KURSK : September 26, 2013
A Procession of the Cross With the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign"

On September 25, 2013, the Apodosis of the Nativity of the Most-Pure Mother of God, in accordance with ancient tradition, a procession of the cross took place with the miracle-working Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign,” from the Kursk-Root Hermitage to Znamensky Cathedral in the city of Kursk.

Five years ago, the miraculous Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God, after a ninety-year absence abroad, was brought to the Kursk region. This year, the holy image arrived at Kursk-Root Hermitage, where it was first discovered, on September 23, and remained there until September 25.

On the morning of September 25, His Eminence Metropolitan German of Kursk and Rylsk celebrated Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Mother of God in Kursk-Root Hermitage, along with His Eminence Archbishop Mark of Berlin and Germany; His Grace Bishop Zinovy of Elistin and Kalmytsk; His Grace Bishop Sofrony of Gubkinsk and Grayvoronsk; His Grace Bishop Andrei of Ostrogorsk, Vicar of the Voronezh Diocese; His Grace Bishop Veniamin of Zheleznogorsk and Lgovsk, as well as numerous clergymen.

After Liturgy, under the peal of bells and the singing of prayers, a procession of the cross with the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God commenced, with a large number of pilgrims. The procession went to Znamensky Cathedral in the town of Tazovo, Zolotukhinsky region, where a moleben was performed before the icon. At about three pm , the procession reached Kursk .

At Vvedensky Church, the icon was joyfully greeted by the people of Kursk and their guests. The procession traveled through the streets and squares of the city. This day is also the official Day of the City of Kursk. The people, greeting the miraculous image of the Mother of God, formed a great human of river behind the procession. This week, Kursk was host to the VIII Educational Readings of the Central Federal Region, whose participants also joyfully took part in the procession.

The procession then headed for Znamensky Cathedral, where Metropolitan German, Archbishop mark, Bishop Zinovy, Bishop Sofrony, Bishop Andrei and Bishop Veniamin performed a moleben before the icon. Afterwards, Vladyka German read a sermon. He congratulated the people of Kursk on the great spiritual event—the visit of the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God to its historic homeland, and expressed his profound joy that they could all pray before this image of the Queen of Heaven. The head of the Kursk Metropoliate blessed the people with the icon of their Protectress.

The icon was then brought into the cathedral as hymns were sung, and placed on an analogion in the center of the temple. First the clergymen, then all who wished to were then able to venerate the Kursk-Root Icon. The icon will remain in the cathedral until October 2. In addition to regular divine services, molebens will be performed around the clock, with the reading of the akathist to the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign.”