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The Kasperovskaya Icon of the Mother of God is considered the largest shrine for two cities of Ukraine: Odessa and Kherson. This is where she stays for about six months. The rest of the time, the image travels through the southern territory of Ukraine, thus giving believers the opportunity to touch the holy image.
This shrine is venerated three times a year: July 12, October 14, and Wednesday of Bright Week. In this article you will learn the history of this image and what they pray to it for.
The history of the appearance of the icon
The Christian shrine was brought to the Kherson province in the 16th century by a certain Serb. The man arrived in Rus' from Transylvania (territory of Romania).
At that time, the mentioned lands were under the yoke of the Turks. The icon of the Mother of God was kept as a relic and passed down from generation to generation for two centuries.
At the beginning of the 19th century, the image of the Virgin Mary with a baby in her arms passed to Uliana, who owned the lands of Kasperovka, Olviopol district. At that time, the image of the Saints was very dilapidated, and the silhouettes were barely visible. However, the noble person placed the shrine in her home iconostasis and prayed to the image every time.
In 1840, the owner of Kasperov suffered many troubles. The woman began to pray even more fervently to the icon of the Mother of God, spending the whole night on her knees in front of the icon.
One morning, Uliana noticed how the icon had changed. The image of the mother and baby became brighter and clearer. After consulting with her husband, the woman did not tell her fellow villagers about the miracle that had occurred. But it was impossible to hide the fantastic story.
Where to find the image
From the date of the miraculous liberation of Odessa (October 1 according to the old calendar and October 14 according to the new style), the Kasperov icon was in the Transfiguration Cathedral of the city. In the middle of Easter week, the image was returned to the village of Kasperovka, and for the celebration of the Ascension of the Lord, the shrine was placed in the city of Kherson, from where the image was transferred to Nikolaev for the month of July. In the places where the image was located, an akathist was sung weekly on Fridays.
From 1936 to the present day, you can pray in front of the icon in the Odessa Cathedral. The revered list is located in the Leningrad region, within the walls of the Intercession monastery. The shrine is venerated on the day of the miraculous renewal of the prototype - July 12, and on the day of the liberation of Odessa - October 14. Believers bring flowers to the icon, light candles, and the clergy conduct a solemn service.
Miraculous events
- Next to Kasperova lived the noblewoman Burleeva, who suffered from paralysis of her arm. The Mother of God appeared to her in a dream and ordered her to go to the landowner. The woman followed the instructions. She began to pray in front of the holy image and recovered.
- During the summer of 1843, three healings took place. The paralyzed resident of Ochakovo, Maria Smeshnaya, was brought to the miraculous icon. After reading the prayer, the bourgeois woman got up and walked on her own.
- One peasant brought his son Ivan Shumyakov, who suffered from epilepsy, from Kherson to Kasperova’s house. The prayer said in front of the holy images completely cured the boy.
- The third incident occurred with Praskovya Semipudova. The woman was considered crazy for a long period of her life. After she appeared before the icon of the Mother of God, listened to the prayer and was anointed with oil from the lamp located next to the image, the obsession with madness receded.
Stories of miraculous healings became known outside the Kherson region and reached the Holy Synod. After this, the highest church-administrative state body recognized the Kasperov Icon of the Mother of God as miraculous. The Novoivanovsky priest suggested that Uliana place the icon in the temple.
Rescue of Odessa
In 1853–1856, the Crimean War was fought between the Russian Empire and the coalition of the British, French, and Ottoman empires. It was decided to deliver the Kasperov Icon of the Mother of God to Odessa, which was besieged by an enemy fleet of 96 ships.
In the period from the summer of 1854 to the spring of 1856, the icon was in the city's cathedral. Before the image of the Mother of God, services were held and prayers were read.
Before being sent to Sevastopol, the soldiers visited the temple, and the archbishop blessed them with the Kasperov Icon of the Virgin Mary. Later, a cross was cast from copper money from the sale of candles to Russian soldiers. He was placed in the cathedral.
In 1854, after a religious procession with the Kasperov Icon of the Mother of God by Odessa residents, a real miracle happened. The enemy squadron retreated.
In 1922, in the Odessa region, in the village of Dachnoye (formerly Gnilyakovo), a cholera epidemic began among the residents. Every day the local priest buried the souls of the dead. Sometimes the number of deaths from the disease reached 30 people per day. Then it was decided to deliver the miraculous icon and install it right in the central square of the village. After the public prayer service, not a single person died.
Since the 1950s, with the blessing of the Holy Synod, religious processions have been organized in the main places of the Kherson diocese: Odessa, Kherson, Nikolaev with the Kasperov Icon of the Mother of God.
The date of celebration is June 29 (July 12), October 1/14, Wednesday of Holy Week.
Icon of the Virgin Mary Kasperovskaya
Kontakion 1
Chosen from all generations and the wondrous Intercessor of the entire Christian race, the Most Holy Theotokos Virgin Mary, we bring praise to Her unworthy, wonderful and holy image of Kasperovsky, brought to our land from Orthodox Serbia to strengthen the faith of Christ and our salvation of those who run to Her with love and sing:
Rejoice, Most Pure Mother of God, protection and intercession of the city of Odessa and all the Black Sea lands.
Ikos 1
You appeared above all angels, O Most Holy Queen, with the appearance of Your Holy icon you filled Orthodox Christians with joy, running to You with faith and love. You, the Most Pure Virgin, have shown to the living city of Odessa and the entire Black Sea region, wondrous intercessions, illuminating with the streams of your miracles all the faithful, crying out to You in joy:
Rejoice, our faithful Intercessor before the image of those who pray.
Rejoice, Thy countless bounties, who ask us from the Lord.
Rejoice, for the word of God in You will never fail.
Rejoice, for no one leaves You empty-handed or unheard.
Rejoice, for before Your image there are many greater blessings.
Rejoice, for before Him your requested desires were fulfilled.
Rejoice, Most Pure Mother of God, protection and intercession of the city of Odessa and all the Black Sea lands.
Kontakion 2
Seeing You, the zealous Intercessor of the Christian race, depicted on Your Kasperovskaya icon and many miracles performed by Her, every day of faithfulness they come to You in their prayers, asking for help and intercession. You, Mother of Mercifulness, awaken joy to all those who grieve and those who are offended by the Intercessor, who sing in praise of Your God: Hallelujah.
Ikos 2
The human mind cannot comprehend Your wondrous miracles, O Most Holy Virgin. Just as the city cannot hide at the top of the mountain while standing, they light a lamp below and place it under a bushel, but on the candlestick, and it shines on everyone who is in the temple, so is your holy Kasperovsky image. Like the Divine light, this image pours out the grace of those who run to Him and sing to Ty, Mother of God:
Rejoice, our representative, strong and incomprehensible.
Rejoice, fulfilled desire, You are our all-good.
Rejoice, You are the immovable preservation of pious faith.
Rejoice, the highest lamp placed on the candlestick.
Rejoice, you who are pious and miraculously preserved from troubles and sorrows.
Rejoice, You turn away embittered souls from destruction.
Rejoice, Most Pure Mother of God, protection and intercession of the city of Odessa and all the Black Sea lands.
Kontakion 3
The power of the Most High calls many Orthodox people throughout Kasperovka to find Your wonderful icon. You, the Queen of Heaven, deigned to glorify this Holy image, magnifying signs and wonders. People sent up honor and glory to Your image, crying out to the Lord in spiritual songs: Hallelujah.
Ikos 3
Having a strong Orthodox faith from his youth, a certain noble Serb brought from Transylvania the ancestral image of this Most Holy Theotokos to our land. And like the shrine of Velia, this icon has been a blessing from generation to generation in the village of Kasperovka. Before Her, those praying pour out their sorrows and sighs of prayer, asking more often, singing with faith to the Mother of God:
Rejoice, our most merciful Comforter.
