BY SARAH HOFIUS HALL
An icon believed to be responsible for healing people of cancer and blindness will be making two stops in Northeast Pennsylvania this weekend.
The Iveron Icon of the Theotokos will be at St. Tikhon of Zadonsk Orthodox Monastery in South Canaan on Saturday, and at St. John the Baptist Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Mayfield on Sunday.
"We'll be able to have this great blessing with us," said the Rev. John D. Sorochka of St. John's. "Let's flock to it. Let it uplift us."
The icon of Virgin Mary holding the infant Jesus is a paper print mounted on wood, and is an exact replica of a famous icon from Montreal. The replica was manufactured in Russia and purchased in Toronto by a priest who gave it to a Russian Orthodox believer in Honolulu in 2007.
Believers say the icon streams myrrh, a fragrant resin that comes from certain trees in the Mideast, from the Virgin Mary's eyes. It also gives off the scent of roses, believers say.
In 2008, the icon was recognized by Archbishop Kyrill of the Russian Orthodox Church as genuine and given the blessing to travel to churches of Holy Orthodoxy.
The icon's visit to St. Tikhon is part of its 106th annual pilgrimage, which is expected to attract more than 1,000 people, said the Rev. Igumen Sergius, abbot of St. Tikhon.
"People come seeking a blessing from God," Rev. Sergius said. "We all have a need for healing for our souls. They might not even know what they need, but they know there's something else in this world."
