Icon of the Mother of God of Abalaka

Commemorated on November 27.

The Abalaka Icon of the Mother of God “Of the Sign” was painted by Matthew, a protodeacon of the Tobolsk cathedral, in honor of Sophia (the Wisdom of God), in fulfillment of a vow by a paralytic peasant Euthymius to rebuild the church at the Abalaka monastery of the Mother of God “of the Sign.” This church was built in 1637 after the Mother of God, accompanied by Saint Nicholas and Saint Mary of Egypt, appeared to the pious widow Maria. After the temple’s Icon “of the Sign” was painted, the paralytic Euthymius was completely healed. Many healings took place during the solemn transfer of the icon to the Abalaka church.

In general appearance, the Abalaka Icon resembles the Novgorod Icon of the Sign, but with this distinction: on the Abalaka Icon, Saint Nicholas and Saint Mary of Egypt stand before the Most Holy Theotokos. Saint Basil of Mangazeya (March 23) is also depicted on this icon. Many wonderworking copies of the Abalaka Icon are venerated throughout Siberia.

The Abalaka Icon “Of the Sign” is also commemorated on July 20.

Troparion

Today your Icon shines brightly like an unsetting sun, O Most Pure One,
appearing miraculously in the heavens to a widow in the village of Abalak.
And bowing before it, we humbly cry out to the Theotokos:
“O Sovereign Lady hymned by all, grant peace to your abode,
and to our souls great mercy.”

Kontakion

Luke, the preacher of the Gospel of Christ,
painted your icons in antiquity, O Most Pure One,
but a widow, miraculously seeing one of them,
told us of your command, and turning to you the faithful cried out,
“Rejoice, Sovereign Lady, and reveal the Sign of your mercy toward us.”