The Russian Orthodox Church has long revered the miraculous Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God - its significance in the formation of the Orthodox state and the life of the people is difficult to overestimate. The history of the image is closely connected with the fate of the entire country, especially with the northwestern regions. Until the early 50s of the last century, the holy face was located in Tikhvin, being the largest shrine of the Novgorod lands.

After Tsar Vasily III visited the banks of the Tikhvin River to see the wonderful shrine, the city became a place of pilgrimage for other high-ranking persons until the beginning of the 20th century. For this he was nicknamed the “royal pilgrim.” By calling the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God “the palladium of Russia,” believers confirmed its power as a protector and assistant in military matters. Generations of Russian soldiers went into battle carrying a treasured image.

Now (since 2004) the miraculous icon is kept in the Assumption Cathedral on the territory of the Tikhvin Mother of God Monastery. The celebration of the Orthodox shrine takes place annually on June 26 (according to the old style - July 9).

Creation of the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God, iconography

According to legend, the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God is one of the first Christian icons painted by the Evangelist Luke. What gives the image special value is the fact that the image was created during the lifetime of the Ever-Virgin Mary. The artist personally saw and communicated with the Mother of God.

The image belongs to the iconographic type of the Mother of God Hodegetria icons, which translated from Greek means “showing the way” or “guide”. A special feature is the visual representation of not static figures, but those facing each other in the process of communication between the Mother and the Son. We see a half-length image of the Mother of God with the Child Jesus sitting on her left hand. Christ's right foot is located under his left. With his left hand He clutched a scroll with sacred scripture, and with his right hand He blessed those praying. Mary's head is tilted towards the Son, which is the main difference between the painting of the Tikhvin Mother of God and a similar image on the Smolensk icon. The iconographic style of the Tikhvin Icon is one of the most solemn and strict in the Orthodox tradition.

History of the icon

After creating the icon of the Virgin Mary (Tikhvin), the Apostle and Evangelist Luke transferred the bright face to the city of Antioch, where his disciple Theophilus was then located. Then the holy image was in Jerusalem for almost 500 years, until the Byzantine empress Eudokia of Constantinople found it. During the time of iconoclasm, the holy icon, which preserved the face of the Mother of God, was hidden by the monks of the monastery of Pantocrator. Then the canvas became one of the main relics of Constantinople. But one day the image miraculously disappeared from storage in order to appear on Russian soil some time later (1383).

Finding the image of the Virgin Mary near the Tikhvinka River

The first chronicle mention of Tikhvin was in 1383, when a miraculous image of the Mother of God appeared to people in this area. The third Novgorod chronicle testifies that in the summer in a place (Tikhvin), not far from Veliky Novgorod, an icon of the Most Pure Theotokos, Ever-Virgin Mary, with the Eternal Child on her hand appeared.

The legend tells that the image on the tree moved independently - “Svetozarno” floated across the sky, occasionally appearing before eyewitnesses. On Lake Ladoga, fishermen admired the face of the Holy Mother and Child. Further, an image with a radiant light was seen in Smolkovo, Imochenitsy, on the Oyat River, Kozheli on Kukova Mountain, on the mountain above the Tikhvinka River, on the other side of the river. It seemed as if angels were invisibly carrying a bright face through sparsely populated places, lands that had not yet fully accepted the Christian faith. The icon was shown to people only seven times, and when they began to pray, it was given into their hands.

“Reverent men” set off on a journey from Tikhvin to Veliky Novgorod to notify the archbishop and the city administration about the appearance of the icon of the Mother of God and the miracles it performed. After hearing what he heard, the archbishop thanked God for his mercy and love for mankind. And then he notified the reigning Moscow autocrat. By order of the Grand Duke, the first Tikhvin church was built - the archbishop blessed the deacons and priests for the new church.

They say that those who had found faith laid down a crown for a new wooden temple, but the next morning they saw a miracle - a living image moved to the other side of the river along with the hewn logs and the crown. The Mother of God suggested the best place to build a church, and she herself chose where her home would be in Rus'. The wooden church that was built was named after the Dormition of the Virgin Mary. During its history, the church, built of wood, was engulfed in fire several times, but the icon itself remained undamaged.

Later, at the expense of the Grand Duke, a stone cathedral was erected to worship the shrine in Tikhvin (1507-1515). Since then, the miraculous image of the Most Holy Theotokos began to be called Tikhvin.

The annexation of the Novgorod lands to Moscow (1478), the conquest of Constantinople by the Turks (1453), and the miraculous discovery of the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God began to be interpreted in a new way. The shrine left Rome and the second Rome (Constantinople) for the trampling of piety, the decline of morality, replacing them with a truly Christian people - Holy Rus' (which from now on became the third Rome). The icon became a symbol of the centralized power of Russia and confirmed its special mission before God.

