Feast of the Kazan Mother of God. Festive sermon on the day of the appearance of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God (2016)

The holiday of the icon of the Kazan Mother of God has been celebrated in Rus' for several centuries. This is one of our most revered images.

When is the Day of the Icon of the Kazan Mother of God celebrated in 2020?

The miraculous discovery of the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos in the city of Kazan occurred in 1579. In memory of this event, the celebration of the Day of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God is celebrated annually on July 21.

Also, the Feast of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God is celebrated in the fall - on November 4, in memory of the deliverance of Moscow and all of Russia from the invasion of the Poles in 1612. Then, during the Time of Troubles, the copy from the icon helped Russian soldiers win several battles.

History of the Day of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God

The history of the holiday of the icon of the Kazan Mother of God is as follows: after a fire occurred in Kazan, many citizens were left homeless. Among the fire victims was the daughter of the archer Matryona (Matrona) Onuchina, to whom the Mother of God appeared in a dream and pointed out where her icon was hidden underground.

At first, no one believed the girl - neither the local mayor nor the archbishop. When the girl had this dream for the third time, her family independently began excavations, and in the indicated place, at a depth of about a meter, the girl discovered an icon.

She was sent to the first Orthodox church in Kazan - the Annunciation Cathedral. Several people took part in this procession. It is known that two blind people, after touching the icon, regained their sight.

A convent was built on the site of the miraculous find. Matryona was the first to take monastic vows and subsequently became his abbess.

In 1649, on the occasion of the birth in 1648 on the feast of the “miraculous icon of Kazan, during the all-night singing” of the heir to the throne, Tsarevich Dmitry, Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich ordered to celebrate on October 22 (November 4, new style) the Feast of the Icon of the Kazan Mother of God “in all cities throughout years."

A copy of this icon was sent to Ivan the Terrible in Moscow. Later, in 1737, the copy of the icon was transported to the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in St. Petersburg, on the site of which the Kazan Cathedral was later built.

In 1904, the icon was stolen in order to sell its precious frame and destroyed. Today, in churches around the world, copies of the miraculous image are used, which have already demonstrated miraculous properties more than once. This icon has become one of the independent iconographic types of Mother of God icons in Russia.

How is the Day of the Icon of the Kazan Mother of God celebrated?

The celebration of the Day of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God is widely celebrated in the Russian Orthodox Church. On this day, people turn to the Mother of God with prayers for their loved ones.

According to tradition, this icon has long been used to bless newlyweds. It is believed that this helps to build a strong and happy family.

The Kazan Icon of the Mother of God also has many healing properties. There are numerous cases of healing of believers who turned to her from blindness and other eye diseases.

Today is the Orthodox holiday of the appearance of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. From our article you will learn the customs of this day and interesting facts about this miraculous icon.

Day of the Appearance of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God in 2016

The feast of the appearance of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God is celebrated annually on July 21. It is associated with a unique event that occurred in Kazan on this day several centuries ago, after a terrible and large-scale fire in this city. The Mother of God appeared to a little girl named Matrona in a dream and pointed to the place under the ashes where the icon was kept. Even the parents did not immediately believe their daughter, but when the Mother of God appeared to her for the third time, they decided to check this place. The miracle is that literally at a depth of a meter an icon was actually found, absolutely untouched by the fire. It is this icon and copies from it that are called the icon of the Kazan Mother of God.

How the day of the Kazan Mother of God is celebrated

In Kazan, a religious procession takes place around the Kazan Kremlin. Since the icon itself was lost, the Vatican list is now used for this procession, which was returned to Russia after being abroad and even from the Pope. A lot of people come to Kazan especially for this day, but services in honor of this icon are held throughout the country. She is loved by believers and remains one of the most revered even today. Real miracles are attributed to this icon, including the healing of people, which is what makes it so famous among the Orthodox.

Temples that are dedicated to the icon of the Kazan Mother of God

The most important and first temple, which was built in honor of the icon of the Kazan Mother of God, was, of course, in Kazan. The Mother of God convent was built exactly on the spot that, according to legend, Matrona pointed out. Unfortunately, the temple complex has not yet been fully restored. After the rule of the Bolsheviks and the persecution of the Church, it remains destroyed as before. At the moment, archaeological excavations are underway there, and the monastery is gradually being revived.

There are also large and beautiful cathedrals dedicated to the icon of the Kazan Mother of God in Moscow and St. Petersburg. They contained miraculous copies of this revered icon. At the moment, its Moscow copy has been transferred to another cathedral. She even has her own day of celebration, which is also called National Unity Day - November 4th. It is associated with the deliverance of the capital from the Polish-Lithuanian invaders, which was also helped by this miraculous icon, which was brought to Moscow especially for this purpose. The list of icons, which is located in St. Petersburg, is also miraculous and is located in the Kazan Cathedral.

Icon of the Kazan Mother of God today: from the ISS to the Pope

Many photographs have been taken of the original and they are now found all over the country. The original itself was lost. Although even today there are those who believe that the revealed icon of the Kazan Mother of God is still kept somewhere. Currently in Kazan there is a list that was acquired by the English traveler Frederick Mitchell-Hedges. Subsequently, this icon was at a worldwide auction in New York, where it was bought by Russian Catholics and transferred to the Portuguese city of Fatima. A temple was built and consecrated there especially for this icon. Subsequently, the icon was personally kept by Pope John Paul II and was returned to Russia only in 2004.

There is also another list of this icon, which was given in 2011 by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Kirill to the crew members of the ship Yuri Gagarin. Now the Russian sector of the ISS has its own list of this miraculous icon.

On this bright day, do not forget to pray, especially if you have the opportunity to do it in front of the icon of the Kazan Mother of God.

All the best!

Pray at the icon of the Mother of God © depositphotos

Today, November 4, the Orthodox world celebrates another church holiday - the day of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. Website tochka.net will tell you about the history of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, the holiday, prayer, traditions, rituals and signs of this day.

The Day of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God is celebrated on November 4, and in 2018 it falls on Sunday.

Kazan Icon of the Mother of God - history

The Kazan Icon of the Mother of God has a very interesting history. It was found in the 16th century by the little girl Matrona in the ashes of a large fire that destroyed part of the city of Kazan, after the Mother of God herself appeared to her three times in a dream and indicated the place where the icon was hidden.

At the site where the icon was found, the Mother of God nunnery was built, where Matrona and her mother subsequently took monastic vows.

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. The militia, blessed by the Kazan Icon, led by Kuzma Minin and Prince Dimitry Pozharsky, liberated Moscow from the Poles on November 4, 1612, in a fierce struggle.

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In memory of this victory, one of the most important Orthodox churches was erected in the center of Moscow - the Temple of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. The smooth pavement laid out in front of the Kazan Cathedral later received the name Red Square. The temple was restored on November 4, 1993 - on the day of remembrance of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, which is celebrated with a service and religious procession.

Feast of the Kazan Icon - traditions and rituals of the day

The day of celebration of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God has long been considered one of the main women's holidays; it is not for nothing that the icon is called “Kazan Woman's Intercessor”. There are many rites and rituals that women used in ancient times.

Birch leaf gives beauty and protects from old age. To do this, early in the morning on the feast of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, women went to a birch grove in search of leaves covered with frost. Having torn off such a leaf, they looked at it as if in a mirror. It was believed that after this the face would become cleansed and rejuvenated, and throughout the year the woman would look young and beautiful.

Apple and honey give beauty. Women peeled the sacred apple, stored with it, and threw it away, imagining that all the imperfections of their facial skin would go away with it. Then the apple was grated and, together with honey, applied to the face with the words: “The apple is cleansed, and my face will be cleansed. The honey is soft and sweet, and my skin will become soft and sweet.”

Late autumn weddings were usually timed to coincide with this holiday. It was believed that the Mother of God herself blesses the young people on this day for a happy life. Moreover, if the wedding day is rainy, then the newlyweds will have a happy whole life. But if there is no rain, the family will not live long. Therefore, the overly superstitious newlyweds even postponed the wedding on a sunny day to Kazanskaya so that the omen would not come true.

During this period, seasonal construction work ended. There was even an agreement: “On Kazanskaya - settlement,” which no one risked violating, so as not to bring trouble upon themselves. On the day of the celebration of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, real beer festivals were often held in villages and villages, treating men who returned home from work in the city.

From this day forward the arrival of real winter cold was expected. On Kazanskaya, the cellars were ventilated so that food supplies did not spoil or run out.

