Famed religious icon to visit North Fort Myers
In 2009, His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion, was tremendously surprised when hundreds of thousands of people filled the streets when he took home what is now considered in the Russian Orthodox Church to be one of the holiest icons outside of Russia.
Now, that very icon – the Mother of God Kursk-Root Icon – before which saints, emperors, and peasants have prayed for more than 700 years, will be here, in North Fort Myers from Friday, Oct. 21 through Wednesday, Oct. 26, with limited visitation hours for the faithful.
It will be displayed in North Fort Myers at Saint Nicholas Monastery, located at 111 Evergreen Rd.
“This Holy Icon, revealed in 1295, is one of the greatest treasures of the Russian Orthodox Church outside of Russia,” said Mother Andrea of St. Nicholas Monastery. “Every year, numerous healings continue to flow from the Holy Kursk-Root Icon. With the blessing of Metropolitan Hilarion, the icon will be at St. Nicholas Monastery for six days.”
The icon was here in the past, in February of 2010, for only two hours. Mother Andrea said she was surprised by the hundreds of pilgrims who came to see the icon.
“There are actual books written about the miracles of this icon,” she said. “It is not only a blessing for us, but also for all of Fort Myers.”
It will be accompanied by The Rev. Hieromonk Nikolai (Perekrestov) from the Synodal Cathedral “Of the Sign” in Manhattan.
“This holy icon of the Mother of God was discovered in the year 1295,” Mother Andrea said of its history. “It has been cherished as one of the greatest treasures of the Russian Orthodox Church. It was found by a hunter, nestled among the roots of a tree in the woods outside of Kursk. When he lifted it from its spot, a spring of pure water gushed forth. The hunter and his companions were so affected by this that they immediately cut timber and erected a small chapel in which to place the icon.”
Over the centuries, millions of people have prayed before this holy relic. “The Mother of God has worked countless miracles through this icon: invaders broke it in two, but it seamlessly restored itself; atheists bombed the church in which it was housed, but the icon was the only thing left standing, unscathed; and it was untouched when arsonists burned another church in which it was located. It has accompanied Orthodox warriors into battle; endured thefts; and traversed many lands to escape Communists. It was before this icon that Saint John Maximovitch of Shanghai and San Francisco reposed in 1966. And before this icon, Saint Seraphim of Sarov, while yet a youth in the 1700s, prayed and was healed of a chronic illness.”
During its stay at Saint Nicholas Monastery, there will be akathists, moliebens, and other prayers offered up throughout the day before the icon. Between the hours of 2 to 6 p.m. from Saturday, Oct. 22 through Tuesday Oct. 25, pilgrims may spend time offering their own petitions before the icon. The icon will depart after the Divine Liturgy on Wednesday. Other times may be arranged by contacting the Monastery in advance.
The Divine Liturgy will be celebrated daily during the icon’s visit, according to the schedule noted. Services will be in English and Slavonic.
All services will take place at the Church of the Holy Prophet Moses at Saint Nicholas Monastery. The Church is at 111 Evergreen Road, North Fort Myers, FL 33903. Please enter through the back of the building.
If you have questions call Mother Andrea at 997-2847 or 229-3871. Russian speakers may call Paul Belchenko for information at 561-445-1366.