Veneration of the icon

Already the 16th century turned Tikhvin into a widely known place of Christian pilgrimage and pilgrimage. The temple is visited by royalty:

• Basil III accompanied by Archbishop Macarius.
• The son of Vasily III, Ivan IV is also with Archbishop Macarius.
• Ivan Vasilyevich the Terrible before his coronation before the start of the Kazan campaign.

By order of Ivan the Terrible, the Mother of God Assumption Monastery was founded in Tikhvin (1560). The king takes the veneration of the shrine to a new level. He considers her his patroness and intercessor. During the campaign against Kazan (1552) on the Pyana River, a miraculous image of the Tikhvin Mother of God appeared to John, which strengthened him to defeat enemy forces. After the campaign, the king founded a monastery here, giving him a copy of the miraculous icon, written in Tikhvin.

The emergence of a new dynasty of Russian Romanov tsars was also associated with the Tikhvin image of the Virgin Mary. In the Ipatiev Monastery in the city of Kostroma, Mikhail Fedorovich was blessed for the kingdom by his mother, Elder Martha, with a copy from the Tikhvin Icon.

Processions of the cross with the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God were held 24 times every year. The image was richly decorated with a golden robe, and a golden lamp was hung in front of it. Before the October Revolution, the monastery was rich and prosperous.

New times

1920 was the year the Assumption Monastery was closed. The icon was transferred to the Tikhvin Museum of Local Lore as an exhibit, where it was not studied until 1941. During the occupation of Tikhvin by German troops (November 1941), the image was sent to Pskov and transferred to the Pskov spiritual mission. He stayed there for two years, where every Sunday he was transferred to the Trinity Cathedral for worship. In the spring of 1944, the icon arrived in Riga, then ended up in Libau, Jablonec nad Nisou, and the American zone of occupation of Germany.

After long wanderings, the miraculous image was transported to the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Chicago (1950). The rector of Riga John and his adopted son Archpriest Sergius dedicated their lives to serving and preserving the icon. The will left by Archbishop John stated that the iconographic image of the Tikhvin Mother of God could be returned to Russia only after the complete revival of its place of preservation - the Tikhvin monastery.

Return to the Tikhvin Monastery

With the spiritual revival of Orthodox Rus' and the appeal to eternal values ​​in 1995, the Tikhvin Monastery was returned to the fold of the Church. The Assumption Cathedral was restored and consecrated. The year 2004 was marked by an important event for the Orthodox faith and Christians - the Tikhvin shrine returned with honor to its original place - the monastery of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Along the route, the image was displayed to parishioners of Orthodox churches.

Lists of the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God

The Tikhvin icon, like its numerous copies, is famous for miraculous salvations, healings, and military deeds. The miraculous copy of the image is preserved in the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin. Copies of the holy face are also venerated in other churches, for example:

• Trinity Cathedral;
• Church of Our Lady (Sushchevo);
• Novodevichy Convent for Women;
• Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Lyshchikova Mountain;
• Church of the Blessed Princes Gleb and Boris (Zyuzino);
• Church of the Transfiguration (Bogorodskoe).

Ancient lists of icons console Orthodox Christians not only in Russia, but also far beyond its borders. One copy is in the church of the Sergius Metochion in Paris . In 2007, an accurate list of the Tikhvin Mother of God was acquired by the Murmansk and Monchegorsk dioceses (the village of Varzuga on the Tersky coast of the White Sea). The icon has a precious chasuble, not inferior in beauty to the frame of the original.

Miracles of the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Tikhvin)

The miracles performed by the icon and copies of the Tikhvin Mother of God, throughout the history of her existence, have attracted Christians from all over the world, instilling faith and hope for her help in matters:

• Field Marshal B.P. Sheremetev, a major military leader and associate of Peter the Great, was saved by the icon of the Tikhvin Icon from an enemy bullet during the Battle of Poltava. After this, the general founded the Borisov Tikhvin Convent. His descendants honored the icon and presented it with rich gifts.
• The miracle created by the icon is associated with the liberation of the Tikhvin Dormition Monastery of the Mother of God from conquest by the Swedes (1613) under the command of General Delagardie. At this time, the Mother of God appeared to the monastery novice Martinian. She was accompanied by Nikolai Ugodnik, Varlaam Khutynsky, Zosima Solovetsky. The monk was told to convey to all people that the Mother of God begged Her Son for deliverance from her enemies, victory is near. The Swedes fled as if they were broken by a spiritual eclipse - they dreamed of a countless Russian army.
• The list of the Tikhvin militia icon became protection for the Tikhvin militia of the Patriotic War of 1812. Thanks to her, many of the representatives of the nobility did not suffer “neither from cannonballs and bullets, nor from deadly diseases,” despite participating in many battles.
• According to legend, during the Great Patriotic War, the miraculous icon of the Tikhvin Mother of God saved Moscow. She was taken on board a plane and then flown around the capital. After the service, the defeat of the Nazis near Moscow began.

