WESTERN AMERICAN DIOCESE: August 25, 2014
The Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God concludes its visit to the Western American Diocese at Los Angeles’ Transfiguration Cathedral

On Monday, August 18, 2014, the eve of the Transfiguration of the Lord, His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America, Secretary of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, performed all-night vigil at Holy Transfiguration Cathedral in Los Angeles, CA. His Eminence was joined by His Grace Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan, Vice Secretary of the Synod of Bishops; His Grace Bishop John of Naro-Fominsk, Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA; Protopriest Alexander Lebedeff, Senior Priest of the Cathedral and Secretary of the Inter-Orthodox Relations Department of the Synod of Bishops; along with clergymen of the neighboring parishes of the Local Orthodox Churches and others.

During the singing of the Great Doxology, the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign" was brought to the cathedral, which has been visiting the parishes of the Western American Diocese since the celebration of the 20 th anniversary of the glorification of St John (Maximovich) of Shanghai and San Francisco in the latter city. At the end of service, the guests were offered dinner at which the archpastors, clergymen and laity shared greetings.

The following morning, Archbishop Kyrill celebrated Divine Liturgy with the blessing of the fruits and a moleben and procession of the cross around the cathedral along with the other bishops, with an enormous gathering of worshipers. During the minor entrance, by decision of the Synod of Bishops, Priest Alexei Polyakov, a cleric of the cathedral, was awarded the gold pectoral cross.

Bishop John read a sermon on the importance of the holiday. After Liturgy, the cathedral sisterhood hosted an abundant trapeza luncheon, at which Vladyka Kyrill, Vladyka Nicholas, Vladyka John, Fr Alexander, Protopriest Serafim Gan and Fr Alexei spoke. On Wednesday evening, August 20, Bishop Nicholas performed a “farewell” moleben and akathist before the Kursk-Root Icon together with the rector and cathedral clergymen. Over 300 people were in attendance from all over the city. The following day, Bishop Nicholas took the Icon of the Mother of God back to New York.