Autumn Kazan - a celebration of victory. How is the holiday Day of the Icon of the Kazan Mother of God. Miracles of the Icon of Our Lady of Kazan
Orthodox Christians celebrate the Feast of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God twice a year - in the fall, on November 4, and in the summer, on July 21. This is due to the fact that Our Lady of Kazan is the most revered and beloved holy image in Russia. She is considered the defender of the Russian land and the patroness of all righteous believers. Read on to learn about the history of the origin of the holiday, the peculiarities of the celebration, the creation of a postcard with the image, as well as signs and stories.
The history of the appearance of the holy face
The Kazan Icon has an interesting history of appearing to the Orthodox. This happened back in 1579. Then Kazan was on fire, the fire destroyed part of the city, leaving ashes behind. A terrible fire left the merchant and his family without a home. When people were left without a roof over their heads, the Mother of God herself came to their nine-year-old daughter Matrona in a dream. She ordered to come to the ashes to pick up her holy image from the ruins. At first, the adults did not believe the child, but the messages began to repeat themselves. The family went to ruins. There they found an icon that was no different from the new image - the fresh and bright colors amazed people. Residents of the city began to pray. They decided to take the image to the church. When the Kazan Icon was transferred, it showed its miraculous power, granting sight to two destitute blind men.
It is still unknown how the face of the Mother of God ended up under the burnt ruins. Presumably, it was buried there by Christian confessors who were fleeing the Tatar invasion. When the fire started, the icon appeared outside.
At the site of the appearance of the Mother of God, Kazan residents built a convent. There the girl Matrona, to whom the Saint turned, was tonsured, as well as her mother.
In a matter of time, news of the miraculous icon spread throughout all the cities, people began to pray for it and highly venerate it. By the time the Time of Troubles, wars and revolutions began in Russia, the Kazan Face was considered the main defender. However, the original face has not reached our time; all that is kept in churches are lists. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the icon was stolen for profit and then burned.
The essence of the holiday
The Day of the Icon of the Kazan Mother of God is celebrated on November 4 - this is the date of the appearance of the Most Holy One to Christians in burnt Kazan. However, there is another date that is no less revered by the Orthodox - July 21. Then the holy image helped the Russians rid their native land from the invasion of the Poles, who had captured Moscow by deception. They burned churches, destroyed shrines, and mocked the Orthodox. Patriarch Hermogenes called on the people to rise up to fight the invaders. From Kazan the defenders were sent the face of the Most Holy Theotokos. People began to fervently pray to the Holy One, fasted, and the Russian army won. July 21, 1649 radically changed the course of history. Since then, the icon of the Kazan Mother of God has been especially revered by the people of Russia: people give each other postcards with the image of the Virgin Mary, say warm words, pray for salvation, happiness and healing.
You need to turn to the Kazan Mother of God for a miracle; she will help you make a fateful decision and protect you during any disaster. The Mother of God covers the person asking with a light veil, protecting him. You can only come to the Virgin Mary with an open heart and clear thoughts. Then the Christian will receive what he asks for. It is also recommended to carry postcards with the image of Our Lady of the Protector.
Signs and traditions
With the holiday of the Kazan icon, new rituals and signs came into the life of Orthodox Christians. On two solemn days, believers necessarily went to church with the whole family, where they asked the Intercessor for patronage, protection and instructions. The congratulations were celebrated on a grand scale: after the church service, people made a religious procession - with the faces of the Mother of God they walked around the cities and villages. This process symbolized protection from adversity and troubled times. Today Christians do not go into passages, but limit themselves to walking along the main streets of the city. Some believers simply send postcards with the holy image to their relatives and friends.
In ancient times, the Mother of God was considered exclusively a female protector. Therefore, there were many rituals that women had to do during these days. For example, taking care of your beauty. It was believed that it was necessary to pick a birch leaf on the feast of the Kazan Mother of God. The main condition is that it is already covered with frost. You should have brought it home and looked at it like in a mirror. It was believed that in this way the woman would become even more beautiful and would not age.
The holiday was considered an excellent time for marriages and weddings. According to legends, a new family created during this period will be happy. Those who wanted to unite their destinies before God tried to time the celebration to coincide with the autumn holiday. This promised a cloudless life.
