Holiday of the Kazan Mother of God. Feast of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God

IN church calendar two days dedicated to the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. July 21 (“Summer Kazan”), when we remember the “appearance of the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos in the city of Kazan” - that is, the miraculous discovery of the icon in Kazan, it happened in 1579. And November 4 (“Autumn Kazan”), in memory of that How on November 4, 1612, the people's militia troops, gathered by Kuzma Minin, led by Prince Dimitry Pozharsky, and overshadowed by the miraculous image of the Kazan Mother of God, drove the Polish invaders out of Kitay-gorod, which was the beginning of the end of the great unrest. Churches. At the site of the appearance of the icon, the Mother of God nunnery was built, the first nun of which was Matrona, who took the name Mavra.

Every year in Kazan, on July 21 and November 4, religious processions of many thousands are held with the “Vatican” image from the Annunciation Cathedral of the Kazan Kremlin to the place where the icon was found - the Kazan Mother of God Monastery. This ancient tradition was revived in the early 2000s. It gathers Orthodox believers not only from Kazan and other cities and regions of Tatarstan, but also pilgrims from other regions of Russia and foreign countries.

As a contemporary of the events, Patriarch Hermogenes (at that time the priest of the Gostinodvorsky Church of Kazan Ermolai) writes, after a fire in Kazan in 1579, which destroyed part of the city, the Mother of God appeared to ten-year-old Matrona in a dream, ordering her icon to be dug up from the ashes.

In the indicated place, at a depth of about a meter, an icon was actually found. The day of the appearance of the Kazan Icon - July 8, 1579 - is now an annual church-wide holiday in the Russian Church. At the site of the appearance of the icon, the Mother of God nunnery was built, the first nun of which was Matrona, who took the name Mavra.

After the capture of Kazan, a copy of the miraculous icon was sent to Ivan the Terrible in Moscow (from where it subsequently went to St. Petersburg in 1737 and was placed in the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, on the site of which the Kazan Cathedral was later erected). It is interesting that historians do not have exact facts regarding the fate of the original, because some of them claim that it was he who was sent to Moscow, and not the list. What is known for certain is that two miraculous lists were made.

One of the lists of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God was brought to Moscow liberated from the Poles on October 22 (November 4), 1612 by Dmitry Pozharsky, who headed the people’s militia. This happy event and gave rise to the “autumn Kazan”, which for a long time noted at the state level. In 1636, this image of the Most Pure Virgin was placed in the Kazan Cathedral erected on Red Square (today the icon is located in the Epiphany Cathedral). Russian rulers turned to the patronage of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God at the threshold of all turning points historical events(and the day before Battle of Poltava, and before the defeat of the French in 1812).

Prayer before the icon Mother of God"Kazanskaya"

O Most Holy Lady Lady Theotokos! With fear, faith and love, falling down 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 Your Son and our God, the Lord Jesus Christ, to keep our country peaceful, and to preserve His Holy Church unshakable and 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 slander. 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, praising Thy greatness and mercy shown over us here on earth with gratitude, we will 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.

Please note that in the prayer to the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God there are words when we ask to deliver us from sudden death. Perhaps this is also why Kazanskaya is prayed for during travel, or for those who perform difficult and dangerous service.

Folk traditions of the holiday of the Kazan Icon of the Virgin Mary

The holiday of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God has always been important date V folk calendar. This day was considered the boundary between autumn and winter. People said: “Go to Kazanskaya on wheels, and put the runners in the cart,” “Mother Kazanskaya leads a snow-free winter, shows the way to the frosts,” “It’s not winter before Kazanskaya, but it’s not autumn from Kazanskaya.”

During this period, the peasants were finishing their seasonal construction work. In the old days, the Autumn Kazanskaya was always the deadline for settlements, the agreement “To Kazanskaya - settlement!” no one dared to disturb, they were also afraid of the coming cold weather.

The holiday of the icon of the Kazan Mother of God is considered one of the most important women's holidays. The Kazan icon has long been considered a female intercessor. Belated weddings were also timed to coincide with this holiday, as there was an ancient belief: “Whoever marries Kazanskaya will be happy.”

Icon of the Kazan Mother of God, photo and description, meaning

The icon of the Kazan Mother of God is one of the most revered; it belongs to the Hodegetria type, which means “showing the way.” According to legend, the prototype of this icon was painted by the Apostle Luke. The main dogmatic meaning of this icon is the appearance into the world of the “heavenly King and Judge.” The Mother of God is depicted with her breasts up, in characteristic clothes, with her head slightly tilted towards the Child. The Child Christ is presented strictly from the front, the figure is limited to the waist. On the icon revealed in Kazan, Christ blesses with two fingers, but in some later lists there is a nominative sign. Most often, the Kazan Icon is asked for deliverance from eye disease, invasion of foreigners and help in Hard times.

In the summer, the celebration is dedicated to the miraculous discovery of the icon in 1579. Seven years after the conquest of Ivan the Terrible, Kazan suffered from a terrible fire. Residents struggled to restore the city, and the Mother of God appeared to nine-year-old Matrona in a dream and ordered her to find an icon buried under Muslim rule. At first they did not listen to the child’s words, but the Mother of God called the girl three times. Finally, Matrona and her mother went to the indicated place and discovered the shrine. The Orthodox residents of Kazan perceived the miracle as a sign of the intercession of the Heavenly Lady. This event is remembered by the Church on July 21.

Another date associated with the Kazan icon is better known. Autumn holiday The Kazan Icon of the Mother of God falls on November 4th. It was installed in memory of the liberation of Russia from the Polish-Lithuanian invaders in 1612. The prince, gathering the militia for battle, took the Kazan icon with him. The patronage of the Most Pure Mother of God helped the people's militia on October 22 according to the old style (November 4 - according to the new style) to defeat the invaders, despite their numerical superiority. A few days after this, the Polish-Lithuanian garrison left the Kremlin. The day when the militia gave a decisive battle, by decree of Prince Pozharsky, became the holiday of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God in Moscow, and since 1649 the celebration has become all-Russian.

The Kazan Icon of the Mother of God is still one of the most revered in Russia today, despite the fact that the original of the icon revealed in 1579 has been lost. Lists of the Kazan Icon have spread throughout the country and are known abroad. The Kazan Icon of the Mother of God is even on the International Space Station.

This is one of the most beloved and revered images of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Russia. The Kazan Icon of the Mother of God is considered the patroness of the Russian land, which is confirmed by many historical facts. Since ancient times Orthodox people they prayed to her, asked for help and support in the most difficult times for Russia.

Day of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God: history and signs of the holiday

The Orthodox Church celebrates the Day of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God on November 4. This is one of the most beloved and revered images of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Russia.

The Kazan Icon of the Mother of God is considered the patroness of the Russian land, which is confirmed by many historical facts. Since ancient times, Orthodox people prayed to her, asking for help and support in the most difficult times for Russia.

The Day of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God is celebrated twice a year: in the summer - on July 21 - in memory of the appearance of the icon in Kazan, and on November 4 - in gratitude for the deliverance of Moscow and all of Rus' from Polish invaders.

The Kazan Icon of the Mother of God has a very interesting history. It was found in 1579 by a nine-year-old girl in the ashes of a terrible fire that destroyed part of the city of Kazan.

The fire in Kazan started in the house of the merchant Onuchin. After the fire, the Mother of God appeared to the merchant’s daughter Matrona in a dream and revealed to her that under the ruins of their house there was her miraculous image buried in the ground.

It still remains a mystery how the shrine fell into ruins. It is believed that it was buried by secret confessors of Christianity during Tatar rule.

At first they didn’t pay attention to the girl’s words, but when the dream repeated itself three times they began to dig and found an icon on the ashes amazing beauty. The holy image, despite the fire, looked as if it had just been painted.

The image was solemnly transferred to the parish church of St. Nicholas of Tula, the rector of which was then the pious priest, the future Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Hermogenes.

The future saint, who died at the hands of the Poles for his fidelity to Orthodoxy and was canonized, compiled a detailed account of the miracles of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God.

The fact that the icon was miraculous became clear immediately, since already during the procession the sight was restored to two Kazan blind people. These miracles were the first in a long list of cases of grace-filled help.

