Kurba, Russia, November 8, 2019
Photo: foma.ru
A wonderworking Kazan Icon of the Mother of God has returned to its home.
The icon underwent extensive restoration at the Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra, returning to the Kazan Church in Kurba in the Yaroslavl Province of Russia just a few days before the eve of the feast of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, reports Foma.
The 16-sided Kazan Church. Photo: foma.ru
The Kazan Church, where the icon was kept before the revolution, was built in the 19th century. The architecture of the church is considered unique—it is the only church in the world with a round 16-sided petal shape.
The church was closed in 1929-1930 and the riza with precious stones was removed from the icon, though the local faithful were able to save the icon and transfer it to the Church of the All-Merciful Savior in the village of Vasilevsky.
The Kazan Icon before restoration. Photo: foma.ru
The holy icon was in bad condition, and Fr. John Lozan of the church in Vasilevsky organized funding for its restoration in in 2017. Nearly $13,000 (828,550 rubles) were spent on the work, with donations coming in from around the world.
The restored icon will remain in the Church of the All-Merciful Savior as the Kazan Church is in a ruined state. Its restoration is being carried out by the White Iris Preservation of Cultural Heritage Foundation.
