“Grant useful to all and save everything, Virgin Mother of God”
The celebration of the Most Holy Theotokos, in honor of Her icon, called "Kazan", was established in gratitude for the deliverance of Moscow and all of Russia from the invasion of the Poles in 1612. The end of the 16th and the beginning of the 17th centuries are known in the history of Russia as the Time of Troubles. The country was attacked by Polish troops, who mocked the Orthodox faith, looted and burned churches, towns and villages. By fraudulent means they managed to seize Moscow. At the call of His Holiness Patriarch Hermogenes, the Russian people stood up to defend their homeland. The miraculous image of the Most Holy Theotokos was sent from Kazan to the militia, which was headed by Prince Dimitri Mikhailovich Pozharsky.
Knowing that the calamity was allowed for sins, the militia members imposed a three-day fast on themselves and with a prayer turned to the Lord and His Most Pure Mother for heavenly help. The prayer was heard. From St. Arseny, who was a prisoner of the Poles (later Bishop of Suzdal), came the news that in a vision it was revealed to him about the change of God's judgment to mercy, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin.
On October 22, 1612, inspired by the news, the Russian troops took Kitai-Gorod by storm, almost completely establishing control over Moscow (the Poles locked themselves in the Kremlin and surrendered a month later to the mercy of the winner). In memory of this event, the celebration of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God was established.
Recall that the icon of the Mother of God was revealed in 1579 in Kazan, shortly before this (in 1552) the capital of the Kazan Khanate conquered by Tsar Ivan the Terrible. The acquisition of the icon took place with the direct participation of the Hieromartyr Hermogenes, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia (1606-12), at that time a parish priest, who composed the troparion to the icon "The Zealous Intercessor". He blessed the militia of Minin and Pozharsky to take the icon of the Kazan Mother of God, which was in the camp of their troops, as their Patron.
The celebration of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, established in memory of the first victory, was first performed only in Moscow, but in 1649, by order of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, in honor of the birth during the all-night vigil under the Kazan heir Demetrius, it was instructed "to celebrate the Kazan icon in all cities throughout years, which has been done ever since. Immediately after the end of the Troubles, Prince Dmitry Pozharsky built a temple in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God on Red Square in Moscow, where a copy of the icon was placed. The original of the icon was kept in Kazan until 1904, when the shrine was stolen by intruders and its fate is unknown since then.
The idea to celebrate November 4 as National Unity Day was put forward by the Interreligious Council of Russia in September 2004. It was supported by the Duma Committee on Labor and Social Policy, and thus acquired the status of a Duma initiative. On September 29, 2004, Patriarch Alexy of Moscow and All Rus' publicly supported the initiative of the Duma to establish the celebration on November 4th. “This day reminds us how, in 1612, Russians of different faiths and nationalities overcame division, overcame a formidable enemy and led the country to a stable civil peace,” Patriarch Alexy said then.
On November 23, 2004, members of the Presidium of the Interreligious Council of Russia addressed the Chairman of the State Duma, Boris Gryzlov, with a request to consider the Council's statement on the establishment of November 4 as a holiday. The Council supported the initiative to introduce a new holiday. The corresponding appeal, together with the text of the statement, was circulated in the Duma in connection with the consideration in the first reading of amendments to the Labor Code of the Russian Federation related to the revision of holidays. "We believe that the day of the tragic division of Russia - November 7 - did not become a day of reconciliation and consent," the appeal says. Members of the Interreligious Council of Russia believe that the events that followed "led to the death of millions of our fellow citizens, while the liberation of Moscow from foreign invaders in 1612 united the people and stopped the fratricidal bloodshed." At the meeting of the Duma, the bill was adopted in the first reading. Only the communists opposed.
Since 2005, National Unity Day has been celebrated annually.
Troparion of the Mother of God before the icon of Her Kazan (tone 4):
Zealous intercessor, / Mother of the Lord Most High, / for all pray to Your Son, Christ our God, / and work for everyone to be saved, / to those who run to your sovereign cover. , and in illnesses, burdened with many sins, / coming and praying to You / with a tender soul and a contrite heart, / before Your most pure image with tears, / and irrevocably have hope for those who have on Thee / deliverance from all evils. / Grant useful to all / and save everything, Virgin Mother of God: // Thou art the Divine protection of Thy servant.
