Celebration: March 19
The icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, known as Shestokovskaya or Sheltomezhskaya, appeared to people in the middle of the XVIII century in Moscow. In this city, the family of Nikolai Dimitrievich Skripitsyn had an amazing event. Once their servant, who was called the blessed one, told about her unusual dream, in which she was shown that the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos was hidden in the chimney. At first glance, this story seemed uninteresting to anyone, because the family took it for an ordinary dream. However, the next morning, the family was surprised when they found a rolled-up canvas on the stove pole, inside of which was a magnificent icon of the Most Holy Theotokos. This shrine was quite large, approximately 2 by 1.5 meters. There was a mark on the right hand of the Virgin Mary, indicating that the icon passed through the flames, but thanks to a miracle, it did not burn down. This precious icon was carefully decorated by the owners of the house and venerated with deep reverence and reverence. Before his death, the owner of the house gave this icon as a blessing to his children. However, without deciding which of the heirs should belong to this shrine, the relatives gave the miraculous icon to the local church of the village of Sheltomezhi, located in the Tver province. As a result of this sacrificial act, the icon acquired its second name — Sheltomezhskaya. The miraculous icon was known for numerous miracles and prayer answers. Religious processions with the Sheltomezh icon were often held in different places, not only within the Tver province, but also outside it. Believers came to the icon, praying for the healing of the sick and banishing spiritual troubles. In 1887, in honor of this miraculous icon, a convent was founded in the village of Sheltomezhi, which became known as the Shestokovskaya Ascension Monastery. Today, the original icon is in a private collection, but its list was placed in the Church of the Nativity of Christ in the city of Kashin in the Tver region. The history and miracles associated with this icon continue to live in the hearts of believers and serve as a source of hope and grace.
