Postcard (playcast) “Ancient old Russian icon of the Mother of God. The Old Russian Icon of the Mother of God The Old Russian Icon of the Mother of God is located
Memory Old Russian Icon of the Mother of God celebrated in the Russian Orthodox Church on May 17 and October 1 according to the new style.
The history of the emergence of the Old Russian image
The city of Staraya Russa is very ancient and is located near Novgorod. One of the main shrines is the image of the Mother of God, which is revered by believers as miraculous. Unfortunately, no information has been preserved about where and when this icon was painted, but it is assumed that it was transferred to Rus' from Greece in the second half of the 16th century. According to legend, the reason for this was the threat of an attack on Byzantium by the Turks. In order to save the shrine from desecration, it was transported to Rus' and ended up within the powerful Novgorod principality. Residents of Staraya Russa reverently accepted this image and placed it in the main Transfiguration Monastery of the city. It was there that miracles and healings began to occur from the icon, and therefore, when a pestilence epidemic arose in the neighboring city of Tikhvin, the residents asked to bring the image of the Mother of God to them, in the hope of helping the Queen of Heaven. In turn, they sent a copy of the miraculous Tikhvin icon to Staraya Russa. And so, through the prayers of the Mother of God and the faith of the people, a miracle happened: after a procession of the cross around the city was carried out with the icon, the terrible epidemic stopped. However, the Tikhvin people did not return the miraculous image to Staraya Russa, and for a long time it was in one of the Tikhvin churches.
At the beginning of the 19th century, litigation began between the two cities for the right to have the Old Russian Icon of the Mother of God. Since Tikhvin did not want to return the image, the dispute became protracted, so that the residents of Staraya Russa had to address this issue not only to the Holy Synod, but even to Emperor Nicholas I himself. However, the petition was not considered for a long time, and later, for some reason, the reasons are rejected. After some time, the Rushans again repeated their attempt to return their shrine, but this time to no avail. Only in 1888, by order of Emperor Alexander III, the icon was returned to its historical place in the Transfiguration Monastery. The transfer of the image became a great holiday for Staraya Russa; it was carried out with a large religious procession, and to decorate the image, the residents collected a large sum of money, for which a precious frame was made. In honor of this, a holiday was established, and from now on, October 1, the transfer of the icon is remembered.
Iconographic features
The prototype of the Old Russian icon is very ancient. According to researchers, it was written around the 13th century. The iconography of the image is interesting in that it combines two types of Mother of God icons - the Tenderness and the Guide. The Old Russian icon is a large external icon. While the prototype was in Tikhvin, a copy of the miraculous image was made in Staraya Russa, which does not literally repeat the ancient icon and has many differences, the main one being that the face of the Infant God is turned away from the Mother of God. A legend has been preserved that initially the copy exactly repeated the prototype, but the residents of Staraya Russa did not keep the icon with due reverence, for which Christ turned away from them.
Both Old Russian icons were richly decorated with frames, but after the revolution, the godless authorities confiscated these valuables and transferred the icons to the city museum. During the Second World War, the ancient prototype was lost, and the list was taken to one of the cities of the Pskov region, where it was located until the liberation of Staraya Russa from enemy invaders. Currently, the miraculous image is again located in one of the Old Russian churches. The flow of pilgrims to the shrine does not stop, and in front of the icon people pray to the Queen of Heaven for deliverance from mental and physical ailments, as well as from all evil.
Troparion, tone 4:
We are now diligent to the Mother of God, / sinners and humility, and let us fall, / calling in repentance from the depths of our souls: / Lady, help us, having had mercy on us, / struggling, we are perishing from many sins, / do not turn away your vain servants, / for you Imams have one hope.
Kontakion, tone 8:
To the chosen Voivode, victorious, as having been delivered from the evil ones, let us write thanks to Thy servants, the Mother of God, but as having an invincible power, free us from all troubles, let us call Thee: Rejoice, Unmarried Bride.
Magnification:
We magnify You, / Most Holy Virgin / God-chosen Youth, / and honor Your holy image, / through which you bring healing / to all who come with faith.
Prayer:
Offering to my queen, my hope to the Mother of God, friend of the orphans and the strange, the intercessor of the sorrowful, the joyful, the offended patroness! See my misfortune, see my sorrow, help me as I am weak, feed me as I am strange. Weigh my offense, resolve it as if by will: for I have no other help except You, no other intercessor, no good comforter, except You, O Mother of God, for you will preserve me and cover me forever and ever. Amen.
