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VALAAM /Karelia/, August 19. /Correspondent of SPB-TASS/. The ancient Vallam icon of the Virgin Mary that is nowadays in Finland can be delivered to Russia. As the press-service of the patriarchy has informed, it was declared by the prior of the Finnish New-Valaam monastery archimandrite Sergy. He takes part in the celebration held on Valaam at participation of His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia devoted to opening of the main relic of the monastery Holy-Transfiguration Cathedral after 15 years of restoration.
Before the revolution Valaam archipelago was a part of the Finnish princedom of the Russian empire, and then it has fallen within the territory of Finland. In February of 1940 when the Soviet-Finnish war came to its end, the monastery community being rescueed from reprisals, have moved to Finland, and have founded the New-Valaam monastery working now. They have brought there Vallam icon of the Virgin Mary that was venerated at the island as a thaumatirgical image and was one of the main relics there.
According to the prior of the New-Valaam monastery archimandrite Sergy, "if the official request follows from the Russian orthodox church, the icon can be brought to Russia for worship." He has emphasized, that between old and new Valaam there are very close spiritual ties.
The Hegumen has also noted, that in July the icon has been delivered to the United States of America under the request of the head of the Orthodox Church in America. "The image of Mother of God has followed, if it is possible so to say, the steps the educator of America Saint Herman of Alaska, who was the old Valaam native," - the prior of the Valaam has told.
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