The other day I read the news that a miracle happened in one of the Romanian monasteries – I stopped the list of the icon of the Mother of God “Eat Worthy”. And I remember one of our little family stories connected with this icon. Not with the Romanian one, of course, but with the «Eat Worthy», which is located in our church of Archangel Michael in Troparevo. This story may seem strange, improbable or just the most common: coincidences. But I care about her personally. And I really want to share it.
This happened when our eldest daughter Barbara was about four years old. I went with her to the evening party…
It is worth, perhaps, to say that Varyusha has always been a girl calm, contemplative and thoughtful. She had no problems in the temple, unlike the two younger ones. From birth she lay quietly or sat all the service in my or my husband’s arms.
When she was two years old, I fully stood with her in the Great Lent canon of Andrew of Crete. While I was praying (or at least trying), she was quietly playing around on a candlestick bench, putting out different pictures. She could stand in front of him for a long time and look at him. I don’t know what “highly spiritual” she thought or thought at all, but all the grandmothers, looking at us, did not cry with emotion.
Another thing is that, due to his temperament, I suspect, Vare in principle did not care where to stand quietly and contemplate the space. She can look at the sea, ducks, butterflies or just in front of her and dream about something. She is a eccentric and a “philosopher” by nature. And, in fact, like me, periods of “fanaticism” are replaced by religious cooling and fascination with something else, and vice versa. So, in early childhood, Varusha alternately wanted to be a nun, then a mother, then a military pilot.
And growing up, like many children, she often prefers to rush around the churchyard with the children than to stand at services. Or just stay home and watch a movie. And then, after reading the life of a saint, he again asked to go to the temple. What happens next, we’ll see…
In general, when Vara was four years old, and she had one of the “monastic-mother” periods, she very much fell in love with the icon of the Virgin “Eat Worthy”, which is located in our Archangel Michael on the right side, not far from the entrance. Many children love her — bright, shiny, all in stones. Pretty, in general. I like it myself.
Varya will come to the temple — and first of all to this icon. I asked to raise, apply and very diligently baptized — to the delight of me and the church grandmothers.
That day, which, in fact, we are talking about, the daughter immediately went to “Eat Decently”. But, as usual, I didn’t ask for it. It’s a minute, two, five, ten and something mutters. All the deadlines are out, and she’s standing. I couldn’t resist coming. And I hear that Varvara asks the Virgin … a pipe.
I was a little surprised, but I didn’t tell her anything. But all sorts of stupid thoughts immediately got into my head: “Here he asks, and where will the Virgin get her a pipe?” It doesn’t materialize. I am a believer, but this only happens in books. And the child will decide that this is all a hoax.” And so on and so forth. “I’m going to buy her this pipe,” I finally decided. — Like the Virgin. He probably wants to pray. It is strange that she did not ask me.”
I remember that I was so impressed that I even called our friendly and beloved father Anatoly from Ukraine, who once blessed my husband to marry me and then took care of us in every possible way. Which, in fact, he still does.
«That’s what it is?» I tortured him. — Let me buy it. The child will be disappointed in the faith. I asked for the Mother of God, but nothing. No sound.
«What do you think of yourself?» he scolded me. — That’s my idea. A miracle to a child! She wasn’t talking to you! I didn’t ask you, but the Mother of God! In fact, it’s cowardice! And disbelief! Anyway, I did.
And two days later, Varyushin the godfather Alexander came to visit us. And I brought her a wonderful gift… yes, a pipe. Real, wooden, with patterns that were made a long time ago. I saw the Rogozhsky market and for some reason I really wanted to buy it.
My daughter was not at all surprised – she asked the Virgin. And Sasha, when I told him about what happened, was very glad that the Mother of God through him fulfilled the request of the goddaughter. I called my father Anatoly again and was delighted to say, “No, you know what?” Our Lady… And a pipe.
But it didn’t end there. Just subsided my ecstatic delights, as Varya announced to me in the temple that “again prayed to the Virgin (all the same “Worthy to eat”) and asked her for ruby droplets.”
«Vannyka, what are ruby droplets?» — I was frightened. “Mom, don’t you understand, ruby droplets are just ruby droplets.”
“Well, everyone, here definitely hit,” I was upset. Ruby droplets are not a pipe for you. All right, I don’t know what that is anyway, so let them deal with the Virgin themselves. I even decided not to call Father Anatoly. Why? He’d just laugh at me. I know for myself that this is all very strange.
After leaving the temple, Varya and I stayed on the courtyard on the playground. And suddenly, shouting, “Mom, I have ruby droplets!” – the daughter pulls out of the sandbox red glass beads. It’s ruby-colored. Old, dirty, torn, but “ruby droplets”. I thought we were either crazy or…
In any case, I asked Varya for a long time to pray before “Eat well” about my “urgent” needs, such as an apartment, a car, etc. All in all, a standard set of needs for «deep believers» like me. Another thing is that the Virgin, probably, then did not consider it as urgent as ruby drops and a pipe, because no treasure was found in the sandbox, no car keys were given. I had to work honestly. And thank God it’s okay.
Yes, all this may seem stupid, painful fantasy, coincidence. But still, children’s prayer (not Varina specifically, but all children in general) is something special. Purer than ours, grown-up, more ingenious. And God hears her. And if Varya did not receive this pipe and droplets, then perhaps this would not affect her childhood faith. The Mother of God knows better, and they would have figured it out themselves. A child’s relationship with God is a big and separate subject.
I think it was all done for me too. To show me the folly of my disbelief, and to be more concerned with myself and my feeble spiritual life, rather than with miracles. And in general, miracles are not the main thing, not the goal (except for the Liturgy, of course, when the greatest Miracle occurs). It’s just a push or something I don’t understand. The goal is to work on your soul, to connect with God. It is a pity that in the search for such a “magic” miracle, we often calm down. But we still had it. And it makes you warm and happy.
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