Русский | St Petersburg Metropolitanate. The Church Bulletin №5, 2003 | English Machine Translation

History of the Port Arthur Icon "Feast of the Most Holy Mother of God" [*]

Port Arthur
Icon Bozhiej
Mothers

Historians not already paid attention of times, that the Crimean war (1853-1856) and the Russo-Japanese war (1904-1905) have among themselves surprising similarity, to a plenty almost detailed. So, both wars were conducted on sea boundaries of Empire (southern and Far East), in both cases the center (and even a symbol) the armed antagonism was protection of seaside fortresses - Sevastopol and Port Arthur. In both wars Russian armies have shown truly mass heroism, but, despite of it, both wars have come to the end with signing humiliating for Russia peace agreements. But the most surprising, that between Sevastopol and Port Arthur existed also deep, invisible communication about which secular historians prefer to close lips therefore as cannot resolutely lay it in any " materialistic understanding ".

From the beginning XIX prior to the beginning of XX century (t. e. During incomplete hundred years) Russia has gone through three heavy defensive wars, become by spiritual marks of Russian history. First of them - Domestic war of 1812 which, according to the contemporary, " zhestokostiju svoeju was not similar to any wars was hitherto ". In people Napoleon was called then not differently as "antiChrist", and layers of a society (including most the maximum) perceived all disaster of war as severe, but " appropriate and just " punishment Bozhie. " We shall remember the twelfth year, - prelate Feofan the Hermit wrote later. - what for it the Frenchmen came to us? The god has sent them to exterminate that angrily which we at them have adopted. pokajalas then Russia, and the God has pardoned it. <…> the law of truth Bozhiej Is those: that to heal from a sin than who takes a great interest to it ".

The Russo-Japanese war.
Fight under the Check. From a picture
Academician N.S.samokisha.
On October, 4th, 1904

Minulo forty years, and Russia again it was possible to go through overseas invasion. This time against it, having united, four powers have acted: England, France, Turkey and Sardinian Kingdom. The main center of military activity became Russian port Sevastopol. Sad results of the Crimean war are known - for the first time for almost one and a half century Russia has sufferred military defeat. Under the Parisian treatise of 1856 of Russian empire it was forbidden to have on Black sea military fleet and arsenals, a fortress Kars it returned to Turks and lost the control over a mouth of Danube and Bessarabia.

What were the reasons of so unsuccessful outcome of the Crimean war? Whether Only what were taught in the Soviet textbooks: " the Chaotic condition of Russian military facilities, backwardness of arms (the iron screw ships of allied fleet against Russian sailing, cut "union" against Russian smooth-bore ruzhej), absence of convenient means of communication, absence of the prepared and capable military leaders " and t. Item? Or, besides visible, existed also other reasons - invisible which " the materialistic consciousness " is simple not in forces neither to apprehend, nor to contain? "

About these spiritual reasons wrote in the diary in the autumn of 1854 ieromonah deserts Optinoj about. Evfimy (Trunov): " on September, 14th - day Vozdvizhenija CHestnago of Cross gospodnja was day of the beginning osady Sevastopol. Whether revelation it for close? Whether marks event it, what Russia Sacred is already unworthy to be called as this name, what the good fortune and force CHestnago of Cross gospodnja recedes from those who is put to be leaders of Russian people, who, bringing an oath to be true to Belief and the Imperial Throne, pervorodstvo and fidelity sells the for a lentil soup of low vanity and vanity? But, thank goodness, hiding places of soul of simple people are not mentioned yet, or poorly mentioned by a harm of disbelief and freethinking of its heads - in it time rescue of the ground Russian, jako hranitelnitsy pure Hristovoj beliefs. The spirit of prince of this century then that to wait will concern these hiding places? Whether terrible and Terrible Court Gospodnja? "

Most expressive of such persons was occupied the post of the Commander-in-chief all overland and naval forces in Crimea svetlejshy prince Alexander Sergeevich Menshikov. Sailors named it "Izmenshchikov", and people informed directly approved, that it " volterjanets and the old mason ". The participant of defense of Sevastopol P.I.Kislinsky told after war " Serafimovu sluzhke " N.A.motovilovu: " Somehow time I was at svetlejshego, and we with it occupy to play a chess. Aide-de-camp suddenly enters and reports, that the messenger from archbishop Kherson Innokentija was and wishes to see the commander-in-chief. Not coming off game, svetlejshy has told:

- Ask it, what it is necessary for it?

