How a Lost lkon was Discovered.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 30 October 1914, Page 2

How a Lost lkon was Discovered.

The recent visit of the Russian fleet to Portland was marked by a curious incident', as the outcome of which Admiral Yon Essen, the Russian commander, carried back with him a venerated ikon (sacred picture) of St. Alexander Nevesky, the patron saint of St. Petersburg, which had been in England nearly sixty years. This ikon belonged to the chapel of the garrison of Bermansund, stormed by the united English and French forces on August 28, 1854. It fell into English hands, changed owners several times, and filially found its way into the possession, at Southampton, of Mr. Aladin, who emigrated to England, after the sudden closure of the first Russian Parliament, of which he was a member. Admiral Yon Essen was rather astonished on receiving at Portland a letter from Mr. Aladin informing him that he wished to present i' on as an offering to the flagship Rurik, to be returned to its natve land. A delicate situation arose, as the Admiral could not officially negotiate with a political refugee, and did not wish to ignore an offer so interesting, and so courteously and spontaneously made. The difficulty was got over by the despatch to Southampton of an officer in mufti, to whom the ikon was handed over.