"Tolga" Icon

8 / 21 August

"Tolga" Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos appeared on August 8, 1314, to the hierarch Prokhor of Rostov (who, upon tonsure into the schema, received the name Triphon). Traveling about the diocese, the hierarch visited the land surrounding White Lake, and from there went down the rivers Sheksna and Volga to Yaroslavl. Toward nightfall, a stop was made about four and a half miles from Yaroslavl, on the right of the Volga, across from its confluence with the river Tolga. At midnight, while they were all asleep, the hierarch awakened and saw a bright light illuminating the surrounding area. The light was emanating from a pillar of fire on the opposite bank, to which a bridge extended. Taking his staff, the hierarch crossed to the other side, and approaching the pillar of fire, saw within it, in mid-air, an icon of the Most Holy Theotokos. Astonished by the apparition, the hierarch prayed for a long time; upon turning back, he forgot to take his staff.

The next day, when, after serving Matins, the hierarch Prokhor was about to board the boat to continue his journey, they began to search for his staff, but could not find it anywhere. Then the hierarch remembered that he had left his staff on the opposite bank, where he had gone across the miraculous bridge. He related his vision to the others. The servants whom he dis-patched to go by boat to the other shore returned with the news that among the trees in the forest they had seen an icon of the Mother of God, and next to it, the episcopal staff. The hierarch, who, together with all of the people, immediately crossed over to the other side, recognized the icon which had appeared to him. After fervent prayers before the icon upon that site, they cleared the trees, and there dedicated a church. As soon as the residents of Yaroslavl learned of this, they came to the indicated spot. By noon, the church had already been erected, and in the evening the hierarch performed the consecration, dedicating the church to the Entry into the Temple of the Most Holy Theotokos. He brought the icon into the church, and ordained that it be celebrated on the date of its appearance. Around this church, Prokhor established the Tolga Monastery, which at the present time is a convent.

icon from www.pravoslavie.ru