The Totma-Sumorin Icon

28 January /10 February

Residents of the town of Totma in Vologda Province respected their holy father, Venerable Theodosy, and afforded material assistance to help establish the monastery. They wrote a petition imploring Tsar Ivan the Terrible to permit Elder Theodosy to build a monastery in their town, and their request was granted: In 1554, Archbishop Nikandr of Rostov issued a certificate to Venerable Theodosy which authorized building of a church and acquiring everything necessary for its consecration. The Abbot of Prilutsk blessed him with the Icon of the Mother of God to successfully establish the new monastery.

That Icon gained renown for a multitude of miracles and became known as the Totma-Sumorin Icon, incorporating Venerable Theodosy's last name - Sumorin. His Relics are in an opulent silver reliquary in the Holy Ascension Church, the main church of the monastery he founded. The Icon of the Savior-Sumorin Icon of the Mother of God is contained in a shrine standing before the reliquary. It is noteworthy that in response to their prayers, many of the sick have had Venerable Theodosy, holding that Icon, appear to them.