Jubilee Icon Visits Twin Cities
The Twin Cities of Minneapolis/Saint Paul, Minnesota were visited by the Jubilee Icon of the Mother of God, having first been in other deanery parishes in Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado and North Dakota.
The icon arrived in the Twin Cities from Minot, North Dakota. The Seat of the Upper Mid-west Deanery is in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where Fr Canon Michael Stelmach, pastor at St Constantine Church, is Dean.
The icon first went to the parish of Saint Stephen in Saint Paul to be venerated on Saturday, September 25th.where the Divine Liturgies on Saturday afternoon. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated for God's blessingsupon the Eparchy and all who live in it. After the Liturgy, all the parishioners came up to kiss the Jubilee Icon and receive the anointing with holy oil on the forehead. The parishioners then posed with the Pastor and the Icon. Although a small community St Paul has a big heart and is a very generous community, supporting the parish. The parishioners felt privileged to have the Jubilee Icon of the Mother of God come to them.
The Jubilee Icon then went to the Parish of Saint Constantine Church in Minneapolis for ceremonies concluding the icon’s visit to the deanery. In the presence of His Grace, Bishop Richard (Seminack).
The Jubilee Icon was placed on the tetrapod for veneration mid blue votive lamps and many flower arrangements with an embroidered "ruchnyk" placed around the icon itself.
all kinds of desserts the buffet was a success.
The Jubilee Icon stayed at Saint Constantine Ukrainian Catholic Church for yet a week after the festivities and now continues its journey throughout the Eparchy, in the South and West Deanery, eventually back to Chicago for permanent enthronement in the St Nicholas Cathedral.
The visit of the Jubilee Icon of the Mother of God and the visit of Bishop Richard were a great source of spiritual renewal, blessings and grace that does not come frequently but which lasts long after the event has passed.
By Father Canon Michael Stelmach
