Is it possible to give an icon? Such a difficult question often arises among those who would like to give their closest people a gift that would highly symbolize their love for them. In this regard, all other material objects seem so inexpressive and "not valuable" that there is simply no desire to give them.
Is it possible to give an icon? What does the church “say”?
The answer in any case will be positive, since the ministers of religion speak out only for the spread of faith among the population, the symbols of which are icons. However, this issue has its own nuances.
For example, any icon should be given as a gift only with good wishes, kind and sincere feelings. Icons, according to the canons of the church, can only be given to close and dear people who have God in their souls, lead an appropriate lifestyle, pray and confess.
When is it wrong to give an icon?
No need to present icons to unfamiliar people, colleagues, about whom you know nothing but superficial information. Even if the selected icon is indescribably beautiful, you can get into an awkward situation.position due to the fact that a person, for example, is a terry atheist or professes a different faith.
Icon in our lives
So is it possible to give an icon? Can. And it is even necessary, but only for those who “accept” it into their lives and will treat it properly. After all, an icon is not an interior item, but a means of communication with God, the Holy Patrons and with your Soul.
The icon should be exhibited in a specially designated place - in the red corner of the house. This is the name of the part of the dwelling where the most significant and important images are located. They pray before them in the morning, before lunch, in the afternoon, in the evening, asking for protection and patronage for loved ones, before important matters and other significant events.
When is an icon given?
Is it possible to give an icon? The answer to this question is yes, but you still need to consider on what occasion it is most appropriate to do this. Of course, the closest people, parents, children, sisters and brothers can be handed an icon on the most ordinary day, for no reason. But the icon, donated "for the occasion", has a stronger energy of protection and is permeated with its miraculous properties.
Icons have long been given for baptism, weddings, name days, on the road, on birthdays (this tradition appeared later). Depending on the holiday, different icons were given. For example, “measured” or “darling” icons are given for baptism, nominal images for name days, a wedding couple - icons for husband and wife will be an unusual gift for a wedding.
Inscribed icons
Many people ask if it is possible to give personalizedicons? This is not only not forbidden, but also welcomed. Personalized icons are given for a name day or on any other suitable day, if we are talking about family members or close acquaintances.
A nominal icon is an image with the face of that Holy Patron whose name the birthday person bears. It is usually given at baptism and may differ from the "worldly" name. The choice of name is based on which Saint's memorial day is closest to the person's birthday (days that are only after the date of birth are taken into account).
The icon with the face of the Patron has the gift of protection and amulets, they take it with them on the road, to important events. Turning through it to his Defender, a person can ask him for help, fulfillment of his desires.
What icons can be given as gifts
Nominal icons can be bought in church shops, ordered, made independently, for example, embroidered. Today, there are many schemes on sale, according to which even those who were not familiar with needlework can embroider an icon. At the same time, embroidery techniques are used with satin stitch, cross-stitch, as well as more time-consuming and expensive - with beads.
However, some doubt whether it is possible to give embroidered icons? You can, as well as other icons. They, in turn, are painted on wood, canvas, using the techniques of icon painting and painting.
Gold-plated icons decorated with precious stones have a special appearance. But the external beauty of the icon should not be carried away, as this can lead away from the main thing - admiration for herspiritual strength and power that she exudes.
That's all about whether you can give icons.
Signs
The official church and true believers do not believe and do not recognize signs, since, in their opinion, they are from the unclean, i.e. from the devil.
The people also have an opinion that the icon received as a gift is a harbinger of a quarrel or another, more sad event. But similar prejudices exist for other non-religious gifts.
It's not about them, but about what we put into our gift, with what feelings we give it, what we wish the person we give, how we actually treat him. If the present is presented with an open soul, heartfelt wishes, deep spiritual awe and sincere words of kindness and happiness, then it cannot bring anything bad. And icons in this sense are completely special, incompatible with signs. For their main purpose is to protect and protect the soul and body of a believer.
