The history of the acquisition of the Kazan Icon: how was it found in Kazan in 1579 and what significance did it have?

The Kazan Icon of the Mother of God is one of the most revered shrines of the Russian Orthodox Church, the history of which is connected with the events of 1579. The day of the icon's acquisition is officially celebrated in the Orthodox calendar on July 21 in the new style (July 8 in the old style) and is an important date for believers. Divine services, processions, prayer services for the intercession of the Virgin Mary, as well as charity and cultural events are held on this day. The story of the acquisition is in the material of the publication.

The history of the Kazan Icon: How it was acquired

The discovery of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God is traditionally attributed to 1579. According to church legend, the icon was found in Kazan after a large city fire: a nine—year-old girl named Matryona (in some sources - Matrona, sometimes Matryona), the daughter of the Sagittarius Danila Onuchin, saw the Mother of God in a dream, who pointed out the place where the image was hidden under the tongues of ashes and debris.

Her parents and other residents, guided by her story, opened the indicated place and indeed found the icon wrapped in cloth; this was followed by the solemn transfer of the image to the church and evidence of the first miracles associated with it. This version contains both church hagiographic sources and popular historical reviews.

The impression of the phenomenon and the nature of subsequent events formed the miraculous status around the image. According to information from Kazan and Russian church chronicles, the discovery was witnessed by representatives of the clergy, including Priest Hermogenes (later Metropolitan of Kazan and Patriarch of Moscow), who left descriptions of the finding and the first miracles.

On the instructions of Tsar Ivan IV, prayer buildings were built at the site of the find, and later the Kazan Bogoroditsky Monastery was founded; the icon became the center of local and then All—Russian veneration. Historical and ecclesiastical publications emphasize that already in the first decades after the icon was found, lists (copies) were made, many of which themselves became the subject of veneration and are associated with subsequent miracles and military events.

The icon's authority quickly went beyond the local cult. At the beginning of the 17th century, the Kazan Icon lists were at the center of events related to the liberation movement against the Polish-Lithuanian intervention: one of the well-known episodes was the participation of the icon lists in the procession and consecration of the Minin and Pozharsky militia before the march on Moscow, which consolidated the autumn memory of the Kazan Icon in the church calendar. Over the centuries, the iconography and the image of the "Kazan Virgin" have been reproduced many times, acquiring local and national symbolic meanings.

Modern research notes that the documentary basis of the events of the 16th century is mixed with later hagiographical additions and folk traditions. Despite this, the continuity of church tradition and the stability of national memory ensured the Kazan Icon a special place in the pantheon of Russian shrines: the image served as both an object of piety and a sign of social unity during periods of crisis for the country.

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When do they celebrate the Day of the Kazan Icon in Russia?

In church practice, the Kazan Icon is celebrated twice in the calendar. In summer, the day is associated with the appearance and finding of the icon in Kazan, falls on July 21 in the new style (July 8 in the old style). This day is considered the day of the appearance of the image and is celebrated as the day of the finding of the Kazan Icon in the city of Kazan. Celebration practices include festive divine services, prayer services at the icon and processions, as well as local festive events in parishes and monasteries.

In autumn, the memory of the Kazan Icon is associated with the events of the early 17th century and falls on November 4 (October 22, Old style). It is on this day that the church tradition preserves the memory of the icon's participation in the events that led to the liberation of Moscow from the intervention and troops of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth; subsequently, the date of November 4 also gained national significance as National Unity Day. In this regard, the image of the Kazan Mother of God is often mentioned in the context of social and historical commemorative events related to patriotic and national themes.

For believers, both holidays remain important dates in the liturgical life. In major pilgrimage centers, primarily in Kazan and in places where well—known icon lists are kept, parishioners gather on these days, solemn services are held, icons are brought out for worship, akathists are read and prayer petitions are brought. Media materials about the Holy Day, announcements of divine services, and materials from local dioceses are regularly published in the church and secular press.

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What is the Kazan Icon being asked for?

The Kazan Icon of the Mother of God is traditionally perceived as an intercessor and helper, who is approached with a variety of petitions, depending on the situation. In folk and church practice, before the image, they ask for the health of children and assistance in childbirth, for family well-being, protection of the home and family, as well as for help in difficult life circumstances. It is believed that the image is especially protective of children and mothers.: This is partly due to the story of the acquisition itself, where the vision girl played a key role.

In addition to family and personal petitions, the icon historically fulfilled social significance: its lists were used as a religious symbol during military and political events, and in this context, the image was sought for protection and victory in battles, for the preservation of the state and the unity of the people. Accordingly, in modern prayer texts and appeals one can find requests for peace, protection from troubles and disasters, as well as for the preservation of the spiritual foundations of society.

The practical side of addressing the Kazan Icon is expressed in prayer services, akathists and individual prayer practice: believers place candles, write petitions and penitential notes, bring flowers and other gifts. Many parish and community essays record the testimonies of those who believe that they received solace or concrete help after praying at the Kazan Icon.

In the theological dimension, petitions before the icon are interpreted as an appeal to the Mother of God asking for intercession before the Son of God, for guidance and comfort in trials.