October 19, 2005
All the Faithful of
The Holy Metropolis of Denver
Beloved in the Lord,
The Holy Metropolis of Denver has recently been blessed with a priceless gift. It was brought to the Metropolis Center on the Feast Day of the Pious Dormition and Glorious Assumption of the Ever-Virgin Mary.
This holy gift is a large icon of the Theotokos with the Christ Child. It is over two hundred years old and came from the Russian Empire.
The unique thing about this beautiful icon is that it exudes myrrh from the arm of the Theotokos and from the leg of Christ. It does so, however, only at certain times. As of this writing it is not known if this icon is considered a healing icon or if the Holy Mother simply wants the faithful to know that she is present with us. In either case, this is certainly a great blessing for those who venerate the icon.
In regard to the myrrh that appears on the icon, it is not enough to consider using it to anoint people in large numbers. The small amount that has appeared has been added to a bottle of Holy Unction and will be used sparingly until more myrrh appears.
We have already begun to celebrate the Service of Paraklesis or Supplication to the Theotokos every Wednesday afternoon at 5:00 p.m.
In regard to the benefactor who gave this sacred icon to the Metropolis, we express our most sincere thanks to him and to his family, and we offer prayers that the Holy Mother of God will always protect and bless them in many ways.
We pray that the all-holy, pure, most-blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary will always be the Holy Protection of the Holy Metropolis of Denver.
With Paternal Blessings,
+Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver
TO BE PRINTED IN ALL PARISH BULLETINS AND NEWS LETTERS