Mother of God, Softener of Hardened / Evil / Wicked Hearts

The Icon of the Mother of God “Softener of Evil / Hardened / Wicked Hearts”
(“Умягчение злых сердец"/"Umyagchenie Zluikh Serdets”);

Commemorated first Sunday after Pentecost (Sunday of All Saints)
and February 2 / 15

About the icon:
This icon is famous and venerated from old times as miracle-working.  Unfortunately, the detailed information about this icon never existed and also it is unknown how and where it first appeared.  The Mother of God is portrayed on the icon wounded with seven swords:  three on her right side, three on her left, and one sword in the middle.  In the Holy Scriptures, seven means the complete number of something, and here--complete grief, sorrow, and emotional distress, which she had in her earthly life.  This icon reflects the prophecy of St. Simeon about her own sufferings ("a sword will pierce through your own soul also", Luke 2:35) visualized here on the icon as seven swords, and so this icon is associated with the event of the Meeting of the Lord in the Temple (February 2/15), the occasion when St. Simeon's prophecy was revealed.  This icon is sometimes also referred to as "Simeon's Prophecy" ("Симеоново проречение"/ "Simeonovo Prorochenie").

Prayer before the icon dissolves hatred.  All who pray before the icon feel smoothing of their own heart and lessen of distress.  People pray before the icon for cure from contagious diseases, from lameness and other forms of infirmities, as well as for peaceful resolution between enemies.  All those who turn to the icons of the Mother of God in prayer sense that with the softening of evil hearts comes from an easing of spiritual and physical suffering.  People come to recognize that when they pray for their enemies before such icons, their feelings of enmity are softened, and that mutually destructive strife and hatreds abate, giving way to kindness.

One source states "this icon protects the house against negative energies and envy", and "it is often placed at the front door."



NOTE:  There is a similar icon of the Mother of God that shows three swords on one side and four on the other, with no sword coming from below.  This icon is known as "Seven Swords"  ("Семистрельная" / "Semistrelnaya") and is commemorated on August 13/26.


An Akathist  for the Mother of God, Softener of Hardened / Evil / Wicked Hearts is here.


Prayer to the Most Holy Mother of God, "Softener of Hardened / Evil / Hardened Hearts"
O much sorrowing Mother of God, more highly exalted than all other maidens, according to thy purity and the multitude of thy suffering endured by thee on earth: Hearken to our sighs and soften the hearts of evil men, and protect us under the shelter of thy mercy. For we know no other refuge and ardent intercessor apart from thee, but as thou hast great boldness before the One who was born of thee, help and save us by thy prayers, that without offence we may attain the Heavenly Kingdom where, with all the saints, we will sing the thrice-holy hymn to One God Almighty in the Trinity, always now and ever and unto ages of ages.  Amen.

First Prayer
O much-suffering Mother of God, surpassing all earthly maidens in Thy purity and in the multitude of sufferings which Thou hast endured on earth! Accept our sore beset sighs and preserve us under the shelter of Thy mercy. For we know no other abode and fervent intercession but Thine, but having boldness towards Him Who was born of Thee, help us and save us by Thine entreaties, so that without hindrance, we may attain unto the kingdom of heaven wherein we shall hymn with all the saints, One God in Trinity, always now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Second Prayer
Who shall not call Thee blessed, O Virgin full of grace! Who shall not hymn Thy lovingkindness towards the race of men! We pray unto Thee, we beseech Thee: leave us to not perish in misfortunes; melt our hearts with love and send Thy dart to our enemies so that it may wound our hearts with the peace towards us who persecute us. Even as the world hateth us, do Thou extend Thy love towards us, and even as the world persecuteth us, do Thou accept us and accord us the God-given power of patience to endure without complaint the temptations encountered in this world. O Mistress! Soften the hearts of wicked men who rise against us, lest their hearts should perish in iniquity, but, O Full of Grace, do Thou entreat Thy Son and our God to visit their hearts with peace, so that the devil, the father of evil, may be put to shame. And we, singing Thy lovingkindness towards us, lowly and vile as we are, shall hymn Thee, O Most Wondrous Mistress, O Virgin full of grace: hearken unto us in this hour, as our hearts are heavy, fend us with peace and love towards one another and towards our enemies, eradicate every wickedness and hostility that we have, as we sing to Thee and to Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Third Prayer
I thank Thee, O Master who loves mankind, King of the ages and giver of good things. Thou destroyed animosity and granted peace to all people. Grant now peace to Thy servants, and strengthen Thy fear in them, thus we can love one another. Calm down disagreements, take away scandals caused by gossips. For Thou art our peace, and to Thee we ascribe glory to the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Apolytikion (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 icon * 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.

Troparion of the Icon (Tone 5)
Soften our evil hearts, O Mother of God, extinguish the afflictions of those who hate us, and loosen all the rigidity our souls. Gazing upon thy holy image, we are moved by thy suffering and mercy toward us. We kiss thy wounds and are horrified that our arrows torment you. O merciful mother, do not let us perish in our own hardheartedness, nor from that of our neighbors, for thou art truly the Softener of evil hearts.