"Znamenie"?

[helenazar]

This is a question for those more familiar with Russian Orthodox traditions nad religious nomenclature. What exactly does "Znamenie" mean? I think it is a religious service (something like "Vsenoshnaya"), but I am not sure. If anyone knows for sure and can define it here for me, I would really appreciate it!

Helen

[Mike]

"Znamenie" means a divine sign, like miracle, prophecy, natural phenomenon interpreted as manifestation of divine power, etc.

[helenazar]

Thanks, Mike! Could it also mean some type of a service at a church, like when someone says they went to a "Znamenie"?

[Mike]

No AFAIK, but it's a typical name for an icon or for a church. So a phrase like "They went to a "Znamenie" might mean that they went to the Znamenie church, or to any church to pray at a Znamenie icon, to light candles before it, etc. However, maybe some of the forum's Orthodox participants will correct me.

[BobG]

Helen,
Alexandra in her letters to Nicholas often refers to "going to Znamenie."  She is talking about going to the "Church of the Sign" in Tsarskoye Selo. It was locate just up the street from the AP near the Lyceum at the Catherine Palace.  I think after she had the Fyodorovskii Cathedral  built in the Alexander Park, so went less frequently to "Znamenie."  I don't know if it still exists.

There is a section on the Church in the AP Time Machine.  Here is the link:  http://www.alexanderpalace.org/palace/sign.html  Unfortunately, the picture of the icon like the one Mike refers to doesn't seem to be available on the page.  Another discussion of it appears in the Tour of Tsarskoe Selo.  Here is that link: http://www.alexanderpalace.org/2006tsarskoe/annunciation_church.html. It is refered to both as the Church of the Sign and the Annunciation Church.

BobG

[Mike]

Here's the icon:

[helenazar]

No AFAIK, but it's a typical name for an icon or for a church. So a phrase like "They went to a "Znamenie" might mean that they went to the Znamenie church, or to any church to pray at a Znamenie icon, to light candles before it, etc. However, maybe some of the forum's Orthodox participants will correct me.

Helen,
Alexandra in her letters to Nicholas often refers to "going to Znamenie."  She is talking about going to the "Church of the Sign" in Tsarskoye Selo. It was locate just up the street from the AP near the Lyceum at the Catherine Palace.  I think after she had the Fyodorovskii Cathedral  built in the Alexander Park, so went less frequently to "Znamenie."  I don't know if it still exists.

Thank you so much, guys, this is exactly what I needed!