Apparition of the Virgin in Konigsberg. Kazan icon of the mother of God in the history of wwii

Metropolitan Ilya is an ambassador to V. I. Stalin. Icon of Kazan

At the very beginning of the Great Patriotic War, Patriarch Alexander III of Antioch appealed to Christians all over the world to help Russia. His closest associate, the Metropolitan of the Lebanese mountains, Elijah, was elected by the Providence of God as an ardent prayer book for the victory of Russia.

Here is how Archpriest Vasily Shvets tells about it:

“Having descended into a stone dungeon, where not a single sound could be heard from the ground and where there was nothing but the icon of the Mother of God, Vladyka shut himself up there. He did not eat food, did not drink, did not sleep, but only prayed to the Mother of God and asked Her to open how Russia could be helped. And now, three days later, in a pillar of fire, the Mother of God herself appeared to him and announced that he, as a true prayer book and friend of Russia, was chosen in order to convey God's definition for this country. If this definition is not fulfilled, Russia will perish.

1. For the salvation of Russia, churches, monasteries, theological seminaries and academies must be opened throughout the country.

2. Priests returned from the fronts and released from prisons must start serving.

3. Leningrad cannot be surrendered. To save him, let them take out the miraculous Kazan icon of the Mother of God and carry it around the city in a procession of the cross. Then not a single enemy will set foot on the holy land of the city on the Neva.

4. Before the Kazan icon, a prayer service must be served in Moscow. Then she must be in Stalingrad, which also cannot be surrendered to the enemy.

5. The Kazan icon must go with troops to the borders of Russia, and when the war is over, Metropolitan Elijah must come to Russia and tell how she was saved.

Then Vladyka contacted the representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church, with the Soviet government and conveyed to them God's definition. Stalin summoned Metropolitan Sergius, Metropolitan Alexy, and promised to fulfill what was conveyed by Metropolitan Elijah. The Kazan Icon of the Mother of God was taken out of the Vladimir Cathedral of Leningrad and walked around the city with a procession of the cross. The siege of Leningrad was broken on the day of the celebration of St. Nina Equal to the Apostles, the enlightener of Georgia. After Leningrad, the Kazan icon began its march across Russia ...

Stalingrad

After Moscow, the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God was transported to Stalingrad, where prayers and requiems were incessantly served in front of her. The icon stood on the right bank of the Volga among our troops, and the Germans were never able to cross the river. There was even a moment when the defenders of the city remained on a small patch near the Volga, but the Germans did not manage to push our soldiers, among them was a miraculous icon.

Koenigsberg

Great difficulties stood in the way of our soldiers during the liberation of the old German stronghold - Konigsberg. This is what the officer who was in the very center of the battle for the city says. “Our troops were already completely exhausted, the Germans were still strong ... Suddenly we see: the front commander arrived, many officers and with them ... priests with icons. Many began to joke: "They brought the priests, now they will help us." But the commander quickly stopped all jokes, ordered everyone to line up and take off their hats. The priests served a prayer service and went to the front line with the icon. We looked in bewilderment: where are they going? - to their full height - they will all be killed ... But they calmly went into the fire.

And suddenly the shooting from the German side stopped at the same time. Then the signal was given, and our troops began a general assault on the fortified city - from land and from the sea. As the prisoners later said in one voice, just before the Russian assault, Madonna appeared in the sky, Who was visible to the entire German army, and ... absolutely everyone refused their weapons ... It was then that our troops broke the enemy's resistance and took the city. During this apparition of the Mother of God, the Germans fell to their knees and many people understood ... Who is helping the Russians. "

Kiev

Kiev - the mother of Russian cities - was liberated on the day of the celebration of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. Stalin kept his promise ...

At that time, 22 thousand temples were opened. Theological seminaries, academies, Trinity-Sergiev, Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, and some monasteries were opened. It was allowed to transfer the relics of St. Alexis, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia, to the Moscow Epiphany Cathedral, where the same miraculous Kazan icon of the Mother of God, which was with the militia of 1612, stood throughout the war. A revival of faith has come in Russia. In 1947, Stalin fulfilled his promise and in October invited Metropolitan Elijah to Russia, for all the prophecies transmitted by Vladyka had come true.

Arrival of the Metropolitan of the Lebanese mountains Elijah to Russia.

Metropolitan of the Lebanese Mountains Elijah (Karam; 1903-1969) at the entrance to the Prince Vladimir Cathedral (Leningrad). November 1947 Metropolitan's interlocutor - Cathedral Archpriest Michael Slavnitsky. (http://www.vladimirskysobor.ru/istorija-sobora/)

Before the arrival of the guest, Stalin summoned Vladyka Alexy, who had already become Patriarch, and asked how the Russian Church could thank Metropolitan Elijah. His Holiness proposed to present to Vladyka the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, a cross with jewels and a panagia adorned with precious stones from all regions of the country. At the same time, the government awarded Metropolitan Elijah the Stalin Prize for helping Russia during the war. Vladyka refused the prize, saying that the monk did not need money. “Let them go to the needs of your country. We ourselves decided to transfer two hundred thousand dollars to Russia to help orphans, whose parents died in the war, ”said the God-loving Antiochian hierarch. From Moscow, the Metropolitan went to Leningrad. “Just before the arrival of Metropolitan Elijah,” recalls Archpriest Vasily Shvets, “a priest appeared to me in a dream and said that in three days I would find out how Russia was saved. He told me not to forget about it myself and tell others. Precisely, three days later I found myself on business at the Moscow railway station. I went up to the cordon and saw: Kosygin was walking (later I learned that he, as a Leningrader, had been sent to accompany Vladyka), with him Metropolitan Grigory (Chukov) of Leningrad and Metropolitan Elijah. It was then that I remembered the dream.

