Is it possible to give icons as a gift: signs, the opinion of the church. Is it possible to take as an gift an icon?

From our article you will learn whether it is possible to give icons for the holidays, as well as get acquainted with the opinion of the church in this regard.

The Orthodox icon is not an easy image of a face, but a shrine that helps the human soul cope with all life temptations and troubles. That is why the consecrated Orthodox icon is an ideal gift for close people. With her help, you bring the native person 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 originator of the celebration how he treats such gifts. After all, if a person for some reason is far from the Christian faith, then your surprise will not bring him any particular benefit.

Is it possible to give icons as a gift: signs

Signs about orthodox shrines

• Probably, each of us heard that a donated Orthodox shrine can bring trouble to the person who took it as a gift. Our grandmothers took this gesture seriously enough, so most often they themselves acquired images in the church. And now let's look at what was based on their fear.

• It used to be that it was through the icon that envious people caused damage to a person. And since it was most often hung in the most prominent place, the spoilage acted faster and people began to quarrel and hurt without cause. But in fact, this sign does not have any valid ground. After all, if a brother, sister or mother makes a similar surprise, they are unlikely to try to harm your family with their presentation.

• Moreover, such a gift is presented only to the consecrated ones, which means that it will be able to protect you from the most evil intentions. There is also an opinion that it is impossible to donate hand-embroidered or painted icons. It is believed that because they are not made by clerics, but by ordinary people, you can not turn to God through them. Some believers, in general, consider this a very big sin.

• But in fact even an embroidered icon can become a true Orthodox shrine. Simply, before giving a gift to a person, it will have to be brought to the temple and consecrated. After the priest has conducted the necessary ritual above him, he will not be different from the icons that are sold in the church.

Can I give an icon for my birthday?

Birthday icons

The birthday of is a special event in the life of every person, so you want to get presents on this holiday most sincere. And what can be more sincere than an Orthodox icon? Such a present will show the culprit of the celebration how warm and well you treat it. And most importantly, it will remind you of your friendship all his life.

And do not listen to people who say that you can not give icons. Believe me, if you do this with the most sincere feelings, then your present will bring the birthday person only positive emotions. But if you have already decided to give an icon on your birthday, then very seriously approach her choice.

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

Iberian Icon of the Mother of God

Shrines that can be given to women:

• Kazan Icon of the Mother of God ( able to heal from illnesses and give family well-being)
• Vladimir icon ( relieves heart diseases and sends mothers' prayers about children)
• Icon of the Mother of God Troeruchitsa ( helps to get rid of sorrowful thoughts and protect the house and its household fromall bad)
• Iver icon ( this image needs to pray for the forgiveness of your sins)
• Bethlehem icon ( given to women who dream of children and family well-being)

Shrines that canabout giving to men:

• The Savior Not Made by Hands of ( it is necessary to give those representatives of the stronger sex who do not have the opportunity to visit the church often)
• The face of St. Nicholas ( a perfect present for those men who travel a lot or just their work is connected with the road)
• Angel Icon-Character ( help protect your loved one from temptations and troubles)
• Image of the Holy Protector in the affairs of ( help you choose the right direction in life, and also help you understand family matters)

Mozhabout whether to accept a gift icon?

The Orthodox shrine is best accepted as a gift

• As mentioned above, do not believe in signs that the donated icon can harm a person or his environment. If you very closely know the presenter of this presentation and are sure that he feels extremely warm feelings towards you, then you can safely take his surprise. In case you have any doubts, then just take a gift and go to church, tell the priest about everything that disturbs you, and ask to consecrate the present.

• Yes, and do not forget that such a surprise can not be accepted as an ordinary gift. For the icon does not say the words of gratitude usual in such cases. If you want her to really bring only positive emotions to your house, then thank for this gift not only the donor, but God, and be sure to put yourself in the face of the Holy Head. But whether to take the icon as a gift from strangers or unfamiliar people, it's up to you.

• If you feel that they give it to you with the purest intentions, then you can take a present. In case you have any doubts, try to tactfully refuse the gift. After all, if you take it, and then you realize that it was presented with malicious intent, getting rid of it will be quite difficult. Just throw out on the street or burn the icon can not. 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 away from you.

Why, for what purpose are they giving an icon?

Icons are presented in order to demonstrate respect and favors.