The Tikhvin Blessed Virgin Mary does not abandon ordinary people with her mercy. Helps you heal and get what you want. The appearance of the image was always accompanied by numerous miracles. Only true believers can ask for help. They turn to the holy face of the Most Pure Virgin Mary with a pure heart, fully trusting in Her goodness. It is advisable that this image always be in the house; it will protect the home from enemies, uninvited guests, help preserve the family hearth, and protect children.

Sincere, pure prayer in front of the Tikhvin image really works miracles: believers get rid of terrible diseases that have tormented them for years, women suffering from infertility give birth to healthy babies, blind people regain their sight. Ask for healing by praying in front of the Tikhvin Icon.

What can you do with an icon?

• Since ancient times, mothers have prayed to the Tikhvin Icon - the Most Pure Mother of God patronizes babies and protects them. On their knees, women ask for obedience, pacification, the gift of good friends for their children, protection from evil thoughts, the temptations of modern life, and the reassurance of anxious and restless babies.
• The icon gives women who have lost faith the happiness of motherhood; they often turn to it when they have problems with conception. The miraculous image of the Mother of Jesus is taken with them to childbirth to alleviate suffering.
• The Mother of God and Jesus Christ written on the icon help in strengthening mental strength, treating depression, disorders, nervous attacks, epilepsy, and paralysis.
• The icon has long protected the people from conquerors and robbers, and bestowed help and victory in defending their lands. Therefore, her intercession can preserve the peace and integrity of the house, and turn away uninvited guests, ill-wishers, envious people, and encroachers from the threshold. This icon is a reliable, strong talisman for family and home.
• It is advised, before making an important life decision, to venerate the image of Our Lady of Tikhvin. The holy icon will protect you from intrigues, intrigues, and protect you from deception.

I turn to the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God when I want to find peace of mind, when I feel that I am under threat and need protection. Prayers help you gain a sense of invisible support and ensure good luck in everything. I will tell you in this article about the meaning of this holy image and its amazing miraculous properties.

Icon painters did not leave the image of the Mother of God without their attention, therefore this holy face does not exist in a single copy. It is believed that the most important and main icon is in the Tikhvin Church. This temple is located in the capital of our country. Believers believe that it was this holy image that helped drive out enemy invaders from Moscow during the Great Patriotic War.

The image of the Tikhvin Mother of God is also in other churches, temples and cathedrals of our homeland. It is also in the Assumption and Trinity Cathedrals, in the Novodevichy Convent, in the churches of the Blessed, Bogorodsky, and others.

What does the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God help with: the meaning of the image

Prayers addressed to the Tikhvin Mother of God are miraculous. There are many stories and reviews about infertility treatment and solving the most difficult problems in life. Of course, the power of the holy image works only with sincere prayer and true faith of the one who turns to it.

What properties of the icon are legendary:

1. Helps heal from mental illness and joint diseases. Both the sick themselves and their relatives can pray, praying for the health of a loved one.
2. Helps you make the right decision in a difficult situation. You can turn to the icon with a request for help, to give a sign in order to understand what should be done so that everything is resolved successfully.
3. Protects from the machinations of enemies and evil people who are trying to harm, deceive, and lead down the wrong path. Prayers addressed to the Tikhvin Mother of God are a very powerful amulet that can bring good luck in important matters.
4. It is believed that the holy image protects babies and their mothers. You can turn to the icon if your child behaves restlessly, is often sick or does not obey his parents.
5. This icon is truly miraculous. There are cases when she helped people recover from paralysis, epileptic seizures, and in rare cases even helped to grant sight to the blind.
6. This is generally a very powerful generic symbol. Prayers to the icon help strengthen family ties, establish mutual understanding between all participants in the family system, and greatly influence for the better the relationship between children and their parents.
7. Women turn to the holy image when they want to get pregnant or be healed of infertility. Or when they want the long-awaited pregnancy to proceed easily and without complications. It is believed that you can pray for an easy birth and remove the fear of it.
8. Parents can turn to the icon with prayers to protect their children from negative external influences: so that children do not fall into bad company, do not engage in unseemly activities, and live in harmony with God and his commandments.

These are not all, but the most important properties of the holy image.

History and significance

The image of the Tikhvin Mother of God is considered one of the most miraculous. A huge number of miraculous healings and events that occurred after people turned to the holy face with their prayers are associated with him. This icon has existed for more than six centuries.

