On Wednesday, 24 June, the Feast of the Holy Apostles Bartholomew and Barnabas, the faithful of Metro Detroit were again blessed by the visit of the Mother of God in her Hawaiian Iveron Icon to St. Innocent of Irkutsk parish in Redford, MI.

The Holy Icon was accompanied by Deacon Seraphim Andov and Reader Christopher Lasek, both clerics of ROCOR. The Holy Icon was greeted at the door by Parish Rector and Dean of the Central States, Priest Joshua Genig, as well as the parish choir and many of the parish children. Serving with Fr. Joshua was the Mitred Archpriest Timothy Barna, Rector of St. Michael the Archangel parish in Redford, MI.

In addition to the clergy and many servers from the parish, over 150 of the faithful were present to pray, receive the Mysteries, and venerate the Holy Mother of God, asking for her fervent prayers and help.

Though unable to travel due to illness, Priest Nectarios Yangson (Guardian of the Holy Icon and Rector of Holy Theotokos of Iveron Orthodox Church in Kailua, HI) sent a very kind, personal letter, addressed to the parishioners of St. Innocent, expressing his fondness for their parish and priest. Additionally, Deacon Seraphim presented Fr. Joshua with a beautiful Iveron Icon on behalf of Fr. Nectarios. Fr. Joshua, in turn, presented Deacon Seraphim with a relic and an icon of the newly-glorified Matushka Olga of Alaska to take back to Hawaii. Though separated by many miles, a strong bond exists between Fr. Joshua and Fr. Nectarios, as well as their parishes, due only to the mercy of God and the love of His Most Holy Mother.