Changes

Jump to: navigation, search

Life-Giving Spring

1,151 bytes added, 02:18, December 1, 2012
m
link
[[Image:Life_Giving_SpringTheotokos the Life-Giving Font.jpg|thumb|right|An icon Icon of the Panagia Theotokos the Life -Giving Spring, from Messinias (Pilos, Greece)Font. 17th c.]]
:''This article is about the [[feast day]] of the Life-Giving Spring. For the historic monastery see [[Church of the Life-Giving Font of the Theotokos (Istanbul)]].''
The '''Life-Giving Spring''' or '''Life-Giving [[Font]]''' of the [[Theotokos|Mother of God]] (in Greek: Ζωοδόχος Πηγή; Russian: Живоносный Источник) is both the a [[feast day]] of in the Orthodox Church that is associated with [[w:Church of St. Mary the Life-Giving Font of the Spring Theotokos (Istanbul)|a historic church]] just west of Constantinople in [[w:Balıklı, Istanbul|Valoukli]], and as well as an icon of the [[Theotokos]].
The [[feast day]] of the Life-Giving Spring 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]]. The , while the commemoration of the Life-Giving Spring ''[[Icon]]'' of the Most Holy [[Theotokos]] is commemorated by the [[Orthodox Church]] observed on [[April 4]].
==Revelation of the Life-Giving Spring==
[[Image:Saint Mary Of The Spring.jpg|right|thumb|The [[w:Holy well|Holy well]] (Hagiasma) of the Church of the Life Giving Font (Istanbul).]]
[[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 KastriSpring, [[w:ArcadiaBright Friday|ArcadiaBright Friday]], Greece, ca.1959, on [[w:Bright FridayArcadia|Bright FridayArcadia]], Greece.]]There are two accounts extant concerning the revelation of the Life-Giving Fontjust outside the City of Constantinople. It is likely that in either case, before the 5th-6th century monastery was erected, a shrine was already in existence with a [[w:Spring (hydrosphere)|spring of water]], near a grove of trees, and was dedicated to the [[Theotokos]] from early times. Over time, the grove had become overgrown and the spring became fetid.<ref>Archpriest Feodor S. Kovalchuk. ''Wonder-Working Icons of the Theotokos.'' Youngstown OH: Central Satates Deanery, 1985. pp.67–70.</ref><br>
'''ProcopiusNicephorus Callistus'''<br>
The first traditional account is recorded by [[Nikephoros Kallistos|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 prominent Byzantine scholar Emperor [[w:ProcopiusLeo I (emperor)|Procopius of CaesareaLeo I the Thracian]] (flourishing ca.500457-565474).<ref group="note">The 11th century Byzantine historian While Leo was on his way to Constantinople he encountered a blind man near the [[w:George KedrenosWalls_of_Constantinople#Golden_Gate_and_the_Yedikule_Fortress|George CedrenusGolden Gate]] also mentions this versionwho was thirsty.</ref> In this versionThough he agreed to search for water, he was unable to find any. A female voice was then heard who told the future Emperor [[Justinian]] that there was out hunting when water nearby. Looking about, he came upon a small [[chapel]] in a beautiful wooded areacould see no one, surrounded by a large crowd of people and a priest in front of a springneither could he see any water. Inquiring about this siteThen he heard the voice again::"Emperor Leo, he was told that this was go into the “source deepest part of miracles”the woods, and you will find water there. He at once ordered that a magnificent church be built there, utilizing materials that had remained after Take some of the cloudy water in your hands and give it to the erection of blind man to drink. Then take the [[Hagia Sophia (Constantinople)|Hagia Sophia]]clay and put it on his eyes. Then you shall know who I am."<ref name="JANINOCA">Raymond Janin (in French)OCA - Feasts and Saints. ''La Géographie ecclésiastique de l'Empire byzantin[http://ocafs. 1oca. Part: Le Siège de Constantinople et le Patriarcat Oecuméniqueorg/FeastSaintsLife. 3rd Volasp?FSID=32 Bright Friday.: Les Églises et les MonastèresThe Life Giving Spring of the Mother of God].'' Paris: Institut Français d'Etudes Byzantines. 1953. p.232-37.</ref> The church was erected in same voice added that she had chosen that very place to be worshiped and prophesied that he would one day receive the last years of his reign, ca.559-560, near crown to the holy springempire.<ref group="note">In this context, "Holy Spring/Holy Font/Holy Source" becomes synonymous with Leo followed her order and at once the Greek: ἁγίασμα, ''hagiasma''; Lit.: 'sanctuary'blind man recovered his eyesight.</ref> After his accession to the erection of throne, the sanctuaryEmperor erected a magnificent church on this place, and the Gate that was situated outside the [[w:Walls_of_Constantinople#Theodosian_Walls|walls of Theodosius II]] was named by the Byzantines ''Gate of the Spring'' (Greek: Πύλη τῆς Πηγῆς).<ref>Wolfgang Müller-Wiener (in German)water continued to work miraculous cures. ''Bildlexikon zur Topographie Istanbuls: ByzantionTherefore, Konstantinupolis, Istanbul bis zum Beginn d. 17 Jh..'' Tübingen: Wasmuth, 1977. pp.416.</ref> It is possible that before the Justinian's building it was erected, a small monastery dedicated to the [[Theotokos]] had already existed there from early timescalled "The Life-Giving Spring."
'''Nicephorus CallistusProcopius'''<br>
A second account is given by the prominent Byzantine scholar [[w:Nikephoros Kallistos XanthopoulosProcopius|Nikephoros Kallistos XanthopoulosProcopius of Caesarea]], the last of the Greek ecclesiastical historians, who flourished around 1320(flourishing ca.500-565).<ref group="note">The 11th century Byzantine historian [[w:George Kedrenos|George Cedrenus]] also mentions this version. This tradition begins with a miracle that occurred involving a soldier named Leo Marcellus</ref> In this version, who would later become the Byzantine Emperor [[Leo I (emperor)|Leo I the ThracianJustinian]] (457-474). While Leo was on his way to Constantinople out hunting when he encountered came upon a blind man near the small [[w:Walls_of_Constantinople#Golden_Gate_and_the_Yedikule_Fortress|Golden Gatechapel]] who was thirstyin a beautiful wooded area, surrounded by a large crowd of people and a priest in front of a spring. Though he agreed to search for waterInquiring about this site, he was unable to find any. A female voice told that this was then heard who told the future Emperor “source of miracles”. He at once ordered that a magnificent church be built 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 utilizing materials that had remained after the deepest part erection 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[[Hagia Sophia (Constantinople)|Hagia Sophia]]. Then take the clay and put it on his eyes. Then you shall know who I am."<ref name="OCAJANIN">OCA - Feasts and SaintsRaymond 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. ''[httpParis://ocafsInstitut Français d'Etudes Byzantines. 1953. p.oca232-37.org</FeastSaintsLiferef> The church was erected in the last years of his reign, ca.asp?FSID559-560, near the holy spring.<ref group=32 Bright Friday. The Life Giving "note">In this context, "Holy Spring of /Holy Font/Holy Source" becomes synonymous with the Mother of God]Greek: ἁγίασμα, ''hagiasma''; Lit.: 'sanctuary'.</ref>The same voice added After the erection of the sanctuary, the Gate that she had chosen that very place to be worshiped and prophesied that he would one day receive was situated outside the [[w:Walls_of_Constantinople#Theodosian_Walls|walls of Theodosius II]] was named by the crown to Byzantines ''Gate of the empireSpring'' (Greek: Πύλη τῆς Πηγῆς). Leo followed her order and at once the blind man recovered his eyesight<ref>Wolfgang Müller-Wiener (in German). After his accession to the throne''Bildlexikon zur Topographie Istanbuls: Byzantion, the Emperor erected a magnificent church on this placeKonstantinupolis, and the water continued to work miraculous curesIstanbul bis zum Beginn d. 17 Jh.. Therefore'' Tübingen: Wasmuth, it was called "The Life-Giving Spring1977. pp.416." </ref>
==The Icon==
[[Image:Panagia Argokiliotissa.JPG|thumb|right|Modern Greek icon of the Theotokos of the Life-giving Spring ("Panagia Argokiliotissa", Naxos).]]
The icon representing the Virgin of the Spring shows the Virgin blessing and embracing the Child. She is surrounded by two angels, and is sitting on the more elevated of two basins, presumably representing the "living water" which is [[Christ]].<ref group="note">This living water is contained in the [[Cross]] which must be born by all those who follow Him, just as He did.</ref> The living water from the more elevated basin flows into a larger marble basin below, which is in the shape of a [[cross]].<ref group="note">In the early Church, the baptismal font was actually in the form of a cross, just like the cross depicted in this icon. Christians would enter from the base of the cross and come out at the top, and then re-enter from the left of the cross and come out on the right of the cross; then the priest, who would be standing in the middle of the cross/baptismal font, would commune them.</ref>
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.
<!---
The fish in this pool, it is said, are descended from the fishes that miraculously jumped out of the frying-pan and into this spring ... (NOTE - research to find this story in more detail).
==Hymn==
In Orthodox hymnography, the ''Theotokos'' is frequently compared with a ''Holy Fountain''. The hymns and prayers of the feast are combined with the Paschal hymns, and there is often a Lesser [[Holy water|Blessing of Waters]] performed after the [[Divine Liturgy]] on [[w:Easter Friday|Bright Friday]].In old [[Church of Russia|Russia]], continuing Greek traditions, there was a custom to sanctify springs that were located near churches, dedicate them to the [[Theotokos|Holy Mother]], and paint icons of her under [[Theotokonymia|the 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 XXI Century. Accessed: 2011-05-19.</ref>
 [[Troparion|Apolytikion]] in the Third (Tone3)<ref name="GOARCHOMHKSEA">[[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Metropolitanate of AmericaHong Kong and Southeast Asia]]. ''[http://www.goarchomhksea.org/chapel2011/saints_view?contentid=850&PCode=1PF&D=F&date=405/29bright-friday/2011 Renewal Bright Friday: Theotokos of the Lifegiving Font].''Accessed: 2011-09-28.</ref>
:As a life-giving fount, thou didst conceive the Dew that is transcendent in essence,
:Rejoice, O thou Spring of life for all men.
[[Kontakion]] ([[Tone]] 8)<ref name="OCA"/><ref name="GOARCH"/>
[[Kontakion]] (Plagal of Tone 4)<ref name="OMHKSEA"/>: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.
==See also==
*[[Church of the Life-Giving Font of the Theotokos (Istanbul)]]
*[[Holy water]]
*[[Panagia Blachernitissa]]
*[[Holy water]]
==Notes==
*[[w:Holy well|Holy well]]
'''Other'''
*[http://iconreader.wordpress.com/2011/04/28/theotokos-of-the-life-giving-spring/ Gallery of Life-Giving Spring Icons]
*[http://www.mgr.org/TheVeil.html The Miracle of The Veil] in Constantinople 911 AD.
*[http://www.orthodox.net/questions/bright_week_1.html#a5 Question 5. "What feast is celebrated Bright Friday?"], St Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, Dallas Texas.
'''Greek Wikipedia'''
*[http://el.wikipedia.org/wiki/%CE%96%CF%89%CE%BF%CE%B4%CF%8C%CF%87%CE%BF%CF%82_%CE%A0%CE%B7%CE%B3%CE%AE_%CF%84%CE%BF%CF%85_%CE%9C%CF%80%CE%B1%CE%BB%CE%BF%CF%85%CE%BA%CE%BB%CE%AE Ζωοδόχος Πηγή του Μπαλουκλή]
'''Russian Orthodox Encyclopedia'''
*[http://www.pravenc.ru/text/182259.html «ЖИВОНОСНЫЙ ИСТОЧНИК»]. Православная Энциклопедия.
[[Category:Feasts]]
[[Category:Icons of the Theotokos]]
[[Category:Theotokonymia]]
 
[[ro:Izvorul Tămăduirii]]
16,951
edits

Navigation menu