Metropolitan Alexy: “The appearance of the Kazan Icon is a manifestation of the mercy of the Mother of God to our Fatherland”translated

On July 21, on the day of the celebration of the appearance of the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos in the city of Kazan in 1579, Metropolitan Alexy of Chelyabinsk and Miass celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the St. Simeon Cathedral. The archpastor was concelebrated by the clergy of the cathedral, led by the clergyman, Archpriest Vladimir Manichev. Today is a patronal feast day for the parish: the right (southern) aisle of the cathedral was consecrated in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God after reconstruction in the late 80s of the twentieth century. At the end of the Liturgy, a religious procession took place. Many years were proclaimed to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus', to the authorities and army, to all Orthodox Christians. In his sermon, Metropolitan Alexy warmly congratulated everyone on the feast of the Kazan Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos and noted that the Mother of God is a special intercessor for our country. “In the history of our Fatherland, the Mother of God has repeatedly shown us Her mercy - it is no coincidence that Russia is called the inheritance of the Most Holy Theotokos. One of these graces is the discovery of Her miraculous icon in the city of Kazan. This image strengthened the residents of Kazan in the Orthodox faith and revealed many miracles and signs. The Kazan icon assisted the Russian army during the battles...