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Day of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God - signs

• Kazanskaya without rain - the year will be difficult. It was believed that on this day the Mother of God cries for all people, begging the Lord God for forgiveness for human sins and a good harvest for the next year.
• It will rain on Kazanskaya in the morning, and by the evening there will be snow. This day is the boundary between autumn and winter: before Kazanskaya it is not yet winter, and from Kazanskaya it is no longer autumn. Therefore, during the day, rain may gradually turn into snow.
• Good people do not go on long journeys to Kazanskaya - they will take a long time to return home. This sign clearly confirms the previous one. If you go out on wheels in the rain, you need to return on runners.
• Whoever marries Kazanskaya will be happy and will not repent.
• In Kazanskaya the frost is not great, but it is not good to stand.
• What Kazanskaya shows, winter will say.
• If it rains on Kazanskaya, it will fill all the holes, and if it snows, it will sweep all the roads.
• On Kazanskaya, a clear day means cold weather.
• Kazanskaya shows the way to the frosts.
• If there is fog in the morning, there will still be thaws.

Miraculous icon of the Kazan Mother of God - prayer

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.

O Most Holy Lady Lady Theotokos! With fear, faith and love, I fall before Your honorable icon, we pray to You: do not turn Your face away from those who come running to You, beseech the merciful Mother, Your Son and our God, the Lord Jesus Christ, that He may preserve our peaceful country and preserve His Holy Church unshakably from unbelief, heresies and schism. There are no imams of any other help, no imams of other hope, except You, Most Pure Virgin: You are the All-Powerful Helper and Intercessor of Christians. Deliver all who pray to You with faith from the falls of sin, from the slander of evil people, from all temptations, sorrows, troubles and from vain death: grant us the spirit of contrition, humility of heart, purity of thoughts, correction of sinful life and remission of sins, and let everyone praise greatness with gratitude. Yours, let us 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.

In addition to the important state holiday of National Unity Day, on November 4, believers worship one of the most revered icons in Russia - the icon of the Kazan Mother of God.

The Icon of the Kazan Mother of God is known for its unique discovery event, as well as its miraculous power. That is why she is so revered among the Orthodox. It was discovered after a terrible fire in Kazan at the place pointed out by the little girl. This day is celebrated on July 21st. But the icon of the Kazan Mother of God has another day of veneration. In 2016 and every year it is celebrated on November 4th. It is associated with important events for the formation of the Russian state as such.

Miracle of the Icon of the Mother of God of Kazan

The events date back to 1612. At that time, there were Polish-Lithuanian occupiers in Rus', against whom the second militia of Prince Dmitry Pozharsky and the zemstvo elder Kuzma Minin was created. Heading to fight the invaders, they crossed paths with the archpriest of the Kazan Annunciation Monastery, who was at that time in Yaroslavl along with the miraculous icon of the Kazan Mother of God.

The army, heading to fight the Polish-Lithuanian occupiers, was asked to take the miraculous icon with them. According to confusing and poorly traceable data, only a copy of the icon was sent to Kazan. Then on August 22 there was a decisive battle, in which, despite the superiority of the enemy, the second militia won. Then, two months later, the Polish-Lithuanian invaders capitulated; on October 22, according to the old style, negotiations were already held on the surrender of the Moscow Kremlin. This corresponds to November 4 according to the new style.

The second militia attributed assistance in the fight against the invaders to the miraculous icon of the Kazan Mother of God. Prince Pozharsky, after the victory of the second militia, placed this icon in his parish church. However, today the icon is considered lost. It is in honor of such an important event that since then the icon of the Kazan Mother of God has been venerated on November 4. But this is only one of many miracles that she performed according to legend. It is thanks to its miraculous power that this icon became known not only throughout Russia, but also abroad.

What to pray for to the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God

In front of this icon, believers pray that peace will remain in the family and relationships will always be warm. In any difficult life circumstances, you can turn to her with prayer and receive support. Also, the miraculous icon of the Kazan Mother of God heals from blindness: during the first religious procession, with its help, two blind people received their sight at once.

It is important that this type of icon is called “Guide” or Hodegetria. The Mother of God, with her hand, seems to point to the Infant Jesus Christ, who is the main figure of the icon. In one hand He holds a scroll, and with the other He baptizes the beholder. The symbolism of this type of icon is that through it an indication is given: the Divine Child, the Heavenly King and Judge, has appeared in the world.

Perhaps, precisely because of its important sacred meaning, this particular type of icon often helped in the fight against enemy troops, moreover, not only in ancient Rus', but also in Byzantium, from which Christianity was adopted.

Do not forget to turn to God not only on the day of veneration of an icon, but every day. Prayers to the Icon of the Mother of God of Kazan will be especially strong on November 4, so do not miss such an important date.

All the best.

The Kazan Autumn national holiday is celebrated on November 4, 2020 (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.

The content of the article

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.