Size: 10.15 x 7.25 inches
 
About the icon

The Il'insk-Chernigov Icon of the Mother of God was written in the year 1658 by the iconographer Grigorii Konstantinovich Dubensky, – in monasticism Gennadii. In 1662 over the course of 8 days, from 16 to 24 April, tears flowed from the icon. In this same year Tatars descended upon Chernigov and devastated it. At midnight they burst into the Trinity monastery, went into the church, overturned all the icons and grabbed all the utensils, – but the wonderworking icon with its adornment remained untouched. An invisible power held back the impious from the holy icon. The Queen of Heaven likewise once had not permitted, that the enemy should enter into the cave of the Monk Antonii of Pechersk, where the brethren of the monastery had hidden. As though terrified by an incomprehensible vision, the Tatars turned to flight.
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Prayer before the Ilyinskaya (Chernigov) Icon of the Mother of God
O Holy Mother of God. O Mother of God, Queen of Heaven, save and have mercy on me, your sinful servant, from vain slander, from all calamity and misfortune, and sudden death. Have mercy upon me throughout the daytime, morning and evening hours, and at all times preserve me while I stand and sit, and while I walk, and while I sleep at night, provide me cover and intercession. Protect me. O Mother of God, from all my enemies, visible and invisible, and from every evil circumstance. In every place and at every time, Mother of God, be my invincible wall and my strong defender. O holy Mother of God, accept my unworthy prayer, keep me from vain death, and grant me repentance before the end.

Translation: The Complete Book of Prayers read before the Holy icons at Moleben and All-Night Vigils (1914)