Some events are so important in the lives of our loved ones and friends that choosing a gift becomes an extremely responsible task. Weddings, engagements, births and christenings of children. Such celebrations cannot be attended with a simple symbolic gift. But if you are a believer and your friends have a positive attitude towards Christian attributes, an icon as a gift will be an excellent choice.
Icons as a gift
Giving an icon to a loved one on an important holiday means showing your respect, love, and care for their well-being and peace of mind. Since icons are created primarily for addressing prayers to the supposedly the supposed saints, with such a present you seem to emphasize your good thoughts and best wishes that you send to heaven.
It is important to understand well which icons and for what reason you can give them, because according to church rules and established traditions in this area, there are quite a few strict orders. So let's talk about the most important festive occasions for giving icons.
Icons for newlyweds
If your friends or relatives decided to confirm their marriage not only with a stamp in their passport, but also with promises before God, they cannot do without icons. And you can become the donor of such an important family heirloom.
Icons as a gift for a wedding should depict Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary in accordance with the traditions of the church rite. During the wedding, the newlyweds hold holy images in their hands, while the priest unites them in holy marriage and blesses them for a long and happy life. Such icons are called a wedding pair, because they are bought and given by two at the same time. As As a rule, such images are chosen by the parents of the bride and groom, but they can also be godparents, brothers or sisters, and even especially close friends. Of course, icons carry their meaning and purpose in their content and connection with the person depicted on them. But the wedding couple is considered a talisman of the young family and is kept at home in a prominent place. Therefore, if possible, it is worth choosing more "festive" versions of holy images. This can be a silver or gilded frame, or inlaid with amber or crystals. If you buy icons for a wedding as a couple, you can guarantee that they will be made in the same style and will look harmonious next to each other.
Even if your loved ones have decided to limit themselves to a secular marriage without a wedding, an icon as a wedding gift will always be appropriate, as long as it does not offend the feelings of the recipients. In this case, the icon can be single, but the plot is usually chosen to suit the occasion. The image of the Holy Family or the scene of Jesus blessing the children, or even the rarer plot of the presence of the Almighty at the wedding will be appropriate and successful presents.
Icons as a gift for christenings
The next important and sacred event in the family annals after the wedding is the birth of a child and his baptism into the Christian faith. For this reason, choosing an icon as a gift for a christening will be an important and wise decision. The holy icon will become the first amulet of a small child and will demonstrate your reverent attitude towards this family.
The best option would be to choose a named icon as a gift for christening. Many names have roots in biblical times and coincide with the names of saints. Therefore, finding a suitable icon will be easy. If the child's name is not on the list of saints, you can choose the saint whose qualities, fate, miracles, or sphere of protection impress you the most or suit the child. Also, sometimes a different name is chosen for baptism than the secular first one - if you know about it in advance, you can choose the best present.
It is also important to pay attention to the design of the image on the icon. Since this is a gift for a child, you can prefer more artistic variants of the image over canonical church ones. A little researcher will be interested in considering the clear human features of the saint, and they can be depicted next to animals, against the background of nature or with other people.
Icons as a birthday gift
Gift icons will be a truly original choice and not only for relatives. A well-chosen image will be a good present for a colleague, boss or even a business partner. It is definitely important to first find out the religion of the birthday person so as not to create an awkward situation. When choosing an icon as a birthday gift, it is worth considering the profession and hobbies of the birthday person. For almost every traditional occupation, you can find a saint who patronizes such people. There are patrons of merchants (businessmen), sailors, travelers, fishermen and artists. So, with a little effort, you will find the right option.
A personalized icon will also be suitable for adults - such a gift will show your respect and goodwill towards its recipient. Especially since even images of the same saint can have thousands of options. Therefore, do not be afraid to repeat yourself.
Giving an icon as a gift is a great choice if you want to show goodwill and respect for a dear person. The online icon store Fama can offer you a large selection of them. Combine deep meaning and aesthetic execution in your gift for the best impression and memory of you.