Sofia, August 11, 2026
Metropolitan Gabriel anoints a woman in Lovech with myrrh from the Hawaiian Icon. Photo: Lovech Diocese
A miracle has been reported from the recent visit of the miraculous Hawaiian Iveron Icon of the Mother of God to a hospital in Sofia, Bulgaria.
His Eminence Metropolitan Gabriel of Lovech shared the story with the faithful during the icon’s visit to his own diocese on August 8-9, the Lovech Diocese reports.
According to the Metropolitan, a woman with a severe meniscus injury who was being treated in the hospital in Sofia prayed before the miracle-working image for help and healing. The next day, she returned to the icon, this time to thank the Mother of God for the help she had received and the unexpected improvement in her condition.
The icon’s visit to Lovech drew large crowds over the two days it remained in the city. It arrived on the evening of August 8, accompanied by its keeper, Fr. Nectarios Yangson, and by Father Ilia Marzev from Cleveland. Metropolitan Gabriel received the icon in front of the Regional Administration building, after which a procession carried it to the Cathedral of Sts. Cyril and Methodius.
Photo: Lovech Diocese
Pilgrims came to the cathedral from Lovech, from across the diocese, and from other parts of Bulgaria and abroad. On the night of August 8 into August 9, laypeople, including children, remained in the church after services ended, continuing to pray before the icon through the night.
The following day, Metropolitan Gabriel presided over the Divine Liturgy, concelebrated by Bishop Michael of Konstantia, Bishop Basil of Dragovitia, abbot of the Troyan Monastery, Fr. Nectarios, Fr. Ilia, and numerous clergy of the Diocese of Lovech.
Veneration of the icon in Lovech continued without interruption until the early afternoon. Before its departure, Fr. Nectarios opened the protective case housing the icon, and Metropolitan Gabriel collected the myrrh that had accumulated on it into a special vessel. The myrrh will remain in the Diocese of Lovech and be used for the anointing of the faithful.
The icon arrived in Bulgaria on August 1 and will remain in the country until August 19.
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