Русская Версия

December 24, 2009
Middlebrook, VA: The Kursk Root Icon visited All Saints of North America Church

On Thursday, December 24, the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God visited All Saints of North America Church in the town of Middlebrook, Virginia. In the words of the ever-memorable Archbishop Nikon (Rklitsky): "The snowy plain stretches out expansively, and in the midst of it, as little oases, numerous well-to-do farms dot the landscape with their tall silos." In the midst of these farms, a remarkable Orthodox church sits, occupying an old building, once a Lutheran church, founded in 1882. The church is located on the main road between the capitals (Staunton and Lexington) of two Virginia state counties, considered to be of military significance in the U.S. Civil War. The road was frequently marched by Union and Confederate soldiers alike. The church, much like the town, exudes American history.

Before the start of the Liturgy, parishioners greeted the icon with a procession, led by rector Priest John Moses. Fr. John is an active member of the Diocesan Council and serves as its Southern Liaison, and together with his parishioners has been working for many years to restore and beautify this old church. The Liturgy was celebrated by diocesan secretary Archpriest Serge Lukianov, co-served by the Fr. John, Priest Gabriel Weller, and Priest Michael Furry (rector of St. Innocent of Alaska Mission in Roanoke, VA – Bulgarian Archdiocese). The wondrous singing of the parish choir, under the direction of Matushka Alexandra Moses, facilitated a prayerful mood on the part of all of the worshipers present. At the end of the service, when everyone had had a chance to venerate the icon, the choir sang various hymns to the Most Holy Theotokos with such joy and gladness, that the choristers finally broke out into the Paschal irmos, "Shine, shine!", and on that note the Liturgy concluded.

A bountiful luncheon was presented in the parish hall, during which a photomontage of the return of the icon to Russia was shown. After the luncheon, the rector showed the guests the substantial parish library, containing an unbelievable collection of books, magazines, and newspapers in Russian and English. The library was recently made the official diocesan library.

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese