September 20, 2010
Eastern American Diocese ROCOR
With the blessing of the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York, the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora, the wonder-working Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign," visited St. Nektarios Greek Monastery in Roscoe, New York on Friday the 17th and Saturday the 18th of September. The icon was accompanied by Hieromonk Nicholas (Perekrestov; cleric of the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign) and members of the diocesan media office.
St. Nektarios Monastery was founded in 1999 with the blessing of Archimandrite Ephraim ("Elder Ephraim of Philotheou;" abbot of St. Anthony’s Monastery in Arizona). The monastery is home to approximately 20 monks and 5 novices. The monastery rector is Abbot Joseph – formerly a monk of Mount Athos.
Abbot Joseph and the monastery brethren greeted the icon at the monastery church under the peal of bells. A paraklesis (a supplicatory canon to the Most Holy Mother of God), vespers, and small compline were then served. In accordance with monastery tradition, the Divine Liturgy began at 3:00 AM. At 11:00 AM, the monks once again served a paraklesis followed by a Panagia service. All of the divine services were served in Greek.
Before the icon’s departure, on behalf of Metropolitan Hilarion, Hieromonk Nicholas presented the abbot with an exact-size copy of the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God, and gave all of the monks a history of the icon with an akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos, along with a copy of the icon. The icon then departed for the New Kursk Root Hermitage in Mahopac, NY. Photos and video of the Kursk Root Icon’s visit to St. Nektarios Monastery are available below.
See photos here.