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

But any clergyman will tell you that it is necessary to give such a gift with the mind. If you just want to give a gift to your closest person, then present him the icon-intercessor. Such an image is chosen by the date of birth or by the name of the Guardian Angel. In case you know that a person needs to heal emotional wounds or get rid of some physical ailment, give him the Virgin Pochaevskaya .She can restore health to the person and return faith to him.

Also with the help of the icon, you can try to convert a relative who is very far from God. But please note that it is necessary to present such a present only if you are sure that it will not bring discord to your friendship. And, in general, an Orthodox icon, presented on the day of birth, a wedding or a christening, is a guarantee that the perpetrators of the celebration will have a long and happy life.

. What icon is the couple giving to the newlyweds for the wedding?

Icons for a newly-married couple from their parents

Now no wedding is complete without a wedding, so the parents of the newlyweds are obliged to take care that the newly formed family has its own personal wedding couple. If desired, parents can give the children icons, which they themselves married, but it will be better if they buy in the temple and consecrate the images of Sainted and Our Lady of the .

It is believed that these two shrines can protect a young family from discord and give them family well-being. Also as a wedding couple, you can choose the icons of Peter and Fevronia .It was these saints in ancient Russia who were considered patrons of married couples. In addition, Fedorov icon of the Mother of God can become a good gift from parents.

She is considered to be the best helper of expectant mothers, and also helps to conceive and endure a baby without problems. In addition, parents can present the image of the Holy Fathers as a presentation for the wedding. Such a symbolic gift can be a wish that only the family formed in the future become the ancestor of a strong and united family.

In principle, there are no special rules that would say that the wedding ceremony can be given only the above-named icons. If you went to church and you liked, for example, the image of Xenia Petersburg , then boldly buy it. The main thing is that your gift should be presented with the purest thoughts and kind wishes and, of course, it was necessarily consecrated before the wedding.

What icons donate for christenings to a boy and a girl?

A shrine for the baptism of a child

• Baptism of a child, as well as to any important event in life, must be prepared very seriously. Both parents and godparents must do this. Of course, the best gift for a little person 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 to move in the right direction.

• The godparents must send the to the measuring icon. It is generally believed that it must be made to order, so that its dimensions strictly correspond to the growth of a small man. But if for some reason you do not have the opportunity to make such an image, then quietly buy in the church ready, sanctify it and give the child a christening. A good option can be The icon of the icon .It should be depicted the face of the Holy, who is the patron saint of the crumbs.

• This image is also necessary before christenings is consecrated in the temple and is presented to the child after the ritual. Usually such a gift is placed at the crib of the baby so that he can freely look at it. It is believed that in this way the child, even if unconsciously, will communicate with his Angel the Guardian.

In addition, the christening can be donated to the following shrines:

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

What icon is given for a housewarming?

The Icon of the Tolga Prayer

The most optimal gift for the housewarming event is the Icon of the Mother of God "The Intercession" .It is believed that it with its holy cover will be able to protect the house from fire, and from water, and from evil eyes. To give such a gift is best without witnesses and it is desirable before the guests start to gather in the house. Ideally, of course, with this image the family should enter the new house and only after that start to settle in it.

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

Shrines that can be donated to a housewarming:

• Image with cross ( will protect the house from jealousy and filth)
• Icon "Indestructible Wall" ( protect your shelter from thieves and natural disasters)
• Image "Burning Bush" ( this gift can protect the house from fire and thunderstorms)
• Icon "The impenetrable door" ( able to take people away from you with bad intentions)
• The image of the "Spore-maker of breads" ( helps to find strength for overcoming spiritual and material difficulties)

What icons are given for the wedding?

Icon for the wedding

• As mentioned above, the best wedding gift can be the icon of the Sainted and Our Lady of the or image of Peter and Fevronia .But such a gift can only be presented to the newlyweds by parents or godparents. The other guests can present icons to the spouses who will protect their young family.

• For example, you can present to the "Unexpected Joy" image of .Before him, the bride and groom can ask God for a quiet marriage for themselves and a happy life for their future children. To place such a present is necessary in the marital bedroom and every morning or evening to thank the Holy One for the day, lived in peace and harmony.

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

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

The church allows you to give icons to your close and close friends

• To present icons as gifts people started in the most ancient times. At that time the shrines were very expensive, as most of them were decorated with gold or silver. Therefore, such a gift was a good enough investment. Most often, the image was placed in the "red corner", and did it so that it could be seen by incoming guests.

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

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

Video: What to do with the donated icons?