A blood-red robe a royal crown. This is the story of the Reigning Icon of the Mother of God. Before us stands the church that holds a piece of this incredible history.
The Reigning Icon is more than just a religious artifact. It’s a symbol of faith resilience and hope. Discovered on March 2 1917 the day Tsar Nicholas II abdicated its appearance was seen as a sign. The Mother of God had assumed royal authority over Russia.
The icon’s journey is fascinating. Originally kept in the Ascension Cathedral in the Moscow Kremlin it was hidden in Kolomskoye during Napoleon’s invasion of 1812. Forgotten for over a century it was rediscovered in a church basement. A peasant woman Eudokia had a dream. She saw the Mother of God. She was told to find a large blackened icon. After cleaning the dust away the icon was revealed in all its glory.
The icon’s image is powerful. The Mother of God sits on a throne. The Christ Child is on her lap. She wears a crown and holds a scepter and orb. Her blood-red robe is striking. It’s a symbol of the suffering Russia endured. But it’s also a symbol of hope.
News of the icon’s discovery spread quickly. Miracles of healing were reported. People believed in its power. Sadly many copies were confiscated by the Soviets. The original is said to be in the Novodevichii Museum in Moscow. A copy remains in the Church of the Kazan Mother of God in Kolomskoye.
This church we stand before it represents more than just a place of worship. It stands as a testament to faith perseverance and the enduring power of the Mother of God. The Reigning Icon’s story is a reminder of Russia’s history its struggles and its unwavering spirit. A story worth remembering.