History of the Kazan Icon. Finding a shrine
The image of the Mother of God appeared in Kazan in 1579, when this city could still hardly be called Russian. Only 27 years have passed since the capture of Ivan the Terrible by his troops in 1552, and even less since the founding of a separate diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church in 1553. The local population also had little sympathy for such a great event, since it was predominantly Muslim. Moreover, on the eve of the apparition - in June 1579 - the city was engulfed in a terrible fire, and many local residents considered this to be the malicious intent of Christians. Nevertheless, it was in this city and in this turbulent time that the Mother of God revealed Her honest image.
Kazan Bogoroditsky Monastery, Kazan.
The image of the Kazan Mother of God was found on the ashes, but it was not damaged at all by fire
Kazan Icon of the Mother of God
The discovery of the holy image has its own history.
A year after Ivan the Terrible conquered Muslim Kazan in 1553, the first Russian Orthodox parish was opened there.
Residents of the city did not accept the new religion and in every possible way prevented its further spread.
1553
this year the first Russian Orthodox parish was opened in Muslim Kazan
Therefore, the fire of 1579, which destroyed part of the Kazan Kremlin and adjacent buildings, was perceived by Muslims as “the wrath of the Russian God.”
Then a miracle happened: the Virgin Mary appeared to the nine-year-old girl Matrona in a dream and ordered her to find her image in the ashes of the family’s burnt house.
In the morning Matrona told her mother and the clergy about everything, but they did not believe her. They didn’t go looking for the icon a second time. Appearing for the third time, the Mother of God said:
“If you do not follow my instructions, I will appear in another place, and you will perish.”
Then the mother herself took a shovel and began to dig up the ashes, but the image appeared only when Matrona began to dig.
Exactly in the indicated place, at a depth of about a meter, an icon was found, wrapped in dilapidated cloth. When the rag was unrolled, a bright, colorful image of the Mother of God appeared to the eyes of those digging, completely untouched by the fire.
Appearance of the Kazan Icon
The phenomenon itself happened as follows. Some time after the fire, one nine-year-old girl - Matrona, the daughter of a archer of the royal army - begins to appear to the Mother of God Herself with the command to find Her image in one of the ashes. After the first appearance of the Mother of God, no one believed the girl. However, the Mother of God appears to Matrona more than once or twice, and the girl continues to turn to adults with a request to find the image. After some time, Matrona’s mother turns to the Orthodox priests with a request for help and a story about the miraculous vision of her daughter. However, the clergy doubt the truth of these phenomena and are in no hurry to find the image. Only after repeated persistent appeals to the Bishop of Kazan, it was decided to find the image of the Most Pure Mother of God. As a result, the image, wrapped in cloth, was found on one of the ashes. According to legend, the image was found only when Matrona herself began digging. At the site where the icon was found, by decree of the tsar, the Mother of God nunnery and church were built, and the first copy of it was sent to Moscow.
TIME OF TROUBLES
The history of the Kazan image in the history of the Time of Troubles is inextricably linked with the feat of St. Hermogenes, Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', who was one of the first to defend Russia and the Orthodox faith from the invasion of Polish invaders, and equally from internal strife, which, perhaps, They even threatened the country to a greater extent at that time.
The first church, built in the 17th century, honors the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God in the village of Kolomenskoye. Photo from wikimedia.org/Ludvig14
Patriarch Ermogen, by the way, became the author of the “Tale” about the Kazan Icon of the Virgin Mary. This happened when he was still Metropolitan of Kazan in 1594. The full title of the “Tales” is “The Tale and Miracles of the Most Pure Mother of God, the Honest and Glorious Appearance of Her Image, Like in Kazan.” He also composed a service for this icon.
At the end of 1610, the situation in Russia became tense. It is widely known that at this time Polish aristocrats actively laid claim to power in the country, but it is important to remember why this became possible: the main misfortune of the country was not even an invasion from outside, but the anarchy generated by the civil war. Cities and influential boyar clans fought with each other. The country was filled with gangs of Cossacks and simply wandering seekers of easy money, who robbed, raped and killed. People who called themselves Orthodox, if they remained so, then only formally. Many behaved like real barbarians.
Patriarch Hermogenes was taken into custody. It was at this moment, having finally realized the destructiveness of the situation, the saint begins to send out his district messages to all regions of the state, calling for an end to the strife, to unite and to gather militias to liberate the country from enemies. In them, he especially calls not only to defend the country, but also to defend his Orthodox faith, and to prevent violence and cruelty towards ordinary people.
Under the influence of the patriarch’s speeches, a militia is formed in Nizhny Novgorod under the leadership of Prince Dimitry Pozharsky and Kuzma Minin. Soon it begins to move towards Moscow, visiting different cities along the way.
In Yaroslavl, Kazan residents also join the militia, bringing with them a copy of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God and handing it over to Prince Demetrius. This happened already in 1611. From this moment, in fact, the Most Holy Theotokos becomes the head of the militia as the spiritual leader of the people.
By the autumn of 1612 the situation had become quite complicated. On the one hand, the Poles themselves, who took refuge in the Kremlin, were in a vicious circle - hunger, disease and discord were raging in their camp, and convoys sent to help from the outside were intercepted by the Russian militia. On the other hand, the camp of the Russian militia also had its own unrest. It became obvious that we could wait no longer. On the eve of the storming of the Kremlin, a three-day fast and intense prayer were announced in the ranks of the Russian militia in front of the Kazan image of the Mother of God.
There is an indication in historical sources of a miraculous phenomenon associated with the intercession of the Mother of God. At the time of the siege, Archbishop Arseny of Elasson was in the Kremlin, to whom St. Sergius of Radonezh appeared the night before the assault. According to legend, he told the archbishop the following: “Arseny, our prayers have been heard; through the intercession of the Mother of God, God’s judgment on the Fatherland was transferred to mercy; "Tomorrow Moscow will be in the hands of the besiegers, and Russia will be saved."
The next morning, October 22, 1612, Russian troops stormed Kitay-gorod, and two days later they liberated the entire Kremlin.
On October 25, 1612, Russian militias marched to the Kremlin in a religious procession, carrying ahead the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, the main Intercessor of the Russian land.
According to the Nikon Chronicle, after the liberation of Moscow from the Polish invaders, Prince Dimitry Pozharsky left the Kazan image of the Virgin Mary in the Church of the Entry into the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Lubyanka. In 1636, this image was transferred to the newly built Kazan Cathedral on Red Square. This cathedral was also built in honor of the liberation of Moscow from the Poles.
Since 1649, this day, October 22, has become an all-Russian day of celebration in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, who defended Russia in the Time of Troubles.
KAZAN IMAGE IN THE WAR OF 1812
In the Patriotic War of 1812, the mercy of the Mother of God towards the Russian people was again manifested, which She showed through Her honest Kazan image.
