Recently, more and more people have begun to turn to faith and try to lead a spiritual lifestyle. Ordinary knowledge about religion is no longer limited to the Lord’s Prayer, the baptism of children and knowledge of the dates of the main church holidays - Christmas, Easter and Trinity. Now many people are seriously thinking about the meaning of prayer words, holy images and the reverent awe that awakens in the chest at the sight of the Temple of the Lord.
For some, this is a tribute to fashion, but for others, religion means a lot, and he tries to bring this grace of God into his home. Having bought a new home or made repairs, it is very important to complete this important stage of life with the Lord’s blessing and consecrate the apartment or house.
“Bozhnitsa” or home iconostasis
The next stage is the design of the so-called red corner. This is a kind of home iconostasis - a sacred place for the prayer of saints. It is often organized as a separate shelf, free from books, photographs and other necessary and not so necessary household items, on which are written faces of the Orthodox intercessors revered in this family.
Each icon has its place and they are arranged relative to the divine hierarchy:
- at the very top there is an icon of the Trinity or a crucifix;
- an icon of Jesus Christ, on the left (if you stand facing the iconostasis) - the face of the Mother of God, on the right - an image of St. Nicholas (there can be various variations and interpretations);
- apostles and saints equal to the apostles;
- holy church fathers;
- martyrs and great martyrs;
- reverends;
- righteous and saints;
- blessed ones.
However, there are also people for whom the focus of Divine power alone is not enough, and they spread its image throughout the apartment - in the kitchen, bedroom, corridor.
Very often, when you come to visit, you can find icons on the threshold of the house - on a shelf near the mirror in the hallway. And some go further and hang the icon right above the front door or opposite it, like a talisman.
But there are several options for such placement, and you can choose from them only by answering the question: what benefit should the icon bring to the house?
Icon “Impenetrable door”: how best to hang it
The icon “The Impenetrable Door” depicts the Mother of God - one of the most important figures who is worthy of God and prays for people and asks the Lord for their forgiveness. True faith can bring happiness and joy, and they will be gracious. It is important to understand that it is not the icon itself that carries all the power to protect people and their homes, but first of all, their faith.
In the image, the Mother of God is praying - this calls on people to bow and pray to her - the more sincere the prayer, the faster the words of the believer reach heaven.
When hanging an icon in your apartment, you need to remember that it is not the icon that is endowed with power, but the Mother of God. Only those prayers that are filled with sincerity and repentance for the sins of humanity can reach her. Prayers offered to the Mother of God always come true when a person asks for good.
What you can ask and pray for:
- On pardon and forgiveness of sins;
- About fidelity and marital chastity;
- So that negativity and evil do not penetrate the house;
- Request for help in business;
- Prayer for the preservation of soul and body in divine harmony.
Troubles and misfortunes, as well as enemies and haters, will not be able to penetrate the house protected by the Mother of God. For the icon to be powerful, you need to offer prayers, ask the Mother of God for help and protection. But it is important to remember that you need to get rid of all internal negativity so that it does not denigrate the soul.
Seven-shot Mother of God
The most common guardian of the home gate is the “Seven Arrow” icon with the image of the Mother of God. To understand what her divine protection consists of, let us turn to her history. She sends us to Vologda, to the distant past, to troubled times with constant outbreaks of terrible diseases.
One day, a lame and sick peasant, who had lost all hope of recovery, heard the call of the voice of the Lord. He prophesied healing after the peasant found the icon of the Mother of God in the bell tower at the Theological Church and prayed in front of it.
What a surprise befell everyone when she was found among the steps of the bell tower - trampled, covered with a layer of mud. But when she was put in order, she not only helped a sick person get rid of his illness and find faith, but also after a while diverted the cholera epidemic from these places.
Features of this image
On most icons, the Mother of God is depicted with Jesus or saints and angels. But here she stands alone, with seven swords piercing her chest. This image personifies the mental anguish and exorbitant sadness experienced on earth.
This icon is known among believers as the protector of homes from criminals and their evil intentions, as well as from ordinary people with bad intentions.
There are different versions of this icon:
- with the image of seven swords (three on the left and right and one in the center, four on the right and three on the left, which is why it is called “Seven Shot”);
- with six swords.
Performed in the second version, it also has the name “Softening Evil Hearts.” She protects the family not only from ungodly people, but also from discord within. If anyone in the family has bad thoughts and anger towards family and friends, then he is advised to pray to this icon with a request to the Mother of God to soften these feelings and emotions.
The Seven-Shot Mother of God is considered one of the most powerful, so it does not matter which icon to hang - large or small, bought in a church shop or printed on a printer, embroidered with beads or carved from wood. The most important thing is the attitude and faith with which you do it, and what meaning you put into this action.
Is it possible to hang an icon above the front door?
After completing renovations in a new apartment or house, many people ask the question: “Is it worth hanging an icon?” The very formulation of the question is incorrect, because faith is determined primarily by internal beliefs. When buying an icon, you need to have only bright intentions - only then will it be able to convey the prayer of the believer to heaven.
