The Moscow Theological Academy celebrated the feast in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God

Today, the Church honors the miraculous responses of the Mother of God happened in Kazan.

The Kazan icon of the Mother of God appeared after the conquest of Kazan by Ivan the Terrible. Local people professed Islam and did not respond to the preaching of Christianity. On June 28, 1579, a terrible fire broke out in Kazan destroying most of the Kazan Kremlin. At that time, a girl Matrona saw an apparition of the Mother of God and took orders to find Her icon. People doubted and only after the third apparition the girl's mother together with other Christians found the miraculous icon.

The Mother of God is our Intercessor. In moments of despair, Her help gives us strength and comfort. Whenever we appeal to Virgin Mary, She hears us, because She is Mother of all, who ask Her for help.

Zealous Intercessor, Mother of the Most High Lord, pray to Your Son, Christ our God, and help to save everyone who seek Your powerful protection. Protect us, Oh, Lady, the Queen and Mistress, who are in adversity, sorrows and illnesses, burdened by many sins, we come and pray to You with a tender soul and a contrite heart, crying before Your image and hoping that You deliver us from all the evil. Grant and save everyone, Virgin Mother of God, as You are our divine intercessor.

On July 20, Archimandrite Hilarion (Forkavets) officed an All-night vigil at the Intercession Academic Church.

On July 21, Archimandrite Hilarion (Forkavets) celebrated the Divine Liturgy co-served by the academic clergy.

After the Sacrament verse, Hieromonk Cassian (Plosskiy) delivered a sermon

After the dismissal, the clergy sang the glorification to the Kazan icon of the Mother of God.

Background information:

Chanting performed by mixed choirs under the conduct of S.P. Borovinskaya and K.A. Alekseeva.

MThA Press Office

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