A birthday icon. How to choose the right gift
The day of birth is a special event in every person's life, so the present should be meaningful. A properly chosen Orthodox icon will become a powerful protection against adversity, disease and danger. Turning to sacred images helps to make the right decision in a difficult life situation and fills life with peace and tranquility. Let's talk about how to choose a suitable souvenir so that it becomes a blessing for the birthday boy.
Do they give icons for a birthday? We are dealing with the details
You can safely make such surprises to people you know well. Not everyone likes religious paraphernalia, and you need to take these facts into account, respecting someone else's choice.
If the birthday boy is favorably disposed to such gifts or is a believer, he will be pleased to receive a personalized icon with the image of the monk or martyr — his heavenly patron. Plots with the Virgin Mary, the Savior and evangelical events are always appreciated. People who are far from church life will like the picturesque faces, more like paintings of religious themes in the Renaissance style.
Icon as a gift: the origins of tradition
In the past centuries, it was the custom in Russia to make similar offerings for a wedding, housewarming or christening. Such items were not an interior decoration, but a shrine, and they were treated with great care and reverence. The "Vladimir Mother of God" appeared in Russia as a gift to Prince Mstislav from Luke, Patriarch of Constantinople. The Don Cossacks presented Prince Dmitry with the "Don Mother of God" before the Battle of Kulikovo. And this tradition has been preserved for many years.
Is it possible to give icons — the opinion of the church
Priests answer this question positively if the birthday boy is not a militant atheist. The prejudice that it is not worth giving images of Christ and saints is based on ignorance and superstition. Divine images are filled with grace and love. They help people cope with life's obstacles and keep peace in their souls. The only thing is that it is recommended to consecrate it in the temple before presenting the present.
When an icon is a birthday gift: do you believe the signs
There are signs that seem strange. For example, some people believe that it is forbidden to give sacred objects before sunrise or after sunset, as well as on the waning moon. They say that in this case, the shrine will not bring happiness to the birthday boy. There is an opinion that it is not worth giving dark icons to children, girls and newlyweds. At the same time, there is no explanation of what the danger is.
There is another sign — there should be no stains, streaks and cracks on the glass or frame. And we can already agree with this — the souvenir must be of high quality and impeccable. Why give church paraphernalia with defects, unless, of course, it is an antique…
Icon for the birthday boy: how to choose such a gift
Usually a righteous person is chosen, whose memory is revered on this day. This information can be found in the church calendar. The images of the Virgin also correspond to certain dates. In addition, it is customary to present a "Guardian Angel" on a birthday. As for materials, it is better to choose products decorated with finish, precious stones, amber, gold and silver. Such a souvenir will be especially valuable and memorable.
A birthday icon is a gift that protects
Images of the Virgin are ideal for women, images of victorious warriors are ideal for men. One of the established traditions is to choose personalized icons by month and date of birth. Many people rely on zodiac signs, hobbies and professions when choosing, each of which has its own patron.
For family people with children, you can present "St. Nicholas the Saint". It helps to strengthen family ties and protects against troubles and misfortunes. Wonderful gifts are the "Holy Family" and "Peter and Fevronia", which are symbols of conjugal love, harmony, fidelity and family well—being.
An icon for a woman's birthday
Representatives of the older generation can be presented with the face of the Mother of God "Gerontissa" ("Staritsa"). They pray to her for the health and well-being of the elderly. For middle-aged women, any image of the Virgin Mary is suitable, especially the "Iverian Mother of God". She is the keeper of the family hearth. Unmarried girls are most often given the "Feodorovskaya Mother of God", which protects brides and expectant mothers.
An icon for a man's birthday
In addition to the traditional nominal images and the "Guardian Angel", men can be presented with the image of the Savior Not Made with Hands. Addressing Him directs to the right path, gives strength and wisdom, strengthens the head of the family on his life path. The courageous faces of George the Victorious, Dmitry Donskoy, Ilya Muromets or Archangel Michael are also good ideas for congratulations, because men are breadwinners and defenders in their spirit.
Icons by month: choosing patrons for the birthday boy by date
To choose a suitable gift, you will need a church calendar. Pay attention to the names of saints whose days of celebration either fall on the day of birth, or are located as close as possible to this date. According to the same principle, you can choose a suitable image of the Virgin. For example, the first of April is the day of remembrance of the righteous Sophia, Princess of Slutsk. Therefore, the birthday girl can be presented with "St. Sophia" or the image of the Mother of God "Tenderness", revered on this day.