- the Messenger has told, that it needs to see personally yours svetlost!

- Well, call!

The messenger Has come.

- That is necessary for you? - the commander-in-chief Has asked.

- the Lord has sent me to report on yours svetlosti, that it has arrived to Sevastopol with wonder-working icon Kasperovskoj Bozhiej of Mother and ordered to ask to meet it as it is necessary, at vrat Sevastopol. The lord ordered to tell: se Tsarina Heavenly grjadet to rescue Sevastopol.

- That, what? How you have told? Repeat!

- Se Tsarina Heavenly grjadet to rescue Sevastopol!

- And! So transfer archbishop, that it vainly disturbed Tsarina Heavenly - we and shall manage It!

***

Captured Japanese in
Village the Bear
Novgorod
Provinces decorate
Colors of a tomb
Died in a captivity.
From figure Matanija.
1905

" Yellow danger " hung above Russia already for a long time, and per 1894 V.S.nightingale has written a poem which will find prophetical later:


From waters malayan up to Altai
Leaders from east islands
At walls of the hung China
Have collected darkness of the polkov.
About Russia! Forget former glory:
The eagle two-headed is broken,
And to yellow children on an entertainment
Scraps of yours ciaiai… Are given

" It becomes heavy on a shower, - the contemporary of those events wrote, - when will recollect, our distressful Russia-mother in these fatal times of tests has undergone to what shame! This unknown war on the sizes has carried away tens thousand human lives and has absorbed hundred millions national property. Having fallen so suddenly with the bloody horrors, it was Bozhiej a penalty for that disbelief, for that moral dissoluteness which reigned in all layers of a society. <…> But during this heavy and awful time the Foresight did not leave us and in repeatedly wonderful image specified ways to odoleniju the artful enemy, but, alas, - our disbelief was boundless. <…> And during that moment when Russian armies have rallied, have got stronger and were ready to enter last, resolute fight for honour of the offended Native land, the conclusion of the disgraceful world " has suddenly followed.

The Russo-Japanese war has begun an attack of the Japanese torpedo boats on Russian ships in Port Arthur on the night of January, 26th, 1904, and after tragical turns of our failures and defeats (falling of Port Arthur, Mukdensky rout, destruction of Russian fleet at Tsushima) has ended with signing in a Portsmouth (USA) of the peace treaty. There Was it on August, 23rd, 1905. Russian delegation was headed by chairman of Ministerial council Sergey Julevich Vitte who though negotiated with Japanese rather skilfully, nevertheless has been compelled "to concede" to them a southern part of Sakhalin (on 50-io to degree of northern breadth).

However, idea " the world at any cost " for a long time already zasela in minds of the "formed" public. Manchurian armies still battled, when liberal press amicably (as if on command!) has started to broadcast suddenly about a brotherhood of people and general love. " Blood and tears suffices! - " Russian Sheets " hysterically appealed. - it is enough, mutual hatred. <…> Fighters ustali. It is necessary to recognize, that we are already won ".

Whether But so it? Whether it is valid those who sat in entrenchments, have already recognized the defeat? Here that the direct participant of war (then still the lieutenant colonel) Anton Ivanovich Denikin wrote about ostensibly "weariness" of Russian army: " By time of the conclusion of the world Russian armies on Sipingajskih positions had 446,5 thousand fighters (near Mukden - nearby 300 thousand). The army has filled up and has rejuvenated the structure and has considerably amplified technically - howitzer batteries, machine guns, structure of field railways, wireless telegraph and all other. At last, the spirit of manchurian armies has not been broken, and echelons of reinforcements went to us from Russia in vigorous and cheerful mood. The Japanese army stood against us, had on 32 % of less fighters. The country (Japan) has been exhausted. Among captured old men and children came across. Former rise in it it was not observed any more. And as to personally me I, considering all pro and contra, not shutting eyes our defects, on a question - " that would wait for us if we with Sipingajskih positions have gone over to the offensive? " - answered then, I answer and now: - the Victory! Russia has not been won at all. The army could struggle and further. But Petersburg is tired from war more than army ".

