In the distant 1383 near the town of TikhvinThe Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God appeared. Its value was very important, and it was for her that a beautiful temple and a small monastery were erected. But first things first.
There is an ancient legend, according to whichThe Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God, the value of which is difficult to overestimate, is closely connected with the famous evangelist Luke. The image was written by this Holy Apostle during the earthly life of the Virgin.
Later, Luke presented the icon to Theophilus, who at that time ruled Antioch. It is known that the Holy Apostle attached the text of the Gospel to the image.
A few years later, the Tikhvin Icon of GodMother, whose value has not changed in the course of time, turned out to be in Constantinople. Here, for her, a magnificent reliquary Church of Vlacherna was built, which later became a real repository of the most expensive shrines of Byzantium.
The fate of the shrine
Далее, согласно преданию, в 1383 году икона эта It turned out on Tikhvin land. According to eyewitnesses, this happened in an absolutely unbelievable way: it was transferred from Constantinople by air to holy Russia. Local fishermen noticed her in the sky over Ladoga, which, of course, was, to say the least, surprised by what they saw.
The fact that it was a Byzantine shrine, confirmed the Patriarch of Constantinople. He explained such a miracle as follows: “She irrevocably departed from Byzantium. For the pride, hatred and falsehood of the people. "
How did the miracle happen
In the morning a crowd gathered on the bank of the Tikhvinki Riverpeople led by local priests. They all began to pray earnestly, and soon the Tikhvin Mother of God icon came straight into the hands. The value of this truly wonderful event was immense. Indeed, from the Byzantium itself this shrine "sailed" through the air! On the same day they decided to build a church. Decided on the place, cut down the forest, began the construction of the temple. In the evening, tired people began to go home. But the icon is not just abandoned. Printed to the construction site and to the icon of the guard.
But the watchman fell asleep, and when they woke up, they found that neither the construction had begun, nor the icon. People gathered. For a long time they mourned the loss, and then decided to go in search of the shrine.
What was their surprise when they discoveredthat all the prepared logs and tools were waiting for them on the other side, and at the head of all this was the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God! It was hard not to understand the meaning of the incident - thus the Mother of God chose a place for her temple. Soon it was here that the beautiful Church of the Assumption was in flames.
Later the wooden structure was replaced by a stone one and a small monastery was built nearby.
Kidnapping icons
During World War II, the Germans ruthlesslyravaged villages, villages, cities, temples and monasteries. They did not spare this church either. From the ruined temple, the invaders took a lot of icons, including Tikhvin.
In 1944, when the Nazis reached Riga,the icon was in the same local temple. The Germans “betrayed” it to the priests at the time of services, hoping that they would start supporting them. It is not known what would have happened with this shrine if the fascists had not accidentally forgotten it during the retreat.
Back to Russia
Only 23 returned to TikhvinJune 2004 By this time, the ruined monastery was restored. On July 9, a solemn liturgy led by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy took place on this day, many centuries ago, a shrine over Tikhvin.
It is believed that the Tikhvin icon of the Mother of Godhelps in childhood illnesses, with restless sleep and moods. In addition, at an older age, when a child goes to school and makes friends, the image protects him from poor choices and helps to improve relations with his parents.
