Posted on 01/21/2011 7:10:19 AM PST by marshmallow
Saxonburg among the six stops for the 715-year-old Kursk Root Icon
The Rev. George Livanos was awed and humbled when he received a call asking if All Saints Greek Orthodox Church in Canonsburg would host a visit of one of the most beloved icons in all of Orthodox Christianity.
It wasn't just that the 715-year-old Kursk Root Icon is said to have wrought many miracles. He felt a connection because he had named his son for St. Seraphim of Sarov, an 18th-century monk who was healed of a deadly childhood illness after venerating this icon of the Virgin Mary.
"After my jaw hit the ground, I said yes," said a delighted Father Livanos. "This icon is traveling throughout the United States, and they want to bring it here."
Today the icon is at Nativity of the Theotokos Monastery in Saxonburg, where an all-night vigil will begin at 4:30 p.m. After an 8 a.m. Friday Liturgy, the icon will be taken to Canonsburg, where a procession will begin at 5:30 p.m. After a prayer service, a talk will be given on its history.
On Saturday the icon will be at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in California for a 9:30 a.m. Liturgy; at St. Basil the Great in Belle Vernon for prayer at 2:30 p.m.; and at Christ the Savior in Indiana for an all-night vigil starting at 5 p.m. The final local stop is a 9 a.m. Sunday Divine Liturgy at Holy Dormition in McKeesport. A schedule is at www.eadiocese.org.
In Orthodox theology, icons are far more than pictures. The church teaches that they convey the word of God through imagery, much as the Bible does through writing.
"Icons are windows into Heaven," Father Livanos said.
(Excerpt) Read more at post-gazette.com ...
Orthodox Ping!
The pilgrimages of the Kursk Root Icon are a source of joy to all the Orthodox faithful. I was able to ask the intercessions of the Theotokos before the holy icon and venerate it in early November when it visited Kansas City (well Lenexa, KS actually). We have a little girl in our little mission who had an inoperable brain tumor vanish to the amazement of her physicians who had given her months to live after her parents prayed with her before the Kursk Root Icon five or six years ago when the icon came through Wichita on one of these pilgrimages.
Any Orthodox FReepers in the Pittsburgh area should be sure to get one of the akathists when the icon is there.
Miracles take place and still they mock.
Beautiful!
Any plans for this Icon to visit the NoVA/MD/DC area?
It’s coming here next week!!! I cannot wait!!!!
Thank you. Beltsville MD and Bristol VA aren’t terribly far ...
All Saints is my home Church! It is the church I was married in and my children were baptised in! My sister is there all day today preparing food for after the service. :)
I wish I was there to see the icon.
and a ps - the world has a new Orthodox Christian, my son Vasili was born this past Monday!
Congratulations!
My family and I are going to All Saints of North America which is located a little south of Staunton VA. I’m soooo excited. Hope you can make the trek to one of the churches also.
Wow. Congratulations on the arrival of your new blessing. May God grant him many years.
Kiki! Allow me to add my sincere congratulations on your little “royal” Vasili!!!!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.