Kontakion of the Mother of God before the icon of Her Kazan (tone 8):
Come, people, to this quiet and good haven, / an early Helper, ready and warm salvation, the cover of the Virgin, / let us hasten to prayer and sweat for repentance, / the Most Pure Mother of God exudes for us inexhaustible mercy, / anticipates help and delivers from great troubles and angry / / His well-behaved and God-fearing servants.
Russian folk line
“Grant useful to all and save everything, Virgin Mother of God”
November 4 - the feast of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God and the Day of National Unity ...
The celebration of the Most Holy Theotokos, in honor of Her icon, called, was established in gratitude for the deliverance of Moscow and all of Russia from the invasion of the Poles in 1612. The end of the 16th and the beginning of the 17th centuries are known in the history of Russia as. The country was attacked by Polish troops, who mocked the Orthodox faith, looted and burned churches, towns and villages. By fraudulent means they managed to seize Moscow. At the call of the Russian people stood up to defend their homeland. The miraculous image of the Most Holy Theotokos was sent from Kazan to the militia, which was headed by Prince Dimitri Mikhailovich Pozharsky.
Knowing that the calamity was allowed for sins, the militia members imposed a three-day fast on themselves and with a prayer turned to the Lord and His Most Pure Mother for heavenly help. The prayer was heard. From St. Arseny, who was a prisoner of the Poles (later Bishop of Suzdal), came the news that in a vision it was revealed to him about the change of God's judgment to mercy, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin.
On October 22, 1612, inspired by the news, the Russian troops took Kitai-Gorod by storm, almost completely establishing control over Moscow (the Poles locked themselves in the Kremlin and surrendered a month later to the mercy of the winner). In memory of this event, the celebration of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God was established.
Recall that the icon of the Mother of God was revealed in 1579 in Kazan, shortly before this (in 1552) the capital of the Kazan Khanate conquered by Tsar Ivan the Terrible. The acquisition of the icon took place with the direct participation of the Hieromartyr Hermogenes, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia (1606-12), at that time a parish priest, who composed the troparion to the icon "The Zealous Intercessor". He blessed the militia of Minin and Pozharsky to take the icon of the Kazan Mother of God, which was in the camp of their troops, as their Patron.
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The celebration of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, established in memory of the first victory, was at first performed only in Moscow, but in 1649, by order of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, in honor of the birth of the heir to Dimitri during the all-night vigil under Kazan, it was instructed “to celebrate the Kazan icon in all cities in all years, which has been done ever since. Immediately after the end of the Troubles, Prince Dmitry Pozharsky built a temple in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God on Red Square in Moscow, where a copy of the icon was placed. The original of the icon was kept in Kazan until 1904, when the shrine was stolen by intruders and its fate is unknown since then.
The idea to celebrate November 4 as National Unity Day was put forward by the Interreligious Council of Russia in September 2004. It was supported by the Duma Committee on Labor and Social Policy, and thus acquired the status of a Duma initiative. On September 29, 2004, Patriarch Alexy of Moscow and All Rus' publicly supported the initiative of the Duma to establish the celebration on November 4th. “This day reminds us how, in 1612, Russians of different faiths and nationalities overcame division, overcame a formidable enemy and led the country to a stable civil peace”- Patriarch Alexy said then.
On November 23, 2004, members of the Presidium of the Interreligious Council of Russia addressed the Chairman of the State Duma, Boris Gryzlov, with a request to consider the Council's statement on the establishment of November 4 as a holiday. The Council supported the initiative to introduce a new holiday. The corresponding appeal, together with the text of the statement, was circulated in the Duma in connection with the consideration in the first reading of amendments to the Labor Code of the Russian Federation related to the revision of holidays. "We believe that the day of the tragic division of Russia - November 7 - did not become a day of reconciliation and consent,"— stated in the appeal. Members of the Interreligious Council of Russia believe that the events that followed "led to the death of millions of our fellow citizens, while the liberation of Moscow from foreign invaders in 1612 united the people and stopped the fratricidal bloodshed." At the meeting of the Duma, the bill was adopted in the first reading. Only the communists opposed.
Since 2005, National Unity Day has been celebrated annually.
Russian folk line
National Unity Day. History and meaning of the holiday
IN church calendar a lot of holidays in honor of the Mother of God icons: Kazan, Vladimir, Tikhvin and others. In honor of Icons of the Kazan Mother of God There are two holidays: 21 July(July 8, old style) - in honor of the acquisition, And November 4(October 22 old style) - in honor of the deliverance of Moscow from the Poles. On November 4, the Church and citizens of Russia celebrate the autumn (winter) Kazan - a holiday in honor of Kazan icon of the Mother of God"deliverance for the sake of the reigning city of Moscow."
At the beginning of the 20th century, the Ministry of Internal Affairs conducted several investigations related to the “Old Believer trace” in the case of the Kazan icon. Several times it seemed that the image was about to be discovered. There were witnesses who allegedly saw the icon in a secret underground prayer room and even participated in its movement. So, a certain prisoner Torshilov told the investigators: "... the icon of the Kazan Mother of God is intact and is kept by the Old Believers in the prayer room, but it is very, very strictly guarded, so it is very difficult to take the icon from the prayer room." But a careful check of such testimony pointed to the inconsistency of the information.
These rumors, however, have survived to this day. Relatively recently, journalists asked Metropolitans of the Russian Orthodox Church (Gusev) and (Chetvergov) questions about the fate of the Kazan icon. Perhaps this is just a legend, but the Old Believers really revered and revere Kazanskaya. Almost every home has this image. And with the miraculous Guslitsky icon, they continued to walk in procession even in the 60-70s.
Feast of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. worship
It is believed that it Patriarch Hermogenes wrote a holiday service apparitions of the Kazan icon of the Mother of God. « Zealous Intercessor, Mother of the Most High Lord, pray for all your Son, Christ our God ..."- says the troparion of the holiday.
Troparion, tone 4
Zealous intercessor, Mother of the Lord Most High, pray for all your Son Christ our God, and work for everyone to be saved, who run to your sovereign protection. And intercede for all of us, O Lady Queen and Mistress, even in misfortunes and sorrows, and in illnesses burdened with many sins, coming and praying with a tender soul, and a contrite heart, to Your most pure image, miraculous icons with tears, and irrevocably hope for those who have on Thee, get rid of all evil. And grant all that is useful, and save everything to the Theotokos Virgin. Thou art the Divine protection of Thy servant.
Kontakion, tone 8
People come to this quiet, and a good haven, an ambulance Helper, a ready and warm salvation to the cover of the Virgin. Let us hasten to prayer, and let us strive for repentance. Exudes for us inexhaustible mercy, the Most Pure Mother of God, cooks for help, and delivers from great troubles and evils, Her well-behaved and God-fearing servants.
Folk traditions of the feast of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God
Holiday Kazan Icon of the Mother of God has always been an important date in the folk calendar. This day was considered the boundary between autumn and winter. The people said: “Go to Kazanskaya on wheels, and put skids in a cart”, “Mother Kazanskaya leads a snowy winter, it shows a path to frost”, “Before Kazanskaya it’s not winter, from Kazanskaya it’s not autumn.”
During this period, the peasants finished seasonal construction work. Autumn Kazan in the old days has always been the term of settlement, the contract "On Kazan - settlement!" no one dared to violate, they feared the coming cold weather.
The feast of the icon of the Kazan Mother of God is considered one of the most important women's holidays. The Kazan icon has long been considered a female intercessor. Belated weddings were also timed to coincide with this holiday, since there was an ancient belief: "Whoever marries Kazanskaya will be happy."
Icons of the Kazan Mother of God
Icon of the Kazan Mother of God- one of the most revered, belongs to the Hodegetria type, which means "pointing the way." According to legend, the prototype of this icon was painted the apostle Luke. The main dogmatic meaning of this icon is the appearance of the “heavenly King and Judge” into the world. The Mother of God is depicted with a chest, in characteristic clothes, with a slight inclination of her head towards the Infant. The Christ Child is presented strictly from the front, the figure is limited to the waist. On the icon revealed in Kazan, Christ blesses with two fingers, but in some later lists there is nominative signification. Most often, the Kazan icon is asked for deliverance from eye diseases, the invasion of foreigners and help in difficult times.
Temples in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God in Rus'
In honor of the acquisition in 1579 of the holy image of the Mother of God, by decree of Ivan the Terrible, on the site of the appearance of the icon, a Kazan Bogoroditsky Monastery. The first nun, and after the abbess of this monastery was Matrona Onuchina (who took the name Marfa) and her mother. At first, a log church was laid - the predecessor of a large stone cathedral, which was erected in 1595. In the post-revolutionary period, the cathedral shared the fate of most temple buildings: at first it was nationalized and used for household needs, and then blown up. And now, since 2016, work has begun on its reconstruction.
Soon after the victory over the Poles on Red Square in Moscow was built temple in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. The Historical Guide to Moscow (1796) states that this temple, then still wooden, was built in 1625 at the expense of Prince Dmitry Pozharsky. Earlier sources about this church, allegedly burned down in 1634, do not know anything. This was followed by a very complex construction history of the Kazan Cathedral. Kazan Cathedral- the first of the temples of Moscow completely lost in Soviet times, which was recreated in its original forms. It is worth noting that the Kazan Cathedral played a significant role in the history of the Old Believers: it was in it that he served as rector Archpriest John Nero, and later came to him Archpriest Avvakum.
In 1649, Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich issued a decree on the establishment of a church-wide veneration of the image of the Virgin, revealed in Kazan. The consequence of this decree was the construction of a brick church in the Yaroslavl convent, as well as Church of the Icon of Our Lady of Kazan in Kolomenskoye- a village near Moscow, where the wooden royal palace was located. This five-domed brick church, decorated with a hipped bell tower, has survived to this day almost unchanged.
Old Believer churches in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God
Twice a year, in summer and autumn, ceremonial services are held in Old Believer churches. Many of them are consecrated in honor of this holiday. First of all, these are the Belokrinitskaya, Pomorskaya and Fedoseevskaya communities of the city of Kazan.
Patronal feast today in the communities of the Russian Orthodox Old Believer Church in, villages and the Temple in the name of the Kazan Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos of the Old Believer convent in the village. Kunicha (Moldova)
As an epilogue, we present the poem "To the Most Holy Theotokos", written by nun Livia from the village of Russian Tavra:
***
You-Heavenly Queen
And the archangels Kras,
In the new age, you are the guide,
Bridge from earth to heaven.
As we eat, so we will find
You and I are the answer to the soul,
You are joy, and peace to those who mourn,
And in the darkness of the lost - Light.
From above with merciful eyes
You are always looking at us
Help in prayer soon
And console you in a bitter hour.
Our children live in a different reality. Studying the question: how can one celebrate the Feast of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God with children, I was surprised to find that November 4 as a national holiday is not so far-fetched instead of “November 7 is the red day of the calendar” to the layman, as it seemed to me before. These are the materials I found, supplemented only with links to audio files and pictures on the topic. My comments and additions highlighted in color. I hope the author will forgive me.
Source:
Methodological development for grade 1, published on the website "Social network of educators", author Tyulenkina T.M.
"My Motherland is Russia"
Scenario of the holiday dedicated to the Day of National Unity and the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God - November 4
(Children enter the hall to the soundtrack of the song "My Motherland")
I see a wonderful pleasure
I see fields and fields -
This is Russian expanse,
This is Russian land.
I see mountains and valleys
I see steppes and meadows -
This is the Russian side
This is my homeland!
Presenter:
On the day of reconciliation and consent
We congratulate all people
And from the bottom of our hearts we wish you happiness
Holy Rus' for many days.
(child reads poetry)
Motherland's birthday
We will gladly meet.
All illuminated by the sun
Adults and children.
Presenter:
And we will sing the national anthem (the “Hymn of Russia” sounds in the recording, everyone gets up, sings along) (During the performance of the Anthem, 4 children bring the Russian flag into the hall. Children who hold the flag read poetry)
The anthem of Russia performed by the children's choir - listen
Presenter:
No wonder Mother of Kazan
This holiday was established
After all, the faithful Christian army
The capital city was liberated.
Yes, guys, our fathers and grandfathers shed a lot of blood, protecting the Motherland from enemies. Our long-suffering Russia has gone through many wars. In 1610 the Poles attacked us.
(The soundtrack of the battle sounds, children in the costumes of the conquerors take the Kremlin by storm).
You can listen and download the sounds of the battle
Presenter:
They captured Moscow and the main fortress of the capital - the Kremlin.
Presenter:
It was difficult for the inhabitants of Moscow, the invaders destroyed their houses, desecrated the temples.. What to do? Thank God, there were brave people - Kuzma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky. They gathered an army and went to liberate the capital of Russia - Moscow.
(Children in costumes of Russian warriors, with swords and shields, with banners enter the hall. In the hands of a child dressed in a priest's costume is an icon with which he blesses the army).
As an affordable, but, in my opinion, no less impressive alternative, I propose to arrange a staging with toy soldiers on the table!
Presenter:
The Russian soldiers had an icon of the Most Holy Theotokos - Kazan. They prayed to the Heavenly Intercessor and went to liberate the Kremlin.
Icon image can be downloaded
(they pray in front of the icon, the chant “Our Lady of the Virgin, rejoice” sounds p. 5 in the download list)
Presenter:
The Russian soldiers fought for two months and on November 4 they defeated the enemy and drove him out of the Kremlin. Rus' again became autocratic, that is, independent.
(they drive the invaders out of the Kremlin, take them out of the hall).
Presenter:
Worked for the glory of God
And the prince and just a citizen.
Swords were forged and prayed
Enemies in battle were not afraid,
The world was found for all one.
It happened on November 4, 1612. Since then, on November 4, we celebrate the feast of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, which miraculously helped our soldiers, and the Day of National Unity. In memory of the miraculous liberation of Moscow, the beautiful Kazan Cathedral was erected on Red Square, and two centuries later a monument was erected to the heroes-liberators Kuzma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky
(Children read poetry)
Let everyone know, all over the earth
Peace begins in the Kremlin!
Well, in the opinion of the kids,
Peace begins in the soul!
So that wars disappear on earth,
In harmony, we will live in peace,
Keep Holy Rus' with dignity
And cherish our faith.
We remember past victories.
With love on holiday we say:
“Thank you, great-great-great-grandfathers!
We thank you for peace!”
Children sing the song "About the Motherland" (I suppose the one that was at the beginning).
Presenter:
Growing up under the warm sun
We live together, have fun.
Russia, dear, dear,
Blossom and grow stronger every day.
Children perform the dance "Sudarushka" in Russian folk costumes with scarves.
Presenter:
Let's celebrate friends
Consent and friendship.
Let's make peace with each other -
We don't need more wars!
(bell sounds)
Bells can be downloaded
"Miracles of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God"
(for parents)
It cannot be said that Kazan, as people say, and the current Day of National Unity are different holidays. The Church has been striving for many years to restore the national celebration of November 4, because the history of church veneration of the Kazan icon is inseparable from the history of our Fatherland.
We will not understand anything in our own history if we do not correlate events with the Orthodox Church calendar. The meaning of the existence of the Russian state has always been revealed precisely by this correlation. Our ancestors called the fatherland Holy Russia. We, their descendants, living in Russia in the 21st century, can hear pathos, metaphor in these words. Meanwhile, for our ancestors, it was a very specific reality, embodied in certain events and symbols.
Since 2005, the date of November 4 has become not only a day for religious festivities, but is celebrated by all Russian citizens as the "Day of National Unity".
The law on naming the date November 4 as the Day of National Unity or the Day of Reconciliation and Consent was adopted at the level of the State Duma of the Russian Federation at the end of 2004. Initially, it was planned to set November 7 as the date for celebrating such a significant celebration for all Russians. After all, the memory and habit of celebrating November 7 has been firmly entrenched in the minds of Russians over the long years of the existence of the USSR. But a little later, the decision to postpone the date of the celebration of National Unity Day from November 7 to November 4 was nevertheless made.
Why was November 4 chosen as the day of celebration of National Unity, Reconciliation and Accord? This day was chosen by our government as the day of victory in the liberation war of 1612 led by Kuzma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky from the Polish interventionists. On this day, Moscow was liberated by Russian people's troops. Such a feat testified to the heroism of the people, the unity and strength of the people of Rus', regardless of nationality, religion and class.
Kuzma Minin was named by Peter 1 himself "Savior of the Fatherland". On the day of the victory of the Russian people, the tsar appointed a public holiday dedicated to the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. But always on this day they remembered the name of the leader of the popular uprising, with the help of which Russia gained freedom and the right to independence. This holiday left the list of obligatory and state holidays after 1917. But today we are returning to the old traditions again ...
The 16th century was marked by the resounding victory of Tsar Ivan the Terrible over Kazan, the capital of the mighty Tatar Khanate. The entire Russian people rejoiced because. for many years, devastating raids on our lands began from here, after which burned cities and villages remained, and thousands of people were killed by the Tatars or taken into captivity. Many residents of Kazan began to convert to Christianity, but after a few years a terrible fire destroyed half of this large city. Then the Mohammedan Tatars, who denied faith in the Holy Trinity and the veneration of holy icons, began to laugh at the Orthodox faith, saying that God was not merciful to the Russians, he had allowed such a terrible disaster. They rejoiced, while the Christians grieved, realizing that they had brought trouble with their own sins, and the Lord, seeing their sincere repentance, revealed a great miracle through the prayers of the Mother of God. There lived at that time in the city an archer named Danila, and he had a little daughter, Matronushka. Their house burned down, but they did not lose heart and began to build a new one in its place. Once, in a dream, the Most Holy Theotokos Herself appeared to Matrona and said: “In the place of the burnt house, in the ground, is My icon. Go to the archbishop and city governors and tell them to dig it up, for it is pleasing to My Lord and Me to show mercy to strengthen people in the true faith. At first, the mother did not believe the girl, but the Blessed Virgin appeared to the Matrona twice more and reminded her of her request. For the last time, warning that if the girl does not fulfill Her command, then She will appear in another place, and Matrona will die. Matrona and her mother Efrosinya told everything to the city authorities, who at first also did not believe in what had happened. Then they themselves began to search in the ashes. Other residents of the city also joined the excavations. At first they could not find the icon, but as soon as Matrona herself began to dig, she immediately remembered where the icon should be. The girl ran to the stove and took out a bundle, unfolding it, she took out the image of the Mother of God, which shone brightly and looked as if it had been painted quite recently. Apparently, this icon was carefully hidden underground by some of the first Christian settlers, being wary of the unrestrained oppression of the Tatars - Mohammedans, who considered the veneration of holy icons to be idolatry. They did not understand that Christians do not worship icons, but the Most Pure Mother of God, miraculously depicted on them. Vladyka Jeremiah and the governors on their knees asked for forgiveness from the Mother of God for their lack of faith. Then Vladyka ordered the bells to ring in all churches throughout the city and carry the icon in procession to the Church of St. Nicholas of Tulsky. After the prayer service in the church of St. Nicholas of Tula, the icon was transferred to the main cathedral. On the way, and then in the cathedral itself, two blind men saw their sight - Joseph and Nikita! Since then, it has been noticed that most often the disease of blindness was healed under the Kazan icon. And Tsar Ivan the Terrible, having learned about the miracle, ordered to build a convent on the site of the appearance of the icon. Matronushka and her mother became his first nuns. Hard times soon followed. People stopped sincerely praying to God. The thirst for power led to the fact that the little innocent Tsarevich Dimitri - the son of Ivan the Terrible - was killed. Troubled times began in the country: robberies and bloodshed did not stop. To this was added another crop failure and the severe famine that followed. Taking advantage of the unrest, the Swedish troops captured Novgorod, and the Polish troops crossed the border in the west, approached Moscow and occupied it. It was God's punishment to the people for their sins. Usually, recalling 1612, they say: "the liberation of Moscow from the Poles." This is not entirely accurate. Those interventionists (Poles, Ukrainians, Lithuanians, Hungarians, Germans) are called Poles only insofar as they were led by Polish governors. The goal of the Europeans was to hold the occupied territory as long as possible so that as much good as possible could be scooped up. The goal of the Russians is to get the uninvited guests out as soon as possible. Moscow was in the hands of the Polish military leaders from October 1610. The indignation of the Muscovites resulted in an armed uprising, back in March 1611, a year and a half before the liberation. The invaders suppressed it, destroying Moscow so that the inhabitants would not have a roof over their heads, and the surviving Muscovites were forced to flee the city. But autumn came, and in Nizhny Novgorod, the headman Kuzma Minin threw out his cry, to which thousands of Russian hearts responded. Prince Dmitry Mikhailovich