Sterling Heights, Michigan, May 23, 2025
Photo: liturgija.mk
Over the weekend, the myrrh-streaming and wonderworking Hawaiian Iveron Icon of the Mother of God was solemnly received at the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos Cathedral of the Diocese of America and Canada of the Macedonian Orthodox Church-Ohrid Archbishopric in the Sterling Heights suburb of Detroit.
Fr. Nektarios Yangson, the guardian of the Icon, has taken the holy image throughout the world. He first visited the Sterling Heights church in July 2023, and has been back several times since. In September 2024, he was awarded the Order of St. Clement of Ohrid, III Degree, by the Macedonian Holy Synod for his love shown to the faithful of the American-Canadian Diocese in bringing the wonderworking Icon to its parishes.
Photo: liturgija.mk
The Icon was received on Saturday, May 17, arriving with Fr. Nectarios and Deacon Seraphim Stojance Andov from Hawaii. That evening, Vespers and a moleben were served by priests from sister Macedonian churches and other local Orthodox parishes, reports liturgija.mk.
The next morning, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Fr. Nectarios and Dcn. Seraphim, the local rector, and other Macedonian clerics, with the prayerful presence of His Eminence Metropolitan Metodij of America and Canada.
Photo: liturgija.mk
After the Liturgy, Met. Metodij blessed the new chapel in the church courtyard, dedicated to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. The church is blessed to have a particle of his relics.
“During these two days, the faithful flowed like a river into the church, from all churches and nationalities in Detroit. The numerous faithful prayed, venerated, and kissed the Icon of the Mother of God, where they were anointed by the priests. The Mother of God, through the testimony of the myrrh-streaming from the icon, poured out grace upon the priests and faithful people.”
The celebrations were followed by a festive meal in the church courtyard with an extensive program of folk arts.
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