The Commander-in-chief Russian armies in the Far East consisted then general Linevich, and up to it - the general from infanterii Alexey Nikolaevich Kuropatkin known for all as the close friend and the associate of legendary Skobelev. The person of faultless bravery excellent formed, excellent shtabist and the explanatory manager, Alexey Nikolaevich possessed all potrebnymi to the commander qualities except for only one - polkovodcheskogo talent.

Having heard about its purpose for the East known for zlojazychiem general Dragomirov has told the phrase which has immediately entered into field "manchurian" folklore: " Well, well, Kuropatkin is. And where Skobelev? "

And it is valid, during the glavnokomandovanija (continued almost exactly year) Alexey Nikolaevich has not managed to win any in the slightest degree serious "business", always preferring to impudence " reasonable care ", and to an offensive impulse - standing in defense, and even at all " a withdrawal on in advance prepared positions ".

On March, 3rd, 1905 Sovereign the special decree has displaced Kuropatkina from a post of the Commander-in-chief. Having left after war in resignation, Alexey Nikolaevich has borrowed pisaniem memoirs, and all newspaper attacks in the address (as fair, and not so) perceived with the discharged calmness.

It was hardly thought to it then, that in 90th years of XX century its surname will be remembered again in journal publications, and that on an outcome of century descendants will assign to it also an additional, heavy sin, having accused it in loss of an icon " Feast of the Most Holy Mother of God ".

So in clause about this icon (Magazine of the Moscow Patriarchy, № 12, 1998) the Far East regional specialist Mrs. N. Miz, hinting at A.N.Kuropatkina's personal fault, writes: " About the further events (t. e. proisshedshih after dostavlenija icons " Feast of the Most Holy Mother of God " in the rate of the Commander-in-chief - a comment avt.), connected with an icon, it is possible to guess only. The letter of father John Kronshtadtskogo is known: " the Leader of our troops A.N.Kuropatkin has left all the icons brought to it at Japanese-pagans, meanwhile as wordly things all has grasped. What attitude to belief and a relic church! For that we became in a ridicule and violation to all our enemies ". And in the following paragraph the regional specialist already directly approves: " About returning an icon to Vladivostok there are no data ".

It is not absolutely true. Data are, and to foresee " the further events " more (and the to attach to these versions person A.N.Kuropatkina) there is no need. It is enough to open only " the Vladivostok eparchial sheets " (№№ 12-13 for 1905) and prohonour a communique: " On May, 26th, in day of Rise gospodnja, Arhipastyr has made a liturgy in a cathedral with prichtom this, archimandrite Paul and the priest of Century Skrizhalinym. Before the beginning of a liturgy in a cathedral the icon " Feast of the Most Holy Mother of God ", returned by archpriest Golubevym from a field army to Vladivostok, as in a place most suitable for it in a kind of special circumstances of present time is brought. The icon from station of the railway with molebnym singing accompanied by clerics of archimandrite Paul and priests - Century of Davidov and Century Skrizhalina and many dobrohotnyh prayer books is transferred; at a cathedral it is met arhipastyrem with religious procession and it is installed - after six-monthly wandering on another's edges - in the Vladivostok cathedral ".

***

So, all as if has come back "into place". Voleju Bozhiej and works of many people an image " Feast of the Most Holy Mother of God " is happy izbeg military accidents and, to greater pleasure vladivostoktsev, has found, at last, a constant place.

In the Vladivostok diocese at Lord Evsevii the holiday of an icon " Feast of the Most Holy Mother of God " was marked on August, 16/29th and coincided with day Spasa nerukotvorennogo of the Image. It is written and tropar (a voice 1) to Its honour: " Prechistaja to the Virgin, in Heavens blessed and on the grounds slavoslovimaja, be pleased nevesto nenevestnaja ".

After 1917 many other things the Vladivostok cathedral has been closed by temples (and later - is blown up).

Long time about destiny of icon Bozhiej of Mother "Port Arthur" was known to nothing. Whether it has been destroyed? Or, during campaign on withdrawal of church values, it is turned into a foreign currency? Or, similarly to "Kursk-radical", has left for a cordon with receding parts of White army? And can, similarly to the "Cyprian" icon in situated near Moscow village Stromyn, someone from believing in house a underground is secretly saved up? All these assumptions last until the Lord did not need to show a new miracle.

The secretary of the Vladivostok Eparchial management, the prior Piously-oniaineie churches of Vladivostok (sm. Testifies ieromonah Sergy (CHashin): Magazine of the Moscow Patriarchy, № 12, 1998): " In February, 1998 we made pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Last day stay there, on February, 17th, we have five together gathered once again to descend to the Coffin to State day. Having come in a temple, have lead in it some hours. Surprisingly, but in those hours per a temple almost nobody was and we had an opportunity in quiet conditions to pray. Pacified, we send from a cathedral. Have gone on a God way of the Lord. On a shower it was kind. On road in Gefsimaniju about. Innokenty has suggested to come into one of antique shops which in Jerusalem it is a lot of, and we have glanced in the first got. What our surprise when, examining the Christian relics exposed in it, we have seen Port Arthur an icon was. Bozhija Mater looked at us, holding in the open hands of payments with not Man-made image of the Christ. We for some time have stopped and have stood, then razgovorilis with the seller (the icon has been exposed on sale). Money at us with itself was not, but we, having agreed about the price, have asked anybody to another an icon to not sell ".

Archimandrite Innokenty (Tretjakov), decent, the prior Piously-iie?ianeiai a temple of Ussuriisk wrote: " Though we also have agreed in shop that we shall buy an icon, but afraid, that others can take it. Therefore we have addressed in Russian Gornensky a female monastery to the mother igumenii Georges with the request to borrow money for purchase of a sacred image. And to us have agreed to help. An icon have redeemed. While we collected means in Primorski Krai, the image was stored in Gornem a monastery, in igumenskih pokojah. We knew what to take out from Israel something valuable and significant it is rather complex. But I had blessing Preosvjashchennogo of Lord Veniamin, we also have got support of the Department of external church communications of the Moscow Patriarchy, and I have gone to Jerusalem. I have learned, that the image of Mother Bozhiej has got to Jerusalem from Hong Kong, from Russian emigrants. Most likely, it belonged to an orthodox community existed there some time. In Jerusalem an icon four years prostojala in shop while we have not found it.

Sisters Gornenskogo of a monastery among whom there are critics and restorers, do not doubt, that this icon original. They are ready to send the conclusion if it will be necessary. Certainly, as we also assumed, there were certain obstacles at reception of the sanction to export of a sacred image. But by means of Bozhiej, at special guardianship nastojatelnitsy Gornenskogo a monastery igumenii Georges all was resolved safely. We were helped actively by a consular department of the Russian embassy with Israel.

Prowaters of an icon Were remembered. Us send to see off naselnitsy Gornenskoj monasteries. Has been served moleben Bozhiej Mothers, and under a sound of bells we have left home ".

Ierodiakon Innokenty (Yerokhin) tells: " there Was what we could not assume in any way. On May, 6th, 1998 Port Arthur icon Bozhiej of Mother has come back to Vladivostok. And it is kind on a shower, and heart of silently exults that Presvjataja the Virgin has visited us and has consoled, having dawned upon the fertile Cover.

On Craft Bozhiju this event has occured in day of memory of the Heavenly prayer book of orthodox Vladivostok - the sacred great martyr and Pobedonostsa George. We knew, that after image have left for Jerusalem, knew what to take out from Israel such value very difficultly. But it happens: on May, 6th the plane with an icon has onboard landed at the Vladivostok airport.

Such pleasure of a meeting at everyone happens, probably, only once. Its that day could go through, unfortunately, the few. (because of rapidity of events about arrival of an icon could learn far not all.) but those who on May, 6th has come to Piously-ieeieuneee cathedral of Vladivostok, have unexpectedly received really a wonderful gift.

Preosvjashchennyj Lord Veniamin, bishop Vladivostok and Seaside, after the termination of the Divine liturgy has declared, that from an o'clock on an hour arrival Port Arthur of an icon is expected. Having learned about it, bogomoltsy, gathered in a temple, did not hasten to miss. All have remained on moleben with vodosvjatiem. It was difficult to struggle with excitement. Pending meetings the temple towards to an icon was left with religious procession. " The Christ voskrese from dead ", - singing Pascha troparja was carried. Pascha church chanting were born for a fencing of territory of a cathedral. Religious procession went on road towards to the car on which carried an icon. But here from a belltower it was distributed trezvon, announced about arrival of the machine. Inexpressible words the feeling and internal excitement have captured bogomoltsev when they have seen a sacred icon. For an instant all have stood. To our looks predstala Bozhija Mater, costing the stops on coast of a gulf on two poverzhennyh and the broken off swords. It is dressed in a dark blue cope.

Top oblachenie brown color. Payments on a head too dark blue. Around of a head bright light. In hands the Virgin holds white payments with a face of the Christ of the Savior. From under ubrusa the multi-coloured belt hangs down. Behind Bozhiej Mothers there is a sea gulf which on horizon merges with the blue sky. Above the Virgin in clouds on the right there is Archangel Michael with a fiery sword, at the left - Archangel Gabriel with a blossoming branch in a hand. Between them Cherubs hold an imperial crown, and above them - two perekreshchivajushchiesja rainbows crown a cross.

Still above in an environment of Heavenly Forces Besplotnyh Lord Savaof, above which in light sits an inscription: " Yes the herd will be uniform and the pastor " is uniform. On perimeter of an icon on a gold background enamel vjazju it is written: " Feast of the Most Holy Mother of God". In blessing and a sign of the Celebration to religous troops of distant Russia from sacred monasteries Kiev both 10000 bogomoltsev and friends ".

Bishop Veniamin, the first having put to a sacred image, has blessed to religious procession at domination Port Arthur of an icon to turn back to a temple.

Bells did not stop. The pleasure flew from hearts of believers singing Pascha stihir. Religious procession has directed around of a cathedral. From east party of an altar it has stopped. Lord Veniamin read the Gospel: " In days ony, having risen Mariam, ide in gornjaja with tshchaniem during hailstones Iudov and vnide in house Zahariin and tselova Aeenaaao… " (Lk. 1, 39-40). And everyone bogomolets, met an icon, after sacred just Elizabeth has exclaimed in the heart: " And whence to me this, jako priide Mater my Lord to me? "

Undisguised excitement and pleasure have poured out in joint singing " to Tsarina mine Preblagaja " at procession of religious procession. Having approached to the western party of a temple and having stopped at a church porch, we have rendered molebnoe thank goodness and I Shall rescue to our Jesus Christ and It Prechistoj Mothers, asking Bozhija blessings ".

Bishop Vladivostok and Seaside Veniamin has told in the sermon at a meeting Port Arthur of an image: " Returning of that icon presently, certainly, has procogitative value. It is thought, that this sign for us in a consolation of present and future events. To us it is not let the know that expects Church ahead. Griefs and persecutions often accompany a Christian life. But wonderful finding of icon Bozhiej of Mother testifies to fertile Cover Presvjatoj of the Virgin above orthodox Christians. It gives to us courage and selflessness at nesenii to everyone of the cross ".

St Petersburg.
Moleben before an icon
Bozhiej Mothers on
Leushinskom a farmstead.
2003

Let an epilogue to this legend will be words of metropolitan John (Snycheva): " we Shall ponder: griefs and the troubles tormenting Russia, whether from that have begun, what Russian people has lost the spiritual unity, has renounced thousand-year relics and precepts of ancestors? Heart cries, looking at the tormented, drugged Fatherland, fills with pity and grief of a shower, looking at a shame there is Sacred Russia. We shall be united under the canopy of native relics, we shall dump a yoke chuzhebesija and unbeliefs, debauch and pernicious arrogance. Pray, repent of sins, be patient in griefs and are courageous in confession of True. Listen attentively to a voice of the conscience. Se - a voice Divine. Follow to its commands. Then the Lord told: Hoteniem not hoshchu death of the sinner, but jakozhe obratitisja also I live byti to it - will pardon and will rescue Russia ".


On materials of the book of V.N.Malkovskogo " the Legend on an icon " Feast of the Most Holy Mother of God ". Tver, 1906.

From clause of Century N.Chistjakova " a narration about icon Bozhiej of Mother " Feast of the Most Holy Mother of God ". // the Almanac "Marino". Vyp. 5, 2000.


[*] the Termination. The beginning look in " the Church Bulletin " № 4 for 2003, with. 24-34.

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