Pozharsky led a new powerful militia. It is noteworthy that together with the Russians, the Mari, Chuvashs, Komi and other Volga and northerners, representatives of the peoples who not so long ago, during the conquest of Kazan by Ivan the Terrible, acted as fierce enemies of the Russians, joined and went to this militia. It was very important that they now felt at one with the Russians, realized that enlightened Europe would come to rob them. It is customary to call Minin and Pozharsky liberators and winners, but we Orthodox people must see the most important victorious one, overshadowed by God's grace. He, in that difficult time, was the Moscow Patriarch Hermogen. He openly and boldly opposed the invaders. He refused to go out and order the first militia to retreat from Moscow. "What are you threatening me with? – His Holiness Patriarch said to the Poles. I fear only God. If you leave, then I will order them to leave, disperse, otherwise I will order them to stay and die for the faith. - You promise me a cruel death, but through it I hope to receive a crown. I have long dreamed of suffering for the truth.” The Poles imprisoned him in the dungeon of the Chudov Monastery, tortured him. While in prison, Patriarch Hermogenes wrote a letter that faithful brave people were able to take to Nizhny Novgorod, and this patriarchal message ignited the hearts of people, and when Minin issued a cry, Rus' rose to the fight, thanks to the call of Hermogenes! The Poles, having learned about this, stopped feeding the sharpener. They, mockingly, threw him a sheaf of hay and some water. On February 17, 1612, Patriarch Hermogenes died of hunger and cold, having assumed the crown of martyrdom. He sacrificed himself in order to ensure that Rus' remained Orthodox, to overthrow the hated aliens who wanted to first ruin it, and then forcefully convert it to Catholicism. The feat of His Holiness Hermogenes is a victory in the spiritual battle over enemies, a guarantee of a future military victory! Another inspirer of the coming victory was the elder of the Borisoglebsky Monastery, which is at the Mouth, the Monk Irinarch of Rostov. Minin and Pozharsky moved their regiments from Yaroslavl. Having learned that Pozharsky's militia did not dare to go to Moscow, due to disagreements that had arisen, Irinarkh sent prosphora and a blessing to Prince Dmitry Mikhailovich, and also ordered him to convey that he would go to liberate the capital without fear. Prince Dmitry Mikhailovich, delighted, moved the rati, and along the way, Minin and Pozharsky arrived at the Boriso-Glebsky Monastery in order to personally receive the blessing of the elder. Irinarch blessed them and gave his cross to help, becoming for them the same as Sergius of Radonezh was for Demetrius of Donskoy. In the ranks of the militia there was a miraculous list of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, which belonged to Prince Dmitry Pozharsky. Before the decisive battle, the soldiers imposed a 3-day fast on themselves and wept in front of the miraculous icon to the Heavenly Intercessor. And their prayers were answered. The troops coming from Poland to help those in Moscow were defeated. Finally, the Kremlin was taken on November 4, 1612. The liberation of Moscow from foreigners in the autumn of 1612 was the beginning of the liberation of our Fatherland, which had survived the terrible, incredibly difficult, years of troubled times. From here began the ascent of Russian statehood to the shining Imperial heights. In memory of the miraculous liberation of Moscow, a beautiful cathedral was erected on Red Square in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. Elected in 1612, the new Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov, established annually on July 21 in a new style to celebrate the acquisition of the icon, and on November 4 - the deliverance of Moscow from the Poles.
The Most Holy Mother of God, through her miraculous image of Kazan, has helped our Fatherland more than once.
Before the Battle of Poltava, Peter 1 ordered the Kazan icon of the Mother of God to be worn in front of the shelves, and he himself prayed with tears, begging the Heavenly Queen for help. The invincible army of the Swedes was defeated!
And in 1812, the Mother of God granted victory to our soldiers over the armies of Napoleon. Field Marshal Kutuzov, before taking command of the Russian troops, prayed for a long time in front of the miraculous image of the Virgin in the Kazan Cathedral in St. Petersburg. And so, on November 4, on the day of the celebration of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, the Russian troops won their first victory. On this day, the first snow fell, and severe frosts began, which had such a detrimental effect on the French, who were not accustomed to severe cold. From that day on, the enemy's army began to melt, and the French retreat began, turning into a stampede.
