Icon of Saint Matrona of Moscow

During her lifetime, Blessed Matrona of Moscow became famous for her righteous life and numerous miracles performed by her prayers to the Lord. Today, thousands of people turn to her asking for help in various everyday troubles. Elder Matrona sets an example for people that no matter where and in what conditions a person lives, whether he is completely healthy or has congenital ailments, he can glorify God with his whole life.

Icon of the Blessed Elder Matrona of Moscow
If we talk about the life of the saint and what miracles she did, then it’s easier to say what miracles she didn’t do. Her entire life can be called a miracle, because she only talks about miracles according to the will of God. Matrona herself always spoke and warned about the occult. For example, to a question to her: why do you dream about an icon? She always said that you should not trust dreams, because your worst enemy can send you a dream. She also warned against practicing magic and witchcraft.

Everyone who came to her was always sure that before him was a servant of God, and not someone who used spells and conspiracies. In addition, she never fulfilled unrighteous requests, telling the person that he was disingenuous or that the request contained a bad and righteous feeling.

Meaning of the icon

In 1998, the saint’s relics were solemnly transferred to the Intercession Monastery. And a year later, Moscow Patriarch Alexy II canonized Matrona of Moscow as a saint of local significance. In 2004, the blessed one was transferred to the list of general church saints.

In the Intercession Monastery there are icons of the Matrona of Moscow. One of the icons was placed on the wall of the main temple, and the second small one was located inside the temple. The flow of people to these images does not stop. Also, the armfuls of flowers under these shrines do not dry out.

Icon of Saint Matrona of Moscow on the wall at the entrance to the Intercession Monastery

Believers say that when praying to the holy image, an internal response is immediately felt. Amazing relief comes. Similarly, the opposite feeling comes when your request is not accepted. They say this does not mean that the blessed one is not ready to respond to a request for help.

You just have to think about whether you need it or not? Won't everything turn out sideways? The miraculous icon of the Matrona of Moscow can give upon request - here, get what you want, just don’t ask to change everything later. You need to always be open with her, speak only from the bottom of your heart and listen with your inner eye.

Temples and monastery courtyards

The oldest monastery church, the Cathedral of the Resurrection of the Word, was founded in the 18th century. Russian architect Mikhail Bykovsky rebuilt the temple so that the old church organically fit into the new cathedral. The five-domed building is made in the Russian-Byzantine style. In the middle part is the main altar in honor of the Resurrection of Christ.

The northern aisle is dedicated to the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God, the southern aisle is dedicated to Saint Alexandra. A lot of light pours into the spacious temple from the windows.

The iconostasis images were decorated with silver crowns and vestments, pearls and precious stones. The main altar with a five-tiered iconostasis is magnificent. The vault above the throne rests on six pillars, decorated in marble. On the vaults and walls of the temple altar there are paintings in the form of acts from the earthly life of the Savior and the faces of the Saints.

The Church of the Holy Princes Peter and Fevronia was destroyed during the hard years and was rebuilt on the remains of the old foundation. Brick walls. The outside is decorated with mosaic icons of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos and the Holy Apostles. On the altar wall there is a mosaic icon of the holy saints Peter and Fevronia of Murom.

Inside the building there is a baptismal font with a large font for the baptism of adults and a small one for the baptism of infants. On the walls of the baptismal are the paintings “Creed” and “Our Father”, icons of the Baptism of the Lord and the Guardian Angel.

With the beginning of the revival, the monastery acquired three farmsteads:

Temple of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God in the village of Markovo, Ramensky district, Moscow region.
The Church of the Holy Righteous Matrona of Moscow on the Warsaw Highway is the first temple built in Moscow in honor of the great wonderworker.
Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Trinity-Lykovo.

Varieties of icons

The image of Matrona of Moscow, who heals all sick people.
The half-length icon depicts her with a rosary, which is in her left hand, and her right hand is raised.
Growth icon.
An image in which the Saint is depicted praying with her hands folded on her chest.
An image with outstretched arms to the Virgin Mary.

Each of the listed holy icons has different miraculous properties, so before you decide to purchase an icon, you should consult with a clergyman.