It is known that before leaving for the active Russian army, Field Marshal Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov prayed in front of the Kazan image of the Mother of God.
One of the most famous cases of the War of 1812, associated with the help of the Russian troops of the Kazan image, is the battle of Vyazma on October 22. On this day, which was the day of celebration in honor of the Kazan image, Russian troops of General Mikhail Andreevich Miloradovich and cavalry general Matvey Ivanovich Platov defeated the rearguard of the troops of the French Marshal Davout.
In this battle, in which the French lost about 7–8 thousand people, Napoleon’s army suffered its first defeat after leaving Moscow.
In 1811, the construction of the Kazan Cathedral was completed in St. Petersburg, which after the war of 1812 became a temple-monument to the Russian army. Subsequently, Prince Mikhail Kutuzov was buried in this cathedral. There is no doubt that the place to perpetuate the glory of the Russian army was not chosen by chance, since in the war of 1812 the Most Holy Theotokos, as in the years of the Time of Troubles, became the spiritual guide of the Russian people.
IMAGE STEALING
From the moment of its appearance until the beginning of the twentieth century, the original icon was constantly in the Mother of God Convent of Kazan, that is, at the site of its miraculous appearance. However, when the troubled revolutionary years began for Russia, perhaps, for edification or humility, the Lord deprived her of this miraculous image. Many people of that era showed signs of apostasy from their native faith, from the faith of their fathers. Most likely, this was one of a number of reasons for the tragedy that occurred. Now, many years later, those events can be traced in sufficient detail.
On the night of June 28-29, 1904 (old style), the Kazan image of the Blessed Virgin Mary was stolen.
It is believed that the moment for the theft of the icon was not chosen by chance. For four days preceding the theft, the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God, brought to the city, was in the monastery. In this regard, long holiday services were held in the monastery every day. On June 28, the Smolensk Icon was taken out of the monastery to return home. At the end of the all-night vigil, the nuns went to their cells. At the beginning of three o'clock in the morning, one of the novices, Tatyana Krivosheeva, went out into the courtyard of the monastery and heard cries for help coming from the direction of the bell tower. It turned out that it was the monastery watchman Fyodor Zakharov who was shouting. He was found locked in the basement of the cathedral.
Captured Bartholomew Chaykin
When examining the cathedral, a place was found through which the thieves got inside. The fact that these were thieves, and not just vandals, became clear when the loss of the Kazan image of the Mother of God and the icon of the Savior was established. Both icons were placed in the iconostasis. The icons were decorated with expensive vestments - this, apparently, attracted robbers. As noted later, in addition to the icons, 365 rubles of donations, which were stored in candle boxes, were also stolen.
The news of the theft of the miraculous image quickly spread not only to Kazan, but throughout Russia. Fortunately, thanks to the caretaker of the Aleksandrovsky vocational school Vladimir Volman (he gave the police very valuable information), the criminals were quickly found. As a result of coordinated, and most importantly, quick actions of all people who were not indifferent to this misfortune, the police very soon found the main suspect - a 28-year-old peasant, Bartholomew Chaikin (Stoyan). Already on July 5, he, together with his wife Praskovya Kucherova (officially she was his partner), was detained in Nizhny Novgorod, where they tried to escape from Kazan on the Niagara steamer.
During a search of Chaikin’s apartment, jewelry and pieces of decoration from the icons of the Virgin Mary and the Savior were discovered. However, the icons themselves were not found. According to 9-year-old Evgenia, the daughter of Chaikin’s partner, the icons were chopped up and burned in the stove. Similar evidence was given by several other persons who served as witnesses - in particular, it was Praskovya’s mother, Elena Schilling.
On November 25, 1904, the trial began in the Kazan District Court. Bartholomew Chaikin (Stoyan), Anania Komov (both direct participants in the crime), Fyodor Zakharov, Nikolai Maksimov (closest accomplices), Praskovya Kucherova and Elena Shilling (both who concealed the crime) appeared before the court as defendants.
After lengthy hearings, by a court decision, Bartholomew Chaikin (Stoyan) was sentenced to 12 years of hard labor, Anania Komov - to 10 years. Maksimov was sentenced to exile for 2 years 8 months in correctional prison units. Praskovya Kucherova and Elena Schilling were sentenced to 5 months and 10 days in prison. The watchman Fyodor Zakharov, who was suspected of complicity, was acquitted.
The main version of the fate of the icon was that it, like the image of the Savior, was burned by attackers. However, over time, other versions began to appear. For example, some suggested that Chaykin could have sold the icon to the Old Believers, since even without the frame it was very expensive. Her true fate is still unclear.
Icon of the Mother of God “Kazan”
July 21 (July 8, old style) - the appearance of the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos in the city of Kazan (1579)
November 4 (October 22, old style) - the liberation of Moscow and Russia from the Poles in 1612.
Icon of the Mother of God “Kazan”
Appearance of the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos in the city of Kazan (1579)
On October 1, 1552, on the Feast of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos, at night, John IV, the leader of the Russian soldiers preparing for a decisive assault on Tatar Kazan, suddenly heard the sound of Moscow bells. The Tsar realized that this was a sign of God’s mercy: through the prayers of the Elected Voivode, the Lord wanted to convert the Kazan people to Himself.
The conquest of Kazan under the protection of the Most Holy Theotokos completed the work begun in 1164 by the holy Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky († 1174; commemorated July 4). The Volga, the country's main waterway, became a Russian river. 60,000 Russian people were freed from Tatar captivity. The enlightenment of the Tatars with the light of the Gospel truth began. The first martyrs appeared - Saints Peter and Stephen (March 24). The newly established Kazan diocese became part of the Russian Church and soon shone with its archbishops: St. Gury († 1563; commemorated December 5) and St. Herman († 1567; commemorated November 6).
But what especially contributed to the rise of Orthodoxy among the Volga Mohammedans was the appearance in the city of Kazan on July 8, 1579 of the miraculous icon of the Mother of God.
The work of preaching the Gospel in the conquered kingdom among hardcore Muslims and pagans was difficult. The Most Holy Theotokos, the patroness of preachers of the Word of God, who even in Her earthly life shared evangelistic labors with the holy Apostles, seeing the efforts of Russian missionaries, did not hesitate to send them Heavenly help by revealing Her miraculous icon.
On June 28, 1579, a terrible fire that started near the Church of St. Nicholas of Tula destroyed part of the city and turned half of the Kazan Kremlin to ashes. The fans of Mohammed gloated, thinking that God was angry with the Christians. “The Faith of Christ,” says the chronicler, “has become a byword and a reproach.” But the fire in Kazan was an omen of the final fall of Islam and the establishment of Orthodoxy throughout the Golden Horde land, the future East of the Russian state.