On the morning of November 9, Metropolitan Elijah served the Liturgy at St. Nicholas Cathedral. At the same time, he presented the church with a piece of the relics of St. Nicholas, which is still in the ancient temple image of the Wonderworker in front of the salt near the main throne. The next day, an acquaintance invited me to the Vladimir Cathedral. Miraculously I managed to get into the temple. Metropolitan Elijah, Metropolitan Gregory served Small Vespers with the priesthood, after which a precious crown was laid on the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God - a gift from Metropolitan Elijah.

I prayed for your city, - the Vladyka said in his sermon, - and I am grateful to the Lord that He deigned me to be here, to pray with you. I saw faith, I saw that the Mother of God did not leave Her children ...

He spoke through an interpreter, but almost everyone in the temple was crying. It was such a spiritual uplift, such a powerful prayer: hearts burned, everyone felt like brothers and sisters, the most dear people to each other ... "

(Archpriest Vasily Shvets. Intercessor. - "Russian Bulletin", 1991, No. 26).

Parish Orthodox leaf of the temples of the villages: Buylovo, Dievo, Kuznetsovo, Kiverichi.
Produced with the blessing of Archbishop of Tver and Kashinsky Viktor.

Salvation of Russia in the Great Patriotic War

An ordeal fell to our lot in 1941. Many great states fell in this terrible war. How did our Motherland resist? Who saved her? We find the answer to this question in the work of Archpriest Vasily Shvets.

Before the start of the Great Patriotic War, one elder of the Valaam Monastery experienced three appearances during the service in the church.

First: He saw the Mother of God, Saint John the Baptist, Saint Nicholas and a host of saints who prayed to the Savior that He would not leave Russia.

The Savior answered that in Russia the decline of faith and piety is so great that it is impossible to endure these iniquities.

All the saints and the Mother of God continued to pray with tears. Finally the Savior said: "I will not leave Russia."

Second: the Mother of God and Saint John the Baptist stood before the throne of the Savior and prayed to Him for the salvation of Russia.

The Savior answered again: "I will not leave Russia."

Third: the Mother of God alone stood before Her Son and with tears prayed to Him for the salvation of Russia.

“Remember, My Son,” She said, “how I stood at Your Cross,” and wanted to kneel.

“Don't,” said the Savior, “I know how you love Russia, and for the sake of Your words I will not leave her. I will punish, but I will keep ”.

The elder, who had visions, ended his life in the Pskov-Pechersky monastery at the age of about a hundred years.

At the very beginning of the war, Patriarch Alexander III of Antioch sent a message to Christians all over the world about prayer and material assistance to the Russian land.

There were great prayer books in Russia, such as Hieroschemamonk Seraphim (Vyritsky). For a thousand days and nights, when enemies tormented the country, he stood in prayer for the salvation of Russia. But, as in 1612, by the Providence of God as a friend and prayer book, a prayer book from the fraternal church - from the Patriarchate of Antioch - Metropolitan of the Lebanese mountains Elijah was elected.

Descending into the stone dungeon, where not a single sound could be heard from the ground and where there was nothing but the icon of the Mother of God, Vladyka shut himself up there. He did not eat food, did not drink, did not sleep, but only prayed to the Mother of God and asked her to open her, how I could help Russia.

And then, three days later, the Mother of God Herself appeared to him in a pillar of fire and announced that he, as a true prayer book and friend of Russia, was chosen in order to convey the definition of God for this country. If this definition is not fulfilled, Russia will perish.

To save Russia, churches, monasteries, theological seminaries and academies must be opened throughout the country. Priests returned from the fronts and released from prisons must begin serving.

Leningrad cannot be surrendered. To save him, let them bring out the miraculous icon of the Kazan Mother of God and carry it around the city in a procession of the cross. Then not a single enemy will set foot on the holy land of the city on the Neva.

In front of the Kazan icon, a prayer service must also be served in Moscow. Then she must be in Stalingrad, which also cannot be surrendered to the enemy. The Kazan icon must go with troops to the borders of Russia, and when the war is over, Metropolitan Elijah must come to Russia and tell how she was saved. Then Vladyka got in touch with representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church, with the Soviet government and conveyed to them the definition of God.

Stalin summoned Metropolitan Sergius, Metropolitan Alexy, and promised to fulfill what was conveyed by Metropolitan Elijah.

The Kazan Icon of the Mother of God was taken out of the Vladimir Cathedral of Leningrad and walked around the city with a procession of the cross. The siege of Leningrad was broken on the day of the celebration of St. Nina Equal to the Apostles, the enlightener of Georgia.

