On the afternoon of June 25, Romanian Orthodox Christians in Chicago enjoyed being blessed by the arrival of the icon of St. Anne, mother of the Mother of God from St. Tikhon's Monastery in Pennsylvania.
This icon arrived around 6:30 p.m. in Chicago, being greeted by His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae at Three Hierarchs Orthodox Christian High School and Mrs. Elisabeth Kotis, Principal of the new Orthodox High School. It followed the blessing of the chapel and classrooms with the icon of St. Anne and a brief presentation of the icon by Fr. John Parker, Dean of the Orthodox Seminary at St. Tikhon's Monastery.
The events then continued at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saints Constantine and Helen, where, starting at 7.00 pm, the Service of Akathist of the Saints and Righteous Ancestors of God Joachim and Anne was celebrated. At the end of the service, Fr. John Parker gave a sermon and presented the history of the icon of St. Anne. This was followed by a word of thanks from His Eminence Nicolae for the joy and blessing of having the Myrrh Springing Icon of St. Anne from St. Tikhon's Monastery in Pennsylvania in the midst of the Romanian community. Several hundred Orthodox Christians from various churches in Chicago had the opportunity to venerate the icon of St. Anne brought on pilgrimage.
The History of St. Anna Icon
On May 9, 2004 – Mother’s Day in the U.S. – an Icon of St. Anna, the Mother of the Holy Virgin Mary, located in the Russian Orthodox Church of Our Lady of Joy of All Who Sorrow in Philadelphia began to stream myrrh. On that Sunday one of the parishioners mentioned to the parish rector, Archimandrite Athanasy that the Icon of St. Anna seemed to be “perspiring”. Upon further investigation, Fr. Athanasy notice visible liquid streams and droplets. Accumulations of the liquid were seen on the cuff on St. Anna’s left hand and on her left shoulder veil. Droplets were also found elsewhere on the Icon. This fragrant, slightly oily liquid is commonly referred to as “myrrh”. Initially the myrrh looked like tear drops, as if St. Anna was crying. More recently small, slow-moving streams of myrrh have appeared in other parts of the Icon.
The Icon of St. Anna had been commissioned by Fr. Athanasy in 1998, in the Mount of Olives Convent in Jerusalem. He himself had served there in 1980-1981. In 1998, the Icon was completed, blessed at the Sepulcher of our Lord in the Jerusalem Church of the Resurrection, and brought to Philadelphia.
As of Fall 2012, the Icon resides at St. Tikhon's Monastery and has a wonderful heavenly fragrance but is not currently weeping. Assistance and healings are still wrought by the miraculous Icon of St. Anna and She continues to work wonders for those who approach with faith.
