March 15, 1917 there were two major events in the life of Russia. The first is known to everyone - the abdication of the last Russian Tsar Nicholas II. But another event, which is invaluable for the spiritual life of the people, has been erased from his memory. On this day, the Blessed Virgin Mary revealed to the Russians her miraculous image, called the icon of the Virgin "Sovereign".
The prophetic dream of Evdokia Andreanova
The Mother of God miraculously revealed her icon to people. In one of the villages of the Bronnitsky district there lived a peasant, whose name was Evdokia Andreanova. She was a woman of devotion and piety. 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, since Russia will face severe trials and wars.
Eudoxia took what she heard seriously, but not knowing where exactly to look for the icon, because this is a large village, she asked in prayers to indicate the exact place. The request was fulfilled, and two weeks later in a dream the Most Holy Mother of God appeared to her and pointed to the village church. The Virgin added that the icon will not save the people from suffering, but those who pray in front of her in difficult years will gain soul salvation.
Evdokia set off on a journey and, arriving at Kolomenskoye, saw that the local Ascension Church was exactly like the one that had been indicated to her in a dream.
The miraculous acquisition of the icon
The rector of the church, Father Nikolai (Likhachev), listened to her with disbelief, but did not dare to object and, together with Evdokia, went around the entire interior of the church. None of the icons could be the one indicated by the Virgin. The search was continued in all the utility rooms and, finally, in the basement, among the boards, rags and all kinds of junk, they suddenly found a large icon, darkened with time and soot. When it was washed, the image of the Most Holy Mother of God was revealed.
She was portrayed as a queen seated on a throne with the blessing Infant Jesus in her arms. The red porphyry, power, scepter and crown complemented the regal appearance. Her face was full of sorrow and severity. This image, revealed on a tragic day for Russia, was called the "Sovereign" icon.
Pilgrimage to the newfound icon
With amazing speed, the news of what happened spread to the surrounding villages, reached Moscow and finally spread throughout the country. Pilgrims began to gather from everywhere in the village of Kolomenskoye. And immediately the miraculous healing of the afflicted and the fulfillment of prayer petitions began. The Ascension Church is small in size, and so that more people could worship the holy image, the icon was taken to nearby towns and villages.
She also visited Zamoskvorechye in the Martha-Mariinsky Convent, where the future priest, martyr Grand Duchess Elizaveta Fedorovna, was the abbess. His Holiness Patriarch Tikhon personally took an active part in the drafting of the service in honor of the newfound icon. A special akathist was written for her. It included excerpts from other akathists written in honor of the Mother of God. It was called the Akathist of the Akathists.
The icon leaves the village of Kolomenskoye
Soon the "Sovereign" icon left the church of the village of Kolomenskoye and was solemnly transferred to Moscow to the Resurrection Monastery. It turned out that in the archives of the monastery there are documents indicating that the icon was originally there, but in 1812, during the war with Napoleon, she was sent to the village of Kolomenskoye and forgotten there.
Even in the difficult years for the church, miracles revealed by the holy icon continued to be performed. It is known that after the believers prayed in front of her, one of the clergymen of the region was unexpectedly released from prison.
Later, the "Sovereign" icon was for some time in the Martha-Mariinsky monastery, 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 property taken from her during this period to the church. The "Sovereign" icon was placed on the altar of one of the temples of the capital. She stayed there for several years. On July 17, 1990, for the first time, commemoration was made for the liturgy of the sovereign and his family. In connection with this event, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II blessed to transfer the icon to Kolomenskoye, to the Kazan Church. There she is currently. It has become a tradition on Sundays to read in front of this icon the “Akathist of the Akathists”, the very one in the creation of which Patriarch Tikhon took part. The feast of the icon "Sovereign" is celebrated on the day of its acquisition - March 15.
There are many lists with icons. Many are made especially for temples built and consecrated in her honor. The temple of the icon "Derzhavnaya" exists in Moscow on Chertanovskaya Street and in St. Petersburg on Kultury Avenue. The restoration in the capital of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior began with the construction of a chapel next to it in honor of the "Sovereign" icon of the Mother of God.
The value of the icon for the Russians
Orthodox Russians have a special relationship with the icon "Derzhavnaya". In the fateful year of 1917 for our country, its appearance was considered as a symbol of the continuity of power. From the kings of the earth, power passed to the Queen of Heaven. In addition, it is also a promise of forgiveness and salvation of the people, walking the hard and bloody path to repentance. Throughout the history of Russia, during the most difficult trials, Russian people saw hope and support in the Most Holy Mother of God.
In the way the figure of Christ is depicted on the icon, there is a symbolic meaning, 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 Infant points to the left side, where according to the Holy Scriptures at the Last Judgment sinners will stand. This gives the gesture a sense of forgiveness for the fallen. In addition, the Virgin does not have a cross on the power in her hand. This is a clear prophecy about the destruction of churches and temples in Russia.
What is the meaning of the icons? How does the sacred image help? The icon is not a deity, but it is a guiding star for all who seek God.