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The wonderworking Icon of the Mother of God from Sitka, Alaska, is
being taken on a pilgrimage for the first time in history, to over
60 Orthodox Christian parishes across the US from September 7 through
November 7, 2005. This 19th-century icon is adorned with a magnificent
gold and silver metal covering. The icon was commissioned for Sitka's
Archangel Michael Cathedral by Saint Innocent Veniaminov in the early
1800s and has been enshrined in the cathedral since its arrival 150
years ago. The icon is attributed to Vladimir Borovikovsky, a leading
artist of the time and one of Russia's most revered painters. Miraculously,
the icon survived a fire that destroyed the original cathedral in
1966. Over the years, many healings and miracles have been credited
through the intercession of the Holy Virgin in response to prayers
offered by countless faithful before the icon. It is believed that
the gaze of the eyes of the Theotokos (Birth-Giver of God) has led
to the restored health of those who prayed before the icon. Because
of the sereneness of the Theotokos, the icon has been described as
a pearl of Russian ecclesiastical art of ineffable gentleness, peacefulness,
and harmony . . . the most beautiful face of the Mother of God with
the Divine Child in her arms is so delicately and artistically done
that the more one looks at it, the more difficult it is to tear ones
gaze away. Below are some pictures taken on October 25 and 26, 2005
during the icon's visit here. |
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