Tikhvin icon of the Mother of God: meaning and history
In the distant 1383 near the town of Tikhvinappeared Tikhvin icon of the Mother of God. Its importance was very important, and it was for her that a beautiful temple and a small monastery was erected. But first things first.
There is an ancient tradition, according to which,The Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God, the significance of which can not be overestimated, is closely connected with the famous Evangelist Luke. The image was written by this Holy Apostle even during the earthly life of the Virgin.
Later, Luke presented the icon to Theophilus, who at that time ruled Antioch. It is known that the Holy Apostle applied the text of the Gospel to the image.
A few years later, the Tikhvin icon of GodThe mother, whose significance in the course of time did not change at all, was in Constantinople. Here it was built a magnificent Vlaherna Reliquary Church, which later became a real repository of the most expensive holy places of Byzantium.
The further fate of the shrine
Further, according to legend, in 1383 this iconwas on the Tikhvin land. According to eyewitness accounts, this happened in an absolutely incredible way: through the air from Constantinople she transferred to holy Russia. In the sky over Ladoga it was noticed by local fishermen, who, of course, were, to put it mildly, surprised by what they saw.
It was the Byzantine shrine that confirmed the Patriarch of Constantinople. Such a miracle, he explained: "She departed from Byzantium irrevocably. For the pride, hatred and injustice of the people. "
How a miracle happened
In the morning on the bank of the Tikhvinka River a crowd gatheredpeople led by local priests. They all began to pray diligently, and soon the icon "The Mother of God of Tikhvin" came down directly into the hands. The significance of this truly miraculous case was enormous. After all, from Byzantium itself, this shrine "came" through the air! On the same day they decided to build a church. They decided on the place, felled the forest, began the erection of the temple. And in the evening tired people began to go home. But the icon just did not quit. Attached to the construction site and to the icon guard.
But the guards fell asleep, and when they woke up, they found that neither the construction started, nor the icon. The people gathered. They mourned for a long time, and then they decided to go in search of the shrine.
What was their surprise, when they found out,that all the prepared logs and tools were waiting for them on the other shore, and at the head of all this stood the Tikhvin icon of the Mother of God! The significance of what happened was difficult not to understand - thus the Mother of God chose a place for her temple. Soon here was the beautiful Church of the Assumption.
Later the wooden structure was replaced with a stone one and a small monastery was built nearby.
The Abduction of the Icon
During the Second World War, the Germans mercilesslyruined villages, villages, cities, temples and monasteries. They did not spare this church either. From the ruined temple, the invaders took out many icons, including Tikhvinskaya.
In 1944, when the Nazis reached Riga,the icon was in one local church. The Germans "betrayed" it for the services of the priests, hoping that they will support them. It is not known what would become of this shrine, if the fascists did not accidentally forget it during the retreat.
Back to Russia
Back to the city Tikhvin image returned only 23June 2004. By this time the destroyed monastery was restored. July 9 - it was on this day many centuries ago that a relic of Tikhvin appeared - a solemn liturgy was held, headed by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy.
It is believed that the Tikhvin icon of the Mother of Godhelps in childhood diseases, with restless sleep and moods. In addition, at an older age, when a child goes to school and makes friends, the image protects him from bad choices and helps to establish relationships with his parents.