After Leningrad, the Kazan icon began its march across Russia. By a miracle, manifested by the prayers and intercession of the Mother of God, Moscow was also saved. The Germans fled in panic. After Moscow, the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God was transported to Stalingrad, where prayers and requiems were constantly served before her. The icon stood on the right bank of the Volga among our troops, and the Germans were never able to cross the river. There was even a moment when the defenders of the city remained on a small patch near the Volga, but the Germans did not manage to push our soldiers, among them was a miraculous icon.

Great difficulties stood in the way of our soldiers during the liberation of the old German stronghold - Konigsberg. This is what the officer who was in the very center of the battle for the city says.

“Our troops were already completely exhausted, the Germans were still strong ... Suddenly we see: the front commander arrived, many officers and with them ... priests with icons.

Many began to joke: "They brought the priests, now they will help us." But the commander quickly stopped all jokes, ordered everyone to line up and take off their hats. The priests served a prayer service and went to the front line with the icon. We looked in bewilderment: where are they going? - to their full height - they will all be killed ... But they calmly went into the fire.

And suddenly the shooting from the German side stopped at the same time. Then the signal was given, and our troops began a general assault on the fortified city - from land and from the sea.

As the prisoners later said in one voice, just before the Russian assault, Madonna appeared in the sky, Who was visible to the entire German army, and ... absolutely everyone refused their weapons ... It was then that our troops broke the enemy's resistance and took the city. During this apparition of the Mother of God, the Germans fell to their knees and many people understood ... Who is helping the Russians. "

Kiev - the mother of Russian cities - was liberated on the day of the celebration of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God.

At that time, 22 thousand temples were opened. Theological seminaries, academies, Trinity-Sergiev, Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, and some monasteries were opened. It was allowed to transfer the relics of St. Alexis, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia, to the Moscow Epiphany Cathedral, where the same miraculous icon of the Kazan Mother of God, which was with the militia of 1612, stood throughout the war. A revival of faith has come in Russia.

(From the book of Hieromonk Philadelphus

"Zealous Intercessor")

The apparition of the Virgin near Konigsberg

In 1945, my father Alexei Petrovich Petrov, being a member of the Military Council of the Western Front and the chief controller of the front, was directly involved in the development of plans to capture the city of Konigsberg and the fortress. It was there that he became a witness of the miraculous appearance of the Mother of God. He told his comrades many times about this in my presence, already being a judge in Tver (then Kalinin).

Those who were storming the fortress were in for extraordinary difficulties, about which he spoke in particular detail. Therefore, it was decided to serve a prayer service before the icon of the Kazan Mother of God. Immediately after that, all the Germans in the fortress refused their weapons for 25 minutes. The fortress was taken, and all the prisoners told that Madonna appeared in the sky.

These stories continued during 1950-1951, and in October 1951 my father suddenly died of a heart attack. At that time I was 13 years old. Many years later, picking up a book about Orthodox miracles, I read the officer's testimony about this prayer service and about the refusal of weapons. I immediately remembered my father's stories and began to look for more evidence. It turned out that the famous film actor David Georgibiani in the past even found and questioned the German officers who had seen him about this miracle. I myself personally heard this story of him on television in the program “Vzglyad” several years ago. David wrote a book and made a film about miracles, and during the broadcast he presented three cases of God's miraculous help, including the story of the storming of Konigsberg.

Our family lived afterwards near the city of Königsberg. In it, since May 1945, my father was appointed controller of all commandant's offices in the western lands, i.e. Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, etc. Leaving this testimony, my father died at the age of 46 as a believer who allowed my grandmother to often take me to church and receive communion.

R. b. Galina.

Works of Faith

Dear brothers and sisters! Many changes have taken place in our country. Including in the spiritual sphere: if desired, a person can freely comprehend the basics of the faith of Christ, attend services, read literature of spiritual content. A person who lives in the circle of the freedoms given to him and performs many other things related to church traditions and rules can say that he is an Orthodox Christian. But the full feeling of being a believer comes when a person has the so-called works of faith, as evidenced by all Orthodox literature, from where we learn that faith without works is dead. What are they, works of faith? This, of course, is a prayerful standing before God, mercy in all its forms, the restoration of churches, gratuitous help to each other for the glory of God, self-sacrifice and, finally, the remembrance of the departed.

People do not always end their life in the same way, and by the way a person's death was, it is often possible to guess what fate will be in eternity. Some people happily live to a ripe old age and go to God by their death. Much worse is an untimely sudden death, without repentance and reconciliation. But there is a kind of untimely death, when a person gives his life for Christ, for his friends, for the Motherland. Have you ever thought about the fact that the personal feat of your deceased relatives, revered in the bosom of your family, who have brought considerable benefit in the years of their life to our country, is also of great social significance? We, today's generation, owe them the preservation of the faith of Christ, our own existence in our native Fatherland. Therefore, reverence and prayer requests for these people should be common.

For this purpose, in the churchyard of the Church of the Epiphany of the Lord with. Buylovo, Rameshkovsky district, Tver region, with the blessing of His Eminence Viktor, Archbishop of Tver and Kashinsky, a Poklonnaya Cross with a memorial plaque will be erected, on which the names of those who suffered during the years of repression for the faith of Christ who died for their native land during the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 will be carved ... and during other hostilities.

