Русская Версия

February 3, 2010
Miami, FL: The Kursk Root Icon visited St. Prince Vladimir Church

On Saturday the 30th and Sunday the 31st of January, the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God visited the Church of St. Prince Vladimir, Equal-of-the-Apostles, in Miami, FL. The wonder-working icon arrived in the city on an evening flight from snowy Nashville, accompanied by diocesan secretary Archpriest Serge Lukianov.

The icon was taken directly from the airport to the church, where it was greeted by a multitude of the faithful, who had lined up in procession in front of the church. Parish children in folk costumes threw flower petals before the icon, which had not visited the St. Vladimir Church since the 1960s. One could sense the parishioners’ joy as they laid eyes on the icon of the Mother of God in their church for the first time in several decades. There is a large, arched gateway in front of the church, with an inscription in Church Slavonic facing the street: "Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord,” and on the reverse, "My soul doth magnify the Lord." Situated between the gateway and the church is a marvelous tropical courtyard, where the faithful can escape the South Florida heat on benches in the shade of the palm trees.

The All-Night Vigil was led by Fr. Serge, co-served by parish rector Archpriest Daniel McKenzie, Archpriest Philip Reese (rector of Christ the Savior Cathedral in Miami, FL – OCA), and Archpriest Nicholas Bargoot (cleric of Holy Epiphany Church in Boston, MA). During the polyeleos, an akathist was served before the wonder-working icon. Also praying in church was clergy from various local Orthodox parishes.

The following morning, the icon was present for the Divine Liturgy, celebrated by Fr. Serge, co-served by Fr. Daniel, Archpriest Damian Criscella (rector of St. Nicholas Mission in Sunrise, FL), and parish Deacon Thomas Branch. The church was filled to capacity with the faithful, and there were so many communicants that Holy Communion was dispensed from two chalices. Upon completion of the Liturgy, Fr. Serge presented the rector with a copy of the Kursk Icon – a blessing from the First Hierarch of ROCOR, His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion. After the service, a light luncheon was served in the courtyard, followed by a presentation of the photomontage of the Kursk Icon’s visit to Russia.

The following day, Fr. Daniel brought much joy to his ailing and elderly parishioners, whom he visited with the Kursk Icon. On Tuesday, the icon left for the west coast of the state, for St. Nicholas Monastery.

 

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese