ROC Patriarch discovers the original Kazan icon in his residence

The 16th century Kazan icon previously considered lost has been found in Moscow. Photo: Patriarchia.ru

On 4 November 2023, the feast day of the Kazan icon of the Mother of God, Patriarch Kirill presented to the faithful the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God previously considered lost, which he discovered in his own residence, reports the website of the Moscow Patriarchate.

The Patriarch said, "The icon was found earlier, but it was never presented to people, but was in the Patriarch's cell because a lot of things had to be found out."

However, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church is now convinced that "Prince Pozharsky prayed before this icon before launching an offensive on the Kremlin." The discovery of the authentic icon holds great historical and national significance for the Russian Orthodox Church.

"This event can be called historic. I did not immediately decide to talk about all this in the temple, but then I realised that it was impossible to hide this story. Our people and the whole world should know about it. And today this event is taking place. You see before you the original, the miracle-working Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, before which Pozharsky and Minin prayed," said the head of the Russian Orthodox Church.

It is known that the Kazan icon was stolen in the early twentieth century from the temple in Red Square and was lost.

The Patriarch claims that "the icon stayed in Russia, it was saved by pious people, and at some point was brought to the temple thanks to an outstanding person", whose name Patriarch Kirill did not mention.

He said that the icon was "in the Patriarch's residence in Peredelkino and was found among other icons that were intended to be transferred to churches and monasteries, which the Patriarch visits”.

"I carefully looked through the icons and found this image," he confessed.

"After a thorough study of both the icon itself and the circumstances surrounding its history, when I had not the slightest doubt that I had the original in front of me, I decided to tell our people, all of you, my dear, and through you to the whole world about the great event – the discovery of the miracle-working icon of the Mother of God," Patriarch Kirill said.

Earlier, the Russian authorities returned Rublev's "Trinity" to the Russian Church.

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