places or ordered them from an icon painter.
An important belief is that images of saints could not be given to strangers. It was believed that such a gift would bring some kind of misfortune. Our ancestors noticed that after praying on a donated icon, one’s health could worsen. At the same time, if relatives give each other their icons, this is a good sign. For example, an icon given to a child helps him throughout his life, and he receives a blessing. If one of the family members is seriously ill, relatives can give him the icon in the hope of a quick recovery.
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It is important to know the following. If a person painted an icon himself, did embroidery on fabric, or made another similar product, it is better to keep it for himself than to give it to someone else. A sacred image may contain negative thoughts of the author, which prevail over its power. The most important thing is that you can give an icon only with good intentions, thoughts and a sincere wish that the best will happen to its future owner. Having decided to give an image, the person who does this must have a light heart, thoughts and soul.
What icons are given to a boy and a girl for christening?
Shrine for a child's baptism
- For the baptism of a child, as for any important event in life, one must prepare very seriously. Moreover, both parents and godparents should do this. Of course, the best gift for a little person will be an Orthodox icon. Such a gift in the future will protect the baby from everything evil and bad, and will also help his fragile soul move in the right direction.
- Godparents must definitely give the baby a Measured Icon . It is generally accepted that it must be made to order so that its dimensions strictly correspond to the height 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 from the church, consecrate it and give it to your child for christening. A good option might be a Name Icon . It should depict the face of the Saint, who is the patron saint of the baby.
- Such an image is also necessarily consecrated in the temple before the christening and is presented to the child after the ritual itself. Usually such a gift is placed near the baby’s crib so that he can look at it freely. It is believed that in this way the child, albeit still unconsciously, will communicate with his Guardian Angel.
In addition, the following shrines can be given at christenings:
- Panteleimon the Healer
- Matrona of Moscow
- Our Lady
- Nicholas the Wonderworker
What do we need to know?
The question arises: is it possible to donate, give or give away an icon? What is the church's opinion on this issue? Are there superstitions and beliefs that accompany the transfer of an icon? How to choose this item correctly? Can an icon bring misfortune instead of prosperity?
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What kind of icon do you give as a housewarming gift?
Icon of the Tolga prayer
The most optimal gift for a housewarming is the icon of the Mother of God of the Intercession . It is believed that with her holy cover she can protect the house from fire, and from water, and from an evil gaze. 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 in it.
Therefore, if you have the opportunity to give 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 Virgin Mary and St. Nicholas the Wonderworker . Such a gift can replace an iconostasis, which is simply a must-have in every believing family.
Shrines that can be given as housewarming gifts:
- An 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 “The Burning Bush” (this gift can protect the house from fire and thunderstorms)
- Icon “Impenetrable Door” (capable of keeping people with bad thoughts away from you)
- The image of the “Different of Loaves” (will help you find strength to overcome spiritual and material difficulties)
Question and answer
Where in the house should icons be located, including the one that was removed from the tomb? The “red corner”, i.e., the part of the house in which icons are usually placed, is usually located on its eastern side.
Is it possible to put an icon with the face of Jesus Christ in the coffin?
It is not forbidden to place the icon of the Savior next to the deceased. In general, the choice of the icon that will be with the deceased at the funeral service depends on established traditions and the desires of the relatives.
Is it customary for Catholics to place icons in the coffin?
Catholics have a slightly different purpose for icons than Orthodoxy. In addition, the funeral service according to the Catholic rite takes place with the coffin lid closed, so it is not customary to place icons there.
What icons are given for a wedding?
Wedding icon
- 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 such a gift can only be given to newlyweds by parents or godparents. The rest of the guests can present the spouses with icons that will protect their young family.
- For example, you can give your spouses the image “Unexpected Joy” . Before him, the bride and groom will be able to ask God for a peaceful marriage for themselves and a happy life for their future children. Such a gift should be placed in the marital bedroom and every morning or evening you should thank the Saint for the day lived in peace and harmony.
- But perhaps the most powerful intercessor of married couples is the icon of the Blessed Matrona of Moscow . This saint can help in solving almost all family problems. People turn to her if they cannot conceive a child, beg her for health for a loved one and always ask her to protect the family from anger and envy. Therefore, if you want the newlyweds to live happily ever after, then give them exactly this image.
Where should the icon be placed?
After placing the body in the coffin, it is the turn to distribute religious attributes. The aureole is placed on the coffin, a cross is placed around the neck, and the accompanying prayer written on a piece of paper is placed in the hands. Where should the icon be placed? It must be placed on the side so that after saying goodbye a person can kiss it.
Important! If a small icon is not available at a funeral, a large icon is used, which is held by one of the participants in the funeral procession or placed nearby on a music stand.
Source of the article: https://lingvya.ru/ikony/kuda-devat-starye.html
Is it possible to give icons: the opinion of the church
The Church allows you to give icons to your family and close friends
- People began giving icons as gifts in ancient times. At that time, shrines were very expensive as most were decorated with gold or silver. Therefore, such a gift was a fairly good investment. Most often, the image was placed in the “red corner”, and this 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 gift with pure thoughts and best wishes.
Why are things placed next to the deceased?
If we talk about ordinary things - toys, a notebook, flowers or a brooch - then placing them in a coffin goes back to pagan traditions. It is by the presence of foreign objects in the grave that anthropologists can accurately indicate whether it was a farmer (presence of a sickle), a warrior (presence of a sword), a hunter (there was a bow nearby) or a spinner (spindle), or a needlewoman (there are needles or other sewing supplies). From the point of view of Christianity, the custom of placing any objects in a coffin rather serves as a method of reassurance for relatives, as if they did everything that the deceased asked for before his death.
