Church сelebrates the feast of Life-Giving Spring Icon
The Life-Giving Spring Icon. Photo: Monastic Herald
On Bright Friday – which in 2025 falls on April 25 – the Church celebrates the feast of the icon of the Mother of God known as the 'Life-Giving Spring.'
The origin of the feast dates back to the 5th century. According to tradition, the future Byzantine Emperor Leo Marcellus encountered a blind man who asked him for water. The Theotokos (Mother of God) directed Leo to a nearby spring, the water from which the blind man used to wash his eyes – and he miraculously regained his sight. A church was later built on that site in honor of the Mother of God.
Today, solemn services with the blessing of water are held in Orthodox churches around the world. After the Divine Liturgy, clergy perform the water blessing, and the faithful may take the holy water home.
Special celebrations take place in monasteries and churches dedicated to the Life-Giving Spring Icon. Pilgrims participate in ritual washings at the holy springs, which, according to tradition, possess healing powers.
The Life-Giving Spring Icon depicts the Mother of God with the Christ Child in a chalice set within a pool of water. Streams of water flow from the chalice, symbolizing the healings and miracles granted through prayers to the Most Holy Theotokos.
Read also
No language law violations found at Holosiiv Monastery school
The inspection found no evidence of Russian-language instruction in the school that operated on the grounds of the Holosiiv Monastery.
Czech authorities intend to seize three largest churches from Church, source
In Prague, preparations have begun to terminate lease agreements concluded with Orthodox church communities.
Rome's basilica bust re-attributed to Michelangelo
A marble bust that has stood for centuries in one of Rome’s basilicas has been re-attributed to Michelangelo after nearly 200 years in obscurity.
In USA, the number of "non-believers" reaches historic high
The share of Americans without religious affiliation has reached a record high, with less than half the population considering faith important.
U.S. defense secretary: War with Iran is fight against “religious fanatics”
The U.S. defense secretary described the conflict with Iran as a struggle against religious fanatics and urged troops to seek a connection with Almighty God.