Zoria says how he would rename Volodymyr and Kazan Icons

Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. Photo: wikimedia.org

OCU spokesperson Yevstratiy Zoria recorded a video dedicated to the Kazan and Volodymyr icons of the Most Holy Theotokos and the OCU's decision to cease veneration of certain Marian icons and saints that, in the view of Dumenko's structure, are associated with Moscow.

"The Kazan image of the Mother of God is not some separate new icon, but a reduced version of one of the widespread ancient types of Marian images – Hodegetria (She Who Shows the Way). It is this naming of the icon, found in Kazan, that Russian Patriarch Hermogenes points to – a witness of events and an editor and author of one of the first descriptions of the appearance of the image. Subsequently, a Moscow great-power myth and cult began to emerge around the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God (as well as around Prince Alexander of Novgorod and to a lesser extent around some other saints and icons), where Christian shrines were turned into idols," Zorya said.

He also stated that the Volodymyr Icon of the Mother of God is venerated by the OCU, but not because of Moscow.

"We venerate the same image, but as the Vyshhorod Icon – it is gradually necessary to make changes in the veneration of this icon as well. To separate the veneration of the Mother of God and the miracles performed through Her intercession from further imperial mythology. It is necessary to return this icon to its true name – Hodegetria, and it is under this name that we should venerate it," the OCU spokesperson noted.

As the UOJ reported, on July 14, the OCU abolished the veneration of the Kazan, Iveron, Troeruchytsia (Three-Handed), and Semistrilna (Seven-Arrow) icons of the Mother of God.

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