match both the covenant of the Mother of God in 100 years
Mother of God appeared, holding up his hands uplifted mountain board with a picture of the Holy Face the Face of the Savior. It must be remembered that this image was of particular significance in Russian history. It is usually strong in the fortress gates of Russian cities as a spiritual shield. Icon of the Holy Face of Our Saviour also served as a military banner of the role. To Peter I in the Russian army was no special heraldic symbols. Military banners replaced the icons. Russian troops under the command of Alexander Nevsky, Dmitry Donskoy, Ivan III, Dmitry Pozharsky fought under the banner of Our Saviour. Icon strengthened on the pole and became a military holy banner. Saviour immemorial overshadowed Christ- Russian army on the battlefields.
This image has become the embodiment of Russian Symphony, the continuity of the Church and Fatherland. Mother of God, the Saviour not made with hands in his hands was the most pure as Thee the Champion Leader of the Russian army. This icon was a revelation that the Mother of God, as in ancient times, by the power of His Son Face trample the earth swords, fighting against Holy Russia.
Mother of God at the beginning of the twentieth century. lifted the age-old Russian flag - Face of the Savior, reminded the Russian troops on its Khristolyubov. In one of the biggest church hymns is called the Mother of God ' Thee the Champion Leader ', but no other icon It does not appear so fully as to exactly Voevodoj Port Arthur image. However, the meaning of this icon is not limited to the intercession of the Russian army. The icon will be understood, if not see, that the Mother of God turned his face towards Russia itself, and the main thing - that it is not only, but also the whole of Russia is the Face of Christ the Savior. Lifting up the mountain board with the Face of the Savior, Our Lady draws him to the entire Russian land, the entire Russian society, which at the time was shaken faith in Christ. This icon is a kind of - Exaltation of the Face of Christ.
See whether these things Russian banner of God the Mother ? Do your eyes turn to him?
Port Arthurian icon has become the only way in which the Mother of God is not depicted with the Divine Infant, but with the glorification of the Lord. Similar iconography Orthodox Church did not know before. It resembles a well-known icon in the Western tradition ' Plat Veronica ', but instead a simple woman, boards with the Face of the Savior holds the Blessed Virgin Mary herself.
Having entered the XXI century., We must not forget the blessings and commandments Pure. After all, the Mother of God of Port Arthur ordered to Her image was approved at the farthest edge of Russia - in Port Arthur, on the shores of the Yellow Sea. But Russian society, then no hurry to do the will of God. Icon long remained Petersburg. Then, she was held in Vladivostok. Only a year after the vision was the hero, who undertook to deliver the image of a besieged fortress. When the icon was already close to Port Arthur, the command failed to exercise proper care in the Blessed Hope, not live to see Her coming and surrendered the fortress.
The will of the Mother of God has not been executed. This history has left a heavy mark on the Russian heart. That neglect of the shrine explained the defeat of Russia in the Russian -Japanese war of St. John of Kronstadt. Not by chance, there is a legend that the forty sailors from the besieged Port Arthur after the surrender of the fortress made ??a vow to become a monk, then left to Solovki and there were tonsured.
Others have tried to forget about this story. However, no one canceled and can not cancel the decree of God the Mother. 100th anniversary of the events of Port Arthur Mother of God, celebrated this year, recalled his vow not executed. Again, as before, namely in St. Petersburg there were ascetics who have decided to deliver an icon in Port Arthur. The icon painter Mikhail Osipenko complied a list of the measure to the extent specifically to fulfill the will of the Mother of God. It is clear that its implementation is associated with many difficulties - spiritual, financial, and even political, as g.Port Arthur is currently in China. However, at all levels of the thought suddenly met with understanding and support. With the blessing of Metropolitan Vladimir icon was consecrated in St. Nicholas Naval Cathedral in Kronstadt, visited the memorial apartments Father John.
In memory of all preppy. Kiev Caves ( the original icon was painted in Kiev ), the image was brought to the temple Leushinsky monastery in St. Petersburg. From here begins his journey across Russia, it will cross the diagonal vast expanses of the House of the Virgin. She will visit the Ancient, Diveevo, Ekaterinburg, Omsk, Tomsk, Chita, Amur region, and then cross the border with China. On the Russian cemetery in the former Port Arthur before him, will be made of all the funeral of buried Russian soldiers and prayers for the salvation of Russia, and thus fulfilled the will of the Mother of God, in the fullness of vozsiet ' Triumph of the Holy Virgin. "
Priest Gennadiy Belovolov March 23, 2003