Icon of the Mother of God of Tsarskoe Selo

Commemorated on November 27.

The Tsarskoe Selo Sign Icon of the Mother of God an ancient wonderworking icon, was brought by way of a present to Tsar Alexis Mikhailovich by one of the Eastern Patriarchs, supposedly by Saint Athanasius of Constantinople (October 28). Tsar Peter I transferred the icon, together with other sacred items from Moscow, to his new capital city.

In the year 1747, a church was built for the icon at Tsarskoe Selo. Moliebens were served before it during times of national catastrophe, for example, during a plague in 1771, and of cholera in 1831. Through the intercession of the Mother of God, the terrible epidemics only barely touched Tsarskoe Selo. Prayers before the Tsarskoe Selo Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “of the Sign,” were also offered entreating the Mother of God’s help during fires and shipwrecks.

On the icon, Cherubim shade the head of the Mother of God. More recent copies of the icon depict the Apostle Peter, Saints Zachariah, Alexis the Man of God, and Righteous Elizabeth.

Troparion

Having obtained you as an unassailable rampart and a source of miracles, O Most Pure Theotokos,
we your servants vanquish the assaults of enemies.
Therefore we entreat you: “Grant peace to your city, and great mercy to our souls.”

Kontakion

We celebrate the appearance of your revered Icon of the Sign, O Theotokos, whereby you have granted your people a wondrous victory over the enemies of your city. Therefore, we cry to you with faith: “Rejoice, O Virgin, the boast of Christians.”