Changes

[[Image:Life_Giving_SpringTheotokos the Life-Giving Font.jpg|thumb|right|An icon Icon of the Panagia Theotokos the Life -Giving Font. 17th c.]]:''This article is about the [[feast day]] of the Life-Giving Spring, from Messinias . For the historic monastery see [[Church of the Life-Giving Font of the Theotokos (Pilos, GreeceIstanbul)]].''The '''Life-Giving Spring''' or '''Life-Giving [[Font]]''' of the [[Theotokos|Mother of God]] (Greek: Ζωοδόχος Πηγή; Russian: Живоносный Источник) is a [[feast day]] in the Orthodox Church that is associated with [[Church of the Life-Giving Font of the Theotokos (Istanbul)|a historic church]] just west of Constantinople in [[w:Balıklı, Istanbul|Valoukli]], as well as an icon of the [[Theotokos]].

The '''Life-Giving Spring''' or '''Life-Giving Font''' of the [[Theotokos|Mother of God]] (in Greek: Ζωοδόχος Πηγή) is both the [[feast day]] of [[w:Church of St. Mary of the Life-Giving Spring (Istanbul)|a historic church]] just west of Constantinople in is commemorated on [[w:Balıklı, IstanbulEaster Friday|ValoukliBright Friday]], and an icon of each year (the Friday following [[TheotokosPascha]]. The present church), built in 1835, bears being the same dedication as the shrine erected in this place between the end of the fifth and beginning of the sixth centuries, named from the nearby only feast day which may be celebrated during [[w:Holy well|holy springBright Week]] with [[w:Thaumaturgy|wonderworking]] properties. For almost fifteen hundred years, this sanctuary has been one while the commemoration of the most important [[pilgrimage]] sites of Greek Orthodoxy.<ref name="JANIN">Raymond Janin (in French). ''La Géographie ecclésiastique de l'Empire byzantin. 1. Part: Le Siège de Constantinople et le Patriarcat Oecuménique. 3rd Vol.: Les Églises et les Monastères.'' Paris: Institut Français d'Etudes Byzantines. 1953. p.232-37.</ref> The Life-Giving Spring ''[[Icon]]'' of the Most Holy [[Theotokos]] is commemorated by the [[Orthodox Church]] observed on [[April 4]]. The [[feast day]] of the Life-Giving Spring itself is commemorated on [[w:Easter Friday|Bright Friday]] of each year (the Friday following [[Pascha]]), being the only feast day which may be celebrated during [[Bright Week]].

There are two accounts extant concerning the revelation [[Image:Procession-Feast of the LifeZoodohos Pigi-Arcadia,Greece-Giving Font1950s.<br> '''Procopius'''<br> The first is recorded by jpg|thumb|right|Procession on the prominent Byzantine scholar [[w:Procopius|Procopius of Caesareafeast day]] (flourishing ca.500of the Life-565).<ref group="note">The 11th century Byzantine historian giving Spring, [[w:George KedrenosBright Friday|George CedrenusBright Friday]] also mentions this version.</ref> In this version1959, the Emperor [[Justinianw:Arcadia|Arcadia]] was out hunting when he came upon a small [[chapel, Greece.]] in a beautiful wooded area, surrounded by a large crowd There are two accounts extant concerning the revelation of people and a priest in front the Life-Giving Font just outside the City of a springConstantinople. Inquiring about this siteIt is likely that in either case, he before the 5th-6th century monastery was told that this erected, a shrine was the “source of miracles”. He at once ordered that already in existence with a magnificent church be built there, utilizing materials that had remained after the erection of the [[Hagia Sophia w:Spring (Constantinoplehydrosphere)|Hagia Sophiaspring of water]].<ref name="JANIN"/> The church was erected in the last years of his reign, ca.559-560, near the holy spring.<ref group="note">In this context, "Holy Spring/Holy Font/Holy Source" becomes synonymous with the Greek: ἁγίασμα, ''hagiasma''; Lit.: 'sanctuary'.</ref> After the erection a grove of the sanctuarytrees, the Gate that and was situated outside dedicated to the [[w:Walls_of_Constantinople#Theodosian_Walls|walls of Theodosius IITheotokos]] was named by from early times. Over time, the Byzantines ''Gate of grove had become overgrown and the Spring'' (Greek: Πύλη τῆς Πηγῆς)spring became fetid.<ref>Wolfgang Müller-Wiener (in German)Archpriest Feodor S. Kovalchuk. ''Bildlexikon zur Topographie Istanbuls: Byzantion, Konstantinupolis, Istanbul bis zum Beginn d. 17 Jh.Wonder-Working Icons of the Theotokos.'' TübingenYoungstown OH: WasmuthCentral Satates Deanery, 19771985. pp.41667–70.</ref> It is possible that before the Justinian's building was erected, a small monastery dedicated to the [[Theotokos]] had already existed there from early times.<br>

A second The traditional account is given recorded by [[w:Nikephoros Kallistos Xanthopoulos|Nikephoros Kallistos Xanthopoulos]], the last of the Greek ecclesiastical historians, who flourished around 1320. This tradition begins with a miracle that occurred involving a soldier named Leo Marcellus, who would later become the Byzantine Emperor [[Leo I (emperor)|Leo I the Thracian]] (457-474). While Leo was on his way to Constantinople he encountered a blind man near the [[w:Walls_of_Constantinople#Golden_Gate_and_the_Yedikule_Fortress|Golden Gate]] who was thirsty. Though he agreed to search for water, he was unable to find any. A female voice was then heard who told the future Emperor that there was water nearby. Looking about, he could see no one, and neither could he see any water. Then he heard the voice again::"Emperor Leo, go into the deepest part of the woods, and you will find water there. Take some of the cloudy water in your hands and give it to the blind man to drink. Then take the clay and put it on his eyes. Then you shall know who I am."<ref name="OCA">OCA - Feasts and Saints. ''[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsLife.asp?FSID=32 Bright Friday. The Life Giving Spring of the Mother of God].''</ref>The same voice added that she had chosen that very place to be worshiped and prophesied that he would one day receive the crown to the empire. Leo followed her order and at once the blind man recovered his eyesight. After his accession to the throne, the Emperor erected a magnificent church on this place, and the water continued to work miraculous cures. Therefore, it was called "The Life-Giving Spring."

==Vicissitudes of the Church==In its history, the fountain had been destroyed and then rebuilt on many occasions, at the request of the Virgin Mother. '''Ottoman eraProcopius'''<br>In the 15th century, the city of Constantinople fell into the hands of the Muslims. The [[w:Church of St. Mary of the Spring (Istanbul)|Church of the Life-giving Spring]] was destroyed, and its building materials were used to construct the [[w:Bayezid II Mosque|Bayezid II Mosque]] for the Sultan. The church site was covered with earth and crushed stone, so that the very foundations of the church disappeared from sight. The beautiful surrounding areas were turned into a Muslim cemetery. A Turkish sentinel, placed at the ruins of the church, forbade Christians not only to gather at the site, but even to approach there.  Little by little, the strictness of this ban eased, and Christians were permitted to build a small church there. Twenty-five steps led down into the chapel, which had a window in the roof to let the light in. The holy Spring was still there, surrounded by a railing. However after the Greek War of Independence in 1821, even this little chapel was destroyed, and the Spring was buried under the rubble.  Once again Christians cleaned up the ruins, reopened the spring, and once again drew water from it. Even upon these shards of the former magnificent holy structure, the Theotokos, as before, granted hearings through her grace. Later, among the broken pieces in one of the windows was found, already half-rotted away through time and dampness, a panel on which were recorded ten miracles which occurred at the Life-giving Spring during the period 1824-1829. [[Image:Procession-Feast of Zoodohos Pigi-Arcadia,Greece-1950s.jpg|thumb|right|Procession on the [[feast day]] of Panagia the Life-giving Font in the village of Kastri, [[w:Arcadia|Arcadia]], Greece, ca.1959, on [[w:Bright Friday|Bright Friday]].]]During the reign of Sultan [[w:Mahmud II|Mahmoud II]], the Orthodox received a measure of freedom to conduct religious services. They used it to erect, for the third time, a church above the Life-giving Spring, with work beginning in July of 1833. While workmen were clearing the ground, they uncovered the foundations of the earlier church. The Sultan allowed them to build not just a chapel, but a new and beautiful church on the foundations of the old one. Construction began on September 14, 1833, and was completed on December 30, 1834.

On February 2, 1835, with great pomp, A second account is given by the Ecumenical Patriarch prominent Byzantine scholar [[Constantius II w:Procopius|Procopius of Constantinople|ConstantineCaesarea]], celebrating with 20 bishops and an enormous flood of the faithful, (flourishing ca.500-565).<ref group="note">The 11th century Byzantine historian [[Consecration of a churchw:George Kedrenos|consecrated the churchGeorge Cedrenus]] which stands to also mentions this version.</ref> In this dayversion,dedicating it to the Most Holy Emperor [[TheotokosJustinian]].  Nearby was built out hunting when he came upon a small [[chapel]] in a beautiful wooded area, surrounded by a hospital large crowd of people and alms-housea priest in front of a spring. Even Inquiring about this site, he was told that this was the Muslims spoke with great respect “source of miracles”. He at once ordered that a magnificent church be built there, utilizing materials that had remained after the Life-giving Spring, and erection of the [[TheotokosHagia Sophia (Constantinople)|Hagia Sophia]], who through it pours out her grace-filled power. <ref name="Great among women Holy MaryJANIN" is how they refer to the Most Holy Virgin>Raymond Janin (in French). ''La Géographie ecclésiastique de l'Empire byzantin. 1. Part: Le Siège de Constantinople et le Patriarcat Oecuménique. 3rd Vol.: Les Églises et les Monastères.'' Paris: Institut Français d'Etudes Byzantines. 1953. p.232-37. </ref> The water from church was erected in the Lifelast years of his reign, ca.559-giving Spring they call 560, near the holy spring.<ref group="note">In this context, "water of Holy Mary.Spring/Holy Font/Holy Source"  becomes synonymous with the Greek: ἁγίασμα, ''hagiasma'Modern era'; Lit.: 'sanctuary'.<br/ref>On September 6, 1955After the erection of the sanctuary, the church Gate that was destroyed again during situated outside the [[w:Istanbul PogromWalls_of_Constantinople#Theodosian_Walls|Istanbul Pogromwalls of Theodosius II]]was named by the Byzantines ''Gate of the Spring'' (Greek: Πύλη τῆς Πηγῆς).<ref>Wolfgang Müller-Wiener (in German). Another small chapel has been rebuilt on the site''Bildlexikon zur Topographie Istanbuls: Byzantion, Konstantinupolis, but the church has not yet been restored to its former sizeIstanbul bis zum Beginn d. 17 Jh.. The spring still flows to this day and is considered by the faithful to have [[w'' Tübingen:Thaumaturgy|wonderworking]] propertiesWasmuth, 1977. pp.416.</ref>

