April 17, 2014
Myrrh-Streaming Icon of the Mother of God "Softener of Evil Hearts" visits Florida Deanery Parishes

On Sunday, March 30, the myrrh-streaming Icon of the Mother of God "Softener of Evil Hearts" visited two parishes of the Florida Deanery. The Icon was present at Divine Liturgy in St. Vladimir Church in Miami, after which an akathist was served, and the many faithful were able to venerate the wonder-working image.

Parish rector Archpriest Daniel McKenzie and the icon’s guardian, Sergey Fomin, then traveled with the Icon to St. Matrona of Moscow Church in Hallandale (near Miami), where the myrrh-streaming Icon was greeted by parish rector and Florida dean Archimandrite Alexander (Belya).

In the middle of the day, over 200 people gathered to pray to the Mother of God in her Icon, and a moleben and akathist were served to the Mother of God "Softener of Evil Hearts." The Florida clergy were joined by Moldovan Church (MP) cleric Archpriest Serghei Prisacaru and Archpriest Romanos Galben (Greek Archdiocese), rector of Holy Annunciation Church. The faithful piously venerated the Icon, and they were anointed with myrrh and blessed with small icons of the Most Holy Theotokos.

After the akathist, the clergy gathered before the wonder-working Icon and jointly performed the blessing of the new temple icon, which includes icons of the Theotokos particularly revered by the Orthodox faithful.

Fr. Alexander thanked Fr. Daniel for their joint service and prayer, underscoring the importance and necessity of abiding in Christian love and unity, for clergy and parishioners of neighboring parishes alike.

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