On March 15, 1917, two major events took place in the life of Russia. The first is known to all - this is the abdication of the last Russian Tsar Nicholas II. But another event of inestimable significance for the spiritual life of the people has been erased from his memory. On this day, the Most Holy Mother of God showed the Russians her miraculous image, called the icon of the Mother of God "Sovereign".
Prophetic dream of Evdokia Andreanova
The Mother of God revealed her icon to people in a miraculous way. In one of the villages of the Bronnitsky district lived a peasant woman, whose name was Evdokia Andreanova. She was a pious and pious woman. And then one day she had a dream in which a mysterious female voice ordered her to go to the village of Kolomenskoye, find an old icon there, clean it of dust and soot and give it to people for prayers and church services, as Russia is facing hard trials and wars.
Evdokia took what she heard with all seriousness, but, not knowing where exactly to look for the icon, because the village is large, she asked in her prayers to indicate the exact place. The request was fulfilled, and two weeks later, in a dream, she herself appeared to her. The Most Holy Theotokos pointed to the village church. The Mother of God added that the icon will not save the people from suffering, but those who pray before it in difficult years will find the salvation of their souls.
Evdokia set off and, having arrived in Kolomenskoye, she saw that the local Ascension Church was exactly like the one that was indicated to her in a dream.
The miraculous acquisition of the icon
The rector of the church, Father Nikolai (Likhachev), listened to her with distrust, but did not dare to object and, together with Evdokia, walked around the entire interior of the church. None of the icons could be the one pointed to by the Mother of God. The search continued in all the utility rooms and, finally, in the basement, among the boards, rags and all sorts of junk, they suddenly found a large icon that had darkened with time and soot. When it was washed, the image of the Most Pure Mother of God was opened.
She was depicted as a queen seated on a throne with the blessing of the Infant Jesus in her arms. Red porphyry, an orb, a scepter and a crown complemented the regal appearance. Her face was filled with sorrow and severity. This image, revealed on a tragic day for Russia, was called the "Reigning" icon.
Pilgrimage to the found icon
With amazing speed, the news of the incident spread through the surrounding villages, reached Moscow and finally spread throughout the country. Pilgrims began to come to the village of Kolomenskoye from everywhere. And miraculous healings of the suffering and the fulfillment of prayer petitions immediately began. Ascension Church in its sizesmall, and in order for more people to bow to the holy image, the icon was taken to nearby towns and villages.
She also visited Zamoskvorechye in the Marfo-Mariinsky Convent, where the abbess was the future Hieromartyr, Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna. His Holiness Patriarch Tikhon personally took an active part in composing the service in honor of the newly acquired icon. A special akathist was written for her. It includes excerpts from other akathists written in honor of the Mother of God. It was called "Akathist of Akathists".
The icon leaves the village of Kolomenskoye
Soon the "Reigning" icon left the church of the village of Kolomenskoye and was solemnly transferred to Moscow to the Resurrection Convent. It turned out that there are documents in the archives of the monastery, indicating that the icon was originally located there, but in 1812, during the war with Napoleon, it was sent to the village of Kolomenskoye and forgotten there.
Even in difficult years for the church, miracles continued to be performed, revealed by the holy icon. It is known that after the believers prayed in front of her, one of the clergy of the region was unexpectedly released from prison.
Later, the "Reigning" icon was in the Marfo-Mariinsky Convent for some time, and after closing it was transferred to museum funds.
The miraculous image returns to believers
The icon returned to believers in the early 90s. The state transferred during this periodchurch property taken from her. The "sovereign" icon was placed on the altar of one of the churches in the capital. She stayed there for several years. On July 17, 1990, for the first time, a commemoration was performed at the liturgy of the sovereign and his family. In connection with this event, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II gave his blessing to transfer the icon to Kolomenskoye, to the Kazan Church. There she is currently. A tradition has developed on Sundays to read before this icon the "Akathist of Akathists", the very one in the creation of which Patriarch Tikhon took part. The holiday of the icon "Reigning" is celebrated on the day of its acquisition - March 15.
There are many listings with icons. Many are made especially for the temples built and consecrated in her honor. The temple of the icon "Derzhavnaya" exists in Moscow on Chertanovskaya street and in St. Petersburg on Prospekt Kultury. The restoration of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in the capital began with the erection of a church-chapel next to it in honor of the "Reigning" Icon of the Mother of God.
The meaning of the icon for Russians
Orthodox Russians have a special relationship with the icon of the Sovereign. In the fatal year of 1917 for our country, her appearance was regarded as a symbol of the continuity of power. From the earthly kings, power passed to the Queen of Heaven. In addition, it is also a promise of forgiveness and salvation of the people, who are walking the hard and bloody path to repentance. Throughout the history of Russia, in times of the most difficult trials, Russian people have seen hope and support in the Most Pure Mother of God.
In the way the figure is depicted on the iconChrist, a symbolic meaning is laid down, understandable to few. It is directly connected with those tragic times for the Russian people, when the miraculous acquisition of the icon took place.
Blessing, the Eternal Child points to the left, where, according to the Holy Scriptures, sinners will stand at the Last Judgment. This gives the gesture the meaning of forgiveness for the fallen. In addition, the Mother of God does not have a cross on the orb in her hand. This is a clear prophecy about the destruction of churches and temples in Russia.
What is the meaning of icons? What helps the sacred image? The icon is not a deity, but it is a guiding star for all who seek God.
