The Icon of the Mother of God of Minsk is considered the main Orthodox shrine on the territory of Belarus. It is kept in the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Holy Spirit Cathedral. It is located in the temple to the left of the Royal Doors. Thousands of believers come to worship her every day. The icon has not been taken out of Minsk since 1500. It was first kept in the Lower Castle, then moved to the Upper Place.
Icon description
The Icon of the Mother of God of Minsk was painted with tempera, that is, a special water-borne paint. Such paint is prepared on the basis of dry powder pigments, often used in icon painting. And not only in the Orthodox, but also in the Catholic tradition.
The icon was painted on a special primer, which is chalk mixed with fish or animal glue. Linseed oil is also usually added to it. At the same time, the basis for the icon is wooden. There is an ark, that is, a special recess on the front side of the board. Why it was originally made is unknown. There are several versions. On the one hand, it visually forms a frame, thus forming some kind of "window" into the world of the saints depicted on the icon. According to another version, thisthe recess can save the icon from the deformation it will undergo over time.
The size of the icon of the Mother of God of Minsk is 1.40 x 1.05 m. The setting is intricately decorated with floral ornaments.
Origin of the icon
The Minsk Icon of the Mother of God was painted by an evangelist and holy apostle named Luke. At least that's what church tradition says. This is one of the first followers of Jesus Christ, who believed in his teachings back in the 1st century AD. Considered a close associate of the Apostle Paul. In Christianity, he is known as one of the first icon painters.
The icon of the Mother of God "Minsk", the photo of which is in this article, he painted at the request of his brothers, who were also apostles, and other Christians. It happened in the 1st century. It is impossible to give a more exact date, it is only known that Luke himself died around the year 84.
There is a legend that the Virgin Mary liked the work of Luke so much that she blessed the image and gave parting words, according to which she would be constantly present among people and bring them grace.
At first, the miraculous Minsk Icon of the Mother of God was kept in Byzantium. Then she was transported to the city of Korsun. So in ancient times the modern Kherson, located near the Crimea, was called. The icon was there while Korsun was under the rule of Byzantium, that is, until the 13th century.
The icon goes to Minsk
How the icon ended up in Minsk is described in detail in the book of the historian Ignatius Stebelsky, which was first published in Vilna in 1781. Stebelsky himself, when writing this work, used the manuscript,owned by the Greek Catholic hieromonk Jan Olszewski. It was compiled at the turn of the 17th - 18th centuries. It is known that for a certain time Olshevsky passed his obedience in one of the Minsk churches. There he was engaged in copying church books. He worked especially diligently on the lives of the saints.
It was Olshevsky who compiled the description of the miracles associated with this icon. At least, this is what Archimandrite of the Minsk Theological Seminary Nikolai Truskovsky claimed. He is known as a connoisseur of the history of White Russia. However, this manuscript has not survived to our time.
It is also known that Stebelsky used the work of Gumpenberg, written in Latin, called "Atlas of Mary". This book has not survived to this day either.
Already in the 20th century, the Russian theologian and icon painter claimed that only about ten icons in Christianity are attributed to the Evangelist Luke. In total, there are more than 20 of them in the world. Moreover, 8 of them are stored in Rome. However, the fact that they are attributed to Luke does not mean at all that he himself wrote them. In fact, none of the icons of his authorship has survived to our time. The authorship of Luke in this case should be understood in the sense that these icons are exact lists of icons once painted by Luke. Or to be more precise, lists from lists.
The Christian Church pays great attention to the continuity of power and grace. So it is believed that the exact lists from the icon have the same properties and holiness as the originalicon.
The way to Minsk
Before getting to Minsk, the icon ended up in Kyiv. She was transported there from Korsun. In Kyiv, for a long time she was in the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which was built at the end of the 10th century.
According to Archpriest Pavel Afonsky, known for writing a program material dedicated to the 400th anniversary of its acquisition, the icon ended up in Kyiv thanks to Prince Vladimir Svyatoslavovich. This is the same Prince Vladimir, who baptized Russia, it was under him that Christianity became the state religion in Russia. Vladimir, most likely, brought the famous icon after the solemn wedding ceremony with Princess Anna. And also after he was baptized in Korsun in 988.
During the time that the icon of the Mother of God "Minsk", the photo of which is in this article, was in Kyiv, the city was repeatedly subjected to raids by conquerors. According to most researchers and historians, it could have been in the Kiev church until a maximum of 1240. It was then that the Tatar-Mongols entered the city, who almost completely destroyed it. The ancient Church of the Tithes, in which the icon itself was located, ceased to exist until 1635.
During this period, information about the fate of the icon is considered lost for almost two centuries. There is an assumption that one of the inhabitants of Kyiv secretly hid it at home. Until she was able to grace the Hagia Sophia.
There is one documentary evidence that most likely refers to this icon. itchronicle, which describes in detail the next raid on Kyiv by the Crimean Khan Mengli I Giray, which was committed in 1482. The chronicle tells that Girey plundered the whole city, took many prisoners, burned all the key buildings. And one of his associates, bursting into a Christian church, took out his main shrine from there, tore off all the precious jewelry from it, and threw the icon itself into the Dnieper as unnecessary. Many researchers believe that this legend is about the icon of the Mother of God, which is now kept in Minsk.
In Minsk, the icon (or rather, one of its copies) ended up in 1500. It happened on August 26, exactly two days before the celebration of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. On this day, the face of the saint appeared to believers. There is also documentary evidence, according to which the people of Kiev, who were in Minsk at that time, recognized their shrine.
By 1505, the army of the Crimean Khan Mengli Giray reached Minsk. Before the battle itself, a prayer service for the defenders of the city took place in the city. The priests held it in the Castle Church, where the icon of the Mother of God was placed. The outcome of the battle was disappointing for the defenders of Minsk. The invaders burned most of the city, tens of thousands of citizens were taken prisoner, as well as peasants from the surrounding villages. Only the castle remained impregnable.
It is still believed that the castle itself and its defenders at that time were under the invisible protection of this miraculous icon.
The key turning point in this confrontation took place in 1506. On August 6, the Belarusian-Lithuanian troops defeatedconquerors in the Battle of Kletsk, all the survivors gained freedom. This victory was perceived by many as a punishment that the miraculous icon inflicted on foreign invaders.
In 1591, Minsk acquired a new coat of arms, which depicted the Mother of God surrounded by angels. Since then, she has been considered the protector and main protector of the city.
In Minsk churches
For almost a whole century, the icon was in the Minsk Lower Castle. Directly in the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The icon was a cathedral icon throughout the entire 16th century, including after the conclusion of the official church union in Brest, which took place in 1596.
In the 17th century, the construction of a new large-scale temple began in Minsk. In 1616, workers began to build the Basilian temple from stone. It was built on the site of the Orthodox Holy Spirit Church, which was wooden. The temple was located in the Upper City, got its name in honor of the Holy Spirit. Archimandrite Athanasius by the name of Pakosta supervised the construction of this religious building.
Just before the opening of the new church, an order was issued by the Greek Catholic Metropolitan Joseph (in the world of Rutsky), according to which the icon of the Minsk Mother of God was transferred to the new church. According to legend, this solemn event took place on October 16, 1616. On the same day, Christians celebrated the feast in honor of the Apostle and Evangelist Luke, who is considered to be the author of this icon.
Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin, in whichthe icon was earlier, burned down almost to the ground in a fire in 1626. So the icon was once again saved from destruction. With the money raised from the donations of believers, the church was quickly rebuilt. In 1835, the mayor of Minsk named Lukash Bogushevich even officially appealed to Metropolitan Joseph with a request to return the icon to its historical place, but was refused. All subsequent applications were also denied.
The icon remained at the Holy Spirit Church, where women's and men's monasteries functioned for many years. History preserves the episode of 1733, when Archimandrite Augustine donated a thousand thalers to the icon. With this money, for a long time, a chapel was kept in the temple, which performed special services right in front of the icon.
Place for the icon in the Peter and Paul Cathedral
The next stage in the history of the Minsk Icon of the Mother of God, which is described in this article, begins after 1793, when Minsk officially became part of the Russian Empire.
After that, the Holy Spirit Church came under the patronage of the Russian Orthodox Church. Soon it became the Cathedral. In 1795 it was consecrated according to the Orthodox tradition.
In 1852, the icon received a new and rich riza, it was gilded and decorated with various jewels. Such a donation was made by the wife of the governor of Minsk, Elena Shklarevich.
A special tradition appeared at the beginning of the 20th century. Every year, the icon was taken out of the cathedral and placed on a specially equipped lectern for prayer and service. This was initiated by Bishop Mitrofan, whofor several years he has been the head of the Minsk department. In the history of Orthodoxy, he is remembered as a martyr who died from the persecutors of the church in 1919.
In 1922, a large-scale campaign to confiscate church valuables began in the newly formed Soviet Union. Then the icon lost its robe. The parishioners tried to do everything possible to keep her. They even collected money and paid the authorities an amount equal in value to it. But the Bolsheviks, having taken the money, refused to return the riza.
Until 1935, the icon was in the Peter and Paul Cathedral. The temple at that time fell under the influence of the renovationists, who insisted on the abolition of the canonical rules. In 1936 the cathedral was blown up. The icon was transferred to the local history museum. there she was until the Great Patriotic War. Moreover, it was not exhibited, but was stored in storerooms.