The city soon began to rise from the ruins. Together with other fire victims, archer Daniil Onuchin was building a house not far from where the fire started. The Mother of God appeared in a dream vision to his nine-year-old daughter Matrona and ordered her to retrieve Her icon, which had been buried in the ground during the rule of Muslims by secret confessors of Orthodoxy. They did not pay attention to the girl’s words. The Mother of God appeared three times and pointed out the place where the miraculous icon was hidden. Finally, Matrona and her mother began to dig in the indicated place and found the holy icon. Archbishop Jeremiah arrived at the place of the miraculous discovery at the head of the clergy and transferred the holy image to a nearby church in the name of St. Nicholas, from where, after a prayer service, they transferred it with a procession to the Annunciation Cathedral - the first Orthodox church in the city of Kazan, erected by Ivan the Terrible. During the procession, two blind men, Joseph and Nikita, were healed.
A copy of the icon revealed in Kazan, a statement of the circumstances of its discovery and a description of the miracles were sent to Moscow in 1579. Tsar Ivan the Terrible ordered the construction of a temple in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God at the site of the apparition, where the holy icon was placed, and the founding of a women’s monastery. Matrona and her mother, who contributed to the acquisition of the shrine, took monastic vows in this monastery.
In the St. Nicholas Church, where the first prayer service was held before the Kazan Icon, the future Patriarch Hermogenes, Saint of Moscow († 1612; commemorated February 17) was a priest at that time. Fifteen years later, in 1594, already being Metropolitan of Kazan, he compiled a legend about the sacred events of which he was an eyewitness and participant: “The Tale and Miracles of the Most Pure Mother of God of Her honest, glorious appearance in Kazan.” The story describes with great factual accuracy many cases of healing that took place from the miraculous icon through the prayers of believers. The manuscript of the “Tale” - the autograph of His Holiness Patriarch Hermogenes - is reproduced in its entirety in the facsimile edition: The Legend of the Miraculous Kazan Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary. With a foreword by A. I. Sobolevsky, M., 1912.
A small icon, found by the girl Matrona on the recently annexed foreign outskirts of the Russian kingdom, soon became a national shrine, a sign of the Heavenly Protection of the Mother of God, revealed to the entire Russian Church, for the soul of the Orthodox people felt the special participation of the Most Pure Lady in the historical destinies of the Motherland. It is no coincidence that the Kazan image is a copy of the ancient Blachernae icon (celebration of July 7) and is of the iconographic type of the icons called Hodegetria the Guide. Many times “Mother of Kazan” showed the path to victory for Russian Orthodox soldiers in fulfilling their sacred duty to God and the Motherland.
In the year of her appearance in Kazan (according to other sources, two years later), the famous campaign “for Kazan” (for the Ural Mountains) of Blessed Herman, Cossack ataman Ermak Timofeevich Povolsky († 1584), began, culminating in the annexation of Siberia. Over the course of several decades, Russian missionary explorers traveled to the east, “meeting the sun,” many thousands of kilometers, and on the Feast of the Intercession in 1639, they set out on their first voyage across the Pacific Ocean, preaching salvation to the surrounding peoples.
The icon was kept in the cathedral of the Kazan nunnery until the beginning of the twentieth century, and in 1904 Russia was shocked by the news of the theft of the shrine. The sacrilegious event occurred on the night of June 28-29, 1904.
There were several vestments attached to the revealed icon. The festive one was worn on Christmas, Easter and on the days of the celebration of the Kazan Icon, and the everyday one was worn on other days. The festive robe was golden. She was put on another robe, studded with large pearls, diamonds, emeralds, yachts and other precious stones. Everyday, no less precious, made in Moscow, completely studded with pearls, had gold crowns with diamond roses, many other decorations and precious stones. And in 1767, Empress Catherine II also added a diamond crown to the icon. Apparently it was precisely because of such an abundance of jewelry that the revealed Kazan icon was stolen from the Kazan nunnery by a gang of 28-year-old Bartholomew Stoyan. The thieves were soon caught, and in November 1904 a trial took place in Kazan. However, during the investigation it was not possible to finally find out what happened to the miraculous icon. At the trial, the opinion was expressed that the icon was burned, since burnt remains of the icons were found in the stove in Stoyan’s apartment. The mother of Stoyan’s partner, Kucherova, testified at the trial that both icons were chopped up and burned by Stoyan. Stoyan himself denied participation in both the theft and destruction of the icon, confessing only to the purchase of stolen jewelry. Stoyan and his accomplice Komov were sentenced to deprivation of all rights, property and exile to hard labor for 12 and 10 years, respectively.
The loss of the original image does not detract from the gracious power of the entire multitude of copies from the Kazan Icon, through which the Most Holy Theotokos helps us with Her intercession before Her Son in the flesh, and in hypostasis the Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Video. The Legend of the Kazan Icon of the Virgin Mary
Deliverance of Moscow and Russia from the Poles in 1612
Orthodox soldiers and missionaries went east, apostates fled to the west. The Jesuits tried to flood Rus' with a wave of impostors and “thieves’ people” at the beginning of the 17th century. By the providence of God during the period of the Polish invasion (1605–1612), which the people called the “Time of Troubles,” the Russian Church was led by the great confessor of Orthodoxy - Hieromartyr Hermogenes, Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', admirer of the Kazan Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, author of the “Tale” about her and the Service to her.
In difficult days, when Moscow was occupied by the Poles, and strife and disorder were spreading throughout the country, an unyielding sufferer for the Holy Faith and the Fatherland, while in custody, managed to secretly send an appeal to Nizhny Novgorod: “Write to Metropolitan Ephraim in Kazan, let him send to the regiments to a teaching letter to the boyars and the Cossack army, so that they would stand firmly for the faith, stop robbery, preserve brotherhood, and as they promised to lay down their souls for the house of the Most Pure One and for the miracle workers and for the faith, they would do so. And write to all cities... speak my name everywhere.” The people of Nizhny Novgorod responded to the call of the high priest. The assembled militia was headed by Prince Dimitry Mikhailovich Pozharsky.
The Kazan squads that joined the militia brought with them a copy of the Kazan miraculous icon, which was handed over to Prince Demetrius in Yaroslavl. The Most Holy Lady took the militia under Her protection, and Russia was saved through Her intercession.
The Russian troops experienced enormous difficulties: internal hostility, lack of weapons and food. In the autumn bad weather, the Russian army moved to storm Moscow, which was in the hands of the Poles.
Three days of fasting and fervent prayer before the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God brought the Lord to His mercy. In the besieged Kremlin at that time, Archbishop Arseny of Elasson (later Archbishop of Suzdal; † 1626; April 13), who had arrived from Greece and was seriously ill from shocks and experiences, was in captivity. At night, the cell of St. Arseny suddenly illuminated with Divine light, he saw St. Sergius of Radonezh (July 5 and September 25), who said: “Arseny, our prayers are heard; through the intercession of the Mother of God, God’s judgment on the Fatherland was transferred to mercy; "Tomorrow Moscow will be in the hands of the besiegers and Russia will be saved."
As if to confirm the truth of the prophecy, the archbishop received healing from his illness. The saint sent news of this joyful event to the Russian soldiers. The next day, October 22, 1612, Russian troops, inspired by the vision, won a major victory and took China Town, and 2 days later the Kremlin.
On Sunday, October 25, Russian squads solemnly, with a procession of the Cross, went to the Kremlin, carrying the Kazan Icon. At the Place of Execution the procession of the Cross was greeted by Archbishop Arseny, who emerged from the Kremlin and carried the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God, which he had preserved in captivity. Shocked by the accomplished meeting of two miraculous icons of the Mother of God, the people prayed to the Heavenly Intercessor with tears.
After the expulsion of the Poles from Moscow, Prince Dimitry Pozharsky, according to the Nikon Chronicle, placed the holy Kazan icon in his parish church of the Entry into the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary, on Lubyanka, in Moscow. Later, at the expense of the patriotic prince, the Kazan Cathedral was erected on Red Square. The holy icon, which was in Pozharsky’s troops during the liberation of Moscow, was transferred to the newly built church in 1636. Now this holy image is in the Epiphany Patriarchal Cathedral in Moscow.
In memory of the liberation of Moscow from the Poles, it was established that on October 22 a special celebration would be held in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. At first this celebration took place only in Moscow, but since 1649 it was made all-Russian.
In 1709, before the Battle of Poltava, Peter the Great and his army prayed before the icon of the Kazan Mother of God (from the village of Kaplunovka). In 1721, Peter transferred one of the copies of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God from Moscow to St. Petersburg, where the icon was first placed in the chapel, then in the Alexander Nevsky Lavra, and from 1737 in the church in honor of the Nativity of the Mother of God on Nevsky Prospekt. In 1811, before the Patriotic War, the holy icon of the Heavenly Intercessor was moved to the newly created Kazan Cathedral.
In 1812, the Kazan image of the Mother of God overshadowed Russian soldiers who repelled the French invasion. On the feast of the Kazan Icon on October 22, 1812, Russian troops led by Miloradovich and Platov defeated Davout’s rearguard. This was the first major defeat of the French after leaving Moscow; the enemy lost 7 thousand people. That day snow fell, severe frosts began, and the army of the conqueror of Europe began to melt.
The Kazan Cathedral in St. Petersburg was built from 1801 to 1811 - as if specifically to become a temple-monument to Russian glory in the Patriotic War of 1812. The iconostasis of the main altar of fine chased work is made of one hundred pounds of silver: forty of them were donated to the temple by the Don Cossacks, who recaptured this silver from the French in 1812. The walls of the cathedral are decorated with trophies taken from the French in 1812. Enemy banners bowed at the sacred tomb of Prince Mikhail Kutuzov-Smolensky, savior of the Fatherland, buried in the cathedral. Bronze statues of Kutuzov and Barclay de Tolly stand in front of the temple at the ends of the colonnade, which hugs the cathedral square in a semicircle...
In numerous miraculous lists from the Kazan Icon, the Most Pure Mother of God, Patroness of the Orthodox Russian people, is glorified in Rus'. Of the many icons of the Mother of God revered in the Russian Orthodox Church, not one is as widespread as the Kazan icon. She is sacredly revered by all Orthodox Russia; people most often turn their attention to her in troubles and illnesses, crying out: “O zealous intercessor, Mother of the Lord Most High, pray for everyone, Thy Son Christ our God... grant usefulness to all and save all, O Virgin Mother of God, for Thou art Divine protection for Your servant."
The icons of the Most Pure Mother of God are spread over the face of our Fatherland in a blessed overshadowing, truly forming the Veil of Heaven. Through her tireless intercession, the Divine Son was sent down, sacrificing Himself for the salvation of humanity. The ancient Vladimir holy image of the Mother of God protects and blesses our northern borders, the Smolensk and Pochaev icons protect the west, and to the east, to the ends of the earth, the miraculous Kazan image of our Most Pure Mother shines with rays of inescapable grace.
Troparion to the Most Holy Theotokos before the Icon of Her “Kazan”, tone 4
O zealous intercessor,/ Mother of the Lord Most High,/ pray for all Thy Son Christ our God,/ and cause all to be saved,/ to those who flee to Thy sovereign protection./ Intercede for us all, O Lady Queen and Ruler chitsa, / like in misfortunes and sorrows, and in illness, burdened with many sins,/ standing and praying to You with a tender soul/ and a contrite heart,/ before Your most pure image with tears,/ and the irrevocable hope of those who have in You,/ delivered laziness of all evils, / grant useful to everyone, / and save everything, Mother of God Virgin // For You are the Divine protection of Your servant.
Translation : Diligent Intercessor, Mother of the Most High Lord, You pray for everyone, Your Son, Christ our God, and You promote the salvation of all who come running under Your powerful protection. Protect us all, O Lady, Queen and Lady, who are in misfortunes, sorrows, and illnesses, burdened with many sins, coming and praying to You with a tender soul and a contrite heart, before Your most pure image with tears, and having firm hope in You for deliverance from all evils. Grant useful things to everyone and save everyone, O Virgin Mary, for You are the Divine protection of Your servants.
Kontakion to the Most Holy Theotokos before the Icon of Her “Kazan”, tone 8
Let us come, people, to this quiet and good refuge, / to the quick Helper, ready and warm salvation, the protection of the Virgin, / let us hasten to prayer and strive for repentance: / for there is no shortage for us the aching mercy of the Most Pure Mother of God, / advances to help, and delivers from the great troubles and evil // good and God-fearing servants.
Translation: Let us resort, people, to this quiet and good refuge, the quick Helper, the ready and warm salvation, the protection of the Virgin; Let us hasten to prayer and move towards repentance: for the Most Pure Mother of God exudes unfailing mercies to us, rushes to our aid and delivers Her pious and God-fearing servants from great troubles and evils.
The Greatness of the Most Holy Theotokos before the Icon of Her “Kazan”
We magnify Thee,/ Most Holy Virgin,/ and honor Thy holy image,/ from which flows gracious help// to all who flow to it with faith.
Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos before the Icon of Her “Kazan”
Oh, Most Holy Lady Theotokos! With fear, faith and love, falling before Your honest icon, we pray to You: do not turn Your face away from those who come running to You, begging, Merciful Mother, Your Son and our God, the Lord and May Jesus Christ keep our country peaceful and His holy Church unshakable May he preserve and deliver from unbelief, heresies and schism. There are no other help, no other hope, except You, Most Pure Virgin: You are the all-powerful Helper and Intercessor of Christians. Deliver also all those who pray to You with faith from the falls of sin, from the slander of evil people, from all temptations, sorrows, illnesses, troubles and from sudden death; Grant us the spirit of contrition, humility of heart, purity of thoughts, correction of sinful lives and the remission of sins, and all, gratefully chanting Your greatness and mercy, manifested over us here on earth , let us be worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven and there, together with all the saints, let us glorify the most honorable and magnificent name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.
Second prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos before the Icon of Her “Kazan”
Oh, Most Holy Lady Theotokos, Queen of Heaven and earth, the highest angel and archangel and all creatures, the most honest, pure Virgin Mary, good Helper to the world, and affirmation to all people, and to all what needs is deliverance! Look now, O All-Merciful Lady, upon Your servants, praying to You with a tender soul and a contrite heart, falling with tears to You and worshiping Your most pure and wholesome image , and asking for Thy help and intercession. Oh, All-Merciful and Most Merciful Pure Virgin Mary! Look, O Lady, at Your people: for we are sinners and have no other help, except for You and from You, Christ our God who was born. You are our intercessor and representative. You are protection for the offended, joy for those who mourn, refuge for the poor, keeper for widows, glory for virgins, joy for those who mourn, visitation for the sick, healing for the weak, salvation for sinners. For this sake, O Mother of God, we resort to You, and looking at Your Most Pure Image with the Eternal One in Your hand, holding the Baby, our Lord Jesus Christ, looking at You, we offer tender singing to You and opium: have mercy on us, Mother of God, and fulfill our petition, for all that is Thy intercession is possible: for unto Thee is glory due, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Where is the Kazan Icon located?
NOWADAYS. RETURN
The story of the Kazan Icon has taken a new turn in our days. In 2004, the Vatican received a proposal for a meeting between Pope John Paul II and His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II. The pretext was the presence at the papal court since 1993 of an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary of unknown origin. After analyzing the situation, art historians came to the conclusion that this icon is one of the copies of the Kazan image.
The Kazan Icon of the Mother of God (pictured) was returned to Kazan. Itar-Tass Photos
And although the meeting between the Patriarch and the Pope never took place, in August 2004 the icon was delivered to Moscow by a Catholic delegation headed by Cardinal Walter Kasper. On August 28, it was handed over to Patriarch Alexy II in the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin. It was decided to move the image to Kazan, and until that time it was kept in the residence of the patriarch.
In July 2005, while on an archpastoral visit to Kazan, Patriarch Alexy II celebrated the Liturgy in the Annunciation Cathedral of the Kazan Kremlin. At the end of the service, the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, brought from the Vatican, was handed over to the Kazan diocese. The icon was placed where the original once stood - in the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross of the former Mother of God Monastery. Thus, we can say that the second discovery of the image of the Mother of God took place in Kazan.
How to pray to Our Lady of Kazan
Prayer to the Kazan Icon must first of all come from the heart. It is not for nothing that the Gospel of Matthew says: “According to your faith it will be rewarded to you.” The Most Holy Theotokos helps only those who have sincerely believed in God, who repent of their sins, read the prayer book diligently, trying to feel all the spoken words and put meaning into them. They should sound naturally, preferably in front of lit church candles, directly in front of the holy face itself.
If a Christian prays at home, he needs to have holy water on hand. The Mother of God answers the prayer for children, for the preservation of pregnancy. She is able to bestow spiritual tenderness, healing and more.
To get married soon
The prayer of the Kazan Mother of God for marriage will be useful to those who are already planning a wedding. Her parents and relatives can read it about the bride. She will also help those girls who are still looking for their betrothed. If the appeal to divine powers comes from the heart, the believer is granted not only a meeting with a good man, marriage, but also protection of her marriage from all troubles and adversities.
Help with work
Work is an integral part of the life of any modern person. Not only his wealth, but also his state of mind depends on it. The Kazan Mother of God is asked for employment when problems arise with this. She can also grant the preservation of a position in which an Orthodox Christian has been working for a long time and for some reason is afraid of losing it.
Prayer of the Kazan Mother of God Hodegetria
For every lost soul, Hodegetria is a real salvation, a guiding light that can lead to the true path, to a righteous life. This prayer helps to gain high ideals and get rid of fears, including irrational ones. They read it about relatives, friends and even offenders and enemies.
Prayer to the Kazan Mother of God of Diveyevo for health
Good health is something without which a person, no matter how many blessings are sent into his life, cannot truly be happy. They read a prayer during the period of fighting the disease, during the recovery period. The text can be pronounced by both the infirm person and his loved ones. This is one of the most popular prayer books among those who have leg pain. It is recommended to smear problem areas before or after communicating with divine forces with consecrated oil in the shape of a cross.
On every day
The life of a true believer should always be filled with prayer, no matter what happens in it. It is recommended to turn to the Mother of God not only in difficult times, but every day. For this purpose they use morning and evening prayers addressed to the Heavenly Queen. You can also use a text blessed by a clergyman every day to cleanse your home.
For every need
The Mother of God, an intercessor before the Lord, grants help in all endeavors and affairs to everyone who sincerely asks for her. It is advisable to read the prayer regularly; reading it once will not help. You can address the Mother of God both in a temple, a church, and at home in front of a home iconostasis, complemented by the Kazan face.
Lists of the Kazan Icon
The icon of the Holy Trinity Cathedral is one of the ancient copies of the miraculous prototype. This image was painted in the 18th century. Subsequently, the icon was rewritten several times. The original image was hidden by several layers of later recording. In 2005, the icon was restored.
Throughout Russia itself there were many revered copies of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. The history of the veneration of this image is largely connected with them.
LIST IN THE MILITARY
For example, one of the revered copies of the Kazan Icon was constantly in the camp of the Russian militia of Prince Dimitry Pozharsky during the war with the Polish and Swedish invaders in 1611–1613. In memory of the liberation of Moscow from Polish troops, it was established to hold a special celebration in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God on October 22. At first, the celebration took place only in Moscow, but since 1649 the celebration has become all-Russian.
Around the same time, the first church was built in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God in the village of Kolomenskoye.
PETERSBURG LIST
In the 18th century, both Peter I and Catherine the Great showed their attention and respect for the image of the Mother of God. So, for example, it was under Peter I, in 1721, that one of the revered copies of the Kazan Icon was brought to St. Petersburg. And earlier, in 1709 (on the eve of the Battle of Poltava), the entire Russian army, led by the emperor, prayed before the Kazan Icon for victory. In 1768, the original icon, located in Kazan, was especially venerated. Empress Catherine the Great decorated the frame of the image with a diamond crown.
The shrine of St. Petersburg, brought to the city in the first days of its creation by Peter I. Located in the Kazan Cathedral.
