KURSK: September 27, 2014
The Traditional Procession of the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign" Takes Place in the Kursk Metropoliate

On September 25, 2014, the apodosis of the Nativity of the Most-Holy Mother of God, in accordance with ancient tradition, a procession with the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign" went from Kursk-Root Hermitage to Znamensky Monastery in the city of Kursk.

In 2009, the miracle-working icon, after a 90-year absence returned to Kursk. This year, the icon was brought here on September 23, to the place it was first found, and remained until September 25.

On the morning of September 25, His Eminence Metropolitan German of Kursk and Rylsk celebrated Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Most-Holy Mother of God in Kursk-Root Hermitage, along with His Eminence Archbishop Mark of Berlin and Germany of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, His Grace Bishop Veniamin of Zheleznogorsk and Lgovsk, His Grace Bishop Paisy of Shchigrovsk and Manturosk, and a multitude of clergymen.

Afterwards, to the peal of bells and the singing of prayers, the procession with the Kursk-Root Icon began, in which many pilgrims participated. The procession reached Znamensky Cathedral in the town of Tazovo in Zolotukhino, where a moleben was performed before the holy image.

The icon was then greeted at Vvedensky Church in Kursk. The procession continued along the streets and plazas of the city, which was celebrating Kursk Day. An enormous stream of humanity greeted the icon upon its arrival. Participating in the procession were Kursk Governor AN Mikhailov, Belgorod Governor ES Savchenko, His Eminence Metropolitan Ioann of Belgorod and Starooskolsk and government officials.

The procession arrived at Znamensky Cathedral, where Metropolitan German awaited together with Metropolitan Ioann, Archbishop Mark, Bishop Veniamin and Bishop Paisy, and they performed a moleben before the icon of the Most-Holy Mother of God. Later, Metropolitan German delivered a sermon.

Vladyka German expressed heartfelt congratulations to the people of Kursk on this spiritual feast day, and deep gratitude for the fact that the local population was able to pray before and venerate this miracle-working icon every year. The head of the Kursk Metropoliate then blessed everyone with the icon.

An analogion was then set up in Znamensky Cathedral, upon which the icon was placed. The clergymen, followed by all the worshipers, were then given a chance to venerate the icon. From September 25 until October 4 , the holy image will remain in Znamensky Cathedral. In between divine services, molebens and akathists will be read before the icon.

On October 1, the miracle-working icon will visit the hospitals and clinics of Kursk.

On October 4, after Divine Liturgy, the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign" will depart.