Rejoice, our surest salvation.
Rejoice, preserving Christian families in piety.
Rejoice, strengthening those who live in the faith of Christ.
Rejoice, blessing of the homes and marriages of the pious.
Rejoice, protection and praise of pious Christians.
Rejoice, Most Pure Mother of God, protection and intercession of the city of Odessa and all the Black Sea lands.
Kontakion 4
The storm of thoughts confused the Kasperov wife, what a wonderful renewal of Thy holy icon, O Lady, appearing in the deep night and without Her witnesses. Although they wanted to hide this miracle and, by mutual agreement, tell a lie, the spouses could not. For the Divine will judge otherwise, so that this great miracle may not be hidden, but revealed to all the faithful, singing to God in joy: Hallelujah.
Ikos 4
Hearing about the wondrous miracle of the renewal of Your icon, Lady, many faithful from all over the Black Sea region flocked to worship this great Shrine, Praise and veneration to You, Most Pure Mother of God, singing with faith and love:
Rejoice, you have brought joy to many Orthodox people by the appearance of Your holy Icon.
Rejoice, you who accept the prayers offered to You from the hearts of the faithful.
Rejoice, confirmation of the true Orthodox faith.
Rejoice, many unfaithful have been brought to faith by this image.
Rejoice, Thou who hast taught us the Divine treasure through Thy icon.
Rejoice, you guide our souls on the true path.
Rejoice, Most Pure Mother of God, protection and intercession of the city of Odessa and all the Black Sea lands.
Kontakion 5
Your God-bright star appeared, Kasperovskaya, Most Holy Virgin, when you were brought into the Church of God. Henceforth, Your gracious Protection has thus spread to all the towns and cities of the Black Sea region, all the faithful who come to Your icon, and pray with faith to receive healing and grace-filled help, singing to God: Hallelujah.
Ikos 5
Having seen great miracles in the holy temple from the icon of the saints, the Most Pure Virgin, countless peoples flocked to the celebrations and glorification of Her. Processions of the cross took place in honor of the newly-revealed icon of Yours, carrying Her around and crying out to You for salvation and intercession with tenderness:
Rejoice, Intercessor, Queen of Heaven, joy and consolation to our country.
Rejoice, Most Blessed Virgin, Who spreads Her Veil over us.
Rejoice, for you have deigned to accept prayers from us, the unworthy.
Rejoice, for you yourself desired to bring our prayer to the Throne of the Most High God.
Rejoice, for by finding Your icon, you have appeared as a miracle of God's great mercy to our country.
Rejoice, for in this way pagan pride and vacillation have been cast down.
Rejoice, Most Pure Mother of God, protection and intercession of the city of Odessa and all the Black Sea lands.
Kontakion 6
The holy Kasperovskaya icon rose with wonderful glory, when the Holy Synod of the Church truly recognized and testified that this icon was the great shrine of the entire Black Sea land. And from now on, the omnipotent intercession of the holy icons of Kasperovsky appears as the blessed Protection of the Mother of God spread over our land. Hearing this good news, the faithful sang to God: Hallelujah.
Ikos 6
The cities and towns of the Black Sea land preach the Truth of Thy holy Kasperovsky icon, Mother of God Most Pure, as Thou hast deigned to glorify Thy holy image with numerous signs and wonders. Many cities and villages desired to see Your holy image, begging to bring it for prayer and worship, and in Joyful encounters with this great Shrine, they sang to You, the Most Blessed One:
Rejoice, our joy, our joy, transforming our sorrows into joy.
Rejoice, All-merciful intercessor who delivers you from all troubles and temptations.
Rejoice, O All-Merciful Lady, Who by Thy mercy does not abandon us.