By the end of the 19th century, the Kazan icon became one of the most revered in Russia. Moreover, this applies to the entire Orthodox population of the country. It would hardly be possible to find a believer at that moment who did not know the Kazan image of the Virgin Mary or at least one of its many revered copies.
Kazan icon in Moscow
Patriarchal service on the feast of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God in the Kazan Cathedral on Red Square
In the Russian capital there are many churches where you can pray before the icon of the Kazan Mother of God. First of all, this is the Kazan Cathedral on Red Square. The temple was restored in 1993. Here is the revered image of the Kazan Icon.
At the bottom of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord there is a recently painted Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. Parishioners of the capital's cathedral often pray in front of it.
In the Church of the Prophet Elijah in Obydensky Lane, among the shrines you can find the Kazan Icon. There is also a piece of the belt of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The temple is open daily from 07.00 to 22.00.
In the Yelokhovsky Cathedral near the Baumanskaya metro station there is a copy of the miraculous Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, which was previously in the Kazan Cathedral on Red Square.
Kazan Icon of the Mother of God with St. Timothy and Mary Magdalene in the fields. Russia, late 18th century
In the Church of the Intercession of the Mother of God on Lyshchikova Mountain between the Kurskaya and Taganskaya metro stations, you can also pray in front of the Kazan Icon. And also venerate the relics of priest Roman Medved, who died in the late 30s in Maloyaroslavets after numerous arrests and exiles.
In the Church of St. Pimen the Great near the Novoslobodskaya metro station you can see the Kazan Icon painted on glass.
The Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker on Bersenevskaya Embankment near the Kremlin is one of the most unusual in Moscow. Long services with many Old Believer traditions are held here. In the church you can pray in front of the revered copy of the Kazan Icon.
Of course, these are not all churches in the capital where there is this image of the Virgin Mary. It is more difficult to find a church in Moscow where there is no Kazan Icon of the Mother of God.
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Church of the Ascension of the Lord
Days of Remembrance (new style):
July 21 - “Summer Kazan” - the miraculous discovery of the Kazan Icon. November 4 - “Autumn Kazan” - in honor of the victory of the Russian militia, led by Dmitry Pozharsky and Kuzma Minin, in the war with the Polish invaders.
Prayers in front of the image of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God can help you in many matters in life, and besides, they pray to Her in times of despondency, sadness and disaster, when there is no longer enough strength to fight adversity. With the help of prayers in front of the image of the Kazan Mother of God, you can be cured of any disease, especially eye diseases and even blindness, not only physical, but also spiritual. The image of the Mother of God and prayers to Her help to find the right solution to complex issues. For many centuries, people placed the “Kazan” icon near a child’s crib, knowing that the Mother of God would look after the child and protect him, if necessary. Also, since ancient times, the Kazan Icon has been used to bless newlyweds for a long and happy life. And, if the wedding falls on the day of the celebration of this icon, family life should be long and happy.
It must be remembered that icons or saints do not “specialize” in any specific areas. It will be right when a person turns with faith in the power of God, and not in the power of this icon, this saint or prayer. Which saints and who should we pray to on different occasions and why our prayers remain unanswered
DISCOVERY OF THE KAZAN ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD
The miracle of the discovery of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God occurred on July 8, 1579, several decades after Ivan the Terrible conquered the Kazan Khanate. In June 1579, there was a big fire in Kazan, which destroyed a significant part of the city’s wooden buildings, and half of the Kazan Kremlin burned down. Muslims rejoiced at the troubles and said that this Russian God was angry with Christians. But, as usually happens with God’s providence, the fire actually became the beginning of the spread of Orthodoxy in the Khanate. The house of archer Daniil Onuchin, who was planning to build a new home in the same place, was also damaged in the fire. The work had almost begun, but his daughter Matrona, who was then ten years old, had a dream of the appearance of the Mother of God Herself, who indicated the place where Her icon lay under a layer of earth, which was thus hidden by Orthodox confessors in order to protect the image from desecration by Muslims . The Mother of God ordered to find this icon, but no one paid attention to the girl’s words; the adults were busy with their own affairs. Three times the Holy Mother appeared to Matrona, again and again She indicated the place where the miraculous icon was hidden. The girl still managed to persuade her mother to help in the search, and finally they began to dig together in the indicated place. And a miracle happened, the icon was found! All the clergy arrived at the place where the shrine was miraculously found. Archbishop Jeremiah took the found image of the Mother of God and solemnly transferred It to a nearby church in the name of St. Nicholas, and from there, after serving a prayer service, the shrine was transferred by procession to the very first Orthodox church in Kazan, which was built by order of Ivan the Terrible. Immediately, the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God began to work miracles; during the procession of the Cross, two blind men, Nikita and Joseph, regained their sight. The newly found icon of the Mother of God very soon became a national shrine, because in this way Holy Mary showed a sign to the entire Russian Church. More than once, “Kazanskaya” showed the way to glory and victory for Orthodox soldiers, defenders of the Russian land, who fulfilled their duty to God and the Motherland.
While defending Rus' from the atrocities of the Poles, Prince Dmitry Mikhailovich Pozharsky began to gather an army. In Yaroslavl, Kazan warriors with the Kazan icon (with its copy), which they handed over to the prince, also joined the militia. With the icon and prayers of the Mother of God, the Russian army moved towards the capital. And at this time, in Moscow captured by the Poles, the captured Greek Archbishop Arseny († 1626; April 13) was located. One night a bright light appeared in his cell and he saw St. Sergius of Radonezh. The saint told Arseny that the Mother of God had interceded for our Fatherland and soon, by God’s mercy, Russia would be saved. The Most Holy Theotokos took the Russian troops under Her protection, with Her help, two days later the Poles were expelled from the Kremlin and defeated, and through Her intercession Rus' was saved.
The day after this victory, in gratitude for the help in expelling the enemies, a procession of the cross was made with the miraculous Kazan Icon, to meet which Archbishop Arseny came out of the Kremlin. In his hands he held the miraculous Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God, which he had preserved in his captivity. According to the descriptions, all the people knelt before the image of their Intercessor.
After the Polish invaders were expelled from Moscow, Dmitry Pozharsky installed the holy Kazan icon in the Church of the Entry into the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which was located in Moscow on Lubyanka. After some time, the prince began to build the Kazan Cathedral on Red Square and in 1636, when the cathedral was erected, the shrine was moved to a new location. November 4 (October 22, old style) was declared the day of celebration of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God in memory of the liberation from the Poles. At first this day was celebrated only in Moscow, but since 1649 this holiday became a state holiday.
