In 1878, a peasant of the Tula province—a retired soldier who had a passion for alcohol for many years— saw a certain elder in a vision who commanded him to go to the Vladychny Convent in Serpukhov, to find the Icon “The Inexhaustible Cup” and to hold a molieben before it.

The news of the wondrous miracle rapidly spread over many towns and villages: from everywhere those possessed with this terrible passion flocked to the miracle-working icon, venerated “The Inexhaustible Chalice”, and gave up drinking; thus peace and quiet began to reign in their homes—and all this was through the prayers of the Protectress of mankind.

[4] In 1991, the men's Vysotsky Monastery in Serpukhov, founded in 1374 by St. Sergius of Radonezh, was reopened under the direction of Archimandrite Joseph (Balabanov, now Bishop of Birobidzhan and Kuldursk).

It had been determined by Archimandrite Joseph that the prototype icon was of Byzantine style, based on a description written by the Russian Orthodox priest and martyr, Jacob Ivanovich Brilliantov.

In an interview, Abbess Alexia of the Vladychny Convent stated an icon of the "Inexhaustible Chalice", presumed to be the miraculous original of 1878, had been found in a private art collection.

In 1997, in recognition of its veneration, its commemoration was entered into the official liturgical calendar of the Russian Orthodox Church with the blessing of the late Patriarch Alexy II.

[16] The Fellowship of the Inexhaustible Cup was formed "to provide and establish a network of intercessory prayer and support among its members in order to combat the many destructive forces of addictions.