Appearance of the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God

Commemorated on June 26.

The icon follows the “Hodegetria” (Hodēgḗtria) model and is similar in style to the ancient Ivḗron icon of Our Lady. It differs in that the Christ child’s legs are crossed, while the sole of His foot is turned to the viewer. Several historic sources note that several other Hodēgḗtria icons of the Theotokos had been brought to Russia in the 1380s, during the rule of the saintly prince Demetrius Donskoy.

-- Archpriest John Matusiak

Troparion

Today, O Sovereign Lady, your most honored Icon has shone upon us in the Heavens like a most radiant sun,
enlightening the world with rays of mercy, which Russia has received most reverently as a Divine gift from on high;
and it glorifies you, O Mother of God, as the Queen of all,
and joyfully magnifies Christ our God, Who was born of you.
Pray to Him, O Lady Theotokos, that He may preserve all Christian cities and countries unharmed from all the machinations of the Enemy,
and that He may save those who with faith bow down before His divine image and your most pure Icon,
O Virgin who knew not wedlock.

Kontakion

O people, let us have recourse to the Virgin Theotokos and Queen, thanking Christ God;
and, gazing tenderly at her wonderworking Icon, let us come and cry out to her:
"O Sovereign Lady Mary, you visited this land by the wondrous appearance of your sacred image;
preserve all Christians in peace and well-being and make all of them heirs of the heavenly life,
for we cry out to you with faith: "Rejoice, O Virgin, salvation of the world."