Rejoice, Climbed Voivode, conquering enemies visible and invisible.
Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, showing the way to the faithful to the gates of Paradise.
Rejoice, Divine One who is quick to hear, who accepts our prayers.
Rejoice, Most Pure Mother of God, protection and intercession of the city of Odessa and all the Black Sea lands.
Kontakion 7
Desiring to gaze upon Thy holy icon, O Most Holy Virgin, and pray fervently with faith, a crowd of many thousands of those praying will meet this Kasperovskaya icon, kneeling along the path of the procession of the cross processions of the Great Shrine, silently chanting: Hallelujah.
Ikos 7
Marvelous signs of mercy accomplished by the power of the Grace of Thy Divine miraculous icon, O Most Pure Virgin: the sick were healed, the paralytic were strengthened, the demons were freed from unclean spirits, the blind saw the Most Pure Image. With one mouth and heart I all cry out: Most Holy Theotokos, help us and save us all, Your name is magnified in joy:
Rejoice, You are our representative without shame to God.
Rejoice, Thou art forever reigning with Thy Son and our God.
Rejoice, You organize salvation for mankind for the good.
Rejoice, You are the first Healer of the sick and suffering.
Rejoice, for through You sinners are saved from destruction.
Rejoice, for through You we are delivered from the passions of wickedness.
Rejoice, Most Pure Mother of God, protection and intercession of the city of Odessa and all the Black Sea lands.
Kontakion 8
There was great joy for all those living in the city of Odessa, when the honorable icon of Kasperov was presented by the Orthodox for prayerful intercession from enemy attacks, and as a visible sign of the heavenly protection of this city. This is Your Holy Image, the Most Pure Virgin, appearing as a faithful, insurmountable bulwark against the foreign forces of the enemy and the most reliable guarantee of our salvation, glorifying the Most High God and singing: Hallelujah.
Ikos 8
All the weak things of the world have been chosen by God, so that the strong, weak things of the world will be confounded and destroyed, chosen and those that do not exist, and that they that exist will be abolished. Thus, by Your Saints, Most Holy Theotokos, blessing and protection descended on meek and humble people, silent, trembling before the word of God. All who come running to You to save, granting obedience to the children, patience to the offended, complacency to the grieving, and all who honor Thee, pray before the image, accept healing, chanting to Thee:
Rejoice, you who showed encouragement and consolation to the city of Odessa in prayers before the holy image.
Rejoice, for you deliver this city from enemy captivity.
Rejoice, you who called all those living in it to popular repentance and prayer.
Rejoice, you who showed your mercy and mercy to the city with the Kasperov icon.
Rejoice, you who drove away the enemy fleet from the destruction of the city of Odessa.
Rejoice, you who strengthened all the living city of Odessa with faith in salvation.
Rejoice, Most Pure Mother of God, protection and intercession of the city of Odessa and all the Black Sea lands.
Kontakion 9
Every nature of heaven and earth brings praise to Thee, the Queen of Heaven, as Thy Holy Image appears as a cover of heavenly intercession and protection of the city of Odessa in difficult times of disasters and attacks of the enemy, preserving those living in it and crying out to God: Hallelujah.
Ikos 9
The branches of humanity will not be able to extinguish Thy generosity, O Most Pure Virgin, nor to explain the divine power emanating from the holy icon of Kasperovsky. All who resort to Her and pray to You with faith, O Mother of God, have the best desire and sing to You in joy:
Rejoice, You are our Guardian and Affirmation.
Rejoice, enlightening all the faithful with the rays of Your miracles.
Rejoice, you are our quiet and kind refuge.
Rejoice, You are the joy of the cities and all the Black Sea lands.
Rejoice, You are the Praise and Glory of the Orthodox Church.
Rejoice, Thou who destroyest evil undertakings and dissolves the machinations of the enemy.
Rejoice, Most Pure Mother of God, protection and intercession of the city of Odessa and all the Black Sea lands.
