VLADIVOSTOK: November 13, 2013
The Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign" is Welcomed to Primorsk Metropoliate

On the evening of November 13, 2013, a delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia arrived by plane from Tokyo, Japan, to the Primorsk Metropoliate in Russia. Heading the delegation is His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America, Secretary and Deputy Vice President of the Synod of Bishops of ROCOR.

The delegation is accompanying the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign.” This miracle-working icon dating back to the 13th century will be available for veneration in Vladivostok’s Protection Cathedral and in churches of other cathedral cities of the Primorsk Metropoliate until November 25.

The great icon was greeted at Knevichi International Airport by the bishops and clergymen of Primorsk Metropoliate: His Eminence Metropolitan Veniamin of Vladivostok and Primorsk; His Grace Bishop Innokenty of Ussuriisk, Vicar of the Vladivostok Diocese; and representatives of civil authorities, society figures and journalists.

The welcome took place in the central area of the airport, and in agreement with its administration, all who wished, including arriving and departing passengers, were able to participate in the event. Over three hundred fifty persons venerated the icon and received blessing before their travels, and participated in a divine service.

Metropolitan Veniamin headed a moleben service before the Kursk-Root Icon, along with Archbishop Kyrill, Bishop Innokenty, and clergymen from the Metropoliate and the Church Abroad.

Participating in the ROCOR delegation to Primorie are: Protopriest Vladimir Boikov, Dean of the parishes of ROCOR in New Zealand; Protopriest Serafim Gan, Chancellor of the Synodal Administration and Secretary of the Synod of Bishops; Priest Nicholas Olhovsky, caretaker of the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God, and Protodeacon Alexander Kotliaroff of SS Peter and Paul Cathedral in Sydney, Australia.

The ceremonious greeting of the icon will take place in Protection Cathedral on Thursday, November 14, at 9 am.

vladivostok.eparhia.ru