The Icon of the Mother of God of Kazan is one of the most revered miraculous icons of the Queen of Heaven in the Orthodox Church.
The Virgin Mary is the patroness of every person who believes in God. She was given a great opportunity not only to live in Heaven, but also to intercede with the Almighty for humanity.
In turn, people give honor and praise to the Queen of Heaven. In churches of Russia, and especially during the celebration of the holy icon, all-night vigils, services, religious processions, as well as praise through the prayer, kondak and troparion of the Kazan Mother of God are performed.
Description
According to history, this face appeared in Kazan in the 16th century (summer) and is revered in July. And in the XVII century, the image of the Kazan Mother of God protected Moscow from the invasion of the Poles. Now this fall day is also a celebration in honor of the holy icon. Summer and autumn holidays dedicated to the icon of the Kazan Mother of God are equivalent for the Orthodox Church. And all the sacred services and rituals are performed in the same order - that in July, that in November.
The traditional image of the Queen of Heaven with Jesus on the Kazan icon was no exception. On the face of the Mother of God is depicted with a slight tilt of the head to the Son, who sits on her hand. On Tsaritsa sacred clothes. Depicted frontally. And her gaze is turned to the praying man.
The baby is shown full-face - waist-high, with the right hand visible, and the left - hidden by clothes. The gaze is also directed at the worshiper.
Celebration days
The veneration of the icon of the Kazan Mother of God is performed 2 times a year: July 21 ("summer Kazan") and November 4 ("autumn Kazan") - in a new style.
These days in the Orthodox churches divine liturgies, all-night vigils, hours are celebrated.
During these solemn services, prayers, praises, as well as the troparion and kondak icon of the Kazan Mother of God are read, which glorify her wonderful patronage and intercession of the Russian lands.
The compiler of all the song-poem texts in honor of the Kazan face is considered to be Saint Germogen - a church and public figure of the time of troubles in Russia. It was he who, in those difficult hours for Orthodoxy, defended the faith of the Russian people.
Troparion
On the feast of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, a chant is performed (voice 4). It begins with an appeal to the Intercessor of the Zealous. The following is a request for her prayer to the Son - Jesus Christ - for all those who want salvation and who come running under Her Holy Protection. The request for the intercession of those who are in misfortunes, sorrows, illnesses, sins, but praying with all their heart and soul - with tears. And having hope in getting rid of all evils, for salvation. Because the Queen of Heaven is the Divine Veil for those who address her in sincere prayer.
The troparion of the Mother of God of Kazan - “The Intercessor of the Assiduous” —is named so in honor of the fact that the first phrase (appeal to the Virgin) begins with just such words.
Kondak
Also, in honor of the holiday before the holy icon, poetry-praises are read, which is commonly called in Orthodoxy "kondak".
It begins with the words “Hurry, people, to a quiet and good refuge”, ambulance and Patroness - Queen of Heaven. The phrase follows that it is necessary to hurry up in prayer and repentance to the one who abundantly grants mercy and helps, saving everyone who thanks and respects from troubles and evils.
The history of summer and autumn Kazan
The kondak and troparion of the Kazan Mother of God is chanted both in the summer and in the autumn.
Summer Kazan, which is celebrated on July 21 (July 8, according to the old style), has an interesting history of its acquisition, which occurred in 1579 - in troubled times for the Orthodox faith.
That year, the sun was beating mercilessly in Kazan - there was no rain. And once a fire broke out, which destroyed both the Orthodox church and part of the dwellings of the local population.
He lived in this city, Dinil Onuchin, whose daughter Matron grew up - a difficult girl. On the first night after the fire, she dreamed of the Virgin Mary, who indicated the place where the icon is. And when, after some mistrust on the part of the adults, they nevertheless obeyed and unearthed the find, they really found the face of the Kazan Mother of God, which protected and helped to cope with the consequences of the disaster, and after that she performed many more miracles.
And in October (old style) in 1612, thanks to the intercession of the Mother of God, Moscow was liberated from Polish-Lithuanian troops. The Russian militia was led by Minin and Pozharsky, who, before the decisive clash, prayed at the face of the Kazan Queen of Heaven.
From that moment it was established to celebrate the celebration of autumn Kazan throughout Russia (November 4 - in a new style). And since 2005 in the country this day is called the Day of National Unity.
Intercessor of the Russian land
And at present, on July 8 and November 4, the same services are dedicated to the Kazan icon of the Mother of God in the churches of Russia. After all, She really is considered the Intercessor of the Russian land, the Charm and Patroness.
Very revered icon of the Russian people. On holidays, the troparion of Our Lady of Kazan is sung, prayer and kondak are read. Religious processions and divine liturgies are carried out.
The face of the Kazan Mother of God is in almost every city in Russia, in many houses. Through these shrines, people receive healing, help and protection - it is worth sincerely and with faith to pray.
On the day of the celebration, the clergy tell the parishioners that it is important to apply fervent prayer to the Queen of Heaven, because She sees everyone who mournes and asks with sincerity, and also intercedes with the Lord for the whole human race.
The Mother of God directs the heart and path of each person to the truth and service to the Almighty.