Washington, October 15, 2026
Photo: St. Tamar Georgian Orthodox Church
An icon containing a relic of St. Gabriel the Confessor and Fool-for-Christ has arrived in America, along with the Icon of the Lot of the Most Holy Theotokos, for a visit that continues on to Canada.
The delegation traveled to the United States in connection with the 1,700th anniversary of the proclamation of Christianity as the state religion in Georgia. The visit is taking place at the initiative and with the support of the Georgian Patriarchate and the Georgian state, the Georgian Diocese in North America reported on October 9.
At John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, the delegation was greeted by Bishop Saba of North America, clergy of the diocese, Georgia’s Consul General in New York, Maka Bartaia, and representatives of local parishes.
“This event is of special significance for the Georgian Orthodox Church and for the Georgian Orthodox flock living in the United States. The arrival of the holy icons and the holy relic once again emphasizes our Church’s rich spiritual heritage, Christian traditions, and the importance of spiritual unity with the homeland,” the diocese writes.
The icons and relic will arrive at St. Tamar Orthodox Church in Washington, DC, this evening, where Bishop Saba will celebrate a service.
OrthoChristian was unable to find the full American schedule, but the schedule for Canada is as follows:
Montreal — Wednesday, October 21, 7:00 PM
St. Nino Georgian Orthodox Mission
Paraklesis to St. Gabriel
Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church, 349 Melville Ave., Westmount, QC H3Z 2J7
Vancouver — Thursday, October 22, 7:00 PM
Thirteen Assyrian Fathers Georgian Orthodox Church
Paraklesis to St. Gabriel
St. Michael the Archangel Serbian Orthodox Church, 7837 Canada Way, Burnaby, BC V3N 3K8
Calgary — Saturday, October 24, 10:00 AM
St. Andrew the First-Called Georgian Orthodox Mission
Hierarchical Divine Liturgy celebrated by Bishop Saba
St. Simeon Serbian Orthodox Church, 16025 243 Ave. E, Calgary, AB T1S 4C3
Toronto (Cookstown) — Sunday, October 25, 9:30 AM
Iveron Icon of the Mother of God Georgian Orthodox Church
Hierarchical Divine Liturgy celebrated by Bishop Saba
21 Church St., Cookstown, ON L0L 1L0
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