During the Visit to Kursk of the Main Holy Icon of the Russian Church Abroad, a Memorial Will Be Unveiled Honoring His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II and His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus

Kursk, September 14, 2015

A sculpture depicting the late Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church and the late First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia holding the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign" will be unveiled in the monastery of the Nativity of the Most-Holy Mother of God, “Kursk Hermitage,” as reported by Kurskaya Pravda. The new monument expressed the main idea of the historic event which brought to an end the tragic period of division within the Russian Church in the 20 th century, the signing of the Act of Canonical Communion, which took place in Moscow on May 17, 2007.

    

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia issued his blessing for the establishment of this monument, according to an official letter from His Eminence Metropolitan Varsonofy of St Petersburg and Ladoga, Chancellor of the Moscow Patriarchate, received by Governor Alexander Mikhailov of Kursk oblast. The sculpture was created at the initiative of benefactors and given as a gift to Kursk oblast.
Why will this monument be situated in Kursk? Because it was here that at the end of the 13 th century that the Miracle-working Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God first appeared, which became the main holy icon of the Russian diaspora in the 20 th century. It has since then been kept at the Synodal Residence of the Russian Church Abroad in New York City.

In 1920, the icon was evacuated from civil-war-torn Russia, first to Serbia, later, in 1944, to Germany. With the emigration of Metropolitan Anastassy, First Hierarch of ROCOR, to the United States in 1950, the icon accompanied him and placed at New Kursk Hermitage in upstate New York, established in 1951.

Since 1957, the Kursk Icon spent most of the time at the Synod of Bishop in New York City.
After the reestablishment of full fraternal communion within the Russian Orthodox Church, a new tradition has originated: beginning in 2009, the icon has made annual visits to the place of its appearance in the Kursk Diocese for veneration by the local faithful.

The next visit of the Kursk-Root Icon, which became known as the “Hodigitria [Protectress or Guide] of the Russian Diaspora,” will take place from September 22-October 2. It is expected that the new monument will be unveiled during that time.

See also
ROCOR parishes pray on anniversary of reunification ROCOR parishes pray on anniversary of reunification ROCOR parishes pray on anniversary of reunification ROCOR parishes pray on anniversary of reunification
On May 14, Metropolitan Hilarion, first hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad directed all parishes of the Eastern diocese to read a thanksgiving prayer on Sunday, May 17 in honor of the 8th anniversary of the Reunification, and to commemorate those who accomplished this great feat—Patriarch Alexey II and Metropolitan Laurus.
"The people opened up their souls!.."
Interview by Zoya Gradov, Alamo, California.
"The people opened up their souls!.."
Archbishop Kyrill (Dmitrieff), Zoya Gradov
The icon had been subject to a safety inspection, photographed and registered with customs. But the customs officers were making the sign of the cross and venerating the icon - we were amazed by this. Those who grew up in the West couldn’t possibly imagine such a thing!
Restoration of Canonical Unity within the Russian Orthodox Church. Celebration in Dioceses Outside of Russia Restoration of Canonical Unity within the Russian Orthodox Church. Celebration in Dioceses Outside of Russia Restoration of Canonical Unity within the Russian Orthodox Church. Celebration in Dioceses Outside of Russia Restoration of Canonical Unity within the Russian Orthodox Church. Celebration in Dioceses Outside of Russia
At the blessing of His Holiness, Patriarch Alexei II of Moscow and all Russia, an official delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church, headed by His Eminence Isidore, Metropolitan of Ekaterinodar and Kuban, will be participating in a celebration of the restoration of unity in the Russian Orthodox Church. The delegation, which includes the Sretensky Monastery Choir, will be participating in Divine Services in churches and monasteries of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad. These guests from Russia will be carrying a holy miracle-working icon treasured by all Orthodox Christians—the “Reigning” icon of the Mother of God.
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