The front door is a suitable place to hang an icon there, but it is important to prepare this place in advance.
It is best to consecrate the corridor after the renovation is completed - this will prepare fertile ground for further actions. The icon should be chosen for a reason; it should be dear to the believer, valuable to him as an object that will lead him to God. You can hang several icons above the door, each of which will help and save you from evil and misfortune.
Arguments in favor of icons:
- Help protect the house from evil spirits;
- They protect the owners of the house from evil people and their intentions;
- They allow one to offer prayers to God, connecting the believer with him;
- Protects against bad thoughts, helps to maintain faith and move through life boldly.
It is not necessary to place large icons above the door in the hope of greater functionality. Even a small icon can help and protect. The main thing is what the intentions of the owners of the house are, how they live and what their real and sincere faith is. The choice of icon depends on the personal preferences of the home owners and their expectations and desires. Every saint can help improve life, but the price for this is sincerity and strong faith.
"The Unbreakable Wall" or "Goalkeeper"
This is another option for an icon that can be hung above the front door.
Its prototype was one of the most famous shrines of the Orthodox world - a mosaic under the dome of the St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv above the main altar.
It depicts the Mother of God praying, with her hands raised to the sky and standing on a golden stone in the shape of a quadrangle.
This image is also known as Oranta the protector, who for nine centuries could not be destroyed by war, the elements, or man.
And Kyiv never fell with her...
History of the name and image
There is a religious legend about the old man. A wondrous city appeared to him, which he needed to get to. But there were two roads leading to the city. One was wide, most people walked along it. However, none of them noticed the formidable giant throwing nets at them and taking them for himself.
Few walked along the second narrow and steep path, but they were like untouchables, they were protected by the Mother of God, and no matter how hard the giant tried, he could not get them. Along this inconspicuous but safe road, the old man reached the desired city, avoiding danger. Thanks to this, the icon with the Mother of God Defender was called “The Unbreakable Wall”.
Purpose
In the house it is hung above the entrance or opposite it. Thus, she has the ability to protect the monastery from disasters, enemy acts and from forces called unclean in everyday life. Any person who has unclean thoughts, crossing the threshold under the protection of Oranta, begins to feel awkward and bad, and soon leaves completely.
“Goalkeeper” also protects from witchcraft, illnesses, various troubles and unfavorable events. If you pray to it before leaving for a long period of time, the icon will protect the house in your absence from any intrusion, taking it under its protection.
What icon is hung opposite the front door?
When deciding to buy and hang an icon, it is important to ask yourself the question why this is being done. You shouldn’t decorate your house with icons—that’s what paintings are for. But icons are part of your spirituality and faith, they are endowed with special power, but it only works for truly believing people.
Prayer is capable of creating many miracles, but it will only reach heaven when requests and thoughts are filled with the light of faith.
If you buy an icon in order to simply protect your home from evil people, it will not work, since it is not a tool in the fight against evil. The icon in the house carries more than just a symbol of faith. You need to believe in her, like in God himself and all the saints.
Which icon to hang above the door:
- "Seven Arrow Icon"
It depicts the Mother of God without Christ. She holds arrows in her hands and mourns over human fate and misfortunes. The icon is so charged with the energy of the Mother of God that with great faith, people can receive a blessing to fight all life’s difficulties. - "The Unbreakable Wall"
A very powerful icon that energizes and inspires great achievements. The Mother of God will protect you from illnesses, curses, bad intentions and evil people. - "Icon of the Guardian Angel."
The patron will help in finding harmony in communicating with people and with oneself. This is an icon that can be hung above the door to help with daily activities, inspiration and following your goals.
Shrines at home can be completely different. This suggests that you need to choose an icon not according to external, but according to internal indicators, feelings and faith. The icon can be complemented by a cross, as a symbol of God and his son. When choosing religious attributes, it is important to remember that all the power lies not in them, but in individual faith, in its sincerity.
The opinion of the clergy
Servants of the Lord have repeatedly commented on the question of where icons can hang in the house. They disagree about the place for the “goddess” (home iconostasis), but they agree that icons serve a person to connect with the Almighty, remind him of him and send down His grace.
However, there are also those who are categorical about the role of icons as amulets. The clergy argue for this position by the fact that an icon is an image of a saint and has nothing in common with pagan rituals of scaring away evil forces and the images themselves do not protect from anything. And this is facilitated by unquestioning faith in God and regular prayers.
Thus, whether to hang an icon over the front door or not is a purely individual decision and should be based on everyone’s internal views and faith, and not be based on superstitions and fashion trends.
What icon to hang above the front door
Today, many people are looking for something more in religion than celebrating religious holidays and going to church on Sundays. Many people find it helpful to think that God is always present in their home. To communicate with higher powers, an icon should hang in every home.
If the owners of an apartment or house are believers, then they know that after the renovation is completed, the house needs to be consecrated.
The icon is a portal that connects the owners of the apartment and the divine, helps to find harmony and confidence in the future. To be able to pray in the house, you need to appropriately equip a place intended for solitude. Choosing an icon is a purely personal matter, since you must believe that it will help you find grace.
Which icon to choose:
- "Seven-shot Mother of God"
She is the one who guards the home gates. It protects the house from invasion by bad people, robbers, and people with evil intentions. She also helps the family live in peace and harmony and not experience discord. - "The Unbreakable Wall"
It depicts the Mother of God with outstretched arms. She is a protector. The icon will help the house get rid of bad people. Those who have malicious intent will not be able to stay in the apartment for long, as they will begin to feel severe discomfort.
If you hang the icon at the front door or opposite, it won’t take long before the owners of the apartment or house will notice a significant change. There will be harmony in the house. But it is also important to remember that an icon alone cannot help solve all family problems. Much depends on people and how they treat each other.
What else can you choose?
You can place the “Unbreakable Wall” in your own home at the entrance. This shrine is of mosaic type with the image of the Virgin Mary. She raises her hands up in prayer. This icon is the most sought after and revered. Placing it in the hallway of your own home becomes the right decision.
The shrine will become an “unbreakable wall”, protecting the house from negative environmental influences. She is an assistant in the fight against enemies, ill-wishers, sorcerers and black magic in general. If a person with bad intentions enters a house where such an icon is located above the front door, he will feel more than uncomfortable.
As an alternative, you can give preference to the Guardian Angel icon. This is one of the most sought after faces. The Guardian Angel should be selected by date of birth or by the name of the owner of the house. You shouldn’t just buy an image; it’s important to take a comprehensive approach to its selection. Only in this case will it become a truly sacred amulet, bringing good luck, happiness, and health.
The Guardian Angel icon is selected individually by each person
What kind of icon could there be in front of the front door?
The image of the Mother of God of Seven Arrows is generally recognized in Orthodoxy as the most powerful in its impact and power of protection. Therefore, what kind of icon to hang in front of the front door - large or small in size, made and purchased in the church, made of wood or painted on canvas or paper, does not matter much. The most important thing is what meaning is invested in the very process of placing the icon opposite the front door and in the power of faith.
The image of the Mother of God on the Seven-Arrow Icon or its analogue, the Softening of Evil Hearts icon, is considered in Orthodox Christianity to be the most common guardians of home gates. Another fairly popular option for an icon for entrance doors is the option of using the Indestructible Wall or Gateway icon. This icon can also be placed opposite or above the front door.
This image of the Mother of God will protect the house from people who have evil plans, from all kinds of evil spirits, from troubles, illnesses, witchcraft and other bad events.
Christian icons are found in almost every home. Some people buy them solely as fashion items without attaching any deep meaning, while others keep them as family heirlooms. At one time, believers created an iconostasis. It was believed that it must be located in a visible place and be a talisman and shrine of the house.
Attention!
Orthodox images are not just an amulet, so you should not buy such decorative elements. Some install them in their own home, based solely on superstition. This is an extremely wrong decision. It is important to select the face of the saints in accordance with your preferences and based on the subsequent location in the interior.
A corner with images in the room, which can be located in the hallway, and some options can be located above the front door.
One way is to place the image directly above the front door. This will protect you from the negative influence of other people. The holy face will fill the home with positive energy and contribute to the favorable development of relationships in the family. Each image living in the house will have its own influence. Therefore, an icon is a protective amulet and an assistant in building relationships in the family.
What should you keep in mind?
Attention!
The main thing in matters of placing an icon is faith. Without faith, it is unlikely that you will be able to achieve positive influence and beneficial changes in your own home.
Remember that if you don’t have faith, you don’t even have to try to hang an icon in your own home. It will carry positive energy, but without faith it will not be possible to notice concrete changes. You should take a comprehensive approach to choosing an icon. This is an individual process for each person. It is important to pay attention to general recommendations, but you must select a specific image solely based on your own feelings and priorities.
Hanging a shrine above the front door is a way to solve problems, get rid of negativity and protect your own home. Choose those images that will help you cope with your problems. Some people want to establish peace in the family, find love or restore relationships; for others, material well-being comes first, and for others, health. It is important to remember all this in the process of selecting an icon. In this case, the result will really surprise you, and your faith in the miraculous power of icons will only increase.
What images should be placed directly at the entrance to your own home?
If you are interested in the question of what icon to hang above the front door, you should take a comprehensive approach to solving it. Shrines should be placed to help protect against the influence of evil and their penetration into the house. It is important to take into account the direct purpose of the shrine.
There are various ways to hang an image. Among them are the following:
- If you place the image directly above the doorway, the goal will be to prevent external negative energy from entering the house.
- Above the door that leads into the house, the image will neutralize the flow of negative energy and direct the flow of positive energy.
However, it should be remembered that there are no strict rules for the placement of shrines. Therefore, be guided by sincerity, cordiality and your own wishes. In this case, the icon will become a real protector.
