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"Holy Ancestor of God, intercede in our behalf!"
On May 9, 2004, an Icon of St Anne, the Mother of the Holy Virgin Mary, located in the Russian Orthodox Church of "Our Lady Joy of All Who Sorrow" in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA began to stream myrrh. On that Sunday one of the parishioners
mentioned to the parish rector, Archimandrite Athanasy that the Icon of St. Anne seemed to be "perspiring." Upon further investigation, Fr. Athanasy noticed visible liquid streams and droplets. Accumulations of the liquid were seen on the cuff on St.
Anne's left hand and on her left shoulder veil. Droplets were also found elsewhere on the Icon. Initially the myrrh looked like tear drops, as if St. Anne were crying. Later small, slow‐moving streams of myrrh appeared in other parts of the Icon.
Fr. Athanasy commissioned the Icon of St. Anne 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.
For 3 years the Icon continued to stream myrrh, collected by cotton at the bottom of the Icon. The Icon has been placed in a wooden case with a glass cover. There is no riza (a metal covering). The myrrh dries up during Passion Week before and
streams of myrrh begin to resume on Pascha. It has been noticed that the volume of myrrh increases on feast days and when many are gathered in prayer.
Since Pascha 2007, the Icon has dried up, myrrhing only occasionally. The scent or "blagouhanie" is still very strong. Miracles continue to occur and the faithful continue to flock to venerate this miraculous Icon. Pious people view this Icon as a window into Heaven, a channel of God's grace, and as a consolation gift from God, Who continues to show mercy on His people.
For more information, contact the Church Office, 916.772.9372 or visit www.saintanna.org.
4th Friday after Pascha
