MOTHER OF GOD OF THE INEXHAUSTIBLE CUP
May 5
The “Inexhaustible Chalice” Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos was revealed in Russia in 1878. A retired soldier from Tula had spent his pension on alcohol, ruining his health. Though he was no longer able to walk, he continued to drink. One night a holy Elder appeared to him in a dream and told him to go to the Serpukhov Monastery of the Mother of God. “Have a Molieben served before her Icon called ‘The Inexhaustible Chalice.’” Since he had no money and could not walk, the man paid no attention to the dream. The Elder appeared a second and third time, speaking to him with increasing severity. Crawling on all fours, the man reached a nearby village and stayed in the home of an old woman. She rubbed his legs, and he began to feel better. The next day, he resumed his journey with two canes until he arrived at the monastery.
The man described his dreams to the monks, but none of them had ever heard of Icon of the Inexhaustible Chalice. Finally, one of them remembered an icon on which a chalice was depicted. On the back of the icon was an inscription, “The Inexhaustible Chalice.” After the Molieben, the peasant returned home restored to health, and cured of his alcoholism. News of the miracle spread, and many alcoholics and their families came to pray before the Icon. Many came back to thank the Mother of God for answering their prayers. A Molieben with an Akathist is served each Sunday in the Serpukhov-Vyotsk Monastery before the Icon for those who are addicted to alcohol. Kontakion A wonderful and marvellous healing has been given to us by your holy icon, O sovereign Lady Theotokos. By its appearance we have been delivered from spiritual and physical ills, and from sorrowful circumstances. So we bring you our thankful praise, O all-merciful Protectress. O sovereign Lady, whom we call "The Inexhaustible Cup": bend down your ear and mercifully hear our lamentation and tears that we bring to you, and give your healing to those who suffer from drunkenness, so that we may cry out to you with faith: Rejoice, O Theotokos, the Inexhaustible Cup that quenches our spiritual thirst! Source : Icon of the Mother of God "The Inexhaustible Chalice" : Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America |