After the Red Army retreated from Minsk in 1941, the icon passed into the hands of the Germans. They were begged for by a local resident, whose name has been preserved in history. It was Varvara Slabo. The artist Vier was found, who restored the icon and donated it to the temple on the Nemiga River. In 1945, the church located there was once again closed. The icon returned to the Holy Spirit Cathedral.
Icon research
Restoration work on the icon in the early 90s was carried out by the famous restorer and artist Pavel Zhurbey. Archpriest Mikhail Bulgakov addressed him with such a request.
The restorer has revealed some interesting details. For example, the basis of the icon was made of three linden boards. Through the icon passed twocracks, there were also on the joints of the overhead strips. On the back side, the fasteners were made using oak planks. The wood itself has been seriously damaged by the grinder beetle over the years. The boards darkened greatly, in some places the tree swelled up, the soil partially crumbled. Soot and years of pollution have accumulated in the cracks, and river sand has formed on the nimbus.
With the help of research, it was possible to restore when the icon was updated. For example, in 1852 tempera painting was almost completely covered with oil paints. The Mother of God was finished with a crown and a scepter, and an orb appeared in the hands of the infant Jesus Christ.
All these innovations corresponded to Catholic customs, because in the 19th century the icon was under the patronage of the Roman Catholic Church, like the large territory of Belarus.
In the same century, an unknown artist updated the face, hands and robes of the Mother of God, using the techniques of realistic painting. This directly contradicted the traditions of ancient icon painting.
In 1992, the icon was finally removed from restoration. The most rough and inconsistent records were removed, the icon painters restored the image, corresponding to the lists of the 17th-18th centuries.
Metropolitan of Minsk and Slutsk Filaret in a solemn ceremony consecrated the renewed icon, which has now become officially Orthodox.
An important study for connoisseurs of iconography was conducted in 1999 by the artist Pavel Zharov. He used x-rays in his work. Thanks to this, it was possible to restore the original appearanceicons. Zharov and Zhurbey concluded that the icon was painted much earlier than it appeared in Minsk. That is, until the 16th century.
Metropolitan Filaret, who consecrated the icon on one of the holidays in honor of the icon of the Mother of God, which today is considered the patroness of Minsk, noted that this face has been considered the patron and savior of White Russia for five long centuries. The historical path of this shrine deserves a separate and in-depth study. After all, she managed to reunite not only times and peoples. Tsargrad, Korsun, Kyiv and Minsk.
In each of these places, she was especially revered.
Church of the Minsk Icon of the Mother of God
The church dedicated to this icon was built in Minsk between 1994 and 2000. The temple is located at: Golodeda street, house 60.
Akathist to the Minsk Icon of the Mother of God is read regularly in this church. This is a kind of laudatory chant, with the help of which believers offer praise to the saints. Akathist to the Minsk Icon of the Mother of God is distinguished by special solemnity. It is read both at regular services and on holidays.
On major church holidays, the troparion to the Minsk Icon of the Mother of God is read at services. This is a special chant dedicated to a specific saint or Orthodox holiday. In this case, the Mother of God.
Many people turn to the Minsk Icon of the Mother of God for help. From what this icon helps, all believers know. She helped to survive many hard times, the Orthodox worshiped her for many years.generations. It is believed that the Mother of God remembers everyone who has ever addressed her. Most ask her for intercession and protection.
In honor of the appearance of the icon, solemn services dedicated to the Minsk Icon of the Mother of God are regularly held. What do they pray for this Christian shrine? First of all, they put candles for her he alth, it is believed that this is an amazing icon that helps many people. Often they turn to her for help when one of the relatives is seriously ill, is in the hospital, and the doctors shrug in helplessness. In this case, believers often turn to the Minsk Icon of the Mother of God for support with prayers.
Special Prayer
This icon is addressed with a special prayer. They call her the Heavenly Intercessor, they ask her to save her from enemies, foreign invasions, internecine strife, as well as from all troubles, diseases and temptations.
In prayer to the Minsk Icon of the Mother of God, they are always asked not to forget ordinary sinners who turn to her, to forgive all sins, have mercy and save. The Orthodox hope for protection, forgiveness of all sins, healing, peace and tranquility in the family.
Minsk Parish
A separate Minsk parish of the Icon of the Mother of God "The Tsaritsa" has been opened in the Belarusian capital at the address: Grushevskaya Street, 50. Divine liturgies, all-night vigils, prayers with an akathist are regularly held here.
The most solemn services are held on the feast of the Minsk Icon of the Mother of God, which is celebrated on August 26. It is believed that on this day the appearance of the icon took place.believers. The service of the Minsk Icon of the Mother of God is conducted by the Metropolitan of Minsk, all the archbishops and bishops come to the celebrations.
It all starts with an all-night vigil, then a liturgy, and finally a solemn service. Often on this day, a special group of psalms is read in the evening service called "Lord, I have called" the Minsk Icon of the Mother of God.
