KURSK, RUSSIA: September 24, 2018
The Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign,” the Hodigitria of the Russian diaspora, is brought to the Kursk region

On the evening of September 22, 2018, the miracle-working Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign” was brought to the Kursk-Root Hermitage of the Nativity of the Most-Holy Mother of God, the site of its discovery in 1295. This icon of the Queen of Heaven is the “Hodigitria” [“Shower of the Way”] of the Russian diaspora and performs a great mission, visiting many nations of the world, uniting and supporting Orthodox Christians everywhere.

Greeting the icon, which was brought by His Grace Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan, leading a delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, were His Eminence Metropolitan German of Kursk and Rylsk; His Grace Bishop Veniamin of Zheleznogorsk and Lgov; His Grace Bishop Paisy of Shchigrovsk and Manturovsk, Hegumen Serafim (Kotelnikov), Prior of the monastery and his brethren, as well as clergymen and laity of the Kursk Metropoliate.

The icon was brought in a procession into the cathedral of the Nativity of the Most-Holy Mother of God under the peal of bells and singing of the troparion, where all-night vigil then commenced. The hierarchs placed the icon on an analogion in the center of the church and venerated it. All the worshipers were then given the opportunity to bow down before and kiss the icon as Bishop Veniamin continued the service.

Metropolitan German then congratulated his flock on the joyous event. He also thanked the delegation of the Russian Church Abroad for presenting them with this great joyful event.

Vladyka German announced that the Kursk-Root Icon would remain at the Hermitage until September 25, with molebens being performed before it around the clock. That day, after Divine Liturgy, the traditional procession of the cross will head to Znamensky Cathedral in the city of Kursk, where it will remain until October 3.