Before the battle of Poltava, Peter the Great prayed before the icon of the Kazan Mother of God (in the village of Kaplunovka). In 1812, the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God was given protection to Russian soldiers who defended Russian soil from French invaders. The first major military success of Russian soldiers in this war happened just on the holiday of the “autumn” Kazan icon; on this day (October 22, old style) the rearguard of the French army was defeated, Napoleonic army lost about seven thousand of its soldiers. During the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945. The miraculous image of the Kazan Icon was carried in a religious procession in besieged Leningrad; a prayer service was served before the icon in Moscow, after which the icon was taken to Stalingrad. Where the miraculous icon was located, the enemy was defeated. This icon is revered throughout Russia; there is not a single church where there is not a Kazan Icon. This image has been revered at all times, and if there is an image of the Mother of God in a family that is passed down by inheritance, in most cases it will be the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. Now this miraculous icon has been located in the Epiphany Patriarchal Cathedral in Moscow.
The Kazan Tobolsk Icon of the Mother of God was found in 1661 and is located in the city of Tobolsk in the cathedral church. The story of the acquisition of this icon is as follows.
Hierodeacon Ioannikios had the appearance of John Chrysostom, who revealed to him that in the closet of the Church of the Three Hierarchs, facing the wall, there was an image of the Kazan Mother of God. By the command of God, they must build a church nearby in honor of this icon, consecrate it and bring it into the new church as a throne one. But the hierodeacon did not tell anyone about this vision. After some time, the saint visited him again and asked him why he did not tell the archimandrite about this. After this question, the vision disappeared, and the hierodeacon himself fell to the ground out of fear, glorified God, but was still afraid to say about it, “so that there would not be confusion among the people, and for fear that they would not believe.” He did not mention this even after the next, third vision of the saint. And during the feast of the Kazan Icon, at Matins, Hierodeacon Ioannikiy suddenly lost consciousness and fell. As he later said, among the people he again saw the saint, who said:
“You read this and why don’t you believe it yourself? That image was in the ground, and this one stands in the porch facing the wall; why didn’t you tell about him?”
And he, shaking his hand at me, said:
“From now on, be decrepit until the divine work is completed.”
Having said this, he became invisible, and I fell to the ground out of fear and now I’m telling you.”
After people found out about this, they immediately paid homage to the Mother of God, consecrated the icon and built a church. The narrator noted that until that moment there had been rains that flooded the fields, the rivers began to overflow, like in spring, flooding houses, but as soon as they began to build the temple, everything calmed down, “the bread and vegetables have gotten better since then.”
The Kaplunovskaya Kazan Icon of the Mother of God is located in the village of Kaplunovka, Kharkov region. In 1689, a gray-haired old man appeared in a dream to the pious priest of this village, John Umanov, who ordered him to buy from the Moscow icon painters, who would soon arrive, the eighth Kazan icon of the Most Holy Theotokos.
"From her you will receive mercy and grace"
- said this old man. After the icon was purchased, the Mother of God herself appeared to the priest in a dream and ordered to place this icon in the temple. John told the people about this and all the people triumphantly fulfilled this command. After this, miracles began to happen from this icon. In 1709, Emperor Peter I, before the battle with the Swedes, prayed to the Mother of God for help to this particular image; this icon was carried in front of all the regiments. According to legend, Swedish soldiers tried to burn down the Kaplunovskaya church, but were unable to do so. And then Karl said:
“If they couldn’t light the church without an icon, then where it is located will be unsafe for us.”
That’s how it all happened, the Russian people won the Battle of Poltava.
The Nizhnelomovskaya Kazan Icon appeared in 1643 near the city of Nizhny Loma, Penza region. First, a chapel was built on this site, and later a monastery was founded here.
The Ascension Kazan Icon is located in the Moscow Ascension Convent, in the Kremlin. The icon was glorified for the first time in 1689. After the prayer service to the image of Kazan, the candle was not extinguished. It fell and started a fire, which burned the lectern, but the icon itself, despite the fact that it was painted on canvas, was not damaged. In 1701, there was a big fire from which the Ascension Monastery burned down, but the icon itself was not damaged at all. At the same time, she herself miraculously found herself first among the removed icons, and then, after the fire, she independently, without anyone’s help, found herself back in her place. In addition, many healings occurred from this icon.
The Pavlovsk Kazan Icon is located in the village of Pavlovskoye, Moscow province, Zvenigorod district. Her appearance took place near the village, on a tree, next to which a chapel was built. The first miracle immediately happened from this icon, the healing of a peasant who had become very ill as a result of his sinful life. The Mother of God appeared to his neighbor in a dream and said that the sick man could recover if he stopped sinning in his life and went to the holy well and washed himself with holy water. With great difficulty, the patient reached this well, washed himself, and immediately recovered.
The Yaroslavl image of the Kazan Icon is located in the Kazan Convent of the city of Yaroslavl. In 1588, the pious man Gerasim wished to purchase an icon of the Mother of God, after which he had a miraculous vision of the Mother of God, who told him where it needed to be done and what needed to be done next. When Gerasim found this icon, immediately after he took it in his hands, he was immediately healed from the illness that had tormented him for a long time. Then he went, according to the instructions of the Mother of God, to the city of Romanov, where he handed over this icon to its inhabitants with the condition that a temple be erected for it. The church was built and the icon was in it until 1604, when the city was taken by the Lithuanians. Then the miraculous icon was transported to Yaroslavl, where a temple was erected in honor of the Mother of God, and later a monastery. The residents of Romanov wanted to return the icon to themselves, and wrote a petition to Tsar Vasily Ioannovich. But the residents of Yaroslavl also wanted to keep the shrine for themselves. Then an exact list of the icon was made for the residents of Romanov, and the miraculous icon itself is carried annually in a religious procession from Yaroslavl to Romanov.
In addition to these listed icons, there are many more images and lists of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, and in any of them the Mother of God will show us her love and protection in the face of any troubles, is our Comforter in our sorrows and rejoices with us in our joys.
THE GREATNESS OF THE VIRGIN BEFORE HER ICON OF KAZAN
We magnify You, Most Holy Virgin, God-chosen Youth, and honor Your holy image, through which you bring healing to all who come with faith.
Description of the Kazan Icon
The Kazan icon is a shortened (shoulder-length) version of the image of the Hodegetria (Guide) type. The Child Christ sits in the arms of the Mother of God, with His right hand He blesses, and with His left He holds a scroll, or less often, a book.
On the Kazan Icon, the Mother of God is depicted with a full chest, in characteristic clothes, with a slight inclination of her head towards the Infant God. Christ looks directly at the man in front of the icon, the Savior is depicted from the waist up, only his right hand is visible with a blessing gesture.
For more information about the iconography of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, see here .
Kazan Icon: How the Mother of God Helps
Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. Moscow, first half of the 18th century.