Kontakion 10
Wanting to save us sinners, You deigned to show Your Kasperovskaya Icon on the Intercession and save not only the city of Odessa, but the entire Black Sea land. Many of Your mercy and generosity, in this way You have bestowed upon the faithful. With reverence and faith those who flow to You cry out: “Be our zealous Intercessor at the Throne of God Almighty, and may the Lord vouchsafe us to stand on our right hand and sing to Him with all the saints”: Hallelujah
Ikos 10
You are an insurmountable wall, a vigilant guard against all misfortunes and troubles for all who come running to You. Your holy image has appeared as an inexhaustible source of grace, exuding healing to all who turn to Him in prayer with faith. Likewise, we, who fall to You in sorrow and illness, tenderly say to You:
Rejoice, our only Mother of mercy, have mercy on us sinners.
Rejoice, for You are our gracious Protector, covering us from all evil.
Rejoice, for through You all our mental and physical illnesses are healed.
Rejoice, for with Your help all our passions and ailments are destroyed.
Rejoice, for you are helping us to strengthen our faith, hope and love for God.
Rejoice, for in all circumstances you guide the path of salvation.
Rejoice, Unbrided Bride.
Kontakion 11
Accept our unworthy singing with tenderness to You. Most Pure Virgin, and listen to our warm prayer, hear all those who come running to You. For You are truly our Intercessor, turning away terrible troubles from us, comforting all passions and strife, and under Your mercy we all run, singing to God: Hallelujah.
Ikos 11
Through the light-receiving candle of the non-evening light we see Your Holy Icon. Kasperovsky’s image of Her shines unwaveringly in the holy temple of the city of Odessa, illuminating with Divine grace all those who come running under the protection of the one Intercessor of the entire Christian race. This Holy Image, by the power of God, drives away the actions of the enemy, heals all our ailments and bestows blessing on those who cry to the Mother of God:
Rejoice, for You are the Intercessor of the offended and the help of the suffering.
Rejoice, for You, by Your mercy, restrained the right hand of the Lord, stretched out to punish sinners.
Rejoice, for with Your mercy You averted disasters from our Fatherland and consoled strife and wars.
Rejoice, for through You the devastating leprosy was stopped and hunger was satisfied.
Rejoice, for through the anointing of oil from the lamp of Your icon, the sanity of many possessed by the power of demons has been restored.
Rejoice, for many have received health at prayer services at Thy holy icon.
Rejoice, Most Pure Mother of God, protection and intercession of the city of Odessa and all the Black Sea lands.
Kontakion 12
Divine grace appeared abundantly through Your Holy Icon, Blessed Virgin. Your image of Kasperov was given to the faithful for the sanctification and salvation of our souls, for protection from attacks from enemies visible and invisible, and as a sign of the greatest intercession of our entire fatherland. In the same way, with faith, we offer Him worship and prayerfully sing to God: Hallelujah.
Ikos 12
Singing and glorifying Your miracles, Most Holy Virgin, performed from Your holy icon, we all fall down to You with fear and trembling, and we pray to You, the Lady of the World. Be to all of us an invincible shield and an invincible wall, an indestructible cover and an intercessor to Your Son and our God with unceasing voices singing to You:
Rejoice, You are always victorious over our enemies, visible and invisible.
Rejoice, You who fulfill the good wishes of all the faithful.
Rejoice, You enlighten all faithful people by the appearance of Your holy icon.
Rejoice, for, looking at Your holy icon, we worship You, the true Mother of God.
Rejoice, for You are the One who glorifies Your name among all who glorify.
Rejoice, for in every need of ours, you are useful and good, helping everyone.
Rejoice, Most Pure Mother of God, protection and intercession of the city of Odessa and all the Black Sea lands.
