KURSK, RUSSIA: September 24, 2013
A World-Renowned Icon Visits Its Homeland

On the afternoon of September 23, 2013, the miracle-working Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign" arrived in Kurk-Root Hermitage of the Nativity of the Most-Holy Mother of God. The icon was accompanied by a delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, headed by His Eminence Archbishop Mark of Berlin and Germany.

His Eminence Metropolitan German of Kursk and Rylsk greeted the visitors at the monastery gates, along with His Grace Bishop Veniamin of Zheleznogorsk and Lgov; Hegumen Seraphim (Kotelnikov), Prior of Kursk-Root Hermitage; as well as the clergymen of the Kursk Metropoliate, members of the Kursk oblast administration, and Mr NI Ovcharov, Head of the Kursk Municipality.

Despite the pouring rain, the holy icon led a procession of the cross as the troparion was sung and bells pealed. It was then brought into the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Mother of God and placed on an analogion in the center of the church and adorned with a wreath of flowers.

The archpastors and clergymen performed a moleben before the Kursk-Root Icon, after which the entire congregation sang “My Most-Blessed Queen.” Vladyka German congratulated all those gathered on this joyous event, the arrival of the icon to its homeland, where it was discovered over 700 years ago:

“Although the weather is bleak and rainy, our souls are filled with light, joy and festivity, because today we welcome an icon in which, as the prayer says, ‘She is surrounded by the sorrow of the people, the tears of the suffering and the joy of those consoled in praise.’ Over the centuries, the Kursk-Root Icon ‘of the Sign’ saved our city of Kursk from catastrophic invasions many times, granting us consolation, protection and blessed help during times of trouble. And how many people have received blessings from her, who had prayed with hope, faith and piety before this miraculous image of the Queen of Heaven! And now the icon is the common holy image shared with the Russian Church Abroad, with which we are now unified. She is the Protectress of the Russian diaspora, and has a great mission: visiting many nations of the world, uniting Orthodox people everywhere, sustaining them by her great service!”

The head of the Kursk Metropoliate then expressed his heartfelt thanks to the ROCOR delegation for this great joy they brought to all the Orthodox faithful of Kursk, and for the opportunity to once again venerate this holy image of the Most-Holy Mother of God, the patron and intercessor of the land of Kursk.

Vladyka Mark then expressed the hope that while the icon is in the land of Kursk, that “many, many people can kiss the icon and ignite within their hearts a new flame of genuine love for the Most-Holy Mother of God, beseeching Her holy prayers before Her Divine Son.”

The archpastor of Kursk noted that the icon will remain in Kursk-Root Hermitage until September 25. Molebens will be performed before it, and the church will remain open 24 hours a day. On September 25, after Divine Liturgy, the traditional procession of the cross with the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign" will head for the city of Kursk, where it will be placed in Znamensky Cathedral until October 2.

Press Service of the Kursk Diocese