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
DESS: Ramadan is a time of special closeness to the Almighty
DESS congratulated Ukraine’s Muslims on the beginning of Ramadan.
Jehovah’s witness pastor sentenced in Lviv region for refusing TRC service
A court in Lviv region sentenced a Jehovah’s Witness pastor to five years in prison for unauthorized absence from his unit and for refusing to serve as a TRC cook.
Orthodox Church in America raises $700,000 for Ukrainians in Poland
An OCA representative met with Metropolitan Sava and discussed humanitarian support for Ukrainian refugees in Poland.
Hollywood Catholic actors remind of the spiritual meaning of Great Lent
Mark Wahlberg i Jonathan Roumie recorded a video message calling for prayer at the beginning of Great Lent.
MP Huz discusses seizure of UOC monastery in Myltsi with Volyn RMA head
Huz demanded that the authorities "resolve the situation" with the St. Nicholas Monastery of the Volodymyr-Volynsky Eparchy of the UOC.
Lviv authorities to allocate UAH 300,000 for UGCC church damaged by shelling
The Lviv City Council will finance the restoration of stained glass windows of the Uniate church after damage sustained as a result of a missile strike.