Kontakion 13
Oh, our Most Pure and Merciful Lady, Virgin Mary! Before Your holy icon, hear us who stand before You praying with faith and love. Listen to the voice of our prayer, and deliver us from all troubles and misfortunes, sorrows and illnesses and the coming torment of all who call on Your name and cry out to Your Son: Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.
(This kontakion is read three times, then ikos 1 and kontakion 1 are read)
Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary
O Most Holy Virgin, Most Pure Mother of God, protection and intercession of the city of Odessa and all the Black Sea lands! We fall down and bow to You before Your Holy and Most Honorable Kasperovskaya Icon, which performed wondrous and glorious miracles. You alone art our intercessor of joy and as the Mother of God you can help us all. You alone have been given the Motherly boldness to propitiate Your Son, Christ our God, for the salvation of us sinners. In the same way, we humbly pray to Thee, our All-Merciful Lady, do not despise or abhor our sighs, but help us, the weak, bad and uncorrected, the grieving and embittered, the sick and lost, who come running in the contrition of our hearts. Deliver us, Most Blessed Lady, Mother of the Lord Most High, from all troubles and sorrows, from all ailments and illnesses, from sudden death, from the misfortunes of demons and the slander of evil people, for by You the demons are trampled upon and all our enemies are put to shame. Pray, O Most Pure Lady, to the Lord to preserve our Fatherland and our Orthodox Church in peace and silence. With His Most High Blessing, may the Lord strengthen our Orthodox Bishops and shepherds, the Christ-loving army with all Orthodox Christians. Protect us all from all evil with Your goodness, and comfort us with Your merciful visit and all the benefits to us. Also, O Lady, we pray to Thee, overthrow the heretical rebellion, gather the scattered, return the lost to the one flock of Christ, support old age, bring understanding to the young, protect orphan widows, heal the sick and comfort the sorrowing. Rest in peace the fathers and children and our brethren who have departed before in the blessed heavens and villages of the righteous, and with them receive us all in repentance and confession, and we, with all the Saints, glorify the Most Honorable and Most Holy Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever and ever. Amen.
Meaning
A small icon is painted on canvas, which is glued to a board. The image tells of the Virgin Mary hugging her Son with both hands.
At the same time, the Baby grabbed Mom with his arms and pressed her cheek with tenderness. The look of little Jesus is serious and not childish. The icon is considered an image of Tenderness.
Holding a child in her arms, the Mother of God does not smile at all. She knows the Boy's future. Mary's eyes speak of doom and humility.
The rolled up scroll in the Baby’s hand indicates the purpose of the Son of God, which no one yet knows about. A hint of future suffering is also hidden in the color of the child’s clothes - they are red.
What do they ask for in front of the icon?
Before the face of the Mother of God with the Child Savior, believers ask for help in solving worldly problems, forgiveness of sins and intercession before God.
Prayer to the Kasperov miraculous image helps believers:
- to be healed from bodily illnesses;
- get rid of mental suffering;
- gain protection from evil;
- guide loved ones on the right path;
- receive consolation in sorrows;
- get rid of demonic influence;
- change your life for the better;
- find the right solution in a difficult life situation.
Those who sincerely pray, lead a righteous lifestyle and keep the commandments of God will be heard in Heaven and will find what they were looking for. You need to read prayers with pure thoughts and a desire for good, consciously pronouncing every word with true faith in the Lord and His power.
Where to hang
The Kasperovskaya Icon of the Mother of God can be placed in the main iconostasis. It is customary to place it on the eastern wall, since the person praying must face east. In Orthodox churches this is how the altar is placed. It happens that in a house (apartment) on this side of the world there is no suitable wall for icons. Then they are installed in another place. This could be a living room, bedroom, kitchen. Usually icons are placed in the right corner of the door. If for some reason this is not possible, the images are placed in any accessible place where the worshiper can retire and concentrate.
One of the lists of the Icon of the Mother of God of Kasperskaya.
During prayer, nothing should distract or interfere. You should not keep things nearby that are not related to prayer.
