On Monday the 23rd and Tuesday the 24th of October, St. Joseph of Optina parish in Virginia Beach, VA experienced a miraculous event – a visit from the myrrh-streaming "Hawaiian" Iveron Icon of the Mother of God.

On Monday evening, the feast of Venerable Ambrose of Optina, the parishioners, led by rector Priest Sergei Kosov, solemnly greeted the icon. An akathist and Vespers were then served, after which all were anointed with myrrh from the icon.

On Tuesday, the feast of the Synaxis of the Saints of Optina, Divine Liturgy was celebrated, at which the parish choir sang beautifully. A multitude of the faithful gathered to pray and venerate the myrrh-streaming icon, and more than 45 people communed of Christ’s Holy Mysteries.

Upon completion of Liturgy, Fr. Sergei addressed those present with a sermon on God’s Providence and its activity in our days. The rector thanked all who had accompanied the icon in her travels.

The faithful prayed together before the wonderworking icon, and once more were anointed with holy myrrh.

Throughout these two days, during the divine services and afterward, the church was full of Orthodox faithful, as well as those in search of spiritual support. Many brought loved ones with them, who otherwise could not get around on their own, so that they could pray and entreat the Theotokos for her aid for themselves and their neighbors.

Below is a brief backstory on how the icon came to visit the parish.

During the celebrations of the 75th anniversary of Holy Trinity Seminary in Jordanville, NY, Fr. Sergei spoke with the icon’s guardian, Priest Nectarios Yangson, and asked him to visit the parish. They agreed to work out the details over e-mail.

Having returned home from Jordanville, Fr. Sergei dove into his work and parish and family cares.

Two weeks later, he received a text from the person who coordinates the icon’s travels, with the following words: "Fr. Nectarios said that the icon must visit your parish on October 23-24. He did not explain why those dates specifically." The rector replied that the parish is always ready to joyfully greet the icon.

After this conversation, he began to organize the greeting of the icon; he first glances at the Orthodox calendar and noticed that, on these days, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of saints including one of the parish’s patronal saints: Venerable Joseph of Optina, who was the senior cell attendant to Elder Ambrose of Optina.

October 23 is the feast of Venerable Ambrose of Optina, while October 24 is the Synaxis of All Saints who shone forth in Optina Hermitage.

Fr. Sergei later discovered that Fr. Nectarios did not know that the Church honors these saints on these days. So it is that the Lord and the Most Holy Theotokos act providentially in our days.

O Most Holy Theotokos, save us!