Archimandrite Alipiy........

Archimandrite Alipiy (in the world Ivan Mikhailovich Voronov) fought since 1942 on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War. The children listened attentively to what Archimandrite Alipiy (Voronov), the governor of the Pskov-Caves Monastery, told about himself. 
In his youth he was an unbeliever. When the Great Patriotic War began, he, an officer, was called to the front. At parting, the mother gave him the icon of the Mother of God and bequeathed: "Son, when you find it difficult, take the icon, pray to the Theotokos - She will help you!" Mother's farewell was not erased from memory: it warmed and gave hope. 
Once, with a group of his soldiers, he was surrounded by a forest, and was wounded. On three sides were the Germans, and on the fourth a viscous swamp. Then he remembered the mother's order. He sat down a away from the group, took out  the icon and, began to pray: "Virgin Virgin, if You exist, help!". He prayed and returned to his group, and next to them there was an old woman, who asked them: "What, have you lost your way, sons? Come, I'll show you the path! ". And she led everyone along the path.

Father Alipy falls behind again and says to the old woman: "Well, mother, I do not know how to thank you!" And the "old woman" answered him: "And you will serve me all your life!" - and disappeared, as if she never existed . Then he remembered his  mother's parting words, only then did he understand what kind of "old lady" she was! 
And those words were not false. Indeed, he served the Mother of God all his life.