Some historical facts:

1. The icon ended up in a fire in a church that had already burned three times before. Believers saw this as a sign: the church should not be made of wood, it should be built more solidly, from stone. As a result, by decree of the prince, the Assumption Cathedral was built in the 16th century.
2. For Christians, it was also a sign that during the war with the Germans the icon disappeared from the territory of our country. This happened because the icon was taken care of and sent out of the country to the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Chicago in order to protect it from damage and burning by the Nazis.
3. It is believed that this is not just an icon painted on canvas. This is a real miraculous symbol that opens the Holy Gates for believers, through which their guardian angels watch over people and send their love and support.

It is important that the prayers addressed to the miraculous face are sincere and come from the heart, then you will definitely feel its effect on yourself and your life to the fullest.

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How does the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God help and what do they pray for in front of the Tikhvin Icon? The meaning and role of the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God for Russia. Read more about everything in this article!

Even during Her lifetime, Christians knew that the Virgin Mary would receive great honor in the Kingdom of Heaven. Evangelist Luke wrote the Image of the Mother of God in order to forever capture the Face of the Mother of all Christians, which was later called Tikhvin. The Mother of God is rightly called the Queen of Heaven, patron of Russia.

There was not, no, there will never be a woman equal to Her in honor. She is above the ranks of angels and saints of God forever. No one will eclipse Her Glory. After all, Christ is not only Lord, but also Son. She will do whatever She asks and will not refuse. Therefore, people most often turn to Her, knowing and believing that the Most Holy One will always respond to trouble and quickly come to the rescue.

The significance of the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God for Russia

All Christians respect the Mother of God, but Russians love Her most of all. Our people have a special relationship with the Virgin Mary. It was through prayers to Her, no matter how, that countless miracles were performed, and many victories were achieved over the enemies of the Holy Land. After all, the Queen of Heaven Herself chose her, consecrating her with Her miraculous images.

There is a belief that the Mother of God protects Russia from all sides. In any case, this was the case until 1904. Until the miraculous Kazan Icon was stolen. A hundred years later, in 2004, the Vatican donated one of the ancient lists. In the same year, the famous Tikhvinskaya returned to Russia from the USA. Now our country is under Heavenly protection:

• From the east, the land is consecrated (for now by list) in the Kazan image.
• In the west, the cordon is guarded by Smolensky.
• Iverskaya keeps the southern side.
• The miraculous Tikhvinskaya returned to the north.
• The central part is consecrated by the Derzhavnaya and Vladimirskaya.

From all sides, the Mother of God shows miracles of healing, revives faded faith, instills fear in enemies, and protects the holy land. We may not be worthy of such care, but knowing and thanking the Intercessor is our sacred duty. As long as the Immaculate Queen is with us, we are not afraid of any enemies.

Note: The appearance of the icon in the air, carried by angels, was received by the worshipers of Tikhvin in 1383. In Russia, the day of finding the miraculous image is celebrated: June 26 according to the old style or July 9 according to the new style.

How does the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God help?

There are more than 400 images of the Virgin Mary. For most of them, special prayers have been compiled related to the acquisitions revealed by miracles. But the Mother of God is One and Only. It doesn’t matter what you ask for in front of this or that Face, because you are addressing not an image, but a Personality.

There are no restrictions for those who need help. When you have faith, honor the Most Holy Mother with Christ, then you will receive what you ask for, if it does not cause harm. It is wrong to think that if “The Inexhaustible Chalice” helps to get rid of alcohol addiction, then by turning to “Tikhvinskaya” you will not get it.

Of course, there are special blessed, miraculous icons that are most often approached with the same requests. But this does not mean that there will be no answer in resolving other problems. By faith, miracles are given; there are no conditions, no barriers for those asking, especially those standing at the miraculous image.

What do they pray for in front of the Tikhvin icon?

The Gospel says little about the Mother of Christ. Almost nothing is known about the earthly life of the Virgin Mary. There is a legend that when She saw Her images, including the future Tikhvin image, she said: “Let the grace of the One born of Me and Mine be with these icons.” Another amazing incident is known that occurred during Her burial.

When the stretcher was being carried, a hater of Christian teaching ran up to them to turn over the body of the Most Pure Virgin Mary, bringing it to desecration. He furiously grabbed the edge of the stole. At that very moment the Angel cut off his hands. In fear and despair, the blasphemer immediately repented and asked for forgiveness from the Mother of God. She took pity on him: her hands fell into place as if nothing had happened.

From this story it is clear that nothing is impossible for the Mother of God. The Tikhvin Intercessor is asked: for the priesthood, leaders, judges, mentors. The icon can be recommended for a believing statesman to make wise and fair decisions, to draw help and strength from the Giver of blessings. The Tikhvin Guide helps:

• find peace, love and harmony for spouses;
• in raising obedient children;
• endure sorrows, gain patience and complacency;
• heal the soul and body (there are known cases of recovery of the blind, paralyzed, injured, unable to walk, hearing impaired, etc.);
• old people gain strength and longevity;
• to young people – chastity, piety and rationality;
• childless - to have a child;
• for pregnant women - to give birth safely;
• for the sick - to get back on their feet;
• missing persons - find;
• those who have fallen into wickedness - take the path of Truth.

Conclusion: The Queen of Heaven leads everyone to the Son so that they may find eternal life. Before the Tikhvin (any other) image, first of all, they pray for the salvation of the soul: cleansing the heart, correcting the lost. We turn not just to the Celestial Goddess, but to the Mother, who will never refuse a requester with humility and love.

The Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God, or, as it is also called, the Northern Queen, is honored in the Russian Orthodox Church on July 9. Read more in our material!

Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God: Queen of the North

Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God without frame

Many miracles, past and present, are associated with this icon. Tikhvinskaya is a symbol of the indestructibility of faith and Orthodox Russia, a reminder that victories are not won with weapons alone. Tikhvinskaya is a star shining at the northern borders of our homeland. Prophecies about today are also associated with it.

"Pass it on to your children"

Elder Seraphim (Rosenberg)

At the end of the 70s, one deeply religious woman, a doctor who went through the entire war as a field surgeon, came to the ancient city to visit her spiritual father. That time, blessing her farewell, Father, Elder Seraphim (Rosenberg), gave her a small “tablet” that had darkened with time. The image on it was not visible at all, but Fr. Seraphim said: “Remember, this is an icon. Keep it carefully and pass it on to your children. It will appear before Tikhvinskaya returns to Russia.”

The woman was amazed. She knew that the ancient Tikhvin icon, the “pearl” of the Russian spiritual treasury, was taken from Russia in the years , and since then has been in America, in Chicago. For believers, this is a great, immeasurable loss. Painted according to legend by the apostle and evangelist Luke himself, this icon was the personification of the former spiritual and military glory of Rus'. And the fact that the Mother of God allowed her to be taken away was a punishment for fighting against God, for Russia’s apostasy from the faith, for desecrating the Church of Christ in the first half of the 20th century. And suddenly, these confidently spoken words that Tikhvinskaya will return to Russia!

Years passed, and then, in the early 90s, something happened that was recently difficult to believe: Orthodox churches were reopened throughout the country, and the Church began to be revived. And one day this woman’s daughter ran into her room shouting: “Mom, mom! Icon, look!” On the dark matte surface of the board, the bright, shining gilding of the ornament appeared, like the first ray. Day after day, the image changed: first the outline appeared, then the face became clearer, the whole image became clear, like new.

And just a month later, on June 23, 2004, the original Tikhvin icon was transferred to the Russian Orthodox Church, and it again took center stage in the newly opened Tikhvin Monastery. The event is joyful and significant. Our Lady gave a sign of Her protection and special care over our country. And at the same time, for believers this was also evidence of the fulfillment of prophecies about the coming times of Russia, serious prophecies that require internal composure and courage.

Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God in frame

Appearance on the waters

That morning in 1383, the water on Ladoga was still and quiet. The worn, weathered hands of the fishermen habitually pulled the net. But then, another minute, and the nets were released, and hands were folded to make the sign of the cross: “Most Holy Theotokos, save us! Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us sinners!” Slowly, measuredly in the air above the water itself, surrounded by a flash of light, the majestic icon of the Mother of God with the Child in her arms floated. It was as if an Angel was carrying her, remaining invisible to people. Like the gospel fishermen - the future apostles, these Novgorod sea workers were honored to witness the manifestation of the power of God.

In reverent silence they followed the shrine with their gaze, noticing where the icon had gone.

She was found 30 miles from Ladoga. The news of the wondrous event spread instantly. Streams of pilgrims came from everywhere to worship the shrine. A temple was built at the site of the appearance of the icon. However, the icon did not remain there for long. Several times she disappeared and moved from place to place, as if consecrating the land of the Russian north with her presence, gathering believers who gave praise to God. Finally, she stopped at the last place not far from Tikhvin, where a new church was built in her honor, and a monastery was founded at the same time.

Assumption Cathedral of the Tikhvin Monastery

From the east

Five years after the appearance of the icon, by God's providence its origin was also discovered. In the capital of the Orthodox world of that time - Constantinople (Constantinople), Novgorod merchants told the Byzantine patriarch about the miraculous discovery of a new image of the Mother of God. It was then that it was discovered that the icon that appeared in the Russian lands had been known since ancient times in the Orthodox East.

In the 5th century, it was transferred to Tsargard from Jerusalem by the Greek Empress Eudokia. It was kept as the greatest shrine. In Constantinople, a temple was built in her honor, which was named Blachernae.

The news of the appearance of the icon in the north of Rus' forced the Byzantine patriarch to grieve for his people - the Mother of God retreated from Constantinople for the multiplication of human sins and spread Her blessed cover over young Orthodox Russia.

This event turned out to be no coincidence: after 70 years, Constantinople would be captured by the Gentiles. The Lord, merciful and slow to punish, will this time hand over the city to the sword of the enemy for cooling off the faith.

Strengthening walls and giving bodily strength

Until the 17th century, the Tikhvin Icon became famous as a cure for many diseases. However, it was noticed that most often people suffering from relaxation receive help from it, i.e. paralyzed, unable to move independently.

And in Russia, Tikhvinskaya became famous for the fact that her patronage turned all the efforts of external enemies into dust. In 1613, the Swedes managed to briefly occupy Novgorod and its surroundings along with the Tikhvin Monastery. But they were soon forced out of there. The Swedish general Delagardi, in a rage, ordered the monastery to be razed to the ground. The heroic defense of the monastery began. While the monks and militia fought off the attacks of the enemy, the elders and women with children prayed near the miraculous icon. And so, the Mother of God appeared to one pious woman, Mary, who two years earlier had received insight from the icon, commanding her to carry the image with a procession around the walls of the monastery and promising a quick victory. In the intervals between the attacks of the Swedes, this command was carried out, and then mortal horror attacked the enemy. Throwing down their weapons, the Swedes fled without looking back. Delagardie, beside himself, ordered to resume the siege, take the monastery, and cut the icon into pieces. But none of the subsequent attacks were successful. The Mother of God appeared to the besieged again and again.

The Swedes saw countless troops approaching the monastery - help, and retreated in panic. Who can stand against a people among whom God Himself walks! Finally, the interventionists were forced to sue for peace.

Since then, knowing the history of the icon, people most often pray in front of it for strengthening, be it a physical illness or attacks from the outside.

Here are just a few cases of healing.

In the 50s In the 19th century, a resident of St. Petersburg, the wife of the merchant Mochalov, suffered from a leg disease. Doctors declared her illness incurable. With great difficulty she came to St. Isaac's Cathedral - to one of the miraculous lists - repetitions - of the Tikhvin icon. As soon as she crossed the threshold, the disease seemed to “jump up” in her - this is how the culprits of many human diseases - the spirits of evil - resist the shrine. The unfortunate woman was afraid of falling, but with faith she came up and kissed the icon, and after the prayer service she felt extraordinary lightness and cheerfully stood up from her knees to her feet.

And in 1860, a case of healing of Lutheran Catherine Levestam, who suffered from paralysis and severe headaches, was witnessed. Although the girl did not belong to the Orthodox Church, she liked Orthodox rituals, she revered icons and prayed in front of them, imitating the Russians, often made the sign of the cross and strictly observed fasts. Once, in the midst of an unbearable illness, she had a revelation in a dream - to serve a prayer service in front of the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God, light candles for Her, St. Nicholas and the Icon of All Saints, and when leaving the temple, give alms to all the poor. The patient, almost unconscious, was carried into the church in her arms. During the service, Catherine came to her senses, and at the end of the prayer service she was completely healed.

The blessed appearances from the Tikhvin icon do not stop to this day. Three years ago, a new “ordinary miracle” occurred in the Moscow Novodevichy Convent. A woman praying near this icon received her sight. Thus, what seems to people far from the Church to be fiction, “a tradition of deep antiquity,” is fulfilled from century to century: God is the same yesterday and today.

A Call to Stand in Faith

2004 Meeting the icon in Tikhvin

In 2004, the Russian Orthodox Church received the Tikhvin Icon with trepidation, not only as a spiritual value, but also as a sign of strengthening before trials.

Since the 19th century, prophecies have been preserved in the Church that the Tikhvin icon will return to Russia after a long absence, in order to be in Rus' permanently until recent times. And difficult times will come: the duel between good and evil, faith and dishonor will reach its highest point throughout the world. And in this spiritual battle, Russia will stand like a rock, preserved by the grace of God, if only the people sincerely repent and turn to faith. Not rich materially, but strong in spirit, Russia will remind the whole world of the enduring gospel values: devotion to God, love, piety, truth and mercy. And then one “warrior” will become like “a thousand.” And over the Russian lands the symbolic Holy Cross will again shine, formed by the great icons of the Mother of God: in the central lands - , in the east - , in the south - , in the west - Pochaevskaya, and on the northern borders - Tikhvinskaya.

On the day of honoring the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God, our Church will ask the Mother of God that “relaxed” Russia will stand firmly on its feet with the prayer of faith.

TIKHVIN ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD

The fate of the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God is closely intertwined with the history ofonly in the North-West of Russia, but throughout our country. She revered as the patroness of the ruling dynasties and as a protector, a “strong assistant” in military affairs. It is not for nothing that it is often called the “palladium of Russia”. Since the time of Vasily III’s visit to the shores of Tikhvin, Tikhvin has been called the “royal pilgrimage.” The highest dignitaries visited Tikhvin until the beginning of the twentieth century. The “military glory” of the Tikhvin icon began in the 17th century. Many generations of Russian soldiers went to defend the Motherland with its images.

The Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God is one of the most revered copies of the Blachernae Icon of the Mother of God, or Blachernitissa, references to which begin around 439 A.D., when it was transferred from Jerusalem to Constantinople. The Blachernae Church was built here for her. In terms of its type, it belongs to the Hodegetria Guide, which, according to legend, was written by the Evangelist Luke.

During the iconoclastic heresy, this image, as legend says, miraculously floated across the sea from Constantinople to Rome. And after the Triumph of Orthodoxy he returned there the same way. In 1383, 70 years before the Ottomans captured Constantinople, the icon miraculously disappeared from the temple, but appeared before the astonished fishermen over Lake Ladoga. The icon appeared through the air in seven places as evidence of its miraculous power (which was important at a time when the process of Christianization of Rus' was still ongoing and the Russian North was not sufficiently covered by it) and finally stopped over the Tikhvinka River.

The previous six times, the icon was not given to anyone, flying from place to place, as if indicating the path to follow it. But here, on the banks of the Tikhvinka, all those gathered began to pray in front of her, and she descended into their arms. Immediately in front of the priests, with prayer, they laid down a wooden crown - the basis of the future structure, prepared the plank for further construction and, leaving it under guard for the night, left. The next morning, to great horror and sadness, the builders who came and the watchmen who had fallen asleep at night did not see either the icon or the crown. They did not grieve for long - the icon, the crown, and the board ended up on the other side of the river. The Mother of God Herself indicated the final location for Her Tikhvin image.

In those years, this was perceived as transferring her from a country that had lost piety to the new destiny of the Mother of God - to Holy Rus', while leaving the first and second Rome - Constantinople, and moving to the third Rome - the Muscovite kingdom. The icon began to be perceived as confirmation of the special status of Russia in the face of God and, accordingly, as a bright symbol of the Russian centralized state. This was associated with a special iconographic type of the icon of Hodegetria, as the “Guide”.

Widespread veneration of the Tikhvin icon in the Moscow principality begins with Vasily III. Vasily’s arrival in Tikhvin was connected with the circumstances of his private life. In 1525, his divorce from Solomonia Saburova and her tonsure took place. In January 1526, Vasily Ivanovich married Elena Glinskaya. New hopes for the birth of an heir, associated with a new wife, were diligently supported by pilgrimages to famous shrines, contributions to monasteries and cathedrals, and prayers for childbearing. Through his diligence, instead of a wooden church built on the site of the appearance of the icon, a stone one was erected in honor of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary.

Ivan the Terrible raises the veneration of the Tikhvin Mother of God icon to a new level. Throughout his life, he treats this icon with special reverence, considering it his patroness. For example, in 1552, during the campaign against Kazan, during the overnight stay of the Russian army on the Piana River. The icon of the Tikhvin Mother of God appeared to the king in a dream and strengthened him “to overcome his enemies.” Later, Ivan Vasilyevich founded a monastery on this site and presented him with a miraculous list created in Tikhvin. He comes to venerate the Tikhvin Icon 15 days before the crowning (and before the wedding with Anastasia) - to receive a blessing for the title of “king” (“Caesar”) from the shrine, revered as Roman and Constantinople. In 1560, by order of Tsar Ivan the Terrible, a men's monastery was built at the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, surrounded by a stone wall.

The Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God was closely connected with the line of new Russian tsars. In the Kostroma Ipatiev Monastery, the mother of boyar Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov, Elder Martha, blessed him for the kingdom with a copy of the Tikhvin icon.

In 1613 - 1614, Swedish troops led by General Delagardie, having captured Novgorod, tried more than once to destroy the monastery, but through the intercession of the Mother of God the monastery was saved. So, one day, in view of the approaching Swedish army, the monks decided to flee from the monastery, taking the miraculous icon, but they could not move it from its place. This miracle stopped the faint-hearted, and they remained in the monastery, trusting in the protection of the Mother of God. The monastery's small number of defenders successfully repelled attacks from enemy forces that far outnumbered them. The advancing Swedes either saw a large army of Russians coming from Moscow, or some kind of heavenly army, and they fled.

When the Swedes suffered a final defeat in 1617, at the request of the Tsar's ambassadors, a copy of the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God was made. The conclusion of a peace treaty in the village of Stolbovo near Tikhvin between Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich and King Gustav II Adolf on February 10, 1617 took place in front of this face of the Virgin Mary. Under the terms of the agreement, the Swedish king recognized the Romanov dynasty. Prior to this, the new dynasty was recognized only by England; the Stolbov Treaty marked the beginning of international recognition of the legitimacy of the Romanov dynasty. The image was then transferred as a revered shrine to the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin, and later, at the request of the Novgorodians, it was transferred to the Novgorod St. Sophia Cathedral. Thus, from the beginning of the 17th century, the all-Russian veneration of the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God began.

The Tikhvin icon and its copies were famous for miraculous rescues and military deeds.

Field Marshal B.P. Sheremetev was saved from a bullet by an icon of the Tikhvin Icon during the Battle of Poltava. He founded the Borisov Tikhvin Convent on his estate, and his descendants, generation after generation, gave rich gifts to the icon in Tikhvin.

At the beginning of the 19th century, the frigate Tikhvinskaya Bogoroditsa sailed in the squadron of Rear Admiral Sarychev between Kronstadt and Lübeck. The hieromonks of the Tikhvin Mother of God Monastery looked after the Russian navy. In particular, the feat of Hieromonk Kirill became famous, who on July 28 and 29, 1855, during the bombardment of the Sveaba fortress by the enemy fleet, on the ship “Iezerkil” served prayer services on the deck of the ship even during the most intense firefight, inspiring the sailors with his example.

According to Moscow legend, the miraculous icon of the Tikhvin Mother of God from the Church of the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God in the village of Alekseevsky temple was flown around Moscow by plane, and after this the defeat of the fascists began near the Mother See. Soon the city of Tikhvin was also liberated.

In 1910, on the initiative of the Committee of Trusteeship of Russian Icon Painting, the ancient icon was revealed from under the later records of G.O. Chirikov. The Church, taking into account the fear of touching the letter of the icon that existed for centuries since the time of Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich, (since, “Hiddening the most pure likeness,” the Mother of God herself stopped anyone who touchedapproached her image), proclaimed this a new miracle of the Mother of God.

In 1924, the Tikhvin monastery was closed. The miraculous icon was in the Tikhvin Museum of Local Lore until 1941, and then traveled a long way: during the occupation by Nazi troops, it was transferred to Pskov, to the Spiritual Mission. She stayed there for two years, and was specially given out for Sunday services at the Trinity Cathedral. Then the icon was transported to Riga, and after some time it ended up in the American occupation zone in Germany, from where it came to Chicago. Here the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God was kept in the Holy Trinity Cathedral, where the rector was Archbishop of Riga John (Garklavs), who brought the icon here in 1949, and then his adopted son Archpriest Sergius, who devoted his entire life to preserving the icon. According to the will of Archbishop John, the return of the icon to Russia was to take place only when the Tikhvin monastery was revived.

In 1995, the monastery was transferred to the Church, the Assumption Cathedral was restored and consecrated.

In 2004, on July 9, after 60 years of wandering abroad, the icon was solemnly returned to its historical place in Tikhvin Mother of God Assumption Monastery .

The Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God has a special significance in the history of our State and in our days. The tradition of receiving the blessing of the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God of the first person in the state has also been restored. His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Alexy II blessed the Tikhvin image of the Blessed Virgin Mary on the day of inauguration of Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, which today continues to be the palladium of the Russian state.

Troparion, tone 4
Today, like the bright sun, the all-honorable icon of Yours, Lady, has risen in the air for us, enlightening the world with rays of mercy, even the great Russia, as if it had reverently accepted a certain gift from Divine from above, glorifies Thee, Mother of God of all, Lady, and joyfully magnifies Christ our God who was born from You. Pray to Him, O Lady Queen Theotokos, that He may preserve all Christian cities and countries unharmed from all the slander of the enemy, and save by faith those who worship His Divine and Your Most Pure Image, the Virgin without art.

Kontakion, tone 8
Let us come, people, to the Virgin Mother of God Queen, giving thanks to Christ God, and to that miraculous icon, let us look tenderly and cry out to Her: O Lady Mary! Having visited this country by the miraculous appearance of Your honorable image, save all Christians in peace and prosperity, heirs showing heavenly life. We truly call to you: Rejoice, O Virgin, salvation of the world.

Prayer of the Mother of God before Her Tikhvin Icon
We thank Thee, O Most Blessed and Most Pure, Most Blessed Virgin, Lady, Mother of Christ our God, for all Thy good deeds, which Thou hast shown to the human race, especially to us, the people of Russia named after Christ, about whom the most angelic tongue will be pleased with praise. We thank You, as even now You have surprised Your ineffable mercy on us, Your unworthy servants, with the supernatural self-coming of Your Most Pure Icon, and with it You have enlightened the entire Russian country. Likewise, we, sinners, worshiping with fear and joy, cry out to Thee: O Most Holy Virgin, Queen and Mother of God, save and have mercy on Thy people, and grant them victory over all their enemies, and preserve the reigning cities, and all Christian cities and countries, and deliver this holy temple from every slander of the enemy, and grant everything for the benefit of all, who now come with faith and pray to Your servant, and who worship Your Most Holy Image, for blessed are You with the Son and God born of You, now and ever and unto the ages of ages . A min.