Icon of the Mother of God of Peschanoskaya The image of the icon of the Mother of God called Peschanskaya is famous as one of the miraculous images of the Kazan Mother of God style. The appearance of this image is connected with the name of St Joseph, the Russian bishop/saint of Belgorod. In 1754 (also the year of his death) St Joseph left his diocese and on the eve of his arrival in Belgorod he had a dream that in a certain church and in a forgotten place there was an icon of the Mother of God. From this icon came the Virgin’s voice saying “Look what was done to my image by the servers of the church.” She affected Bishop Joseph, before visiting the churches he examined the exteriors and interiors. Visiting the city of Izum he went to the Ascension Church and there he recognized the icon he saw in his dream. The icon was kept in a dirty portion where the charcoal was stored for the censers. At his command the icon was placed in a large case and in 1792 the church together with the icon was transferred to another location in the suburbs – Peschi. Through the prayers to the Peschanskaya icon of the Mother of God many miracles occurred, people were healed from incurable diseases and people glorified the Virgin as the defender of mankind. The miraculous image came to the aid of our motherland in one of the most difficult moments in its history when the war of 1914 was in full swing and defeat was near. On September 4, 1915 at the general meeting of the members of the Brotherhood of St Joseph one of the members asked permission to go to the war. “Do not be amazed at what you hear – he said- the question is going through all Russia and I cannot be silent because I have received from Joseph, the one anxious to please a direct command.” And he told of his threatening dream two years before the war. “Appearing in a dream the Saint took me by the hand, led me to a high mountain from which he showed me all Russia flowing blood.” Then there was on the other side a vision of God pleaser. Before me stood St Joseph…”It is late he said, now only the Mother of God can save Russia. The Vladimir Queen of Heaven and the Peschanskaya image of the Mother of God must quickly be delivered to the front and while there will be there the mercy of God will not leave Russia. I awoke with resolve persistency to fulfill the direct command of God.” Prince Zhevakov and the other members of the Brotherhood entrusted to Colonel Vozglanvit the mission to carry out the wishes of the Prince. With help of God the Prince carried the message to the Empress. An attendant of Her Majesty commanded the icon be brought to the Military Headquarters, where it arrived on the name’s day of the Czarvich. But the Emperor was on a visit to Kharkov and I was not able to venerate it. In December the icon was to be taken in procession but it was not held. “It was obvious Russia was rushing to an abyss that no one could stop. Even the most extreme pessimists were convinced all was lost,” wrote Prince Zhevakov. The days were numbered. With the first wave of Russian emigration the miraculous image was taken abroad and soon disappeared from sight. Copies of the miraculous Peschanskaya image are found in all areas of the world. The Peschanskaya icon of the Mother of God has worked many miracles: bringing children back to life, unexpected monetary help, praying for future monks, and those wishing to visit the Holy Land. During the time the icon visited the front during World War I there is numerous evidence that the Russian Army did not suffer one defeat. The Peschanskaya icon of the Most Pure Mother of God appears to be the Protectress and defender of Russia in the days of difficult trails. Feast Day of the Icon is Oct 22/Nov 4 Translated from the Russian