KURSK, RUSSIA: October 4, 2018
The miracle-working Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign” leaves its native Kursk Metropoliate

Early in the morning on October 3, 2018, His Eminence Metropolitan German of Kursk and Rylsk celebrated Divine Liturgy in the presence of the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign" at Znamensky Cathedral in Kursk, Russia, with other clergymen of his metropoliate.

This is the tenth visit of the great holy icon of Kursk, which in the 20th century became the main relic of the Russian diaspora, spending several days a year in the Kursk Metropoliate.

This year over 100,000 people venerated the image of the Mother of God, obtaining spiritual strength and support, including people of Kursk oblast and many pilgrims. Znamensky Cathedral was kept open around the clock to accommodate worshipers, while molebens and akathists were performed. For the first time in many years, the miracle-working Kursk Icon was brought to the city of Rylsk. Practically the entire city came to venerated the icon, and the day was declared a city holiday.

Today, despite the early hour, a multitude of Kursk residents came to bid farewell to the icon with hopes that next year, the image of the Mother of God will once again be brought to their city. The believers hope that all that is good and bright that is brought with the arrival of the image of the Most-Holy Theotokos will remain in their hearts and souls, helping them live and work, overcoming difficulties and sorrows.

After Liturgy, a moleben was performed before the icon. Metropolitan German expressed heartfelt thanks to His Grace Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan and the delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia for bringing the icon, for the spiritual joy and grace they received.

Vladyka German then blessed the people on the steps to the cathedral under the peal of bells and singing of hymns to the Mother of God, and proceeded to the airport. The ROCOR delegation took the miracle-working icon to Riga, Latvia.