Sleeping of the Mother of God of Pskovo- Pechersky

Two historical icons in the same monastic tradition

Russian name: Псково-Печерская икона Успения Божией Матери, Pskovo-Pecherskaya icon Uspeniaya Bózhiay Mothers.
Place: monastery of the Holy Sleeping of Pskovo-Pechersky, Pechory, Pskov region.
Images to be distinguished: Old sleep and Sleep "in life."
Fiesta principal of the monasteries: Sleep of the Mother of God, August 28 (August 15).

One piece, two pieces materials

The tradition of Pskovo-Pechersky's sleep is linked to very origin of the monastery, but the official source describes two icons different. The Dormición antigua appeared, according to the monastic chronicle, in the cave in 1472. The Sleep "in the life "surrounded by scenes of major events of Mary's life, was painted by Alekhei, called the Little One, and taken to the monastery in 1521.

The dates should not be merged or a photograph of a Like the other one. Nor should they be multiplied as two. disconnected claims: both belong to the memory of the Sleeping and the history of the same sanctuary. The more editorial solution clear is a matrix sheet with two identified objects and two records internal inventory.

The Sleeping ancient and the beginning of the monastery

The official page of the monastery places the apparition of the image ancient in the cave in 1472. On August 15, 1473, calendar ancient, the church of the sleep was consecrated. Tradition monastic remember that that day a blind woman regained her sight before the icon.

That account should be published as a tradition transmitted by the Monastery, not as a demonstrable medical conclusion. Their value is in the light of Christ that Mary points out and in hope of a nascent community that turned a cave into a prayer.

The official source adds that, after the defense of the monastery during the siege of 1581, the ancient image was covered in silver and placed to the left of sleep "in life." This news is especially useful: confirms that the two images coexisted and that their positions were They understood in mutual relationship.

The Sleeping "in the life, "arrival in 1521

In 1521, two inhabitants of Pskov called Vasili and Fiodor took the monastery a new image. They had commissioned his painting to the iconographer. Pious Alekséi, nicknamed the Little One. Fiodor later entered life Monastic with the name of Theophile and was buried in the caves.

The Russian Expression v zhitii indicates that the central scene of the Sleeping is accompanied by episodes of the life of the God. It does not mean that it represents only his death: it offers a story the broader visual of his service to the mystery of Christ. The page of the monastery states that it was placed in the church of sleep and that Since 1523 he began to be known for numerous favors and healings attributed to his intercession.

For the future gallery it will be essential to rotate every detail and not reconstruct the narrative cycle without a front photograph of enough quality or approved technical cataloguing.

Pskov, 1581: prayer in half the siege

The sources of the monastery relate the images of the Sleep and of the Tertura with Pskov's defense during the siege of Esteban Báthory in 1581. The story retains the vision of the old Dorophei and the Penitential processions made with the images. The sleeping was taken to the area of the wall gap, while clergy, monks and people called for the protection of God.

The tab should avoid turning this episode into national propaganda or in war exaltation. The Christian memory can be narrated from the of a besieged population, penance, the value of those They protected the vulnerable and the search for peace. The center is not glorify the weapons, but recognize the hope placed in God in a extreme situation.

After the danger, the community promised to maintain a procession in thanksgiving. This liturgical continuity allows us to understand the icon not as an isolated piece, but as part of a prayed memory and transmitted.

Custody and visit responsible

The official pages place the images on the church enclosure the church of the sleeping, in the monastery of Pechory. Before publishing the exact present provision must be confirmed with the monastery, for liturgical movements, restorations or conservation measures They can change it.

The map will show a single public point of the monastery. Within the the two parts shall be indicated and, if the virtual visit or a source current allows it, its inner location. No two markers will be put and will not promise access to spaces that may be limited by veneration.

The Sleeping Like Christian hope

The Sleep proclaims that death does not have the last word. Mary, the first disciple of her Son, appears surrounded by the Church while Christ receives it. The Eastern tradition expresses with special beauty the unity between trusting death, the communion of the saints and the hope of resurrection.

For a Catholic visitor, the fact sheet must explain with respect the Orthodox vocabulary and point to the common heritage of Marian faith. No. it is appropriate to appropriate local tradition or to erase its differences; if it is possible to contemplate Mary together as a redeemed creature and sign of the promise of Christ.

Contemplation with the Holy One Rosario

This advocation naturally accompanies the glorious mysteries. In the Resurrection is proclaimed the victory of Christ; in Ascension, the in Pentecost, Mary persevers with the Church; and in the last two mysteries we contemplate his glorification and his request Mother.

The Rosary can be offered by those who approach death, by their families, for the monks and pilgrims of Pechory and for the reconciliation among Christian peoples.

Prayer before the Pskovo-Pechersky sleeping

Holy Mother of God, faithful woman until the hour of the surrender, Teach us to live and die in the hands of your Son. Hold those who they are afraid, comfort those who watch with a sick and keep in We hope for the resurrection. Make the memory of this Holy house move us to penance, peace and charity. Take us. to Jesus Christ, the winner of death. Amen.

Ecclesial sources main

1. Pskovo-Pechersky Monastery, Sleep "in life":
   https://ppmon.ru/putevoditel/svyatyni/ikona-uspeniya-bozhiej-materi-v-zhitii/
2. Monastery of Pskovo-Pechersky, Old sleep:
   https://ppmon.ru/putevoditel/svyatyni/ikona-uspeniya-bozhiej-materi-staraya/
3. Pskovo-Pechersky Monastery, the rock church of the Sleep:
   https://ppmon.ru/putevoditel/arhitektura/uspenskij-peschernyj-hram/

Pray the Holy Rosary