Church ministers recommend that those who want to find peace and receive support should always celebrate the triumph of the icon of Our Lady of Kazan. It is worth sending postcards with the face of the Holy One to your family and friends, and praying for their health.
The head of the Mother of God is slightly tilted towards her son. The Child blesses Mary and all the people in her person. The gazes of both figures are directed towards the worshipers. Every believer immediately understands what image we are talking about. This, the most beloved and revered icon in Rus', is found in almost every family. It is customary to bless children with it, and it is given to the married couple as a keeper and protector of the family hearth. On November 4, the entire Orthodox world celebrated the Day of Remembrance of the Kazan Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary with love and respect.
Memorial Day of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God
Why Kazanskaya?
The miracle of finding the icon occurred at the end of the 16th century. A terrible fire in Kazan destroyed most of the city's buildings. The house of archer Daniil Onuchin also burned down. And then, about a month after the tragedy, in a dream, the Most Pure One Herself appeared to his ten-year-old daughter Matrona and indicated the place where Her image was buried under a layer of earth. The elders did not listen to the girl, but the Most Holy Theotokos appeared again and again. Only after the third vision did her mother go in search of her daughter. In the indicated place, on the ashes, the icon of the Queen of Heaven was found. Written on a cypress board, it was untouched by the fire and shone with bright colors. During the religious procession, when the image was solemnly transferred to the nearest church, a string of miracles had already begun - two blind men regained their sight, demons emerged from several women, the wife of one boyar was healed of an incurable leg disease. All this is recorded in the chronicle of an eyewitness - St. Hermogenes. Tsar Ivan the Terrible was so amazed by what happened that he built a monastery at the site of the event, and founded the Kazan Cathedral in the capital. The day of the discovery of the icon, July 21, became a church holiday dedicated to the discovery of the holy image in the city of Kazan. People call this day “Kazan Summer”.
Intercessor of the Fatherland.
The newly discovered icon of the Mother of God very soon became a national shrine. While defending Rus' from the atrocities of the Poles, Prince Dmitry Mikhailovich Pozharsky began to gather an army. With the Kazan Icon, the Russian army moved towards the capital. And at this time, in Moscow captured by the Poles, the captured Greek Archbishop Arseny 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. And, indeed, two days later the Poles were expelled from the Kremlin and defeated. The day after this victory, a religious procession was held with the miraculous Kazan Icon, to meet which Archbishop Arseny came out of the Kremlin. According to the descriptions, all the people knelt before the image of their Intercessor. November 4 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.
The Icon of the Kazan Mother of God has repeatedly granted protection from enemy attacks. Her prototype is associated with the victory of Russian troops in the battle of Poltava in 1709, as well as the victory in the war with Napoleon in 1812. The miraculous image also played a significant role in the history of the Great Patriotic War. According to historical documents, the icon was delivered to Leningrad, surrounded by the Nazis. Here she was carried along the outskirts of the besieged city - and it survived. Then the icon was transported to Moscow - and the Germans were defeated. After this, a prayer service was served before her in Stalingrad - and a turning point in the war occurred, the battle was won.
Deliverance of all evils.
At times it seems like your strength is running out, and only a miracle can save you. Then you should take a break and read at least a short prayer near the Kazan Icon. She is called the Guide - she will guide you on the right path, point you in the right direction and calm your soul. And as long as life continues on earth, the help of believers from the Queen of Heaven will not become scarce. It doesn’t matter whether prayers are offered to the miraculous Kazan icon, or to an ordinary paper image cut out from a calendar. The main thing is that the prayer comes from the heart itself, then it will definitely be heard.
Troparion, tone 4
Zealous Intercessor, Mother of the Lord Most High! Pray for all of Thy Son, Christ our God, and cause all to be saved, seeking refuge in Thy sovereign protection. Intercede for all of us, O Lady, Queen and Lady, who are in adversity, and in 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 those who have irrevocable hope in You, deliverance of all evils, grant usefulness to all, and save everything, Virgin Mary: For You art the Divine Protection of Your servant.
Orthodox Christians reverence the icon of the Mother of God. This is explained by the numerous miracles that are associated with the miraculous icon. Temples and churches of the same name were built in honor of the Kazan icon. And in the church calendar, the appearance of the icon is marked by holiday dates, one of which falls on July 21 - the day of the first appearance in Kazan.
July 21 is the feast of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, the story of a miraculous appearance
The story of the miraculous appearance of the icon took place in 1579. The faith of Christians was not yet strong enough to resist trials. An unmerciful test falls on the shoulders of Kazan residents.
The rays of the scorching sun are not able to break through the columns of dust and ash. A terrible fire that burned here for a week mercilessly destroyed the Church of St. Nicholas.
The Kazan Kremlin was also engulfed in flames. No matter how hard the men tried, they could not put it out - and the glow stood over the hail for many hours. Horror gripped the women and children. what will happen if it is not possible to stop the disaster and the flames spread to houses. After all, winter is coming very soon, and there is no way to have time to rebuild a new home.
And the opponents of the church grinned sarcastically, why did your god allow a fire - he did not protect his temple. And many doubted their faith. Maybe this is a sign of God’s displeasure that people turned to Christ.
The efforts were in vain - and the fire was still able to destroy many houses. Construction has begun.
There is no time to grieve, and there is no one to expect help from.
Very soon it will be cold - and work will begin to boil at an accelerated pace. The days of fire victim Daniil Onuchin also passed in worries.
But the daughter of the Sagittarius, Matrona, did not understand parental worries at all. The nine-year-old girl was glad that her mother and father did not prohibit interesting fun. And the little ones had something to get carried away with.
We spent the whole day conducting research excavations at the fire site. Either you find an interesting pebble, or an outlandish piece of glass. Only in the evening, having calmed down, Matrona ran home and quickly fell asleep.
But one night the little girl woke up from an unusual dream.
The Virgin Mary herself came to her, illuminating her with a bright light. And she told me where to find the miraculous icon at the fire. The little girl was frightened and couldn’t understand whether it was a dream or a vision.
Tired parents swore at their daughter. Dreams are not all from God, and only saints have visions. So Matrosha’s unusual dream remained unnoticed.
But the vision is repeated the next night, and the next day. Nevertheless, the parents decided to check, and what if it was not without reason that Matrona sees the Mother of God every night.
And Matrona and her mother went to the fire in the indicated place. We started digging. A little more, and, lo and behold, is it really an icon? They took out a package, and there, indeed, was an icon of the Mother of God.
How did the icon end up in the ground? Most likely, in this way the first Christians saved the icon from the encroachments of infidels.
News of the discovery quickly spread to neighboring villages. And the priests hurried to the wonderful place.
Archbishop Jeremiah accepted the icon and ordered it to be transferred to the Church of St. Nicholas.
After holding a prayer service, the icon is transferred in a procession to the first Orthodox church in the city of Kazan - the Annunciation Cathedral.
The miraculous power of the icon manifested itself on the way. Two blind men from Kazan, Nikita and Joseph, regained their sight during the procession of the Cross. And lines of sufferers hurried to the icon, and even those who had grinned yesterday, doubting their faith.
The pilgrims asked the icon to return health, goodness for great deeds, and help in important events.
Ivan the Terrible himself was so amazed by the story of the discovery of the icon that he immediately ordered the construction of the Kazan Cathedral and a convent to begin.
It was in this monastery that Matrona and her mother subsequently took monastic vows.
Miracles of the Kazan Mother of God Icon
The icon of the Mother of God is a guide, and many Orthodox believers have found their way thanks to the holy image.
With the Kazan icon, the militia marched towards Moscow during the Time of Troubles and was able to liberate the city from impostors.
In 1636, the most significant temple was erected in Moscow - the Kazan Cathedral. It was to that temple that the miraculous icon was later transferred.
Peter I and his soldiers, on the eve of an important battle - the Battle of Poltava, turned specifically to the icon of Our Lady of Kazan, which was located in the village of Kaplunovka.
In the war with Napoleon, soldiers went into battle with the image of the Kazan Mother of God. It was on October 22, on the day of the celebration of the appearance of the Kazan Icon, that a major victory was won over the French after they left Moscow. The day began with snowfall and severe frosts, which was one of the reasons for the melting of the enemy army.
But the holy image shows the way not only to warriors and liberators. It is with this icon that parents bless young people for their life together. Many miracles are associated with the icon, which became beloved in Rus'.
Celebration of the miraculous icon of the Kazan Mother of God
First of all, from this day harvesting began in the villages.
But for villages and cities where the icon was the throne, July 21 was a holiday and a non-working day.
It was a sin to work on such a day.
Therefore, festive celebrations were organized, to which residents of neighboring villages also gathered. Treats and songs accompanied by an accordion were obligatory.
They sang short songs and ditties. Young people danced in the streets. The holiday could last for several days.
Today we remember the intercession of the Mother of God for our fatherland in troubled times, and we celebrate the memory of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. I would like to say a few words about the history of this event, its significance, using some hymnographic texts of the holiday.
On November 4, according to the new style (October 22, according to the old style), the entirety of the Russian Church solemnly celebrates the second celebration of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God this year (the first is July 8 (21).
The appearance of this icon occurred in 1579 in Kazan. Then there was a severe fire in the Kazan Kremlin, which caused ridicule from local Muslims towards the Orthodox and their God. And like King David once, fleeing from his son Absalom, he cried out to the Creator: Many rise up against me, many say to my soul: there is no salvation for him in his God.(Ps. 3: 2), so the Kazan Christians of that time prayed to the Lord to send mercy, for "faith of Christ", - as the chronicler writes, - became a byword and a reproach". And God, as many other times, showed his mercy, showing that he always hears all the requests of his children, thereby trampling on the ridicule of the heterodox.
The Mother of God appeared to the nine-year-old girl Matrona and ordered her to look for Her icon at the site of the burnt house. When she woke up, the girl told her family about the dream, who at first did not believe her. When the vision was repeated several more times, the parents decided to go to the place that the Most Holy Theotokos had indicated to the girl, and, indeed, they soon found Her holy image. This happened on July 8 (July 21, New Style). The icon was immediately transferred to the temple, the rector of which was the future Patriarch Ermogen. This image immediately became especially revered by the Russian people.During the Divine service on this day, the Mother of God is glorified, constantly spreading her cover over us
Expulsion of Poles from the Kremlin. Artist Ernest Ernestovich Lissner. Oil on canvas During the time of unrest in 1612, the Mother of God again showed her intercession for Russia. Then the militia of Kuzma Minin and Dimitry Pozharsky tried to liberate Kitay-Gorod from the Poles for two months. The Russians were already losing hope of success: food was running out and there were not enough weapons. It was customary to again turn to Christ and His Mother with a prayer for help. A prayer service was served in front of the holy image of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God and a three-day strict fast was imposed. The very next day, October 22 (November 4), the Russians, relying on the Creator, moved towards the Poles. And what could not be done for such a long time was accomplished - from Kitay-Gorod, and a few days later from the Kremlin, the occupiers were driven out. In memory of the liberation of Moscow, on October 22 (November 4), the Holy Church established the celebration of the miraculous image of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God.
During the Divine service on this day, the Mother of God is glorified, constantly extending her cover over us, and we, like our ancestors 400 years ago, glorifying Her, cry out: “Thou art the praise and crown of all saints, O Queen” ,“Rejoice, dear help to the world, for the salvation of our souls” , “Rejoice, praise to the Orthodox kings, and to the Christ-loving armies, the protection of all abides to the Queen” .
As on many other celebrations dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, on November 4 we hear chants in which the mystery of the Incarnation of Christ is glorified: “High, incomprehensible to the King, seated with the Father on the throne and the Divine Spirit: He was pleased to be born on earth from the Virgin Jesus, unbeloved.” , “King of glory, come to renew Adam, who through the crime of all that has decayed: dwell in Thee Pure Virgin” .For those who doubt the need for icon veneration, he retells the resolution of the Seventh Ecumenical Council in ikos according to the sixth ode of the canon
And, of course, the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos itself is glorified, through which the Lord shows His mercy.
The author of the stichera calls on all of us to worship the image of the Queen of Heaven, from which healing grace always emanates: “Come to Her quiet and wondrous, revered by the angels, let us worship the honest image... for he bestows upon the faithful abundant gifts.”. And for those who doubt the need for veneration of icons, he retells in ikos, according to the sixth song of the canon, the resolution of the Seventh Ecumenical Council, which reveals the essence of the Orthodox veneration of icons. "Honor to the icon, - says the liturgical fragment, - ascends to the primitive, and venerate and worship her; she honors the very primitive.”, that is, when praying in front of an icon, we turn not to the image, but to the one who sees on it.