On March 31, the Father of the Church Cyril, Archbishop of Jerusalem, is remembered, and on April 2, the Great Martyr Fotina, Anatolia, Paraskeva. Their images are quite suitable for the hero of the occasion, since they are located close to the first of April by dates. However, it is acceptable to choose not by date, but by name. The birthday girl Natalia, who was born in the spring, can be presented with "Natalia of Nicomedia", even if she is revered in September.
Horoscope icons: we give images to different zodiac signs
Despite the fact that the church does not approve of the hobby of astrologers, there is a so-called iconographic horoscope. According to him, each zodiac sign corresponds to certain images of the Virgin and the ancient saints. But in fact, this horoscope is based on the data of the Orthodox calendar. The "Unfading Color" Mother of God is suitable for Aries, the "Inexhaustible Cup" for Taurus, and the "Vladimir Mother of God" for Gemini.
Icon — patrons of professions
Work occupies an important part of a person's life, so presenting images of patrons of different professions as a gift would be quite appropriate. For doctors, the images of Panteleimon the Healer and Luke of the Crimea are acceptable. Sergiy Radonezhsky and Naum Gramotnik are close to the teachers.
Lawyers, employees of the prosecutor's office, judicial departments and tax services are suitable for "George the Victorious", "Yaroslav the Wise" and "The All-seeing Eye". This list is also suitable for representatives of law enforcement agencies and the military, while it can be supplemented with "Alexander Nevsky" and "John the Warrior".
A great gift for firefighters and emergency workers is the Virgin "Burning Bush". Railway workers and sailors can be presented with "Nicholas the Saint" and "George the Victorious". To congratulate diplomats, it is worth paying attention to the "Archangel Gabriel", and financiers can choose the "Apostle Matthew". For businessmen, the images of Spyridon Trimifuntsky, Joseph Volotsky, equal-to-the-Apostles Konstantin and Elena are relevant.
Birthday icons inside the family: for mom or son
Every family dreams of living together, happily and well. Sacred images help in strengthening family ties and achieving material stability. The main thing is to treat them with due reverence and pray more often. If you are looking for a gift for your mother, then the images of the Virgin "Housebuilder" or "Bread" are suitable. They pray for prosperity and help in overcoming difficult times. A son or daughter can be given a "Guardian Angel" who will accompany them in life, protecting them from evil.
The Sacrament of giving: how to present an icon on your birthday
Make sure that the birthday boy is an Orthodox Christian or a person who favorably treats religious paraphernalia. Then consecrate your purchase in the temple, if it is not from the church, but from the store.
As for the packaging, it should not be bright and flashy. In this case, restrained elegance is appropriate. Many stores offer classic paper or cardboard packaging for similar products. If desired, you can place the sacred relic in a wooden box or special cloth bags.
Give a souvenir with kind words, wishes of happiness, health and well-being. At the same time, it is possible to explain why this particular sacred image was chosen and what benefit it will bring to the birthday boy.
The signature on the icon presented on the birthday
Commemorative engraving with good wishes is another good tradition. The text may be different. Some people like inscriptions designed in the Old Slavic style. For example, such as: "This icon was painted as a gift to R. Michael of God from R.B. Alexander on 06/15/2020 A.D.". You can engrave a quote from the Bible (usually from the Psalter) or a short prayer ("Save, Lord, and have mercy on Your servant Dimitri"). It is allowed to put a simple inscription "In prayer memory".
Five birthday gift ideas with an iconographic face
We offer several ideas from our catalog. The benevolent face of the "Almighty", decorated with silver and finish, brings peace and harmony to the heart. They pray to Him for protection from troubles and forgiveness of sins.
The image of the Kazan Mother of God, carved from wood, is one of the most revered in Russia. There are many miracles associated with it. The Mother of God of Kazan helps to find the true path and protects the state from enemies.
"Faith, Hope, Love and their mother Sofia" in a gold frame is a tempera work on mother of pearl. It will attract Christian virtues to the house, after which the martyrs depicted on it are named.
The silver face of the Healer Panteleimon (with blackening) will help in getting rid of any diseases. It is important to pray to him constantly and with faith.
It is worth paying attention to the image of the "Trinity", decorated with gold, topaz, onyx, citrines and cubic zirconia. The union of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit gives threefold help to the worshippers.
