Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church

A parish of the Orthodox Church in America

Orthodoxy in America

The Wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of Our Lady of the Sign to Visit our Parish

With the blessing of His Beatitude, Metropolitan JONAH and His
Eminence, Metropolitan HiILARION, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox
Church Outside Russia [ROCOR], The Wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the
Mother of God will visit Saints Peter and Paul Church here on Saturday,
January 2, 2010.

The Kursk Root icon was discovered September 8, 1259, by a hunter
outside the town of Kursk, Russia. He found the icon lying face down by
the root of a tree. When he lifted it he saw that the image of the icon
was similar to the Novgorod "Znamenie" Icon. With the appearance of
this icon immediately there appeared its first miracle. Just as the
hunter lifted up the holy icon from the earth, right then, at that
place where the icon lay, gushed forth a spring of pure water. The
hunter decided not to leave the icon in the forest, placing it instead
in a small, ancient chapel.

The icon was transferred to the city of Ryl'a and put in a new church
erected in honor of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos. But the
icon soon disappeared and returned to its initial place of appearance.
The people of Ryl'a made several attempts to bring the icon to their
city, but it repeatedly returned to its former place. Everyone then
realized that the Theotokos preferred the place of the icon's
appearance.

The special help granted by the Mother of God through this icon is
associated with important events in Russian history. Several copies of
the icon were made, which also were glorified.

Details about the celebration at Saints Peter and Paul Church are forthcoming.

Additional information on the Wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God may be found here and also here.

Historic Preservation

Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy

Wednesday, May 30th 2007 the Seventh Annual Preservation Awards Ceremony was held. It was a the Loew's Jersey Theastre at Journal Square. Our parish received Excellence in Preservation Award for restoration of Saints Peter and Paul church.

Father Joseph said a few words to group gathered in the lobby. Joshua Parkhurst presented the award.