September
20, 2010 Roscoe, NY:
The Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God visited St. Nektarios Greek
Monastery
With
the blessing of the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, His
Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York, the
Protectress of the Russian Diaspora, the wonder-working Kursk Root
Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign," visited St.
Nektarios Greek Monastery in Roscoe, New York on Friday the 17th and
Saturday the 18th of September. The icon was accompanied by Hieromonk
Nicholas (Perekrestov; cleric of the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign)
and members of the diocesan media office.
St.
Nektarios Monastery was founded in 1999 with the blessing of
Archimandrite Ephraim ("Elder Ephraim of Philotheou;" abbot
of St. Anthony’s Monastery in Arizona). The monastery is home to
approximately 20 monks and 5 novices. The monastery rector is Abbot
Joseph – formerly a monk of Mount Athos.
Abbot
Joseph and the monastery brethren greeted the icon at the monastery
church under the peal of bells. A paraklesis (a supplicatory canon to
the Most Holy Mother of God), vespers, and small compline were then
served. In accordance with monastery tradition, the Divine Liturgy
began at 3:00 AM. At 11:00 AM, the monks once again served a
paraklesis followed by a Panagia service. All of the divine services
were served in Greek.
Before
the icon’s departure, on behalf of Metropolitan Hilarion, Hieromonk
Nicholas presented the abbot with an exact-size copy of the Kursk Root
Icon of the Mother of God, and gave all of the monks a history of the
icon with an akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos, along with a copy of
the icon. The icon then departed for the New Kursk Root Hermitage in
Mahopac, NY. Photos and video of the Kursk Root Icon’s visit to St.
Nektarios Monastery are available below.
