The miraculous myrrh-streaming Iveron-Hawaiian Icon of the Mother of God visited parishes in the San Francisco Bay Area from the 9th to the 12th of July, 2022.

On Saturday, July 9th, the holy Icon, in the company of its guardian Deacon Nectarios Yangson, visited the Saint John of Kronstadt Health Care Center in Castro Valley at 3:00 pm. They were met by Archpriest Stefan Pavlenko who led them to all the rooms of patients who are Orthodox and they were anointed. Soon after that, the holy Icon visited the Old Holy Virgin Cathedral in San Francisco, CA. His Grace Bishop James of Sonora greeted at the icon at 5:00 pm and the All-night Vigil to the Resurrection of Christ was celebrated.

On Sunday July 10th the myrrh-streaming Icon visited the Holy Resurrection Church (Romanian Episcopate, OCA) in Hayward, CA, for the Divine Liturgy. The Rector of the church, Father Octavian Mahler, presided over the Divine Liturgy. Later that day the Iveron-Hawaiian Icon traveled to Sacramento, CA, and was present at an Unction service held at the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel Church (Romanian Episcopate, OCA) on Raley Boulevard. The parish offered hospitality to the clergy and parishioners in the parish hall after the Divine Service.

On the Feast of the Holy, Glorious All-praised and Foremost Apostles Peter and Paul, Monday July 11 and on Tuesday July 12, the holy Icon visited Holy Ascension Russian Orthodox Church in Sacramento, CA. For both the All-night Vigil and the Divine Liturgy the church was filled with parishioners and guests. There were about 40 communicants of the Holy Mysteries. Deacon Nectarios gave the sermon on the significance of the myrrh and shared two miracles performed by the Most Holy Theotokos through Her wonderworking icon.

At the end of the festal meal which was held in the church hall, Deacon Nectarios opened the case that holds the wonderworking Icon and while the myrrh was dripping from the miraculous image, he spoke of the nature of God. He said that the miracle of streaming myrrh shows us that God is not like an earthquake or a fire or great, horrific wind. God is like a whisper, like a fresh, gentle waft of air.

Small copies of the icon were distributed to the those who approached the wonderworking icon for veneration. Wherever the holy Icon visited, the faithful were anointed with holy myrrh and consoled by the Grace of the Most Holy Theotokos.

“Rejoice, O good gate-keeper, who openest the portal of paradise to the faithful!” from the Akathist Hymn to the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God