Even more wonderful deeds were created by the Mother of God quite recently - during the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945. The breakthrough of the blockade ring of Leningrad occurred after a religious procession through the city with the Kazan icon of the Virgin. The Battle of Stalingrad ended with the victory of our soldiers, who also had the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. Kyiv was liberated by our troops on November 4th. Not to list all the miracles! Holy Mother of God, save us!
Today, all of Russia is celebrating a church-state holiday, the Day of National Unity, and honors the memory of the icon of the Mother of God, revealed by Her in Kazan. […]
Today, all of Russia is celebrating a church-state holiday, the Day of National Unity, and honors the memory of the icon of the Mother of God, revealed by Her in Kazan.
As a holiday, National Unity Day was established in 2004.
This holiday is called upon to resurrect in the memory of the people the events of 400 years ago, to recall the great feat of solidarity and patriotism. It is associated with the best traditions of the Russian people - mutual assistance, the will to win, the desire for order, and falls on a very significant church holiday - the memory of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God.
At the beginning of the 17th century, the Rurik dynasty came to an end. Taking advantage of the weakness of the new rulers from among the boyars, the Polish interventionists invaded the territory of Russia. Inside the country, they found helpers from among the landless boyars, Cossacks and asocial elements.
The invaders began to cut and rob the inhabitants of the country. The western, southern and central districts of Russia were devastated, Tsar Vasily Shuisky was killed, the Moscow Kremlin was occupied by the Polish garrison, and Patriarch Hermogenes, who in his letters called on the Russian people to take up arms against a foreign enemy, starved to death in the Miracle Monastery.
Under these conditions, ordinary inhabitants of the country - merchants, peasants, artisans, Cossacks - those who lived in the cities of North-Eastern Rus', stood up to defend the country. In 1612, the capital of the country was moved to Yaroslavl, where the First People's Militia was formed under the leadership of Prince Trubetskoy, the Cossack ataman Zarutsky and the peasant Prokopy Lyapunov. The militia approached Moscow and besieged the Polish garrison of the Kremlin.
But the forces of the militia were not enough for a complete blockade of the garrison, the Poles made sorties, reinforcements approached them, and disputes about supremacy began between the leaders of the militia. The situation is frozen in an unstable equilibrium.
Then in Nizhny Novgorod, the merchant Kuzma Minin began to collect the Second People's Militia. He donated all his capital to save the Motherland. Warriors from the surrounding cities began to gather. It was decided to put a single chief over the new regiments - Prince Dmitry Pozharsky. Kuzma Minin became his assistant and treasurer.
The second militia moved to Moscow. On the way, more and more detachments joined him. Finally, having reached the walls of the capital, it absorbed the remnants of the First Home Guard, destroyed the Polish reinforcements that had approached the city, stormed Kitai-Gorod and tightly surrounded the Kremlin.
After several months of siege, on November 4, 1612, the Poles capitulated. Militia detachments dispersed along the main roads of the country, destroying scattered Polish detachments and gangs of robbers. And in Moscow in 1613, the Zemsky Sobor was convened, popularly electing Mikhail Romanov to the kingdom, thanks to which the terrible turmoil finally ended.
Saints are also honored in the Church today: Equal-to-the-Apostles Averky, Bishop of Hierapolis, Wonderworker, Seven Youths of Ephesus: Maximilian, Iamblichus, Martinian, Dionysius, Antoninus, Constantine (Exacustodian) and John, Martyrs Bishop Alexander, Heraclius the Warrior and Wives Anna, Elizabeth, Theodotia and Glyceria.
Other important events of the day:
1493 - Expedition of Christopher Columbus discovers the island of Guadeloupe.
1582 - Yermak in the battle on the Chuvash cape defeats the Siberian Khan Kuchum and after 3 days enters the capital of his khanate - Isker.
1707 - a hospital was opened in Moscow (now - the Main Military Clinical Hospital named after N. N. Burdenko).
1794 - Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov occupies Prague (a suburb of Warsaw) and stops the Polish uprising.
1890 - The world's first underground electric road, the subway, opens in London.
1922 - Englishman Howard Carter discovers the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamen in Egypt.
2011 - the cities of Kovrov, Lomonosov, Taganrog and Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky (Russia) were awarded the honorary title City of Military Glory .
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