On Saturday, September 22, a delegation of the Russian Church Aboard, led by His Grace, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan, began its pilgrimage to Russia.

Greeting the icon, Bishop Nicholas, and the delegation at the gates of the ancient habitation was Metropolitan Herman of Kursk & Rylsk, along with Bishop Benjamin of Zheleznogorsk & Lgov, Bishop Paisius of Shchigry & Manturovo, deputy abbot of the Kursk Root Hermitage Archimandrite Seraphim (Kotelnikov) and the brethren, as well as clergy of the Diocese of Kursk and numerous pilgrims. 

With the peal of beals and the singing of the troparion, the Kursk Root Icon was taken in procession to the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, where the All-Night Vigil was served. After the hierarchs venerated the wonderworking icon, the many pilgrims were given the opportunity to likewise approach the Mother of God. 

The head of the Kursk Metropolinate, Metropolitan Herman congratulated all with the joyous occasion of the icon’s visitation. His Eminence sincerely thanked the delegation from the Russian Church Abroad for bringing elation to the Orthodox faithful in Kursk, allowing them to venerate the Protectress and Intercessor of the Kursk region. 

Official website of the Diocese of Kursk

Translated by the Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese