We just had a long weekend here, celebrating the new holiday of "Day of National Unity," on the 4th of November. It replaces the old celebration of the anniversary of the October Revolution on November 7. Note that the new holiday is not on November 7th, but November 4th. This is none other than the day of the Kazan' Icon of the Mother of God, when She defeated the Poles. The statue commemorates Dmitry Pozharsky and Kuzma Minin, who rallied Russia's volunteer army against the Polish invaders during the Time of Troubles in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. "The Commemoration of the Deliverance of Moscow From the Poles by the Kazan Icon was established in gratitude for the deliverance of Moscow and all Russia from the incursion of the Polish in 1612. The end of the sixteenth and beginning of the seventeenth centuries is known in Russian history as "the Time of Troubles." The country suffered the onslaught of Polish armies, which scoffed at the Orthodox Faith, plundering and burning churches, cities and villages. Through deceit they succeeded in taking Moscow. In response to the appeal of His Holiness Patriarch Hermogenes (May 12), the Russian people rose up in defense of its native land. From Kazan, the wonderworking icon of the Mother of God was sent to the army headed by Prince Demetrius Pozharsky."
Is there a silent, parallel message being given here, about the deliverance from a more recent "Time of Troubles"? Слава Богу за Его великую милость! Glory to God for His great mercy!
1 comment:
I hope I can leave English-language comments here... ;-)
In my Russian class, we now have to watch 15 minutes a day of Russian TV. The only TV I can get is through my computer, so I was watching the news from 1. Channel, and got to see a number of the festivities in connection with 4. November. I also took note of the juxtaposition of the feast of the Kazan Icon with this new national holiday -- good move! I can't help wondering if Putin chose the date for just that reason!
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