On Saturday, December 25, His Grace George, Bishop of Mayfield, vicar bishop of the Eastern American Diocese, visited St. John the Baptist Cathedral in the American capital, accompanying the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God. His Grace led the All-Night Vigil, co-served by cathedral rector Archpriest Victor Potapov, Eastern American Diocesan secretary Archpriest Serge Lukianov, and cathedral clergy.

The following morning, Bishop George celebrated the Divine Liturgy, co-served by the above-mentioned clergy. After Liturgy, a short moleben was served before the wonderworking icon.

On behalf of the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York, Bishop George congratulated Fr. Victor and Matushka Maria Potapov on the 40th anniversary of Fr. Victor’s ordination. His Grace thanked them for their dedicated service to Christ’s Holy Church, and presented them with an icon of the New Martyrs of Russia, with a commemorative plaque.

A bountiful luncheon was offered in the parish hall, during which two akathists – one in Slavonic, one in English – were served before the Kursk Root Icon. This allowed parishioners to spend more time in prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos. Parishioners did not wish to part with the Icon, and escorted it out to the car, the whole while singing hymns to the Mother of God. The Icon then departed Washington for neighboring Baltimore.

O Most Holy Theotokos, save us!

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese 

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