An exhibition of icons dedicated to the 400th anniversary of St. Mitrofan “The Rule of Faith and the Image of Meekness” has opened in the Voronezh Art Museum.

The opening ceremony was attended by the Governor of the Voronezh Region Alexander Viktorovich Gusev, Metropolitan of Voronezh and Liskinsky, Head of the Voronezh Metropolia Sergiy and Deputy of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Evgeny Vasilyevich Revenko.

Alexander Viktorovich Gusev noted that St. Mitrofan was a visionary man: “He saw that the young state needed spiritual support, and helped in all undertakings and innovations, but at the same time Mitrofan hated Western ideology, which tried to destroy our spiritual foundations. 400 years have passed, and what Mitrofan said is very relevant.”

Bishop Sergius congratulated all those gathered on the beginning of the celebration of the 400th anniversary of the birth of St. Mitrofan. He noted: “The value of the exhibition is not only that we honor the memory of St. Mitrofan, but also in every icon that is presented here. All of them were taken from holy corners, where people prayed on them. And this prayer tradition was not interrupted. After all, an icon loses its essence, its spiritual power when it is not prayed for, when it is not spoken to at the level of its heart, its soul. I wish everyone to come to the exhibition and see the holiness that these icons radiate.” In addition, Vladyka Sergei reminded the audience that St. Mitrofan was canonized 130 years after his death: the veneration of the saint was so strong among the people. Both the heirs to the throne and Emperor Nicholas I came to his coffin.

The deputy of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Yevgeny Vasilyevich Revenko, noted that Voronezh is not only the capital of the navy, but also the place where “the symphony of harmonious relations between the state and spiritual authorities was born.” Saint Mitrofan, according to Yevgeny Vasilyevich, is the very example of sacrificial service and service to God, the Church and the State, and it is in his appearance that the very country of which we are the heirs was embodied in many ways.

After the official opening, senior researcher of the museum Valeria Meremyanina conducted a tour of the exposition for the guests.

The exhibition is basically unique. A similar number (more than 100) of images of St. Mitrofan have never been exhibited in a single space. Visitors will be able to see what changes the face of the saint underwent depending on the iconographic school, the time of creation or the region of the country.

The exhibition “The Rule of Faith and the Image of Meekness” will run until November 12, 2023.

The cost of tickets to the exhibition:
Entrance ticket – 250 rubles.
Discounted ticket (schoolchildren, pensioners, students) – 150 rubles.
(According to the Pushkin map will be available later)

On September 17, 23, 24, 30 at 15:00 there will be guided tours of the exhibition
Cost: 100 rubles (valid only when buying an entrance ticket to the exhibition) (Available on the Pushkin map)