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Saint Nikephoros, a martyr was not just an example of Christian virtue and devotion to God, but also a vivid illustration of the truth that even a sacrifice of life will mean nothing in the eyes of God if given without love.
The Orthodox Church approaches the Great Lent which will start on February 23rd according to the Julian calendar. In order to prepare for the Lenten journey, the Church gives us four pre-lenten weeks to help us understand why we fast.
The spiritual message of the icon revealed itself with time. It promises eventual forgiveness to the Russian people and the return of the supreme power from the Holy Theotokos after a long period of suffering and repentance.