August 10 / July 28 - celebration of the icon of the Mother of God of Smolensk, called “Hodegetria”translated

The Smolensk Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, called “Hodegetria,” was painted, according to legend, by the holy evangelist Luke. It is called Hodegetria, i.e. A guidebook, because the Most Holy Theotokos appeared in Constantinople to two blind men and commanded them to go to Her church, and when they were brought there, she granted them healing, and also because the icon accompanied the emperors in their campaigns against enemies. From Jerusalem it was transferred to Constantinople. In the 11th century, the son of Vsevolod and Anna, Vladimir Monomakh, moved this icon to Smolensk. From that time on, the icon began to be called Smolensk. In 1213, when Batu approached Smolensk, and the citizens resorted to the Most Holy Theotokos with fiery prayer, then at night in the cathedral, where the icon stood, the church sexton received an order from Her to tell Mercury, a resident of Smolensk, to go to the church in military armor. In the church, Mercury heard a voice from the icon: “My saint Mercury!

The ruler of the Horde wants to attack My city this night with all his army and a giant; but I prayed to My Son and My God for My house, so that I would not deliver it into slavery to the enemy. Go out secretly from everyone to meet the enemy, and by the power of Christ you will defeat the giant. I myself will be with...