Quote By: Glagoleva O. Great miraculous icons. M., 2011. P. 34.
Minea October. P. 555.
Memorial Day of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of GodStory
The celebration of the Most Holy Theotokos, in honor of Her icon, called “Kazan”, was established in gratitude for the deliverance of Moscow and all of Russia from the invasion of the Poles in 1612. The end of the 16th and beginning of the 17th centuries are known in Russian history as the Time of Troubles. The country was attacked by Polish troops, who mocked the Orthodox faith, plundered and burned churches, cities and villages. They managed to capture Moscow by deception. At the call of His Holiness Patriarch Hermogenes (May 12), the Russian people stood up to defend their homeland. A miraculous image of the Blessed Virgin Mary was sent from Kazan to the militia, which was headed by Prince Dimitry Mikhailovich Pozharsky.
Saint Demetrius of Rostov (September 21) in his “Sermon on the day of the appearance of the icon of the Mother of God in Kazan” (celebration of July 8) said: “The Mother of God delivers from great troubles and evils not only the righteous, but also the sinners, but which sinners? You and I, who return to the Heavenly Father like the prodigal son, those who beat their breasts sigh, like a publican, weep at the feet of Christ, like a sinner who has wet His nose with tears, they bring confession to Him, like a thief on the cross. The Most Pure Mother of God looks upon such sinners and hastens to help them, and delivers them from great troubles and evils.”
Knowing that the disaster was allowed due to sins, the entire people and militia imposed a three-day fast on themselves and prayerfully turned to the Lord and His Most Pure Mother for heavenly help. The prayer was answered. From Saint Arseny (later Bishop of Suzdal), who was in captivity among the Poles, news came that it was revealed to him in a vision that God’s judgment would change to mercy, through the intercession of the Most Holy Virgin. Inspired by the news, Russian troops liberated Moscow from the Polish invaders on October 22, 1612. The celebration in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary was established in 1649. And to this day this icon is especially revered by the Russian Orthodox people.
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 were healed - Joseph and Nikita.
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), written and, according to its iconographic type, belongs to 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. The blessed energy emitted in a miraculous manner was enough for Russian explorer-missionaries to travel to the east for several decades, “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.
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 Blessed Virgin Mary, 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 that time. 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 patriot 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, the 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 to her in troubles and illnesses, crying out: “O zealous intercessor, Mother of the Lord Most High, pray for all of Your Son Christ our God... grant to all what is useful and save everything, Virgin Mother of God, You for Thou art the Divine protection of Thy 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.
Prayers
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 resort to Thy sovereign protection./Intercede for all of us, O Lady, Queen and Lady,/those in adversity, and sorrowful, 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 those who have irrevocable hope in You,/ deliverance from all evils,/ grant useful to everyone/ and save everything, Mother of God Virgin // For You are the Divine protection of Your servant.
Troparion of the Mother of God before the Icon of Her Kazan
O zealous intercessor,/ Mother of the Lord Most High,/ pray for all of Thy Son, Christ our God,/ and cause all to be saved,/ to those who flee to Thy sovereign protection./ Intercede for all of us, O Lady Queen and Lady,/ those 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 those who have irrevocable hope in You / deliverance from all evils. / Grant useful to everyone / and save everything, Virgin Mary // For You are the Divine protection of Your servant.
Greatness
We magnify Thee,/ Most Holy Virgin,/ and honor Thy holy image,/ from it flows gracious help// to all who flow to it with faith.
Prayer of the Mother of God before the Icon of Her Kazan
O Most Holy Lady Lady Theotokos! With fear, faith and love, falling before Thy honorable icon, we pray to Thee: do not turn Thy face away from those who come running to You, pray, O Merciful Mother, Thy Son and our God, the Lord Jesus Christ, that He may keep our country peaceful and His holy Church unshakable. May he preserve and deliver 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 from sudden death; Grant us the spirit of contrition, humility of heart, purity of thoughts, correction of sinful lives and the remission of sins, so that all of us, gratefully chanting Your greatness and mercy, manifested over 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.