Русская Версия

January 1, 2011
Philadelphia, PA: The Kursk Root Icon visited churches in the City of Brotherly Love

On Monday morning, December 27, the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God arrived in Philadelphia and visited St. Stephen’s Cathedral (OCA) on the occasion of the patronal feast day (according to the new calendar). The Icon was greeted by the clergy, led by His Grace Tikhon, Bishop of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania.

His Grace celebrated the Divine Liturgy, co-served by Eastern American Diocesan secretary Archpriest Serge Lukianov, cathedral dean Priest Victor Gorodenchuk, and visiting clergy. Adverse weather conditions made it difficult for many parishioners and clergy to be at the service. Upon completion of the Liturgy, a short moleben was served before the wonderworking icon.

In honor of the Kursk Icon’s visit to Philadelphia, Fr. Serge presented Bishop Tikhon and Fr. Victor with a copy of the Kursk Root Icon with a commemorative plaque from the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion. Bishop Tikhon expressed his joy at having been able to serve the Divine Liturgy that day before the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon, and asked that Fr. Serge pass along his gratitude to Metropolitan Hilarion for his kindness and brotherly love toward the hierarchy, clergy, and faithful of the Orthodox Church in America.

That evening, the wonderworking icon visited the neighboring Serbian Church of St. Nicholas, where a moleben was served to the Most Holy Theotokos. Fr. Serge led the moleben, co-served by parish rector Priest Milorad Orlic and Priest Constantin-Florin Salgau (rector of neighboring Holy Trinity Romanian Church). After the moleben, dinner was offered in the parish hall.

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