At the place where the icon was found, a convent, where Matrona and her mother took monastic vows.

So by the time Russia came difficult times, the icon of the Kazan Mother of God was no longer just known, but also very revered.

Icon in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior

Many copies were made of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, and the icon itself became famous for its miraculousness - the sick recovered, the blind gained sight, enemies were defeated and expelled.

The most famous miracles of the intercession of the Mother of God are associated with the events of the Time of Troubles. It is believed that it was the miraculous icon that helped the militia led by Prince Dmitry Pozharsky and merchant Kuzma Minin defeat the enemy on November 4, 1612 and liberate Moscow from the Poles.

Story

At the turn of the 16th-17th centuries, a series of tragic circumstances occurred in Russia and this era went down in history as the Time of Troubles. This is the era of the deep crisis of the Moscow state, caused by the suppression of the royal Rurik dynasty.

The dynastic crisis soon developed into a national-state crisis. One Russian state collapsed, numerous impostors appeared. Widespread robberies, robbery, theft, and widespread drunkenness struck the country.

By call His Holiness Patriarch Hermogenes, the Russian people stood up to defend their homeland. A list of the miraculous icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Kazan was sent from Kazan to the Nizhny Novgorod people's militia, which was led by Prince Dmitry Pozharsky and Kuzma Minin.

The militia, having learned about the miracles performed by the icon, took it with them and constantly prayed in front of it, asking for help. They liberated Kitay-Gorod on October 22 (November 4, new style), and two days later they took the Kremlin. The next day, Russian soldiers went to the Kremlin with a religious procession with a miraculous image in their hands.

In memory of the deliverance of Moscow from the Poles by the will of Tsar Mikhail Feodorovich, the first Russian Tsar of the Romanov dynasty, and the blessing of the Metropolitan, later Patriarch Philaret, Orthodox Church It was established annually on October 22 to celebrate the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God in Moscow with a procession of the cross.

At first this celebration took place only in Moscow, but since 1649 it became all-Russian. It is believed that Holy Mother of God took the Russian militia under her protection. The holiday was celebrated in Russia until the 1917 Revolution.

The icon of Our Lady of Kazan became the common shrine of Kazan, Moscow, St. Petersburg and all of Russia, where there were three main miraculous icons of Our Lady of Kazan - the found one and two copies.

One of the lists of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God was brought into Moscow liberated from the Poles by Dmitry Pozharsky, who headed the people’s militia. Now it is kept in the Epiphany Patriarchal Cathedral in Moscow.

Traditions and signs

On this day, all people went to church, where they prayed for their homeland, for their loved ones and relatives, so that there would be peace and tranquility in families.

After the liturgy, all believers went to a religious procession - with icons in their hands, they walked around cities and villages, which symbolized the protection of the settlement from harm. Today they are limited to walking along the main streets or just around the church.

In the old days, women believed that on this day the Mother of God helped them. There were many protective rituals that women used on this day.

For example, a birch leaf gives beauty and protects against old age. To do this, early in the morning on the holiday, women went to a birch grove, where they looked for leaves covered with frost. Having torn off a piece of paper, they looked at it as if in a mirror. It was believed that after this the face would become clearer and younger, and the woman would look beautiful throughout the next year.

This day is considered happy for marriages and weddings. In the old days, it was believed that on such a bright day of the triumph of the Orthodox faith, it was the right time to create new family. Those who wanted to live family life without problems and in happiness, they tried to coincide the wedding ceremony precisely with the autumn holiday of the Kazan Mother of God.

There are many signs associated with the weather: if the ground is covered with fog in the morning, it will be warm, and if It is raining- it will snow soon, if the sun shines brightly - the winter will be just as sunny.

Rainy weather on this day is a good sign. People said that this Mother of God cries and prays for all people. She begs the Lord God for forgiveness for people and asks that their life be easier, so that the harvest will be next year was good and there was no hunger.

But dry weather, on the contrary, is bad omen. People say that if there is no rain on Kazanskaya, then next year will be very difficult. And on good harvest You can't count on it at all.

Also on this day, the villagers went out into their gardens and scattered salt on the ground: “they treated them to bread and salt” so that the future harvest would be rich and plentiful. After this, all the fields were walked around with the icon, and then a festive meal was held on the ground, consisting of gifts of earth and holy water.

What do they pray for?

The Kazan Mother of God is considered miraculous icon, and prayers to her can be fateful. People believe that during any disaster, grief or misfortune, the Kazan Mother of God can cover a person asking for help from all troubles with her invisible veil and save him.

In front of the icon of the Kazan Mother of God they pray for the healing of eye and other diseases, protection of the house from disaster and fire, deliverance from enemy invasions, blessing of the newlyweds, the birth of children, and family well-being.

Prayer

Oh, Most Pure Lady Theotokos, Queen of heaven and earth, the highest angel and archangel and the most honest, pure Virgin Mary of all creation, the Good Helper of the world, and affirmation for all people, and deliverance for all needs! You are our intercessor and representative, you are protection for the offended, joy for the grieving, refuge for the orphans, guardian for widows, glory for virgins, joy for those who cry, visitation for the sick, healing for the weak, salvation for sinners. Have mercy on us, Mother of God, and fulfill our request, for everything is possible through Your intercession: for glory befits You now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

The Kazan Autumn national holiday is celebrated on November 4, 2019 (October 22 is the date according to the old style). In the church calendar for this day (starting from 1649), a celebration was established in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, as a sign of gratitude to the miraculous image for the deliverance of Moscow and all of Russia from the Poles in 1612.

history of the holiday

The 16th-17th centuries are called the Time of Troubles. During that period, the Polish principality mocked the Christian religion and the entire Orthodox faith, plundered churches and monasteries, cities and villages. With the help of deception, it took control of Moscow. Patriarch Ermagen convened the people into a militia to defend the Motherland. It was headed by Prince Pozharsky. An image of the Most Holy Theotokos was sent from Kazan for spiritual support.

The entire Russian people raised a prayer to the Lord God and the Mother of God for help and imposed a 3-day fast on themselves. The prayer was heard, and the wrath of God was replaced by mercy. On October 22, 1612, the militia defeated the invaders and liberated Moscow.

Traditions and rituals

This day is considered a turning point. It is after this that winter comes into its possession.

Kazan autumn - the time of settlements for completed construction work. This day was the last when the owners could pay off all the workers: painters, carpenters, plasterers, masons, simple mercenaries and others. The men returned home with money, where their wives and laid tables, laden with food and beer, were waiting for them.

Traditionally, on this day the basement was ventilated, the juniper was set on fire and the room was fumigated with it. This was done in order to preserve supplies: so that they would not rot and run out.

Signs

If the harvest was rich, then the winter will be very cold.

If it is a clear day on Kazan autumn, then cold will soon come, and if there is fog, it will be warm.

If this day passes without rain, then the year will be difficult.

The Kazan Icon of the Mother of God is a reliable patroness of the Russian land and its inhabitants.

The Kazan Icon of the Mother of God is one of the most revered and beloved shrines in Russian Orthodoxy. The miraculous Mother of Kazan repeatedly, in difficult times for Russia, provided help where it seemed there was no longer any hope of salvation. The Kazan icon is used to bless marriage or an important life undertaking, it is given as a gift at the baptism of infants, and it is taken with them on a long journey. Many who resort to this holy image with sincere prayer receive help in various life difficulties from the Most Holy Theotokos Herself.

Icon of Kazan Mother of God It was miraculously found on July 21 (new style) 1579 - this date is celebrated as the “Kazan summer”. The appearance of the icon was preceded by a fire, which, starting from the house of the archer Daniil Onuchin, turned half of Kazan and even part of the Kremlin into ashes.
Soon after it terrible event ten-year-old Matrona Onuchina, the daughter of Daniel, had a vision. The Mother of God herself appeared to her in a dream and indicated the place from which Her Holy Image should be obtained. The girl told her mother about the sign, but she, not believing her, just waved it off. Matrona’s vision was repeated, but the mayors and the archbishop did not believe it in the same way when she and her mother turned to them. After the third, now formidable command of the Most Pure Virgin, Matrona herself, during the excavation of a fire on the site of the stove of her parents’ house, dug up the Holy Image.