The religious scholar spoke about three miracles of the Vladimir Icon related to the salvation of Moscow.

Three traditions related to the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God are perceived in the Russian historical and religious tradition as evidence of the miraculous salvation of Moscow and special spiritual patronage over the city. These stories intertwine church tradition, historical memory and the formation of the cultural image of Moscow as the spiritual center of Russia. Nikita Pavlov, a religious scholar and researcher at the National Research Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, told Izvestia about this.

According to the religious scholar, in the Orthodox tradition, the events associated with the Vladimir Icon are considered as evidence of the special intercession of the Mother of God, whereas in the academic approach they are interpreted as significant elements of collective memory that influenced the perception of the historical path of Russia. According to him, it was through such traditions that a stable image of Moscow was formed as a city under the special spiritual protection of the Mother of God.

"In church tradition, the Vladimir Icon is associated with three main deliverances of Moscow from external threats. The first dates back to 1395, when, during the invasion of Tamerlane, the image was brought from Vladimir to Moscow. According to legend, after meeting the icon at the walls of the capital, Tamerlane's army suddenly turned back without engaging in battle. The second event occurred in 1480 during the famous "stand on the Ugra", when the troops of Khan Akhmat and Grand Duke John III were opposite each other for several weeks, but the decisive battle did not take place, and the Horde retreated," he said.

The third miracle is considered to be the episode of 1521, when, according to church tradition, after prayers in front of the image, the invasion of the Crimean Khan Mehmed Giray was stopped.

According to Pavlov, all three episodes are united by a common motive for the enemy's halted advance, which has consolidated the symbolism of protection and patronage for the image of the Vladimir Icon. In cultural memory, the shrine began to be perceived as a sign of "victory without a battle," reflecting the idea that turning points in history can be determined not only by military force.

Read more in the Izvestia article:

The Day of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God: the mystery of the shrine, which has been revered for centuries