The Starorusskaya Icon of the Mother of God is revered as miraculous and is known as the largest icon in the world. Its history is connected with the long-term struggle of Orthodox believers for possession of the image, and celebrations take place twice a year: on the day of its first appearance in the city and on the day of its return after 300 years of stay in Tikhvin.
The history of the painting of the holy face
The exact date of painting of the icon is unknown, but mention of it is first found in monastery chronicles for 1609, when the image was transferred to Rusa (Staraya Russa) to save it from the attacks of pagans and barbarians. In 1570, a pestilence epidemic began in the city of Tikhvin and residents asked their neighbors for a healing icon in order to perform a prayer service and receive healing from the plague.
Icon of the Mother of God “Old Russian”
The people of Tikhvin received the image and made a religious procession with it, at the end of which they did not return it to its owners, but placed it in the local city church.
In the summer of 1805, residents of Staraya Russa began to submit petitions and petitions for the return of the icon that the Tikhvinites had stolen. Complaints were sent to the Metropolitan of the Novgorod province and he granted the request, but the archimandrite of the monastery in Tikhvin categorically refused to obey and give up the icon, arguing that there was indignation among the townspeople. Until 1830, the residents of Rush repeatedly sent petitions for the return of the plaque to the Holy Synod, the city duma, and even to the emperor. In 1848, the Rushans proposed an alternative to the Holy Synod: the original would be returned to Rusa, and the sacred copy would remain in Tikhvin, but this was also rejected.
Other icons of the Blessed Virgin Mary:
In 1888, the shrine was returned, but only after a personal request from Grand Duke Vladimir. Upon their return, the residents made a religious procession around the city and served a prayer service to the icon, and then placed it in a church specially built for it.
Description of the icon
There are two known images of the Old Russian Mother of God: one is an original image, painted in the 13th century and later lost, and the second is a modern copy. Each of them is beautiful, but has its own distinctive features.
The ancient image belongs to the type and it is not known exactly where it was painted. The modern image was created in Staraya Russa and combines features of two different styles of iconography. The ancient icon depicts the Most Pure Virgin with the Child in her arms, whose gaze is turned to the Mother. The right foot of the Child is turned in profile towards the viewer (a feature of Tikhvin iconography), and the clothes of the Virgin Mary are written in the style of Georgian iconography. The original icon is the largest in the world - 260 cm in height and 190 cm in length.
Old Russian Icon of the Mother of God
The Child Christ in the icon is dressed in a white tunic, which is decorated throughout the fabric with symbols of the Trinity and has a collar in the shape of the letter Y. Christ’s leg is naked, and He himself is covered with a bright red cloak - a symbol of royalty. On some lists the cloak was made gold as a symbol of the Resurrection. The Virgin Mary is also dressed in a maforium of dark red and ocher tones, and her face is framed in a blue cloth.
On a note! A copy of the Old Russian Mother of God was painted in 1912 and today is kept in the Intercession Convent.
On it, the holy faces are depicted differently: the Infant Christ is depicted turning away from the audience, expressing with his whole figure a desire to move away. His left hand rests against his head, and his right hand holds a scroll. The hands of the Virgin Mary form something like a throne for the Baby, and in general appearance the image is similar to the Savior’s Watchful Eye.
The differences from the original are explained by two different versions:
- The people of Tikhvin treated the relic carelessly and stored it in poor conditions so that it became covered with soot and soot. When they later wanted to update it, it was impossible to distinguish the faces and they were updated incorrectly.
- The second version is more mystical, it says that the face of the Baby turned away from those watching, because the sins of the inhabitants of Staraya Russa were too great and vicious.
More about the miraculous icons of the Mother of God:
Under Soviet rule, the images were transferred to the Museum of Local Lore, previously freed of all silver. During the Second World War, the original was lost, and the second image was taken by the Germans from the museum, but it was recaptured by the Red Army and since 1946 it has been kept at the church.
How to pray and about what
Nowadays, the list is kept in Staraya Russa - it is a copy of an ancient icon, which is somewhat different from the original. Other lists can be seen in:
Three copies are kept in Staraya Russa: in the Trinity, St. George and Resurrection Cathedrals. You can bow to any of the above images and read a prayer in front of them.
Troparion, tone 4:
We are now diligent to the Mother of God, / sinners and humility, and let us fall, / calling in repentance from the depths of our souls: / Lady, help us, having had mercy on us, / struggling, we are perishing from many sins, / do not turn away your vain servants, / for you Imams have one hope.