Days for celebrating the icon:

Every year, twice a year, the day of remembrance of the Saint icon is celebrated. Orthodox people celebrate the nineteenth of April in a new way and, according to the old calendar, the second of May, the day of Matronushka’s death.

According to the church calendar, the celebration of the image occurs twice a year

The second celebration falls on the ninth of November according to the new calendar, and in the old way the twenty-second of November is the day of the Holy Angel.

History of construction

In Moscow, on Taganka, there is one of the famous churches dedicated to St. Matrona. Among the many believers who have repeatedly turned to Matronushka in prayer and visited many churches, the Taganka Church is one of the most amazing places.

Temple of the Blessed Matrona of Moscow on Taganka

Not only the architecture and interior decoration make a special impression on those present, but also the very special atmosphere that reigns here brings peace to the heart and strengthens the faith that all prayers will be heard by the Lord.

For the first time, on the site where the Temple of the Matrona of Moscow is located today, the church was erected back in the 17th century, during the reign of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, famous for his nickname “The Quietest.”

Important! It should be said that in many ways the history of the Church of St. Matrona is intertwined with the Intercession Monastery, founded by Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov in the middle of 1635. It is on the territory of this monastery that the temple in question is located to this day.

Quite scant information has been preserved about the first church; it is only known that it was dedicated to the Protection of the Mother of God, was built of stone and had one chapel in honor of John of Damascus. In the 19th century, the Intercession Church fell into disrepair, as a result of which the decision was made to demolish it, and four years later a new one was built in its place, which is open to visitors to this day, although it was badly damaged during the 1812 war with the French.

Soviet times left their mark on the life of the temple. By 1929, the Bolsheviks closed the Intercession Church and ensured that the entire territory of the monastery came into their possession. For many years, the Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary housed the editorial office of the magazine “Coal” and the printing house of the Mossovet, and later the entire building was transferred to the Ministry of Coal Industry.

Where to venerate the image

There is probably an image of the blessed Mother in every church in Russia. This is because the significance of the Matrona icon for Orthodox Russian society is very great. They ask her for help and pray before her.

Pokrovsky stauropegial convent at the Pokrovskaya outpost in Moscow

The main shrine of the icon is considered to be the Intercession Monastery, which houses the relics of the saint. This temple also houses the famous and revered icon of the Virgin Mary “Seeking the Lost.” There are a huge number of people who want to pray in the monastery. The lines just never stop.

Another important place that is related to the blessed one is the Danilovskoye cemetery. Here is the grave of Matrona. A chapel was erected near the grave.

Several monasteries contain icons with the relics of Mother:

in the Cathedral of St. Gregory of Neocaesarea;
in the monastery of the Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian;
in the monastery of St. Martin the Confessor;
in the Cathedral of the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God, which is located in the Kursk region;
in the Church of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God;
in the Monastery of the Resurrection of Christ at the former Semenovsky cemetery;
in the Cathedral of the Great Martyr George the Victorious.

Blessed Pearl of Moscow

The monastery was founded in 1635 as a men's monastery by Emperor Mikhail Fedorovich in memory of his father, Patriarch Philaret, who died on the Feast of the Intercession of the Virgin. The monastery, erected on the site of a cemetery for homeless people and wanderers, was called Bozhedomsky.

Life before the revolution

The construction of the wooden cells of the monastery was completed by the tsar’s son, Alexei Mikhailovich. On Easter days, Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich and his son Fyodor, coming to the Intercession Monastery, said Christ with the brethren and left donations for the benefit of the monastery. The first stone Intercession Cathedral was built here in the middle of the 17th century. Later, a three-tiered bell tower and a brick church were erected in honor of the Resurrection of the Sorrow.

In 1812, French soldiers plundered the monastery, destroying the main buildings. In the second half of the 19th century, the monastery was rebuilt, and 400 people took pastoral courses here, preparing monks for missionary work. 20 monks from Athos were sent here to help.

During the First World War, 7 inhabitants of the Intercession Monastery were sent to the active army and mobile hospitals to perform pastoral duties. In 1914-1918, the monastery operated an infirmary for 500 wounded people, whose spiritual care was provided by the brethren of the monastery. By 1917, the monastery, well-maintained, with well-established liturgical and economic life, became the center of spiritual development for the surrounding residents.

Years of oblivion

With the advent of the new government, the monks received bread on ration cards; the Soviet government forbade the brethren to collect fruit in the vast orchard. The monastery churches were closed, deciding to convert them into a concentration camp. The Queen of Heaven protected her monastery and did not allow a prison to be placed here.

In 1929, the monastery was liquidated , the bell tower was blown up, and a football field and gym were built on the territory of the monastery. In the former churches, a magazine editorial office and a printing house, a film studio and a billiard room were established. For many decades, prayer fell silent in the monastery.

The monastery necropolis, the largest in the city, occupied an area of 5.5 hectares. Well-born Muscovites are buried here: Pyotr Shchukin, merchants Khludov, members of the Botkin family, poet and translator Dmitry Glebov. In 1934, the necropolis was razed, the stone tombstones of the graves were sold to those wishing to buy as building material. On the site of the cemetery there is a park of culture and recreation.

Renaissance and new era

In 1994, the Holy Synod decided to restore the Intercession Monastery as a monastery for women. In 1995, the first church service after a 65-year break was held in the monastery. Mother Superior Feofania took on the difficult task of restoring the monastery. Believers prayed in front of a plywood iconostasis with paper reproductions of icons.

In 1998, the relics of Matrona of Moscow , and the monastery became a place of mass pilgrimage. On May 2, 1999, Elder Matrona was solemnly canonized as a locally revered saint. The choir sang the troparion to the holy blessed Matrona for the first time, everyone sang her Greatness. Now in the monastery after the Liturgy there is a daily prayer service in honor of Saint Matrona.

In April 2013, the parish of the Church of the Most Holy Theotokos in the village of Troitskoye and its Orthodox gymnasium, called the “Metochion in Trinity-Lykovo,” were transferred to the jurisdiction of the Intercession Stavropegial Convent.

The Pokrovskaya monastery is a functioning convent that receives believers and tourists every day. The monastery is always crowded. On weekdays, up to 3,000 thousand believers come here, on weekends - 10-15 times more, so that people who want to visit the Intercession Church line up for many hours.

50 nuns live in the monastery, there is an almshouse and a shelter for orphan girls, where 40 girls are raised. 100 children are studying in the monastery gymnasium. The monastery has a huge economy: accounting, sewing workshop, hospital, sacristy. A nursing building, administrative buildings, and a house of worship were built.

In the Intercession Monastery 8 churches , 50 buildings were rebuilt, and an area of 20 hectares was landscaped, where 3,000 trees and shrubs were planted. The monastery hotel with a chapel is a five-star hotel with a swimming pool, luxury rooms and a bright, spacious refectory.

In 2007, the monastery was given Tagansky Park, located on the site of the former necropolis. There is a large Poklonny cross installed here; believers always come to it.

On November 27, 2021, the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin awarded the abbess of the monastery for her great contribution to the development of spiritual and moral traditions and active charitable activities, nun Feofania was awarded the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, IV degree.

What does an icon help with?

Thousands of people who prayed before the icon of the Matrona of Moscow with pure thoughts and deep, sincere faith received help and consolation.

Believers turn to the saint in a variety of life situations, problems and trials

Before the icon of the Matrona of Moscow they pray:

when a loved one goes missing;
in stressful situations - with anxiety, depression and other disorders;
for various diseases;
to preserve the family;
about the long-awaited baby;
about consolation in sorrow.

And in many other difficult moments for a person. Many note that there is no request that the saint would not respond to.

Shrines of the monastery

The holy relics of the blessed Matrona of Moscow are the main shrines of the monastery.
Icon with a particle of the relics of St. Neil of Stolobensky.
Icon of the Mother of God “Seeking the Lost,” painted with the blessing of Matrona.
Icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker of Myra with a particle of relics.
Icon of the Kiev-Pechora saints.
The right hand of the blessed Queen Theophania.
Icon of St. Seraphim of Sarov and the Diveyevo saints with particles of relics.
Icon with particles of the relics of St. Innocent, Metropolitan of Moscow.

Rules for applying to icons and relics

Despite the fact that home prayer is not inferior to the power of personal presence at the relics of the saint, millions of pilgrims annually visit the Intercession Church in order to touch the miraculous remains. The old woman hears everyone without exception, but you need to behave accordingly in the Abode of God:

do not try to squeeze out of line, but humbly wait until those in front pay tribute to the shrine;
approaching the relics of Matronushka, bow and make the sign of the cross twice;
make a pre-formulated request;
if you brought an image of a saint with you, you are allowed to attach it to the remains to ask for a blessing;
at the end of the prayer, touch the shrine with your lips and forehead, and then cross yourself again;
do not stand in front of the shrine for a long time, delaying the queue, but rather immediately step aside;
Be sure to take blessed flowers from the clergy handing out nearby.

People turn to saints through icons and relics for help, support and healing.
Many believers try to purchase an icon of the Matrona of Moscow in order to place it in their home and pray to it at any time. It is worth remembering that you need to treat the image with respect, following all the rules:

the holy face cannot be hung on the wall - only placed;
it can be placed next to other icons of the home iconostasis, located on the right hand of the main entrance;
the image must be visible;
if the icon stands alone, a small icon case is purchased for it, and a lamp is placed next to it;
it is allowed to decorate the holy face with a gospel message, preferably embroidered with one’s own hand;
on the shelf near the image you can put Orthodox literature and objects used during prayer;
There should be no household appliances or works of art near the shrine.

You need to pray to the icon of the Matrona of Moscow in the same way as other saints:

light a church candle or lamp in front of the image;
stand for a few minutes with your eyes closed to take your mind off the bustle of the world, clear your mind and focus on prayer;
communicate with the saint in a whisper or to yourself;
speak sincerely and never ask for revenge or to do harm to anyone;
if you are not asking for yourself, be sure to mention the name (preferably given at baptism).

The texts of the address to the blessed old woman are in all prayer books, and at first you can use them. However, it is better if the words come from the heart - then the chances of them being heard will increase several times.

Prayers to the image of Matrona of Moscow

There are several prayers that are read in front of the icon of the Matrona of Moscow, each of them is aimed at one or another life circumstance. But there is a main one with which Orthodox Christians come to the blessed one most often. It contains everything that is most necessary and important for every believer.

You can pray to the Holy Elder Matrona in church or at home

About the gift of a child “Oh, blessed mother Matrona, we resort to your intercession and tearfully pray to you. As you who have great boldness in the Lord, pour out a warm prayer for your servants, who are in deep spiritual sorrow and asking for help from you. Truly is the word of the Lord: ask, and it will be given to you, and again: even if two of you take counsel upon the earth, whatever you ask, it will be given to you from My Father who is in Heaven. Hear our groans and bring the Lord to the throne, and where you stand before God, the prayer of a righteous man can do much before God. May the Lord not completely forget us, but look down from the heights of heaven on the sorrow of His servants and bestow the fruit of the womb for something useful. Truly, God wants, so do the Lord to Abraham and Sarah, Zechariah and Elizabeth, Joachim and Anna, pray with him. May the Lord God do this to us, out of His mercy and ineffable love for mankind. Blessed be the name of the Lord from now to eternity. Amen."
About healing “O blessed one, Mother Matrono, hear and accept us now, sinners, praying to you, who throughout your entire life has learned to receive and listen to all those who suffer and mourn, with faith and hope for those who resort to your intercession and help, quick help and miraculous healing for all serving; May your mercy not fail now for us, unworthy, restless in this busy world and nowhere finding consolation and compassion in spiritual sorrows and help in bodily illnesses: heal our illnesses, deliver us from the temptations and torment of the devil, who passionately fights, help us convey our everyday Cross, to bear all the hardships of life and not lose the image of God in it, to preserve the Orthodox faith until the end of our days, to have strong trust and hope in God and unfeigned love for others; help us, after departing from this life, to achieve the Kingdom of Heaven with all those who please God, glorifying the mercy and goodness of the Heavenly Father, glorified in the Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen".

The blind old woman, who from childhood helped those in need and healed serious illnesses with prayers to the Lord, continues to save people even after death. Her miraculous image is revered second after the Mother of God, and the number of miracles confirms the great power of this blessed one.