August 6, 2013
Howell, NJ: The Myrrh-Streaming Hawaiian Icon concluded her travels in the Eastern American Diocese with a visit to St. George’s Church

On Saturday the 3rd and Sunday the 4th of August, the myrrh-streaming Hawaiian Iveron Icon of the Mother of God visited St. George's Church in Howell, NJ. This weekend concluded the Hawaiian Icon's most recent travels in the United States. This summer, the Icon visited the Eastern American Diocese in honor of the 1025th Anniversary of the Baptism of Rus', celebrated at St. Vladimir Memorial Church in Jackson, NJ.

On Saturday night, parish rector Archpriest Serge Lukianov led the All-Night Vigil, co-served by Archpriest Zoran Radovic (rector of St. George's Serbian Church in Elizabeth, NJ), and parish clergy: Protodeacon Leonid Roschko and Deacon Michael Wengrin. Virtually all those present made their confessions on the miraculous image. It was particularly noteworthy that, although all of the myrrh had been removed with the cotton wadding in the Icon's case during another visitation that morning, nevertheless the fresh cotton was soaked through with myrrh only several hours later, a tender miracle that allowed all of the faithful to be anointed with holy myrrh, and take a piece of the cotton back to their homes.

The following morning, Fr. Serge celebrated the Divine Liturgy, co-served by Archpriest Boris Oparin (rector of St. Joasaph of Belgorod Church in Brooklyn, NY), Priest Konstantin Gavrilkin, and the parish deacons, as well as Deacon George Temidis (cleric of the Church of the Nativity of the Mother of God at the New Kursk Root Hermitage in Mahopac, NY). Before the start of Liturgy, the clergy greeted the Hawaiian Icon in procession, and served an akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos.

In his sermon prior to Communion, Fr. Serge reminded the faithful that the myrrh streaming abundantly down the Icon must serve as a reminder that the Mother of God has not forgotten us, and we should be encouraged not to forget her Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, in our daily lives. The entire church communed of Christ's Holy Mysteries.

The Hawaiian Icon is a copy of the Montreal Iveron Icon of the Mother of God, which 25 years ago spread the grace of the Theotokos on all those present for the monumental Millennial Celebrations of the Baptism of Rus'. It is significant, therefore, that, despite the Montreal Icon's tragic disappearance, its "daughter" would be present this year, confirming that the Mother of God truly has not forgotten us.

After the Liturgy, the annual picnic was held at the next door Cossack hall. Russian fare and folk music delighted all those gathered. When it came time for the Icon to depart, the festivities were put on pause, and the faithful venerated the Icon once more, before bidding farewell to it and its guardian.

Republication of materials must include a reference to: 
"Eastern American Diocese www.eadiocese.org."

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese