The Svensk-Pechersk Icon of the Mother of God
Commemorated on May 3
The
Svensk-Pechersk Icon of the Mother of God was written by the Monk Alypii of
Pechersk (+ c. 1114, Comm. 17 August, under which see the account about him).
On the icon is depicted the Mother of God, sitting upon a throne, and upon Her
knees is the God-Infant. At the right side of the throne stands the Monk
Theodosii, and on the left – the Monk Antonii of Pechersk. Until the year 1288
it was situated at the Kievo-Pechersk monastery, where it was glorified by
miracles, and in 1288 it was transferred to the Bryansk Svensk monastery, named
in honour of the Uspenie (Dormition) of the Most Holy Mother of God, in accord
with the image. The Chernigov prince Roman Mikhailovich, then at Bryansk, fell
blind. Hearing about the miracles worked by the icon of the Monk Alypii, the
prince sent to the monastery a courier with a request to send him at Bryansk
the icon for his healing. They dispatched the icon together with a priest along
the River Desna. During the time of sailing the boat came in to land at the
right bank of the River Svena. After lodging for the night they went to the
boat to make prayers before the icon, but they did not find it there, and they
saw it upon an hill opposite the River Svena. The icon stood on an oak amidst
the branches. News of this reached prince Roman, and they led him to the icon
on foot. The prince prayed fervently before the icon and vowed to build on that
spot a monastery, bestowing on it all the land which could be seen from the
hill. After the prayer the prince regained his sight. At first he saw the
footpath, then nearby objects, and finally all the surroundings. Having made an
enclosure for the icon, the prince had a molieben served, and then all that
were gathered made the foundations for a wooden church in honour of the Uspenie
of the Most Holy Mother of God. The tree, on which the icon set, they cut up and
used as wood for other icons. And then was established a feastday of the Svensk
Icon of the Mother of God on 3 May.
The icon was
glorified by healings of the blind, demoniacs, and was a protector from
enemies.
© 1996-2001 by translator Fr. S. Janos.