[[Image:Panagia Argokiliotissa.JPG|thumb|right|Modern Greek icon of the Theotokos of the Life-giving Spring ("Panagia Argokiliotissa", Naxos).]]

In one modern Greek version of the icon that was found on Naxos island, Greece,<ref group="note">Icon of "Panagia Argokiliotissa", from Naxos island, Greece (Greek: Παναγία η Αργοκοιλιώτισσα - Νάξος).</ref> some differences are shown with respect to the ancient type. Around the cross-shaped basin stands the Emperor with his guard, while on the right there is the Patriarch with his bishops. In the background, is represented Leo I with the blind man, together with and the walls of the City. Under the basin a paralytic and a madman are healed with the spring’s water.

==List of Churches and MonasteriesHymn==In Orthodox hymnography, the ''Theotokos'' is frequently compared with a ''Holy Fountain''. The Life-Giving Spring gave origin to many churches hymns and monasteries bearing prayers of the same name in feast are combined with the Greek worldPaschal hymns, and there is often a Lesser [[Holy water|Blessing of Waters]] performed after the [[Divine Liturgy]] on [[w:Easter Friday|Bright Friday]]. Most In old [[Church of Russia|Russia]], continuing Greek traditions, there was a custom to sanctify springs that were located near churches, dedicate them were erected after to the [[Theotokos|Holy Mother]], and paint icons of her under [[Theotokonymia|the end title]] ''The Life Giving Spring''.<ref>Kristina Kondratieva (Global Art Communications project). ''[http://www.iconkuznetsov.com/index.php?sid=341&did=264&lang=eng Panagia The Life Giving Spring].'' Yuriy Kuznetsov: Icons of the Byzantine EmpireXXI Century. Accessed: 2011-05-19.</ref>

'''Monasteries'''[[Troparion|Apolytikion]] (Tone 3)<brref name="OMHKSEA">* Original monastery in Constantinople.* [http://www.malf.net/spring.htm Monastery [Orthodox Metropolitanate of the Theotokos the Life-Giving SpringHong Kong and Southeast Asia]] -- Dunlap, California.* Monastery of the Life-Giving Spring -- ''[http://hellaswww.teipiromhksea.grorg/thesis2011/pellana05/greekbright-friday/kastrigBright Friday].htm Kastri], [[w'' Accessed:Pellana|Pellana]] municipality, [[w:Laconia|Laconia]] prefecture, Greece2011-09-28.</ref group="note">(In Greek :As a life-giving fount, thou didst conceive the Dew that is transcendent in essence, : ΙΕΡΑ ΜΟΝΗ ΖΩΟΔΟΧΟΥ ΠΗΓΗΣO Virgin Maid, Καστρίand thou hast welled forth for our sakes the nectar of joy eternal, Καστόρειο:which doth pour forth from thy fount with the water that springeth up :unto everlasting life in unending and mighty streams; :wherein, 23059taking delight, ΛΑΚΩΝΙΑΣwe all cry out: :Rejoice, 2731057238O thou Spring of life for all men.)</ref>

[[Kontakion]] ([[Plagal of Tone]] 84)<ref name="OCAOMHKSEA"/>:O most favored Lady graced by God, :You confer on you reward me by letting gush forth, beyond reason, :the healing ever-flowing waters of your grace from your inexhaustible perpetual Spring. :ThereforeI entreat you, since you gave birth incomprehensibly to who bore the WordLogos, in a manner beyond comprehension, :I implore you to refresh me with the dew of in your grace that I might may cry to you: out, :Hail, O Water of salvation“Hail redemptive waters.”

 [[Categoryro:MonasteriesIzvorul Tămăduirii]]