What is the purpose of the Worship Cross? First, it is placed in the edification and memory of future generations about courageous people and devotees of piety who sacrificed their lives. Secondly, for the opportunity for the present generation to pay tribute to the fallen in the form of commemoration of the name, in the Orthodox way, during the priest's funeral services. And since the criterion of Orthodoxy is conciliar (that is, mass, universal) service to God, which is very pleasing to Him, then such a remembrance will also bring considerable benefit in the spiritual sense to the souls of departed people.

As already mentioned, this is a public matter, and therefore I want to appeal to the population with a proposal to announce a competition for the best sketch of the Poklonnaya Cross, in order to give everyone the opportunity to participate in this good deed.

I want to appeal to everyone who has the opportunity to provide material assistance in this good cause. Letters with proposals and sketches of the Worship Cross should be sent to:

171412, Tver region, Rameshkovsky district, s. Buylovo, temple of the Epiphany of the Lord, to the rector (marked Poklonniy Cross).

Rector of the Church of the Epiphany of the Lord with. Builovo about. Vladimir

Dear brothers and sisters.

In the parish leaflet, the word of God is written, images of holy icons are placed, prayers are printed - all this requires reverent attitude and respect from the Orthodox reader. We ask you not to use our parish leaflet for household needs. If you don't need it, then give it to your friends, give it to those who need it. God bless you!

Editorial office address: 170012, Tver region, Rameshkovsky district, p / o Buylovo, Temple of the Epiphany.

To the abbot, Fr. Vladimir Shuvalov.

In April 1945, the Virgin Mary appeared in the sky to stop the bloodshed during the assault of the fortress city of Konigsberg by Soviet troops. On April 9, only the city center remained in the hands of the defending Germans. Their hope for the Fuhrer's miracle weapon was dwindling with every passing hour. Many thousands of wounded, women and children have accumulated in basements and bomb shelters.

A huge ghostly female figure in flowing dark clothes appeared against the background of the sky. A face shining with unearthly beauty, full of sadness. Hands are extended forward in a forgiving or stopping gesture. The huge figure was noticed in the sky by thousands of German soldiers. They took this phenomenon as a call to end resistance and surrender. It is curious that this phenomenon was not seen by Russian soldiers and officers.

The newspaper "Süddeutsche Zeitung" published the memoirs of Lieutenant Hans Brickmann from the Volkssturm Battalion Amalienau in Konigsberg, in which he describes the tragic events of the storming of Konigsberg: “A vision - a giant figure of Madonna appeared in the sky suddenly. She rose somewhere behind the Russians. Tears showed through the transparent haze of the image. At times, puffs of smoke from the conflagrations drifted past. Many soldiers knelt down and prayed, ignoring the nearby explosions of mines or the whistle of bullets.

An elderly soldier awarded the Iron Cross in 1914, originally from Neuhafen, asked me in a broken voice: “The Holy Mother wants to end this massacre ... The cellars are full of wounded, refugees - women and children. Does the Fuhrer want to sacrifice them? "

“After a while, the vision disappeared, as if it had melted into thin air. But the sign sent from above remained in the hearts ... Soon the order to surrender followed ... ".

Here is what an officer who was in the very center of the events of the battle for this fortified city says: “Our troops were already completely exhausted, and the Germans were still strong, the losses were enormous and the scales were shaking, we could suffer a terrible defeat there. Suddenly we see: the front commander arrived, many officers and priests with an icon with them. Many began to joke: "Here the priests have been brought, now they will help us ...". But the commander quickly stopped all jokes, ordered everyone to line up, take off their hats. The priests served a prayer service and went with the icon to the front line. We looked in bewilderment: where are they going at full height? They will all be killed! There was such shooting from the Germans - a wall of fire! But they calmly walked into the fire. And suddenly the shooting from the German side stopped at the same time as it was cut short. Then the signal was given - and our troops began a general assault on Konigsberg from land and sea. The incredible happened: the Germans died in thousands and surrendered in thousands! As the prisoners later unanimously recounted: just before the Russian assault, “Madonna appeared in the sky” (as they call the Mother of God), who was visible to the entire German army, and everyone's weapons absolutely failed - they could not fire a single shot. It was then that our troops, having overcome the obstacles, easily broke (hand-to-hand) resistance and took the city, which was previously impregnable and we suffered such losses! During this phenomenon, the Germans fell to their knees, and many people understood what was the matter here and who was helping the Russians! ”

September 22nd, 2015, 07:32 pm

We will begin our virtual visit to places of medieval pilgrimage with a story about the oldest rural parish church of Samland, which was located on the western approaches to Königsberg in the town of Juditten (modern - Tenistaya Alleya street). The building of the church was not damaged by the hostilities in 1945, but in subsequent years the interior decoration was completely lost. In April 1985, the church was transferred to the jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church, in 1987 it was consecrated as St. Nicholas and is available for visiting.

The church in Juditten was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, patroness of the Teutonic Order. Probably, its construction began in the jubilee year of the 200th anniversary of the First Crusade (1296): on the day of the Assumption of the Virgin, August 15, 1096, with the beginning of the campaign, a new stage in European history began. It is thanks to the religious upsurge of the era of the Crusades in the XII-XIII centuries that the veneration of the Virgin Mary spread widely, which is directly related to the founding of the Teutonic Order. Let us recall its name: Order of the House of the Holy Virgin Mary of Teutonic in Jerusalem (Ordo domus Sanctae Mariae Teutonicorum in Jerusalem).

The Kirkha looks very archaic, but at the same time picturesque: the apse and the nave were built of "wild stone" - unworked boulders, the western tower - of large-sized bricks. The construction took place in stages: it began with the construction of the chapel, after about 50 years the nave was added, and the tower was erected even later, by the beginning of the 15th century. The choir had a star-shaped vault, and the nave had the rare "jumping" vaults of five spans. The ribs of the vaults were distinguished by a clearly defined relief and simple color accents in the form of cords and stripes.

Soon after the completion of construction, the church was decorated with frescoes, later hidden by layers of whitewash. A new, unfortunately, very short life was given to these amazing paintings by restorers at the beginning of the twentieth century. Although the frescoes were not completely preserved by the twentieth century, even what can be seen in old photos is impressive.

The program of murals was created specifically for this church, although it consisted of traditional themes from the life of the Virgin. The cycle of frescoes opened the image of the Mercy of the Virgin (Intercession of the Virgin), located in the center of the western side of the triumphal arch: the Virgin Mary overshadows the knights and monks of the Order with a cloak. Symbolically, the Mother of God met and accepted under the protection of all who came to the temple. This image was accompanied by images of the knight brothers of the Order. Knights in armor, with heraldic attributes. On the walls of the nave, the artist placed images of coats of arms, consisting of a shield and a helmet with a kleinod (crest). It can be assumed that these are the attributes of the pilgrim knights who once visited the temple - the coats of arms symbolized the invisible presence of their owners at the services.

Approaching the altar, the parishioners literally fell under the Last Judgment, which awaited them on the end surface of the wide Arc de Triomphe - here the Mother of God again appeared as the protector and intercessor for human souls. In this composition, the artist combined two initially independent plots: the Second Coming of Christ and the Last Judgment itself, where the Archangel Michael performed the "weighing of the soul" to assess its qualities. The Mouth of Leviathan evokes a great emotional response, representing the Gates of Hell, where quick evil spirits push the souls of sinners. However, it must be said that the frightening images of the Last Judgment were created not in an effort to intimidate a person, but to make him think about his actions.

The choir (altar part) was encircled by a double row of frescoes, divided horizontally by ribbons of ornaments, and vertically by the ribs of the vault. The scenes were inscribed in the arched openings formed by the vaults, and thus received an architectural frame.

In the choir one could see two large hagiographic frescoes. The first one combined three plots: the Annunciation and the Nativity of Christ, and one was covered by a later depiction of four knightly coats of arms. Perhaps this is how the burial place of the knights was marked? When did it happen? Maybe after the Battle of Grunwald? The second - three plots: Flight to Egypt, Adoration of the Christ Child and the Dormition of the Virgin. In the small openings between the windows of the apse there were frescoes of the Tiburtine Sibyl in front of Octavian Augustus and the Massacre of the Babies.

The plot of the Tiburtine Sibyl before Octavian Augustus is not evangelical, it is taken from a collection of the biographies of saints and is relatively rare in temple painting. The plot acts as a prophecy and analogue of the Annunciation. The legend is as follows. When the Roman Senate decided to celebrate the apotheosis (deification) of Emperor Octavian, he asked the Sibyl's advice whether to agree to this. Sibyl predicted the arrival of a baby, who is more powerful than the Roman gods: the heavens opened up - and the emperor saw a vision of the Virgin standing on the altar with the Baby in her arms. This story was interpreted as a prototype of the Annunciation and the Adoration of the Magi - the birth of Jesus Christ fell on the reign of Octavian Augustus (63 BC - 14 AD). prior history.

The upper tier of painting is devoted to the images of the apostles. We confidently identify the Virgin Mary, the Apostle Peter, John the Baptist, John the Theologian. This composition can be seen as a continuation of the theme of the Last Judgment. The Virgin Mary and John the Baptist are intercessors for humanity, the Apostle Peter is the keeper of the keys to paradise, and John the Theologian is the seer of the coming Apocalypse and the Last Judgment.

At the time of the creation of the murals, the emblem of Ulrich von Jungingen depicted in the ornament gives us an indication, who held the position of the vogt of Sambia from 1393 to 1396 and repeatedly visited the church. If we recall the estimated date of construction, it turns out that the murals were made for the 100th anniversary of the church and the 300th anniversary of the beginning of the Crusades.

In addition to frescoes, there were other relics in the temple, the main of which was the Virgin Mary, recognized as a masterpiece of wooden sculpture of the 15th century. The figure of a more life-size belonged to the type Lunar Madonna (Mondsichelmadonna) - the Mother of God steps on the lunar crescent with a female face. As described in the Vision of John the Theologian: "... a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun; the moon is under her feet, and on her head is a crown of twelve stars" (Rev. 12: 1). According to F. Lars, at first the sculpture was located in the castle chapel of the Königsberg fortress. This is the figure from whose crown in 1454 the townspeople who captured the castle removed the pearls, which were replaced in 1504, according to the Order books. Then the sculpture was donated to the Juditten Church, which has long been a place of pilgrimage. The sculpture had the fame of miraculous, capable of healing diseases, which attracted many pilgrims to the church, who gradually disappeared after the Reformation.

