The Tikhvin Miraculous Icon

The Tikhvin miraculous icon of the Holy Virgin in Riga

In June 2004 an unforgettable event took place in the lives of all Orthodox people in Latvia – the Miraculous Tikhvin Icon of the Holy Virgin arrived in Riga for several days en route from the USA to the town of Tikhvin in Russia.

According to legend, this icon was painted by the evangelist Luka. Originating in Constantinople, the icon then miraculously found herself in Russia, on the banks of the River Tikhvinka, where later a monastery was built and the town of Tikhvin emerged. When the monastery was closed in the 1920’s the icon became one of the exhibits at the local museum. During the last war the Germans took the icon from Tikhvin to Pskov, where they donated it to the Pskov Theological Mission. From Pskov the icon was brought to Riga, from whence it was taken abroad by Bishop Johann (Garklavs). On his death it was his last will that the icon be returned to Tikhvin should the local monastery be fully restored. That hour is now at hand. 

The Miraculous Tikhvin Icon of the Holy Virgin.