Kontakion, tone 8:
To the chosen Voivode, victorious, as having been delivered from the evil ones, let us write thanks to Thy servants, the Mother of God, but as having an invincible power, free us from all troubles, let us call Thee: Rejoice, Unmarried Bride.
Magnification:
We magnify You, / Most Holy Virgin / God-chosen Youth, / and honor Your holy image, / through which you bring healing / to all who come with faith.
To do this, you can come to one of the churches on the day of memory of the icon: May 17 (first appearance in Staraya Russa) or October 1 (return from Tikhvin). What is he praying for in front of her? People are asking for:
- protecting the soul from temptation;
- salvation of the soul;
- protection from property thieves;
- blessed family life;
- rescue and protection of children.
Icon of the Mother of God of Old Russia
In the photo: A genuine Old Russian image of the Mother of God on a pre-revolutionary engraving.
She was absent from Staraya Russa for more than three hundred years. For almost a hundred years, the people of Rush have been actively trying to return it. The icon returned, a special cathedral was erected for it, consecrated in 1892 with great celebration (even came). And in the 20th century it disappeared.
Finding the Old Russian miraculous image, two versions:
Since ancient times, Staraya Russa has been the city guard. The history of its appearance in Rus “bifurcates”, which is connected with the further fate of the icon and the litigation about it between the Rushans and the Tikhvins.
So, the Rushans believed that the icon:
“was transferred to the city of Staraya Russa in the first centuries of Christianity by the Greeks from Olviopolis, but how true this opinion is is difficult to say about it with certainty. According to the legend preserved among the people, all that is known is that, since ancient times, it belonged to the city of Staraya Russa and was there for several centuries for the joy and consolation of all residents of the city and the surrounding region.”
A. A. Usinin. The celebration of the transfer of the miraculous icon of the Old Russian Mother of God from the city of Tikhvin to the city of Staraya Russa, Novgorod province.
She stayed, according to old Russian legend, in the Transfiguration Cathedral - as the most ancient and venerable church in the city. The Tikhvinites insisted that the icon appeared in 1570 in Vydropusk (Vydro-Puzhsk) and was in Staraya Russa only for a short time. 
How the Old Russian Icon of the Mother of God came to Tikhvin
For several centuries, the Old Russian Icon of the Mother of God served, as already mentioned, as the subject of disputes between the Rushans and the Tikhvins, and this is because of this event. The Rushans tell it like this. During the time of Ivan the Terrible, in the 1570s, a pestilence was raging in Tikhvin, and one pious resident of the city had a vision according to which, in order to get rid of the ulcer, it was necessary to transfer to Tikhvin - temporarily - the Old Russian Icon of the Mother of God in exchange for the miraculous Tikhvin Icon . The Rushans, in the simplicity of their hearts, gave their icon to the Tikhvin people, and they “cheated” a little and instead of the miraculous Tikhvin image they sent a copy to Rusa.
After the pestilence, the icon remained in the city, where it was revered on a par with the famous Tikhvin image of the Mother of God (the Old Believers especially loved it).
Litigation for the Staraya Russa Icon of the Mother of God between residents of Tikhvin and Staraya Rusa
It would seem that over time the residents of Staraya Russa should have come to terms with the loss, but no. In 1787, they sent an “embassy” to Tikhvin with the goal of returning the shrine. As expected, the Tikhvin people did not give up the icon; they only allowed it to be removed from the list. And in 1805, a lawsuit arose between the Rushans and the Tikhvin residents about who should own the Old Russian Icon of the Mother of God.
The litigation for the Old Russian icon lasted for more than eighty years and began with a petition from the people of Rus, submitted to the Metropolitan of St. Petersburg and Novgorod Ambrose (Podobedov). As A. A. Usinin, already quoted by us, writes, Metropolitan Ambrose:
“with Eugene, Bishop of Staraya Russa, they were inclined to satisfy the pious desire of the Starorussian citizens, but Archimandrite of the Tikhvin Monastery Gerasim refused to give the icon to the deputies sent from Russa, under the pretext of fearing the indignation of the Tikhvin citizens who did not want to let go of the revered shrine.”
The “Old Russian citizens” did not give up their hopes. They wrote either to the Novgorod rulers or to the Holy Synod. The Tikhvin residents, in turn, pointed to the lack of reliable documents that would confirm the Old Russian origin of the miraculous icon, and questioned the legend about its transfer to Tikhvin during a pestilence. They stated:
“This legend has no basis and is a work of modern times, and therefore more conjectural than reliable.”
Moreover, the Tikhvinites also resorted to “prohibited techniques,” pointing out the lack of faith of their opponents:
“If they consider this icon miraculous, then why don’t they subjugate their will to its miraculous power and want to appropriate it by judicial means?”
Old Russian icon, return
Be that as it may, in 1888, with the assistance of Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich, who favored Staraya Russa and the Transfiguration Monastery, Alexander III:
“I have deigned to approve the most submissive report of the Holy Synod on the transfer of the miraculous icon of the Old Russian Mother of God from the Tikhvin Mother of God Monastery to... the Transfiguration Monastery.”
There was no limit to the jubilation of the Old Russian residents. The miraculous Old Russian image was carried in their arms from Tikhvin to Staraya Russa, where, according to the most conservative estimates, up to 50,000 people met it. It was placed in the Transfiguration Cathedral, and the following year the construction of a special temple for the shrine began in the monastery - “in honor and glory of the Most Holy Theotokos, called Starorusskaya.”
Loss of the Old Russian Icon of the Mother of God
After the revolution, the icon, as the Rushans put it, was “ruined” (that is, the precious frame was removed from it) and transferred to the local history museum. During the years of occupation, it disappeared without a trace, and now in Staraya Russa, in the St. George Church, there is a copy of it, also considered miraculous. There are lists, both old and new, in many other surrounding churches.
The Staraya Russa icon got its name from the name of the city - Staraya Russa in the Novgorod region, where it was located for a very long time. In 1656, during the epidemic of cholera in Tikhvin, the icon was moved there. And since the Tikhvinites refused to return the Old Russian Icon of the Mother of God, in 1768 a copy was made of it, which was placed in the Resurrection Cathedral of Old Russia. This protected the icon from complete oblivion. During the Great Patriotic War, the original of the Old Russian Icon of the Mother of God disappeared without a trace, and now this copy of the icon is revered as miraculous. The icon depicts the Mother of God. Jesus Christ sits in Her arms. His whole figure seems to be rushing away from the Mother of God. The Savior holds a scroll in his right hand, and supports his head with his left hand. The legend tells that the face of Christ on the Staraya Russa icon of the Mother of God turned away, with all his appearance decrying the vicious behavior of the townspeople of Staraya Russa.
How does the Old Russian Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary help?
This image is rightfully considered miraculous. Any believer can turn to the Mother of God with any prayer and request, because She is the first intercessor of humanity before the Lord and there is no one closer to the Almighty than She. They pray to the Old Russian Icon of the Mother of God, asking for protection from thieves for themselves, their home and their loved ones. It is believed that it can protect and save from fires. People ask her for healing from physical ailments and mental wounds; she will listen and graciously help everyone whose prayer comes straight from the heart.
Where to buy the Old Russian Icon of the Mother of God
You can buy the Old Russian Icon of the Mother of God in a shop selling icons, church utensils, Orthodox literature, near a temple or church. The Internet provides even greater opportunities and choice. There are many Orthodox online stores here that will offer a choice of one made according to an old model on a wooden board, painted on canvas, with a jewelry frame, or a completely simple one in a light plastic frame. The size and shape can also be adjusted to suit your needs.
Many people buy the icon of the Old Russian Mother of God not only for the home iconostasis, but also for travel or short prayers right at the workplace. In this case, the size of the icon will be small. A special place among those offered for purchase is occupied by the Old Russian Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary, embroidered on fabric with beads. The bright and fresh colors of the beaded clothing give off an iridescent glow when caught in the light. You can create this beauty with your own hands by purchasing a pattern or a whole embroidery kit.
Icons of the Queen of Heaven are the most revered Shrines of the Orthodox Church. The strength and power that radiates help many people, families, cities, countries in difficult periods of life, hardships, and illnesses. Heal from evil spirits. They protect.
It is these miraculous qualities that the Old Russian Icon of the Mother of God possesses.
The temple, akathist, prayer, celebration associated with this Shrine of Orthodoxy are described in this article.
Story
And the Icon of the Mother of God is named after the city - Staraya Russa, in the Novgorod region. The icon has been here since the time it was brought by Greek settlers from the city of Olviopolis (currently the city of Kherson, in Ukraine). This happened at the time of the birth of Christianity on the territory of Kievan Rus.
But in the middle of the 17th century, in the city of Tikhvin, in the Leningrad region, a pestilence epidemic broke out, due to which many people died.
Then one Tikhvin resident received a revelation from above that it was necessary to bring the Old Russian Icon of the Mother of God to the city - to heal sick people and protect the area. Which was done.
Only the Shrine was returned back after 233 years. The Tikhvin residents refused to give back the miraculous Face.
Only in 1768, the Rushans agreed to write a copy for the Old Russian Temple. Where it was later placed.
In September 1888, the original was solemnly transferred by hand to Staraya Russa - to the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery, which was built specifically in honor of the Icon of the Mother of God of Staraya Russa.
The Shrine was located here until the Bolsheviks came to power. Then all the decorations from the Icon were removed, and the Face was transferred to the Museum of Local Lore.
When German troops came to Russia in 1941, the Old Russian Icon of the Mother of God disappeared. But later it was returned.
And currently it is located in the Church of St. George the Victorious - in Staraya Russa. Her appearance here was a real miracle, as the frescoes of the monastery eloquently show. They depict the return of the Icon, which is carried high above the heads of the parishioners. One of the participants in the procession is Hieromartyr Vladimir of the Epiphany, who later became the Bishop of Starorussky.
Miraculous healing
The legends of those days say that during the transfer of this Shrine from Tikhvin to its rightful place (in Staraya Russa), many miracles occurred.
One monk was present - a resident of the Old Russian Transfiguration Monastery - Sergius. He described one of the miraculous healings that took place.
On the way, a group of women (15 people) followed the Icon of the Mother of God. They shouted in voices other than their own. They said that the women were possessed by a demon.
And those carrying the Icon could not stand it, sympathized with the unfortunate ones and lowered the stretcher. And the women were allowed to approach the Face - each 12 times.
A real miracle happened: looking at the Shrine, those healed with hot tears began to kiss the Icon and ask the Queen of Heaven for the salvation of their souls. And their prayer was heard.
Description
Thus, there are several Old Russian Icons of the Mother of God. The first, written in the 13th century AD, depicts the Queen of Heaven with Jesus in her arms, who is facing Mary.
The second was painted in the 18th century, as a copy of the first, when it was not possible to return the Icon to the city of Staraya Russa from Tikhvin. And 180 years later, when the original returned to its original, rightful place, parishioners noticed the differences between the original and the copy. In the last one, Jesus is positioned on Mary's left arm, and his face is turned away from her.
Sources claim that the reason for this was the unkempt surface of the Shrine. She was completely covered in dirt and soot. Therefore, the artist could not see Faces correctly.
The original Old Russian Icon of the Mother of God is the largest portable icon in the world, since its dimensions are:
- Width - 2.02 meters.
- Height - 2.78 meters.
Days of celebration
In those years when the Shrine was in Tikhvin, and then returned: first in the form of a copy (May 17, new style), and decades later the original (October 1), the tradition arose among the parishioners of Staraya Russa to celebrate the feast of the Old Russian Icon of the Mother of God on these days .
And the answer will definitely come and a real miracle can happen.
Prayer
The Old Russian Icon of the Mother of God is capable of curing various ailments, atone for sins, protect, and help a confused person take the true path.
The prayer to the Mother of God at this Shrine begins with an appeal to the Queen of Heaven and the affirmation that Her Grace helps from all sorts of misfortunes: mortal and human. Next follow the words about the Savior born by Her, thanks to whom human torment ended and eternal life was given. Then there is a request that the Mother of God hear the person praying and convey these words to the Almighty. For grace to descend from heaven on the lives of those who are perishing. An appeal to the Mother of God as the only Hope of desperate people. A request for salvation and preservation from ill-wishers.
In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Akathist
The Old Russian Icon of the Mother of God is located in the Church of St. George the Victorious, in the city of Staraya Russa. And in 2015, in October (when it was the 20th week of Pentecost), an evening service was held by the Metropolitan of Staraya Russia and Novgorod. And after it, the clergyman sang an akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos in front of the Old Russian Icon of the Mother of God.
In general, such a hymn glorifying the Queen of Heaven was composed back in Byzantium in the 5th-7th centuries. In the modern Orthodox Church, the akathist to the Most Pure Virgin Mary occupies an honorable place, since of all the hymns it is included in the liturgical charter.
And its performance at the Shrine of the Old Russian Icon of the Mother of God will definitely be heard.
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