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.

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