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Veneration of the Holy Icon of the Mother of God "The Guide" from the Neamţ Monastery; St. Saint Mc. Pangratie, Bishop of Tavromeniatranslated

July 8, 2026 · 1 min read

Orthodox calendar July 9 Veneration of the Holy Icon of the Mother of God "The Guide" from the Neamț Monastery The icon of the Mother of God "The Guide" has been in the heritage of the Neamț Monastery for six centuries.

It dates back to 665, was painted in Lida and was given to ruler Alexander the Good by Byzantine Emperor John VIII Paleologus.

Tradition and some old notes attest that the icon from the Neamţ Monastery is a copy of the one that is said to have been miraculously painted on a pillar of the church in Lida, a city in Israel.

The painting of the icon located in the "Ascension of the Lord" Church in the monastery premises is protected with a metal garment, ornamented with precious stones, between the years 1844-1845, during the time of abbot Neonil.

The icon was hidden between June 3, 1821 and October 28, 1822 in the forest to be defended by the Turks.

Troparion Mother of God, ever-Virgin, with love and faith we worship your holy icon called the Guide and, thank you, we kiss her devoutly; that through it you bestow healings of souls and bodies on the faithful. For this, we say to you: Glory to your virginity! Glory to your mercy!

Source: Агентство Basilica (română) · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (9) 🌐 Show original

Любовь Морозова

It is interesting that the icon was hidden in the forest for a whole year and a half from the Turks. In Rostov we also have many such stories with icons during persecution. And the chasuble with stones from 1845 is probably quite heavy, what do you think?

Максим Савченко

It is interesting that the icon was buried in the forest for almost a year and a half - from June 3, 1821 to October 28, 1822. We also have stories in Odessa of how the shrine was saved under the Turks. And the robe of 1844-1845 with stones must be really heavy, Lyubov, don't envy the one who wore it in processions.

Михаил Виноградов

It is interesting that the icon was hidden in the forest from June 3, 1821 to October 28, 1822 - almost a year and a half, as they say. In Voronezh they also told us how in Soviet times icons were hidden in forest chapels. And the chasuble with stones from 1845 probably really weighs about ten kilograms; not every monk will carry it during the religious procession.

Полина Беляева

Yes, a year and a half in the forest is serious, I can imagine how worried the monks were about her. In Yaroslavl, too, icons were hidden in basements and gardens during persecution. And the chasuble with stones probably really weighs ten kilograms, I wonder how they lift it now during the holidays?

Emily Clark

Icoana a stat ascunsă în pădure exact de la 3 iunie 1821 până la 28 octombrie 1822, deci cam un an și patru luni, nu glumă. La noi în parohie am avut o mică icoană de acasă pe care o mutam prin pod când veneau controalele în anii '80, dar să ții așa ceva șase secole la mănăstire e cu totul altceva. Mă întreb cât de grea e acum riza aceea cu pietrele, o mai poartă cineva la procesiuni sau a rămas fixată pe perete?

Марко Николовски

The icon was hidden in the forest from June 3, 1821 to October 28, 1822, exactly as it says. Here in Bitola, during the time of the Turks, many icons were also carried around houses and on donkeys so that they would not be found. And the stone shirt from 1845 sure weighs a lot, I wouldn't want to wear it to a litany.

Sebastian Hoffmann

Yes, the year and a half in the forest from 1821 to 1822 is quite impressive. In our community we once hid a small icon in the basement during the renovation, but in the open air for so long - I imagine that would be difficult. I wouldn't like to carry the heavy Riza from 1845 for long either.

Катерина Ангеловска

Yes, Marko, that's exactly what it says about the forest near Neamc. Here in Bitola, we also hid icons in houses, I remember my grandmother telling me that they kept a small icon under the bed for a whole month. And the shirt from 1845 probably weighs like two or three kilos, I wouldn't even wear it to litia, but it's nice that they keep it like that.

Тимофей Виноградов

Yes, a year and a half in the forest was a test; the monks probably prayed every night so that the icon would not be found. In Yekaterinburg they also told us how in the 30s they hid icons in attics, but such a long time in the forest is rare. And now the chasuble is probably raised by two people or on a special stand; I wonder how they do it on the patronal feast day.