A retired soldier, crippled by years of drinking, dreamt of an elder. The elder urged him towards the Vladychny Convent in Serpukhov. He was told to seek the icon “The Inexhaustible Chalice” at the Церковь иконы Божией Матери “Неупиваемая Чаша”. The soldier, despite his weakened state, felt compelled to obey. He crawled, his body protesting, towards Serpukhov. Miraculously, strength returned to his legs during his arduous journey. Upon reaching the Vladychny Convent, the nuns were perplexed. They knew no such icon. Then, a nun recalled an image of a chalice hanging in a passageway of St. George Church. Turning it over, they discovered the inscription, “The Inexhaustible Chalice”. At the shrine of St. Varlaam, the soldier recognized the elder from his dream. News of this miracle spread quickly. People flocked to the Церковь иконы Божией Матери “Неупиваемая Чаша” seeking solace from addiction. The icon became a beacon of hope. Families found peace as loved ones turned away from destructive habits. This icon, “The Inexhaustible Chalice”, is a variant of “Our Lady of Nicea”. It depicts the Theotokos with raised hands, the Christ Child standing within a chalice. The original icon, after the revolution, was moved to St. Nicholas Cathedral. Its fate, along with eight copies made between 1919 and 1928, remains a mystery after the cathedral’s closure in 1929. The Vysotsky Monastery in Serpukhov now houses a revered copy of “The Inexhaustible Chalice”. This copy, painted in 1992, is considered чудотворный, especially for those battling addiction. Another copy resides in the reopened Vladychny Convent. This one, based on a 1912 drawing, is also said to perform miracles. Some claim the original icon exists in a private collection, its future uncertain. The icon’s feast day is May 18th, commemorating St. Varlaam’s repose. The Vladychny Convent also celebrates it on December 10th, the feast day of Our Lady of the Sign. Even today, those struggling with addiction seek solace and healing at the Церковь иконы Божией Матери “Неупиваемая Чаша”, praying before the icon of the Inexhaustible Chalice.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to