On Thursday, August 26, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan began a series of visits to the churches of the Capital Region Deanery with the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora – the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God.

Though the visit would culminate in the festal divine services for the Dormition of the Theotokos (the patronal feast of Holy Assumption Church in Stafford, VA) and the Sunday services at St. John the Baptist Cathedral in the nation’s capital, the visitation of the Mother of God began humbly, in the smaller parish of the Holy Transfiguration in Baltimore, MD.

On Thursday evening, His Grace arrived at the church and was greeted warmly by the local faithful. Flanked by two subdeacons, Bishop Nicholas served the akathist himself, reading the Gospel according to Luke and anointing the faithful with holy oil.

Upon completion of the service, the diocesan vicar greeted the gathered faithful, thanking them for their devotion to the Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, and especially noted his joy at the number of children in attendance.

As the honored guests departed, parishioners shared a feeling of joy and grace at having been visited by the Most Holy Theotokos on the eve of her Dormition.