Icon of forty saints. Icon "Forty Martyrs of Sebastia" - Forty-strong amulet Prayer on the Feast of Forty Saints

Everyone who is interested in religion knows how important the icon is in Orthodoxy. The hand-made and non-hand-made images of saints and great martyrs are the thread that connects the believer with the Lord. And therefore it is not surprising that it is best to pray in front of icons.

We can make such an icon in the size of 80 × 60 cm in a straight or figured icon case.

Of course, today there are many of the most diverse, most of which are based on ancient stories and legends. An example of this is, in particular, the well-known icon of 40 saints, which can be seen in some Orthodox churches, and which many parishioners buy to put in their homes. What is the secret of this icon, and how is it so remarkable? Let's talk about this in more detail.

The history of the suffering of the forty martyrs of Sebastia

The feast of memory of forty saints is celebrated by the Orthodox Church on March 22 every year. Moreover, this holiday is based on the legend of the courageous Roman legionnaires who were brutally killed in 320 A.D. for refusing to worship pagan gods. Despite the fact that at that time the Edict of Milan - the decree "on religious tolerance" had already been adopted by the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Emperor Constantine, the aforementioned legionnaires still suffered for their devotion to the Lord. After all, they lived and served in that part of the Empire, which was under the rule of Licinius - a cruel pagan who is a co-ruler of Constantine.

Legionnaires who did not want to give up their faith had to endure a lot. They went through a dungeon, terrible torture and, in the end, were severely executed. And in memory of these amazing people, many Orthodox churches have been created over the past centuries, each of us can pray before which today.

What to ask for?

Most often, bowing before this icon, believers ask for perseverance and the ability to endure all the sorrows that arise in life. And besides, the icon of all saints perfectly helps those who feel that they are beginning to lose faith, who are desperate and cannot cope with life's trials and troubles on their own.

Of course, you can pray in front of this icon in other cases as well. However, most often those people who lack fortitude or conviction in their own righteousness turn to her help. And if you just need an image that will give strength and help you always cope with life's difficulties and troubles, pay special attention to it. Well, we offer you to buy such an icon in our church utensils and paraphernalia.

Thirty-nine Christian warriors and their guard Aglai, tortured on the lake near the Armenian city of Sevastiy (Sevas), are an example of masculinity, strong faith and fortitude. Forty Martyrs of Sebastia are the heavenly patrons of the soldiers, they pray for spiritual help in persecution and imprisonment, for the gift of strong faith, for courage to endure trials.

Forty Martyrs of Sebastia. Icon (tablet). Novgorod. End of the 15th century

The first troparion to the forty martyrs of Sebastia, voice 1

By the diseases of the saints, by the image of you who have suffered, beseechfully awake, Lord, and heal all our diseases, Philanthropy, we pray.

Troparion II to the Forty Martyrs of Sebastia, Tone 1

Passion-bearers of all-righteousness, Christ's warriors, fourty, the firmness of the armourer, through fire and water through fire and water, faster fellow citizens, with them pray to Christ for those who praise you with faith. Glory to the One who gave you strength, glory to the One who crowned you, glory to the One who gives you all healing.

Troparion third to the forty martyrs of Sebastia, voice 3

Passion-bearers of Christ, fourty, in the city of Sevastiyst who courageously suffered, through the fire and water of the past, in eternal rest, who entered the Lord, may he preserve peace and our souls, like a Human Lover.

Kontakion of the Forty Martyrs of Sebastia, Tone 6

All the armies of the world have left, in Heaven the Ruler cleaves, the Passion-bearers of the Lord are fourty, through fire and water past, blessed, worthy to receive glory from Heaven / and there are many crowns.

