On the Feast of the Entry of our Lord into Jerusalem, the parishioners of St. Gregory Church in Tampa, Florida were graced by the presence of the Miracle Working Myrrh-Streaming Icon of the Mother of God "Softener of Evil Hearts".
The All-Night Vigil and Festal Divine Liturgy served by parish rector, Archpriest Andrey Kovalev. During the past week, Fr. Andrey and the Icon's caretaker, Sergei Fomin visited a number of neighboring parishes of the OCA, ROCOR and Serbian Dioceses, as well as visiting the infirm in local hospitals.
The Holy Icon is currently visiting parishes on the East Coast of the United States. It will return to Russia on Bright Tuesday.
The icon is a plain lithography, the work of the Ecclesiastical Supply Firm "Sofrino" . One day, the icon began streaming myrrh during the glorification of blessed Matrona of Moscow, after the icon was placed on blessed Matrona’s Holy Relics. Over time, the icon was transformed. Those who venerate it now cannot distinguish the lithography from that of an ancient icon. The Holy Icon is attributed to the healing of numerous paralyzed children and adults as well.
Photos courtesy of Sergei Fomin