Русская Версия

December 21, 2009
Charleston, South Carolina: The Kursk Root Icon arrived in the South

On Sunday, December 20, the Kursk Root Icon arrived in the South, flying in to Charleston, SC on an evening flight. This city, named in honor of King Charles II of England, sits on a homonymous harbor, at the other end of which is located the famous Fort Sumter, whose shelling in 1861 marked the beginning of the American Civil War. Charleston earned itself the nickname "The Holy City," due to its incredible number of houses of worship of all denominations, including two Orthodox churches.

On Monday, December 21, the icon left for the neighboring town of Summerville, where Sts. Cyril & Methodius Church, founded in the 1973 by Archbishop Nikon (Rklitsky), is located. Before the arrival of the icon at the church, a warm reception was held at the Continental Corner Greek restaurant, owned by none other than the church’s rector, Archpriest Anastasy Yatrelis. After the reception, the icon was greeted by procession in front of the church, which is located in the building of an old historic theater. A paraklesis before the wonder-working icon was then served in the church, which was overflowing with the faithful (almost half of the worshipers had to stand in the outdoor hallway for the duration of the service). The paraklesis was led by Archpriest Serge Lukianov (secretary of the Eastern American Diocese), co-served by Archpriest John Breck (cleric of Holy Ascension Church in Charleston, SC - OCA),  rector Fr. Anastasy, Priest Mark Mancuso (rector of St. Elizabeth the New Martyr Church in Cayce, SC), Priest John Parker (rector of Holy Ascension Church, OCA), and Deacon Mark Barna (cleric of the same). Once everyone had a chance to venerate the icon, which was visiting this prayerful parish for the first time, the parishioners and guests were all treated to a bite to eat and a montage of photographs of the Kursk Root Icon’s September visit to Russia.

 

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese