Celebration: February 16
The icon of the Mother of God, also known as “Softening of Evil Hearts” or “Simeon’s Prophecy”, is associated with an event in the life of St. Luke the Evangelist. According to the Gospel, the righteous elder Simeon, who was foretold by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he saw the Lord’s Christ, met the Baby’s parents in the temple. He took the Baby in his arms, which gave him the nickname “The God-receiver”, and uttered the famous words that are known as the Prayer of St. Simeon the God-Receiver: “Now, O Master, let your servant go in peace, according to your word…” (Lk.2:29). Then he blessed Saint Joseph and the Most Pure Mother and told Mary that some “weapon” of sorrow and heartache would strike Her soul, and that the thoughts of many hearts would be revealed (Luke 2: 34-35). The icon “Softening of Evil hearts” usually depicts the Virgin with seven swords, three on the right, three on the left and one on the bottom. The seven swords symbolize the fullness of sorrow and grief that the Blessed Virgin suffered in her earthly life. There is also a “Seven-shot” icon of the Mother of God, on which the swords that pierced the heart of the Virgin are arranged differently — three on one side and four on the other. The feast dedicated to this icon is celebrated on August 13, while the “Softening of Evil Hearts” icon is celebrated on All Saints ‘ Week. The faithful, praying in front of these miraculous icons with faith, feel relief from mental and physical suffering. They realize that praying for their enemies calms their hearts and turns hostile feelings into kindness and mercy.
