WAYNE, WV [DOM] – With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Daniel of Chicago and the Midwest, and at the invitation of Archimandrite Seraphim (Voepel), the Abbot of Holy Cross Russian Orthodox Monastery, the Chicago-Tikhvin Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, of Holy Trinity Cathedral and the Diocese of the Midwest, made a visitation to the Holy Cross Monastery, Wayne, WV.
The Holy Icon arrived on Sunday evening, February 25, at the monastery and was greeted by the Abbot and the brotherhood of the monastery and brought into the church where a molieben was severed. Following the veneration of the icon, Priest Alexander Koranda and Priest Jan Cizmar, who were traveling with the icon, were warmly welcomed and invite to a reception held in the icons honor.
On Monday, the usual order of services at the monastery were held and Fr. Alexander and Fr. Jan were given a tour of the monastery. That evening the All-Night Vigil was held in honor of the Most Holy Theotokos and the festal service for the Tikhvin Icon was held, including an Akathist during the vigil.
Divine Liturgy was held on Tuesday, February 27, and Fr. Alexander offered the homily. During his homily he gave a history of the icon and how the Virgin, through the Tikhvin Icon has made numerous visits around the world comforting and consoling those who call on her. Following the Liturgy, a molieben was held and the veneration of the icon took place during the Prayer of Thanksgiving. The visitation concluded with a festive meal in the hall where the Archbishop’s address was read to those gathered.
The Chicago Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God has begun traveling in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the return of the original Tikhvin Icon to Russia in 2004. The Chicago Tikhvin was made and blessed at the Tikhvin Monastery being touched to the original icon. The exact replica was presented as a gift from His Grace Bishop Mstislav of Tikhvin and Lodeynopol to Holy Trinity Cathedral, Chicago, IL, in 2016 as a sign of the monastery’s appreciation for the Cathedral caring for the Icon, as well as for the continued good relationship between the two communities.
