April 28, 2014
Howell, NJ: On Bright Monday, Mother of God "Softener of Evil Hearts" Icon visits St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

On Bright Monday, completing its travels to the parishes and monasteries of the Eastern American Diocese, the myrrh-streaming Icon of the Mother of God "Softener of Evil Hearts" visited St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ. The Paschal celebration at the future Diocesan Center was a doubly joyous one: present that same day at the Divine Liturgy was the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora – the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God. The latter was brought to the cathedral by her guardian, Hieromonk Nicholas (Olhovsky), confirmed as Bishop of Manhattan at the most recent meeting of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church.

The Liturgy was celebrated by His Eminence Gabriel, Archbishop of Montreal & Canada, who was co-served by cathedral rector Protopresbyter Valery Lukianov, Eastern American Diocesan secretary Archpriest Serge Lukianov, Archpriest Boris Slootsky (cleric of St. George’s Church in Howell, NJ), Priest Seraphim Chemodakov (cathedral cleric), Priest Serge Ledkovsky (deputy rector of St. Vladimir Memorial Church in Jackson, NJ), Protodeacon Nicholas Lukianov (cathedral cleric), and Protodeacon Leonid Roschko and Deacon Michael Wengrin (clerics of St. George’s Church). Faithful from across New Jersey and neighboring states came to pray and commune at the divine service. After the Liturgy, a procession was held, with focus centered on the two widely venerated Icons – one from the Diaspora, the other from Russia. Accompanying the clergy in the procession were students of the parish school at St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.

Addressing the faithful with a congratulatory greeting on the radiant feast of Christ’s Pascha, Archbishop Gabriel recalled the words of the ever-memorable Metropolitan Vitaly (Ustinov), who "loved to say that, in these days, we must be grateful to God that we are Orthodox, because only in the Orthodox Church – the true Church – in this Paschal period can one experience in all their fullness the grace and joy we feel, which cannot be expressed in words. The Lord came to earth specifically in order to perform His salvific mission and make it possible for us to enter paradise, prepared by God for all of us. In these days, the Lord allows us to feel this paradisiacal sweetness, this joy of heaven, in which all those who are found worthy of the Heavenly Kingdom will abide with all the saints."

Upon completion of the celebratory church services, traditional Paschal festivities were prepared for the children, including the annual egg hunt. Here and at the festal luncheon, prepared by parishioners’ diligent hands, interaction continued between the clergy and faithful.

The following morning, Bright Tuesday, April 22, the Icon of the Mother of God "Softener of Evil Hearts" departed for the Church of Our Lady "Unexpected Joy" on Staten Island, NY, from which she then flew back to Russia. During her month-long visit to the U.S., parishioners of 23 parishes of the Eastern American & Mid-American Dioceses, as well as a multitude of the faithful from other jurisdictions, were able to venerate the myrrh-streaming image.

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