Execution of precept Bozhiej of Mother in 100 years
Mater Bozhija was, holding on vozdetyh to mountain hands of payments with the image of Not man-made Face of the Savior. It is necessary to remember, that this image had special value in Russian history. It became stronger usually on serfs vratah Russian cities as a certain spiritual board. The icon Not man-made Spasa carried out also a role of a military banner. Up to Peter I Russian army did not have a special heraldic symbolics. Military banners replaced icons. Russian armies under Alexander Nevskogo, Dmitry Donskogo, Ivan Tretego, Dmitry Pozharskogo's leadership battled under banner Spasa Not man-made. The icon became stronger on a staff and became a military banner. Has rescued Not man-made isstari osenjal religous Russian troops on fields of fights.
This image became an embodiment of the Russian symphony, indissolubility of Church and Fatherland. Mater Bozhija with Spasom Nerukotvorennym in the prechistyh hands was as Vzbrannaja Voevoda Russian troops. This icon became revelation that Bozhija Mater, as well as during ancient times, Siloju the Face of the Son tramples on the terrestrial swords struggling against Sacred Russia.
Mater Bozhija in the beginning of XX century has uplifted a primordial Russian banner - the Face of the Savior, has reminded Russian troops about it hristoljubii. In one of main church church chanting Mater Bozhija is called ' Vzbrannoj Voevodoj ', but on any other icon she is not submitted in such completeness Voevodoj as on Port Arthur an image. However the sense of this icon is not limited predstatelstvom to Russian troops. The icon remain not understood if to not see, that Mater Bozhija is inverted the by the Face to the Russia, and the main thing - that she not only is, but also the Face of the Christ of the Savior shows all Russia. To mountain Vozdevaja of payments with the Face of the Savior, Bozhija Mater pays it to all Russian ground, to all Russian society which has at that time hesitated for a time in Hristovoj to belief. This icon some kind of - Vozdvizhenie Face Hristova.
Whether Russia will see this banner Bozhie of Mother? Whether will turn the look to it?
Port Arthur the icon became uniquely where Mater Bozhija it is represented not with Bogomladentsem, but with the Glorified Lord. Similar ikonografii the Orthodox Church before did not know. She reminds a known icon in the western tradition ' Veronica's Payments ', but instead of the simple wife, payments with the Face of the Savior the Virgin holds Itself Presvjataja.
Having entered in XXI century, we should not forget blessing and command Prechistoj. In fact Bozhija Mater Port Arthur has enjoined, that Its image has been authorized on the most distant surburb of Russia - in Port Arthur, on coast of Yellow sea. But Russian society, not then hastened to execute will of the Virgin. The icon long remained Petersburg. Then her held in Vladivostok. Only a year later after vision the hero who has undertaken was to deliver an image in the besieged fortress. When the icon was already near to Port Arthur, command has not shown a due hope to the aid Prechistoj, has not waited Eja comings and has handed over a fortress.
Will Bozhiej of Mother has not been executed. This history has left a heavy trace in Russian heart. nebrezheniem to a relic explained defeat of Russia in the Russko-Japanese war sacred just John Kronshtadtsky. Not casually, there is a legend that forty sailors from the besieged Port Arthur after delivery of a fortress gave a vow to accept monashestvo, then have left on Solovki and there have accepted has cut.
Others have tried to forget about this history. However nobody cancelled and cannot cancel command Bozhiej of Mother. The 100-anniversary of the phenomenon Port Arthur Bozhiej of Mother, marked in this year, has reminded of not executed vow. Again, as before, in Petersburg devotees who have dared to deliver an icon to Port Arthur were found. Icon painter Michael Osipenko has executed the list a measure moderately specially to execute will Bozhiej of Mother. Clearly, that its embodiment is connected to many complexities - spiritual, financial, and even political, in fact Port Arthur now is in territory of China. However at all levels this idea has unexpectedly met understanding and support. On blessing metropolitan Vladimir the icon has been consecrated in Nikolsky a sea cathedral in Kronstadt, has visited the Memorial Apartment about. John.
For memory of all prepp. Kievo-Pecherskih (the original icon has been written in Kiev) the image has been delivered in temple Leushinskogo of a farmstead in St.-Petersburg. His way across all Russia from here will begin, she will cross boundless open spaces of House Presvjatoj of the Virgin on a diagonal. She will visit Pervoprestolnuju, Diveevo, Ekaterinburg, Omsk, Tomsk, Chita, Priamure, and then will cross border with China. On Russian cemetery in former Port Arthur pred it will accomplish requiem about all pogrebennyh Russian soldiers and moleben about Rescue of Russia and thus the will of Mother Bozhiej, in completeness vozsiet ' Celebration Presvjatoj of the Virgin '. Will be executed
Priest Gennadiy Belovolov March 23, 2003