WONDERWORKING KURSK ICON OF THE MOST HOLY THEOTOKOS

The Wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos will visit the Washington DC area.  The venues and times of its visitation are given below.  During the Tatar invasion in the thirteenth century, the city of Kursk was ravaged by the Horde of Batu and fell into desolation. After this, the residents of the city of Rylsk often journeyed to the site of Kursk to hunt wild beasts.  On September 8, 1259, a hunter noticed the icon lying on a tree root face downwards to the ground. The hunter lifted it and saw that the image of the icon was similar to the Novgorod “Znamenie” Icon of the Mother of God. Just as the hunter lifted up the holy icon from the earth, a strong spring of pure water surged up at that place where the icon rested.With the help of friends the hunter rebuilt an old small chapel and placed the newly-found icon in it. When news of this spread, many came from Rylsk to this old chapel to venerate the icon and pray about their sorrows and needs. There the Mother of God healed all who came to her icon.

Soon after, the icon was transferred to Rylsk and put it in a new church in honor of the Nativity of the Theotokos. But the icon did not long remain there. It disappeared and returned to the place of its first appearance. The inhabitants of Rylsk repeatedly took it and carried it back to their city, but the icon incomprehensibly returned to its former place that is now on the grounds of the Kursk Root Hermitage. It was realized, that the Theotokos preferred the place of appearance of her icon. Many miracles are attributed to the original icon as well as to the few copies that were made of it.

Apolytikion (Tone 4)
Having obtained thee as an unassailable rampart and wellspring of miracles, O Most Pure Mother of God, thy servants quell the assaults of enemies. Wherefore, we pray to thee: Grant peace to our land, and to our souls great mercy.

November 30. St. John’s Cathedral, DC. Vigil – 5:00 PM.

Sunday, December 1. Holy Apostles Parish, Beltsville, MD for Divine Liturgy.

Monday, December 2. St. Thecla Mission, Kensington MD for a Service of Supplication and Akathist – 6:30 PM.

Tuesday, December 3. St. John’s Cathedral, DC for vigil – 6:30 PM.

Wednesday, December 4. St. John’s Cathedral, DC for Entrance of the Theotokos Feast (Patristic Calendar)  Liturgy – 6:40 AM.