ARCHPASTORAL GREETINGS OF THE MOST REVEREND DANIEL ARCHBISHOP OF CHICAGO AND THE MIDWEST ON THE FEAST OF THE APPEARANCE OF THE TIKHVIN ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD

ARCHPASTORAL GREETINGS OF THE MOST REVEREND DANIEL

ARCHBISHOP OF CHICAGO AND THE MIDWEST

ON THE FEAST OF THE APPEARANCE

OF THE TIKHVIN ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD

Beloved Clergy, Monastics, and Faithful

of the God-protected Diocese of Chicago and the Midwest:

Today, like a most brilliant sun, your all-honored icon dawns over us in the air, illumining the world with rays of mercy. Our land, piously receiving it as a divine gift from on high, does glorify you, O Mother of God and Mistress of all, joyfully magnifying Christ our God Who was born of you.  Pray to Him, O Lady Queen and Theotokos, that all Christian cities and lands be preserved unharmed from every incursion of the enemy and that they will be saved who worship in faith His Divine and your most pure image, O Unwedded Virgin.  -Troparion, Tone 4

On this joyous feast of the Appearance of the Wonderworking Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God, the patronal feast of the Diocese of the Midwest, we lift our hearts in thanksgiving to our Lord Jesus Christ and glorify His Most Pure Mother, the heavenly Protectress of our Diocese.  We celebrate with gratitude, giving thanks for the special blessings received throughout…