On the afternoon of Sunday, November 8, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan made an archpastoral visit to the Apostolic Mission of Christ (under the Protection of the Holy Apostles) in Miami, FL, accompanied by the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God. The Apostolic Mission of Christ is the only Spanish-language parish of the Russian Church Abroad on the U.S. mainland.
His Grace’s visit coincided with the arrival of Tropical Storm Eta to Miami, but despite the inclement weather, many of the faithful made the journey to the parish from all over South Florida in order to have the opportunity to "add their tears" to those of countless multitudes who have fallen down before the Mother of God in her icon, as Bishop Nicholas beautifully expressed it in his sermon that day.
Accompanying Bishop Nicholas was Archpriest Alexandre Antchoutine, dean of Florida.
His Grace was greeted with bread and salt by Maria Alvarez, wife of Reader Juan Goncalves, who had been tonsured by His Grace two weeks prior. In his address, Bishop Nicholas said that Reader Juan’s tonsure was an indication of the work of the Holy Spirit in the Apostolic Mission of Christ.
A moleben and Akathist before the Kursk Root Icon were served in both Spanish and English by the rector, Archpriest Peter Jackson, Archpriest Romanos Galben and Deacon Georgios Zervos (attached). The choir was directed by Dr. Paola Weber, principal of Paideia Classical Academy in Coconut Creek, FL.
Fr. Romanos Galben is the chaplain of Paideia Classical Academy, which operates under the charter of the Apostolic Mission of Christ and is the only Orthodox K-12 school in the State of Florida.
After the Akathist, a reception was provided by Matushka Myriam Bukawyn, Matushka Styliana Jackson, and the sisterhood.
As Bishop Nicholas said, this day was truly a miracle which will live on in the hearts of all of the parish’s faithful, for which all are most grateful to him and to the Mother of God.
O Most Holy Theotokos, save us! Glory to God for all things!
Archpriest Peter Jackson