In the Lutheran period, the tradition of venerating "miraculous images" was rejected, but the monuments were preserved. There were no church pogroms in the Prussian secular state, and they lived peacefully with "ideologically alien" objects of worship. At the beginning of the twentieth century, when the historical expositions were created in the Castle, the relics were transferred to the Prussia Museum. Their further fate is unknown.

So far, we have not managed to understand the principle of choosing a site for the construction of the Church of the Virgin Mary away from the city - usually this is one of the central squares - but our acquaintance with the amazing church is not over. To be continued...

Archpriest Vasily Shvets in "MIRACLES FROM THE KAZAN ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD" writes:

“Just before the start of the Great Patriotic War (1941), one elder of the Valaam Monastery (Valaam at that time belonged to Finland) had three visions while serving in the temple:

1. He saw the Mother of God, John the Baptist, Saint Nicholas and a host of saints who prayed to the Savior that He would not leave Russia. The Savior answered that in Russia the abomination of desolation is so great that it is impossible to endure these iniquities. All these saints with the Mother of God continued to pray to Him with tears, and finally, the Savior said: "I will not leave Russia."

2. The Mother of God and Saint John the Baptist stand before the throne of the Savior and pray to Him for the salvation of Russia. He replied: "I will not leave Russia."

3. The Mother of God alone stands before Her Son and with tears prays to Him for the salvation of Russia. She said: "Remember, My Son, how I stood at Your Cross and wanted to kneel before Him." The Savior said: “Don't, I know how you love Russia, and for the sake of Your words I will not leave her. I will punish, but I will keep ... ".

The elder, who had a vision, rested in the Pskov-Pechersky monastery, having lived in this world for about a hundred years.

A terrible war began, in which the enemy had a single goal: to destroy Russia, Holy Russia, to destroy the people of Russia, to wipe out the very concept of Russia from the face of the earth. Then an event occurred that was of great importance for the fate of Russia, and perhaps for the whole world. We often think that all the miracles and signs were in the past, but they are performed constantly, you just need to be in prayer. This has not often happened in the history of nations, and therefore they should remain in the memory of people for our strengthening, confirmation in faith and hope that they were not abandoned by the Providence of God. It will be about the icon of the Mother of God.

It was winter 1941. The Germans were striving for Moscow. The country was on the brink of disaster. In those days, almost no one believed in victory; they did not know what to do, they saw only death, panic, fear, despondency were everywhere.

When the Great Patriotic War began, Patriarch Alexander III of Antioch sent a message to Christians all over the world about prayer and material assistance to Russia. Very few true friends remained with our country at that time. There were great prayer books in Russia, such as Hieroschemamonk Seraphim Vyritsky. For a thousand days and nights he stood in prayer for the salvation of the country and the people of Russia in the most difficult years, when the country was tormented by enemies. But as in 1612, by the Providence of God, to express the will of God and to determine the fate of the country and the people of Russia, a friend and prayer book for her was elected from the fraternal Church - Metropolitan of the Lebanese Mountains Elijah (Patriarchate of Antioch). He knew what Russia meant to the world; knew, and therefore always prayed for the salvation of the Russian country, for the enlightenment of the people. After the conversion of Alexander III, Metropolitan Elijah began to pray even more fervently with all his heart for the salvation of Russia from destruction, from the invasion of the enemy. He decided to shut himself up and ask the Mother of God to reveal how he could help Russia. He went down to the stone dungeon, where not a single sound could be heard from the ground, where there was nothing (except for the icon of the Mother of God. Vladyka shut himself up there, not eating food, not drinking, not sleeping, but only, kneeling, he prayed in front of the icon of God Mothers with a lamp. Every morning, Vladyka received reports from the front about the number of those killed and about where the enemy had reached. After three days of vigil, the Mother of God herself appeared in a pillar of fire and announced that he, a true prayer book and friend of Russia, had been chosen. to convey the definition of God for the country and the people of Russia.If everything that has been defined is not fulfilled, Russia will perish.

“Churches, monasteries, theological academies and seminaries should be opened throughout the country. The priests must be returned from the fronts and prisons, must begin to serve. Now they are preparing for the surrender of Leningrad - they cannot surrender. Let them carry out, - she said, - the miraculous icon of the Kazan Mother of God and carry it around the city in a procession of the cross, then not a single enemy will set foot on his holy land. This is the chosen city. Before the Kazan icon, a prayer service must be performed in Moscow; then she must be in Stalingrad, which cannot be surrendered to the enemy. The Kazan icon must go with troops to the borders of Russia. When the war is over, Metropolitan Elijah must come to Russia and tell about how she was saved. "

Vladyka contacted the representatives of the Russian Church, with the Soviet government and gave them everything that was determined. And now the letters and telegrams transmitted by Metropolitan Elijah to Moscow are kept in the archives.

Stalin summoned Metropolitan Alexy (Simansky) of Leningrad, the locum tenens of the patriarchal throne, Metropolitan Sergius (Stragorodsky), and promised to fulfill everything that Metropolitan Elijah conveyed, for he saw no longer any way to save the situation. Everything happened as predicted. There was no strength to hold the enemy. There was a terrible famine, thousands of people died every day. The Kazan Icon of the Mother of God was taken out of the Vladimir Cathedral and walked around Leningrad in a procession with the cross - the city was saved. But many still do not understand how Leningrad was holding on, because there was practically no help: what was brought up was a drop in the sea. And nevertheless, the city survived. The words spoken by St. Mitrofan (Voronezh) to Peter I that the city of St. Peter the Great was chosen by the Mother of God Herself, and while Her Kazan icon is in the city and there are worshipers, the enemy cannot enter the city. That is why Leningraders revered the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God so much. All the time, from the foundation of the city, she was the intercessor of him, and of all Russia. It is also interesting that the blockade of Leningrad was broken on the day of the celebration of St. Nina Equal to the Apostles, the enlightener of Georgia. After Leningrad, the Kazan icon began its march across Russia. And Moscow was saved by a miracle. The defeat of the Germans near Moscow is a true miracle, manifested by the prayers and intercession of the Mother of God, the Germans fled in panic, persecuted by horror, abandoned equipment was lying along the road and none of the German and our generals could understand how and why this happened. The Volokolamskoe highway was free and nothing prevented the Germans from entering Moscow. Then the Kazan Icon was transported to Stalingrad. There, in front of her, there was an incessant service - prayers and commemoration of the dead soldiers. The icon stood among our troops on the right bank of the Volga. and the Germans could not cross the river, no matter how hard they tried. There was a moment when the defenders of the city remained on a small patch near the Volga, but the Germans could not push our soldiers, because there was the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God (the so-called "Small Land").

The famous Battle of Stalingrad began with a prayer service in front of this icon, and only after that was the signal for an offensive given. The icon was brought to the most difficult sectors of the front, where there were critical situations, to places where offensives were being prepared. The priesthood served molebens, the soldiers were sprinkled with holy water. How affectionately and joyfully many accepted all this!

The time has come for the glorious antiquity of Russia! What prayer books were on the Russian land! And the Mother of God, through their prayers, drove away enemies, instilling terror in them. I also heard stories about miraculous cases from many front-line soldiers, including non-believers. I would like to tell you about one such testimony of the intercession and help of the Mother of God. It happened during the assault on Konigsberg in 1944. Here is what an officer who was in the very center of the battle for this fortress city says: “Our troops were already completely exhausted, and the Germans were still strong, the losses were enormous and the scales were shaking, we could have suffered a terrible defeat there. Suddenly we see: the front commander arrived, many officers and priests with an icon with them. Many began to joke: "Here the priests have been brought, now they will help us ...". But the commander quickly stopped all jokes, ordered everyone to line up, take off their hats. The priests served a prayer service and went with the icon to the front line. We looked in bewilderment: where are they going at full height? They will all be killed! There was such shooting from the Germans - a wall of fire! But they calmly walked into the fire. And suddenly the shooting from the German side stopped at the same time as it was cut short. Then the signal was given - and our troops began a general assault on Konigsberg from land and sea. The incredible happened: the Germans died in thousands and surrendered in thousands! As the prisoners later unanimously told: just before the Russian assault, “Madonna appeared in the sky” (as they call the Mother of God), Who was visible to the entire German army, and everyone's weapons absolutely failed - they could not fire a single shot. It was then that our troops, having overcome the obstacles, easily broke (hand-to-hand) resistance and took the city, which was previously impregnable and we suffered such losses! During this phenomenon, the Germans fell to their knees, and many people understood what was the matter here and who was helping the Russians! ” And one more fact. Kiev - the mother of Russian cities - was liberated by our troops on October 22 - the day of the celebration of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God (according to the church calendar, or November 4, civil style). And this was very significant for the people of Russia: from here began our Rus; here the Baptism of our people took place, who chose Christianity, the Orthodox Faith forever! All true strength and all true happiness of the Russian people is in the Orthodox Faith!

20,000 churches of the Russian Orthodox Church were opened at that time. All of Russia was praying then! Even Joseph Stalin prayed (there is evidence of this). B.M. Shaposhnikov, the tsarist general, who did not hide his religious beliefs, talked for hours with Stalin and all his advice (including dressing the troops in the old uniform of the tsarist army with shoulder straps) were accepted. A.V. Vasilevsky, on the recommendation of BM Shaposhnikov, appointed to replace him by the chief of the General Staff, was the son of a priest and his father was still alive.

The Church blessed the Patriotic War of the Russian people and this blessing was confirmed in Heaven. From the Throne of the Most High and kindled the spirit of Russia! .. How many senior officers, not to mention soldiers, prayed before the battle! Many commanders, and even Marshal Zhukov himself, said before the battle: "With God!" One officer, who was in touch with the pilots during combat missions, said that he often heard in the headphones how the pilots of the burning planes shouted: “Lord! Accept my spirit in peace! .. ".

At the same time, theological seminaries, academies were opened, the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra and many monasteries were renewed. It was decided to transfer the relics of St. Alexis, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia, to the Epiphany Cathedral, where the same miraculous icon of the Kazan Mother of God stood throughout the war, which was with the militia of 1612. The time has come for the return of Faith to the Russian land, as our saints predicted.

In 1947, Stalin fulfilled his promise and in October invited Metropolitan Elijah to Russia. He was afraid not to fulfill the instructions of the Mother of God, for all the prophecies transmitted by the ruler of Lebanon came true. Before the arrival of the guest, Stalin summoned Vladyka Alexy, who had already become Patriarch, and asked: "How can the Russian Church thank Metropolitan Elijah?" His Holiness proposed to present the Metropolitan of Lebanon with an icon of the Kazan Mother of God, a cross with jewelry and a panagia decorated with precious stones from all regions of the country, so that all of Russia would participate in this gift. By order of Stalin, the most skilled jewelers made a panagia and a cross.

Metropolitan Elijah arrived in Moscow and was greeted solemnly. At the meeting ceremony, he was presented with an icon, a cross and a panagia. How moved he was! He said that throughout the war, day and night, he prayed for the salvation of Russia. “I am happy,” said Vladyka Elijah, “that I happened to witness the revival of the Orthodox Faith in Holy Russia and see that the Lord and the Mother of God did not leave your country, but, on the contrary, honored it with special Grace. With great gratitude I accept these gifts from all the Russian land, as a memory of my beloved country and its people. I wish you, my dears, and I hope that according to the words of the great holy land of Russia - the Monk Seraphim of Sarov - in the middle of summer you will sing "Christ is Risen!" There will be joy throughout the great land. "

At the same time, the Government awarded him the Stalin Prize for helping our country during the Great Patriotic War. Vladyka refused the prize, saying that the monk did not need money: “Let it go to the needs of your country. We ourselves decided to donate $ 200,000 to your country to help orphans whose parents died in the war, ”said Metropolitan Elijah ...

From Moscow, the Metropolitan of Lebanon went to Leningrad (this was in early November 1947). Here is a record of one of the eyewitnesses of Vladyka Elijah's stay in Leningrad and two more meetings with him: “Just before Metropolitan Elijah’s arrival in Leningrad, a priest appeared to me in a dream and said:“ In three days you will know how Russia was saved. Do not forget about it and tell others. " And so, on business, three days later, I found myself at the Moscow railway station early in the morning (I was sending containers). Suddenly I see the head of the city's Ministry of Internal Affairs walking, with him a lot of militia, a soldier, a guard of honor, no one is allowed in. Everyone says: "Probably Stalin has arrived ..." I go up to the cordon and see: Kosygin is walking (he was probably sent to accompany Vladyka Elijah as a Leningrad resident), with him Metropolitan Gregory of Leningrad, and between them the Metropolitan in the Eastern klobuk. Then I remembered about the dream and thought: "Will there be something in the cathedral today?" On the morning of November 9, Metropolitan Elijah served the Liturgy in the Cathedral of St. Nicholas, at the same time he presented the church with a piece of the relics of St. Nicholas in front of the salt on the left of the main throne. The next day I came to a friend, and he said: "Let's go to the Vladimir Cathedral, there will be a great celebration there today, the whole city is talking about it!" - “Why so early? After all, there are still three hours before the service, ”I say. - "Yes otherwise we will not get, so many people will gather!" And so we went to the Vladimir Cathedral. Something extraordinary is happening in the city: all the adjacent streets are filled with people. About two hundred thousand people stood at the temple, all transport stopped, the aisles were obstructed, they barely made their way to it. We are standing near the temple, and we cannot get inside: the soldiers are in a cordon and do not let anyone in. Suddenly the headman (our acquaintance) runs out of the side door, saw us and calls: “Let's go! I was waiting for you! " He took us to the temple and we ended up at the very solea! To the left of the salt was fenced off a place and there were members of the Government. We counted 42 people. And then there appeared - Metropolitan Elijah, Metropolitan Gregory and the priesthood. The service began. Little Vespers was served, after which a precious crown was laid - the gift of Vladyka Elijah on the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. After the laying of the crown, he delivered a sermon. He told everything: how the Mother of God appeared to him, what She told him. “I prayed for your beautiful city, and I am so grateful to the Lord that He deigned me to be here, to pray with you! I saw that the Mother of God did not leave her children. I was presented with a cross with stones from all over the Russian land, a panagia and an icon of the Kazan Mother of God. I will place this cross on the throne of our cathedral in Lebanon and I promise you, dear ones, that the cross from Russia will always lie on the throne as long as I live on earth. I bequeath that even after my death the cross will remain on the throne. The icon of the Kazan Mother of God will be in the altar and will always remind me of Russia during the service. Forgive me, my dears, that I cannot bless and hug each of you! I send the Blessing of the Lord to all of you, and always, as long as I live, I will pray for you! "

Of course, he spoke through an interpreter, but almost everyone in the temple was crying. It's unforgettable! What happiness to those who could be in the Vladimir Cathedral that day, what joy for life! It was such a spiritual uplift, such a powerful common prayer! Everyone felt like brothers and the dearest people to each other!

And so - everyone sang: "Zealous intercessor ..." It is impossible to convey what a feeling it was while singing! It seemed that the whole temple was singing and all the people took to the air! When they left the church, the troparion of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God sang all those standing in the square, in the adjoining streets, near the stadium - tens of thousands, everyone sang: "Zealous intercessor" ... People cried and prayed to the true Intercessor and Savior of Russia!