Zurich, October 17, 2025
Photo: orthodox-europe.org
The venerated Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God, known as the Directress of the Orthodox Diaspora and the most revered icon of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR), has embarked on an eight-week pilgrimage through Western Europe and the British Isles, visiting parishes across eleven countries.
The sacred image departed from the ROCOR Synodal residence in Manhattan on October 12. Archpriest Emilian Pocinok, cleric of the Geneva Cathedral, accompanied the icon on its transatlantic journey to Switzerland.
The icon arrived in Zurich on October 13, where it was greeted at the airport by clergy and faithful of the Pokrov Parish. The Ruling Hierarch of the Diocese of Great Britain and Western Europe, His Grace Bishop Irenei of London and Western Europe, formally received the sacred image at the parish church, which has served Zurich for nearly a century. Archbishop Michael, the retired diocesan hierarch, also participated in the reception, the diocese reports.
Photo: orthodox-europe.org
Following evening services dedicated to the Feast of the Protection of the Theotokos, celebrated on October 14, the Kursk Root icon was carried in procession through the streets of Zurich. Bishops, clergy, faithful, and city officials accompanied the sacred image to the Holy Trinity Church of the Korsun Diocese of the Moscow Patriarchate, where a moleben with akathist was sung.
On October 14, the icon remained in Zurich for the Divine Liturgy of the Protection of the Theotokos, the altar feast of the Pokrov Parish, before continuing to Basel.
The eight-week visitation will bring the wonderworking icon to more than 40 locations across Switzerland, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands, Gibraltar, Monaco, Italy, England, Wales, Ireland, and Northern Ireland. The journey includes visits to parishes of multiple Orthodox jurisdictions, including ROCOR, the Moscow Patriarchate, and the Serbian Patriarchate, and will conclude in London in early December with services at both the ROCOR Diocesan Cathedral in Chiswick and the Sourozh Cathedral in Knightsbridge.
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