First Prayer to the Second Forty Martyrs of Sebastia

The passion-bearers of Christ are fourty about the holy glory of Christ, in the city of Sebastia Christ for the sake of courageously suffering, through fire and water, and as the friends of Christ have entered into the rest of the Heavenly Kingdom, I have the great boldness to the Holy Trinity to intercede for your Christian family: , and with faith and love those who call you. Ask the all-generous God for forgiveness of our sins and our life's correction, but in repentance and unhypocritical love for each other, we will live with boldness, with boldness we will stand before the terrible judgment of Christ, and by your intercession we will stand at the right hand of the righteous Judge. To her, saints of God, wake us protectors from all enemies visible and invisible, so that under the roof of your holy prayers we will get rid of all troubles, evils and misfortunes until the last day of our life, and thus we will glorify the great and venerable name of the All-mighty Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy One. Spirit, now and ever and forever and ever. Amen.

Second Prayer to the Forty Martyrs of Sebastia

O Passion-bearers of Christ, in the city of Sebastia, who have courageously suffered, to you, as our prayer-books, we earnestly resort and ask: ask the All-Blessed God for the forgiveness of our sins and our lives for correction, but in repentance and unfeigned love for each other, we have lived with the daring boldness of Christ and by your intercession we will appear at the right hand of the Righteous Judge. To her, saints of God, wake us, servants of God (names), defenders from all enemies visible and invisible, so that under the roof of your holy prayers we will get rid of all troubles, evils and misfortunes until the last day of our life, and so we will glorify the great and venerable name of the All-One Trinity, Father and Son and Holy Spirit, now and forever and forever and ever. Amen.

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Prayer to the forty martyrs of Sebastia:

• Prayer to the Forty Martyrs of Sebastia... Thirty-nine Christian warriors and their guard Aglai, tortured to death on a lake near the Armenian city of Sevasti, are an example of masculinity, strong faith and fortitude. Forty Martyrs of Sebastia are the heavenly patrons of the soldiers, they pray for spiritual help in persecution and imprisonment, for the gift of strong faith, for courage to endure trials

The story of forty Christians, tortured in the city of Sebastia for their faith, became an example of courage and steadfastness in religious convictions. While offering prayer to the 40 martyrs of Sebastia, believers ask for strengthening of the spirit, for perseverance in the struggle against trials.

The Story of the Forty Martyrs of Sebastia

In the 14th century, when the Romans had already allowed Christians to profess their faith, the emperor Licinius decided to return paganism and renew the persecution of the followers of Christ. At first, Licinius planned to cleanse the army of Christians. Forty soldiers, true believers in the Lord God, refused to sacrifice to the pagan gods, as demanded by the treacherous emperor and their commander. They were imprisoned in prison, where they earnestly prayed to God, trusting in his will, and several times refused to change their faith.

The future martyrs were tested in the cold, forcing them to enter the ice-cold water naked during the frost, but the Christian warriors passed this test with dignity, only one of them could not stand it and ran to the warmth. In the morning, the guard, struck by the halos that appeared over the heads of the Christians, also decided to accept the faith of Christ and, along with the others, was brutally executed: the believers' legs were broken and burned at the stake.

Day of Remembrance

On this day, in all churches, thousands of parishioners offer prayers to 40 holy martyrs, praying for the souls of heroes who were not afraid to give their lives in the name of their faith.

How do prayers help the 40 martyrs of Sebastia?

Dying from cruel torments and trials, 40 courageous soldiers of Sebastia did not allow a single thought of giving up their beliefs. Therefore, praying in front of their holy images and reading the prayer to 40 saints, believers ask them for help in showing steadfastness and decisiveness.

Prayer also helps in the hour of despair, when a person seems to have no strength to resist adversity, since the example of the martyrs proves that even the most unbearable torments can be endured thanks to faith and prayer.

Prayer especially helps in strengthening faith, and also helps in finding work, in some cases - to solve material problems.

Prayer to the 40 Martyrs of Sebastia

Oh, holy glory, passion-bearers of Christ, fourty, in the city of Sebastia Christ for the sake of bravely suffering, through fire and water, and, like the friends of Christ, entered into the rest of the Heavenly Kingdom, have the command of boldness to the Most Holy Trinity to intercede for the Christian family, who honor your holy memory, and those who call you with faith and love. Ask the All-Blessed God for forgiveness for our sins and for our life to be corrected, but in repentance and unfeigned love for each other, we will boldly stand before the Terrible Judgment of Christ and stand at the right hand of the Righteous Judge by your intercession.

To her, saints of God, wake up our defenders from all enemies, visible and invisible, so that under the roof of your holy prayers we will get rid of all troubles, evils and misfortunes until the last day of our life, and thus we will glorify the Great and Worshipful Name of the All-powerful Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever and ever. Amen.

Second prayer

O Passion-bearers of Christ, in the city of Sebastia, who have courageously suffered, to you, as our prayer-books, we earnestly resort and ask: ask the All-Blessed God for the forgiveness of our sins and our lives for correction, but in repentance and unfeigned love for each other, we have lived with the daring boldness of Christ and by your intercession we will appear at the right hand of the Righteous Judge. To her, saints of God, wake us, servants of God (names), defenders from all enemies visible and invisible, so that under the roof of your holy prayers we will get rid of all troubles, evils and misfortunes until the last day of our life, and so we will glorify the great and venerable name of the All-Eating One Trinity, Father and Son and Holy Spirit, now and forever and forever and ever. Amen.

Troparion and kontakion to 40 Martyrs of Sebastia

Troparion, voice 1

By the diseases of the saints, by the image of you who have suffered, beseechfully awake, Lord, and heal all our diseases, Philanthropy, we pray.

In troparion, voice 1

Passion-bearers of all-righteousness, Christ's warriors, fourty, the firmness of the armourer, through fire and water through fire and water, faster fellow citizens, with them pray to Christ for those who praise you with faith. Glory to the One who gave you strength, glory to the One who crowned you, glory to the One who gives you all healing.

In troparion, voice 3

Passion-bearers of Christ, fourty, in the city of Sevastiyst who courageously suffered, through the fire and water of the past, in eternal rest, who entered the Lord, may he preserve peace and our souls, like a Human Lover.

Kontakion, voice 6

All the armies of the world have left, in Heaven the Lord cleaves, the Passion-bearers of the Lord are fourty, through fire and water past, blessed, worthy to receive glory from Heaven / and there are many crowns.

Prayer to the 40 Martyrs of Sebastia, the meaning of which will be discussed in our article, can help preserve or even restore lost faith, gain strength and withstand various life difficulties and adversities.

The history and power of prayer

In moments of confusion and despair, Christian believers turn to the Almighty, asking about His grace, revere the saints, ask for protection and patronage. Among the multitude of iconographic versions, the icon "The Forty Martyrs of Sebastia" possesses special power, according to church officials.

Faced with troubles and various difficulties on the path of life, Orthodox Christians read a prayer to the 40 martyrs of Sebastia. Before this shrine, you can ask:

• to return the lost faith in the Almighty;
• restore peace of mind, peace and tranquility;
• heal the soul and body from various ailments;
• drive away confusion, confusion, despair and a sense of hopelessness;
• to give the ability and strength to adequately overcome all difficulties and troubles that arise on the path of life;
• teach to defend their point of view and gain the ability to cope with a lack of mental fortitude.

Memorial Day in honor of the forty sufferers falls on March 22 (according to the old calendar - March 9). In the Orthodox religion, this holiday is not a rolling one. On the day of commemoration, the severity of Great Lent is eased and hymns of the Liturgy of the Presumably Gifts are held.

You can read the prayer to the 40 martyrs of Sebastia both in the church during the service and at home. According to the clergy and Christians who have believed in higher powers, prayer will be heard only when it comes from the heart. You can address various requests and prayers to God, the Most Holy Theotokos and the holy great martyrs during morning or evening prayer, retirement and distance from worldly affairs, banishing anger, hatred and despair from your heart, throwing sinful thoughts and desires out of your head.

Forty Sebastian Martyrs are an example of masculinity, fortitude and strength of faith.

In 320, during the reign of the Roman emperor Licinius, thirty-nine Christian soldiers and the guard Aglay were martyred, not wanting to renounce their faith in Jesus Christ.

Warriors from Cappadocia (the territory of modern Turkey), consisting of the Roman army, served in the city of Sebastia. The military leader Agricola demanded that the soldiers renounce the Christian faith and make sacrifices to the pagan gods. The Christian warriors refused to carry out this order. For disobedience they were sent to a lake covered with ice. Near the lake, the commander of the Roman army ordered to install a warm bath so that those wishing to renounce Jesus Christ and the Christian faith could warm up there.

The warriors stood all night in the icy water. Early in the morning one of the servicemen could not stand it and ran to the bathhouse. As soon as he crossed the threshold of the bath, he died immediately. No other soldier of the Christian faith wanted to deny Jesus Christ.

Seeing the fortitude and courage of the Orthodox soldiers, one of the Roman soldiers named Aglay stepped into the icy lake and joined them. According to legend, the servants of the Roman army, acting on the orders of the commander, broke the shins of the courageous Christians and burned them at the stake. The charred bones of the martyrs were thrown into the water.

One night, the Bishop of Sebastia, Blessed Peter, appeared in a dream forty martyrs and ordered them to betray their remains to the earth. The bishop and several clerics collected the remains of the dead and buried them with honor.

Video "Prayer to the 40 Martyrs of Sebastia"

In this video you can listen to an audio recording of the prayer to the 40 Martyrs of Sebastia.

Prayer to the 40 Martyrs of Sebastia

The passion-bearers of Christ are fourty about the holy glory, in the city of Sebastia Christ for the sake of courageously suffering, through fire and water, and as the friends of Christ entered into the rest of the Heavenly Kingdom, they have the great boldness to the Most Holy Trinity to intercede for your holy family: especially the memory of your saint: and with faith and love those who call you.

Ask the all-generous God for forgiveness of our sins and our life's correction, but in repentance and unfeigned love for each other, we will live with boldness, with boldness we will stand before the terrible judgment of Christ, and by your intercession we will stand at the right hand of the righteous Judge.

To her, saints of God, wake us protectors from all enemies visible and invisible, so that under the roof of your holy prayers we will get rid of all troubles, evils and misfortunes until the last day of our life, and thus we will glorify the great and venerable name of the All-mighty Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy One. Spirit, now and ever and forever and ever. Amen.

The Forty Martyrs of Sebastia are the saints of the first centuries of Christianity. Their life has left a deep imprint on the history of the faith of Christ. In 313, the Roman emperor Saint Constantine the Great gave freedom to Christians. But there was also a second ruler in Rome - Licinius. An ardent pagan, he not only planned to renew the persecution of believers in Christ, but also prepared to betray Constantine and become the sole emperor of Rome. The traitor decided to start the massacres with the military, among whom were many of the Savior's followers.

In the city of Sevastia, there was just one of these - Christian - troops. Under the leadership of the pagan Agricola was a whole squad of Christians - forty soldiers, glorified by many victories. At the instigation of Licinius, Agricolaus tried to force them to sacrifice to the pagan gods, but they refused, for which they were thrown into prison. There the soldiers prayed to Christ, and there was a revelation to them that "he who endured to the end, he will be saved."

The next morning, the treacherous Agricolaus again tried to persuade the army to renounce the Savior. But the second time he failed. The Christians were again thrown into prison. A week later they were tried. The brave warriors answered the pagan court firmly: "Take not only our military rank, but also our lives, for us there is nothing dearer than Christ God."

They wanted to stone the martyrs, but the cobblestones did not reach them - as if the Holy Spirit himself protected them from death. And again they imprisoned the Christians. During the prayer they heard: “He who believes in Me, even if he dies, will come to life. Dare and do not be afraid, for you will receive the imperishable crowns. "

And so, when a frosty winter day came, the martyrs were brought to the local lake and left there in custody - naked, right on the ice, where the cold water splashed. A bathhouse was fired up nearby, so that in mortal agony the soldiers would renounce Christ and exchange Him for warmth ... But only one of the sufferers could not stand it and ran to the bathhouse - and immediately fell in front of her, dead.

In the morning, when one of the guards woke up, he saw glowing halos over the heads of each of the thirty-nine Christians. Realizing why there were only 39 crowns, he exclaimed, "And I am a Christian," threw off his clothes and stood next to the soldiers. In the morning, the soldiers and the guard were taken out of the lake and their legs were broken. Then their bodies were taken in chariots to the fire and set on fire.

When three days passed after the execution, Bishop Peter of Sebastia saw the holy soldiers in a dream - he was told to bury their remains. Together with his assistants, he collected the holy relics bit by bit and gave them to the earth with prayer.

When the memory of the forty martyrs of Sebastia is celebrated

The memory of 40 martyrs who were tormented in the Sebastia Lake is celebrated in the Russian Orthodox Church on March 22 in a new style. This is a non-passing holiday, that is, its date is fixed.

Prayers to the holy forty martyrs of Sebastia

First Prayer

The passion-bearers of Christ are fourty about the holy glory of Christ, in the city of Sebastia Christ for the sake of courageously suffering, through fire and water, and as the friends of Christ have entered into the rest of the Heavenly Kingdom, I have the great boldness to the Holy Trinity to intercede for your Christian family: , and with faith and love those who call you. Ask the all-generous God for forgiveness of our sins and our life's correction, but in repentance and unfeigned love for each other, we will live with boldness, with boldness we will stand before the terrible judgment of Christ, and by your intercession we will stand at the right hand of the righteous Judge. To her, saints of God, wake us protectors from all enemies visible and invisible, so that under the roof of your holy prayers we will get rid of all troubles, evils and misfortunes until the last day of our life, and so let us glorify the great and venerable name of the All-mighty Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever and ever. Amen.

Second prayer

O Passion-bearers of Christ, in the city of Sebastia, who have courageously suffered, to you, as our prayer-books, we earnestly resort and ask: ask the All-Blessed God for the forgiveness of our sins and our lives for correction, but in repentance and unfeigned love for each other, we have lived with the daring boldness of Christ and by your intercession we will appear at the right hand of the Righteous Judge. To her, saints of God, wake us, servants of God (names), defenders from all enemies visible and invisible, so that under the roof of your holy prayers we will get rid of all troubles, evils and misfortunes until the last day of our life, and so we will glorify the great and venerable name of the All-Eating One Trinity, Father and Son and Holy Spirit, now and forever and forever and ever. Amen.

Icon of the 40 Martyrs of Sebastia

In the center of the icon of the 40 Martyrs of Sebastia, we see the soldiers themselves. They stand on an icy lake - naked. Some support others, some are trying to somehow escape from the frost - their figures are depicted in dynamics.
Also on the icon we see the figure of a fortieth warrior who abandoned faith in the Savior and rushed to the bathhouse, which the guards assigned to the martyrs specially melted for temptation. The face of the apostate is not written on the icon - it is a symbol of his betrayal.

In the lower corner of the icon, the icon painters depict the guard Aglaia. It was he who became the fortieth martyr instead of the apostate when he saw the shining halos over the heads of the soldiers. Also, the image of the Savior is written on the icon, which overshadows the saints with a blessing gesture.

Folk traditions of the celebration of the day of remembrance of the 40 Martyrs of Sebastia

In Russia, a church holiday - the day of remembrance of the forty martyrs of Sebastia - was called Larks or S about rocky (with emphasis on the first syllable). The brightest custom of this day is to bake lean buns in the shape of birds - "larks".

Memorial Day of the Forty Martyrs of Sebastia was a sign to the common people that the long and frosty winter was coming to an end. Spring was approaching, and the fast was in full swing - "the spring of the soul." The holiday coincided with the day of the spring equinox, which is very significant in the pagan minds of our ancestors. This was the day when the Christian meanings were superimposed on the old pagan ones. People praised the martyrs, but remained faithful to the ancient folk customs.