Softening of Evil Hearts

This is the icon of the Theotokos that I saw and venerated today at Divine Liturgy.  I can’t describe the experience, except that when She arrived at the church, Her arrival was heralded by bells; and as the priest of the parish brought her in, there were many damp eyes, mine among them.

I don’t know what it is about this icon.  I don’t normally care for Western-style iconography, but Her expression is so inexpressibly sweet, and the sight of all those swords piercing her heart…  And then there’s the Troparion, in Tone 5:

Soften our evil hearts, O Theotokos, * and quench the attacks of those who hate us * and loose all straitness of our soul. * For looking on thy holy image * we are filled with compunction by thy suffering and loving-kindness for us * and we kiss thy wounds; * we are filled with horror for the darts with which we wound thee. * Let us not, O Mother of Compassion, * according to the cruelty of our hearts, perish from the cruelty of heart of those near us, ** For thou art in truth the Softener of Evil Hearts.

How could you resist this?!

I was disappointed to find that there were no paper icons available for purchase, nor any of the oil, though I was anointed with the myrrh that exudes from this icon, and have the cotton ball with which I wiped it off my forehead.  I’m hoping to bring it to the priest who chrismated me, and who is very ill.

Meanwhile, prayers for my husband would be appreciated:  He’s retiring from 40 years of civil service, and as he just said, “I feel like I’m losing my identity.”  I can imagine.