On Thursday, October 31, the memory of the guardian of the "Montreal" Iveron Icon of the Mother of God, the murdered Brother Jose Muñoz-Cortes, was prayerfully commemorated in parishes and monasteries throughout the Eastern American Diocese. This year marks the 16th anniversary of the martyric death of the chosen one of the Theotokos.

In the Synodal Cathedral, Brother Jose was commemorated at the divine services in honor of St. John of Kronstadt. Upon completion of the Vigil, the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, addressed the faithful with the following words:

"It is needful for us to remember our beloved Brother Jose. It was through his spiritual attentiveness and zeal that he labored tirelessly for glory of the Mother of God, who in turn prays unto her Son for the salvation of all mankind."

In Holy Trinity Monastery, where the remains of Brother Jose lay at rest, the brethren fervently prayed for the martyr’s repose. On Saturday, a group of pilgrims from St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Washington, DC will arrive at the monastery to pray at Brother Jose’s grave.

Brother Jose received the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God on Mount Athos. In 1982, the icon began streaming myrrh. Brother Jose traveled to many Orthodox parishes with the "Montreal" Icon until his martyrdom in Athens in 1997. With his death, the miraculous icon disappeared. With reverence and faith toward the Mother of God, many copies of the icon were printed, one of which is the Hawaiian Icon, which today streams myrrh, to the joy and comfort of the faithful.

Source