| 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. |
