Statement from the Head of the Russian Imperial House, Her Imperial Highness Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna, on the Feast Day of the Fedorov Icon of the Mother of God

The Fedorov Miracle-Working Icon of the Mother of God has been a protectress of the Fatherland for nearly the entirely scope of Russian history. A product of the apostolic tradition of icon painting, it has been known in Rus’ since the twelfth century. During the difficult days of the Tatar Yoke, the Fedorov Icon provided a fatherly blessing to Saint Alexander Nevskii, and afterward, it was particularly venerated in the House of Romanov. It was before the Fedorov Icon that Mikhail Romanov—the founder of the royal and imperial House of Romanov—was elected to the throne, after the end of the Time of Troubles.

The Fedorov Icon is the holy image of Kostroma, of all Russia, of its people and of both its ruling dynasties. A legend in the Church speaks of the darkening of the face of the Most Pure Mother of God not long before the new Time of Troubles of the twentieth century, which began with the forced abdication of Tsar-Martyr Nicholas II. Now is the time of rebirth and of spiritual renewal. Each of us should fulfill his duty given us by God, and believe in the protection of His Most Pure Mother—the Protectress and Defender of the much-suffering, though once-again great Russia. 

Maria

Copy corresponds to original

A. N. Zakatov
Director, H.I.H.’s Chancellery
Telephone: (495) 261-69-64