According to the teachings of the Orthodox Church, one cannot assume that this or that icon helps with anything. Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh said that a newly painted image becomes a shrine only after its consecration. Until this point, the new icon is simply an image of Christ, the Mother of God or a saint, which is made with paints on wood. Christians do not worship the material with which this or that image is painted. At the VII Ecumenical Council, the dogma of icon veneration was adopted. It directly states that “the honor given to the image passes to the original, and the one who worships the icon worships the being depicted on it.”
Another thing is that some icons are considered miraculous, since Christ, through prayers in front of certain shrines, helps people and entire nations. Therefore, the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God was especially revered in Rus', and the Mother of God, through the prayers of people in front of her image, more than once healed the sick or saved the country from destruction.
Prayer before the icon of the Kazan Mother of God has saved Russia more than once. This was the case at the beginning of the 17th century, when Moscow was captured by the Poles. In the militia of Minin and Pozharsky there was a miraculous image of the Mother of God, and after fervent prayers people were able to liberate the Kremlin from the invaders in 1613.
In 1812, Russia was attacked by Napoleon’s army, and again prayer in front of the image of the Kazan Mother of God helped to cope with the invaders. The army of thousands of the famous commander fled from Russia.
The same thing happened during the Great Patriotic War. There are several stories about how the Mother of God helped people survive the horrors of war, and soldiers helped defeat a terrible enemy. Prayer helped soldiers in battles.
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The Icon of the Kazan Mother of God is prayed for healing, for children, and newlyweds are blessed with it for marriage.
What do they pray for to the icon of the Kazan Mother of God:
- about healing any bodily ailments (especially in healing from loss of vision, in spiritual insight), to find the right path when the fire of faith weakens in the soul;
- about support in difficult life situations. With any sorrow and sorrow, the Mother of God will help with her instructions and consolation;
- about making the right decision (the Mother of God will protect you from making mistakes and misfortunes, and will show you the way to a good goal). Many stories describe the appearance of the Holy Face in the dreams of those in need, where the Mother of God said how to avoid or correct the consequences of trouble, what needs to be done and what is best not to do;
- about helping soldiers defending their native land;
- about children: about protecting them from misfortunes and sorrows, about help on the path of life;
- they turn to the Kazan Mother of God, blessing the newlyweds for marriage (in this regard, there are many signs: for example, if the wedding falls on the celebration of the Holy Image, then family life will be happy, and the spouses will live in harmony);
- For those married couples who ask the icon of the Kazan Mother of God to improve their relationship, it helps to avoid troubles and strife, as well as to bring harmony and well-being.
Prayer before the Kazan Icon
Prayer before the Icon of the Mother of God “Kazan” (October 22/November 4 and July 8/21)
O Most Holy Lady Theotokos! With fear, faith and love before Your honest (and miraculous) icon, we pray to You: do not turn Your face away from those who come running to You. Pray, merciful Mother, to Thy Son and our God, the Lord Jesus Christ, to keep our country peaceful, and to keep His Holy Church unshakable from unbelief, heresies and schism let him deliver. There are no other help, no other hope, except You, Most Pure Virgin: You are the all-powerful Helper and Intercessor of Christians. Deliver all those who pray to You with faith from the falls of sin, from the slander of evil people, from all temptations, sorrows, illnesses, troubles and from sudden death. Grant us the spirit of contrition, humility of heart, purity of thoughts, correction of sinful lives and the remission of sins, and all of us, gratefully chanting Your greatness and mercy, which are revealed to us here on earth , let us be worthy of the Heavenly Kingdom, and there with all the saints we will glorify the most honorable and magnificent name Father, and Son, and Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.
Troparion, kontakion, magnification and prayer to the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos of Kazan
This chant is sung by clergy in churches throughout Russia in front of the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos of Kazan.
Troparion of the Mother of God, tone 4 (text):
“O zealous intercessor, Mother of the Lord Most High, pray for everyone to Your Son, Christ our God, and cause everyone to be saved, seeking refuge in Your sovereign protection. Intercede for all of us, O Lady, Queen and Lady, who are burdened with many sins in adversity, sorrow, and illness,
those who stand and pray to You with a tender soul and a contrite heart before Your most pure image with tears and who have irrevocable hope in You,
deliverance from all evils, grant usefulness to everyone and save everything, Virgin Mary: for You are the Divine protection of Your servant.”
Such a laudatory poem is also read on the holiday (like the troparion) of the Icon of the Mother of God of Kazan.
Kontakion, tone 8 (text):
“Let us, people, come to this quiet and good refuge, the quick Helper, the ready and warm salvation, the protection of the Virgin, let us hasten to prayer and sweat to repentance: for the Most Pure Mother of God exudes unto us boundless mercies,
He comes to the aid and delivers His well-behaved and God-fearing servants from great troubles and evils.”
It says here that a righteous and believing person perceives the Queen of Heaven and Her protection as a spiritual refuge and help, in which one can receive protection from all sorts of troubles.
Glorification of the Kazan Icon:
Such praise in the form of a hymn before the face (like the troparion) of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God is sung on a holiday by the clergy:
“We magnify You, Most Holy Virgin, and honor Your holy image, from whom flows grace-filled help to all who flow to Him with faith.”
This song is a real exaltation of the Queen of Heaven. She is revered and everyone who believes in the Mother of God receives grace-filled help from Her.
Prayer to the Mother of God before Her Kazan Icon:
“O Most Holy Lady Lady Theotokos! With fear, faith and love, falling before Your honorable icon, we pray to You:
do not turn Your face away from those who come running to You, beg, Merciful Mother,
May Your Son and our God, the Lord Jesus Christ, keep our country peaceful,
Let the Church preserve its sanctity, unshakable, and deliver it from unbelief, heresies and schism.
There are no other imams of help, no other imams of hope, except You, Most Pure Virgin: You are the all-powerful Helper and Intercessor of Christians.
Deliver all those who pray to You with faith from the falls of sin, from the slander of evil people, from all temptations, sorrows,
illnesses, troubles and sudden death; grant us the spirit of contrition, humility of heart, purity of thoughts, correction of sinful lives and remission of sins,
Yes, everyone, gratefully chanting greatness and mercy
Yours, manifested above us here on earth, we will be worthy of the Heavenly Kingdom and there, with all the saints, we will glorify the most honorable and magnificent name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen".
Canon of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God
Troparion of the Kazan Icon
Troparion of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, tone 4
Zealous intercessor, Mother of the Most High Lord. Pray for all, thy Son Christ our God, and cause all to be saved, into thy sovereign protection for those who flee. Intercede for us all, O Lady Queen and Lady! even in adversity and sorrow, and in illness, burdened with many sins, coming and praying to you with a tender soul and a contrite heart, before your most pure image with tears, and irrevocably hope I am waiting for those who have it, for the deliverance of all evils. Grant what is useful to everyone, and save everything, O Virgin Mary: for you are the divine protection of your servant.
