In June of 2008, the “Hawaiian” Myrrh-streaming Iveron Icon was officially recognized by the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia as miraculous and worthy of veneration, and was given the blessing to travel to the various churches and monasteries of Holy Orthodoxy. The original “owner” of the Icon, Reader Nectarios, was charged by the Russian Orthodox Church to be Her guardian, and provide for the safety and care of this Wonderworking Icon of Christ’s Holy Church.
By the Grace of God, the Holy Cross has slowly ceased to continuously stream Myrrh as it once did, now doing so on certain occasions throughout the year, Pascha being the most recent. What is comforting to the faithful is the Holy Cross still continuously provides a beautiful and pungent fragrance, whether it streams or not. While the "Hawaiian" Iveron Icon of the Mother of God travels and brings the grace of God to various places, the Holy Cross always remains in Hawaii to provide for the protection and veneration of the faithful.
Since June of 2008, She has been to over 500 churches in North America of all (canonical) jurisdictions, and has been venerated by an estimated quarter of a million people throughout the United States. In many cities, the holy Icon is taken from one parish to another, being venerated by all the Orthodox clergy, and helping to establish and heal relationships amongst the Orthodox faithful, and also strengthening and fostering ties between the sister parishes. Requests have now been made for the Wonderworking Icon to be brought to Russia, Georgia, the Ukraine, Greece, Cyprus, South America, Europe, the Holy Land, Romania, Mount Athos, and Serbia.
Numerous miracles have been attributed to the Theotokos through this “humble little Icon”, accounts are only just being collected, and are indeed numerous. Physical and spiritual healings have included the healing of blindness and eye disease, cancer, demonic possession, paralysis, kidney disease, chronic pain, and debilitating viruses.
Yet, wherever the holy Icon goes, the Grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ and His Holy Mother abound. People have commented that just being in the presence of this Icon, you feel such an abundance of love and joy. It is truly indescribable. We are so very blessed that God has shown His love toward us by allowing us a small forebearance of what the saints call, "the true odour of sanctity." The true meaning of the Icon's appearance is known only to God, time will reveal all things. Yet, what we do know is this, God loves us. And that is all that matters.
The Holy Iveron Icon will visit California in December of 2012 at the following church locations:
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Holy Nativity of Christ Greek Orthodox Church
1110 Highland Drive
Novato, CA 94949
415-883-1998
Akathist, 9:00am (The holy Icon will remain in church until 11:00am)
St. Basil the Great Greek Orthodox Church
6430 Bose Lane
San Jose, CA 95120
408-268-3214
Paraklesis, 12:45pm (The holy Icon will remain in church until 4:30pm)
Protection of the Holy Virgin Russian Orthodox Church
3475 Ross Road
Palo Alto, CA 94303
650-493-9871
Vigil, 5:00pm
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church
900 Alameda De Las Pulgas
Belmont, CA 94002
650-591-4447
Orthros, 8:30am
Divine Liturgy, 10:00am
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Ss. Michael and Gabriel Romanian Orthodox Church
4633 Raley Road
Sacramento, CA 95838-2422
916-628-9552
Divine Liturgy, 10:00am
Holy Resurrection Romanian Orthodox Church (RP)
1620 Bell Street
Sacramento, CA 95825
916-375-9978
Paraklesis, 1:00pm (The holy Icon will remain in church until 2:00pm)
Holy Cross Romanian Orthodox Church
1401 S. White Road
San Jose, CA 95127-4750
408-229-0365
Vespers & Paraklesis, 6:00pm
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Holy Resurrection Romanian Orthodox Church
26050 Kay Avenue
Hayward, CA 94545-2648
510-692-7785
Divine Liturgy, 10:00am