Myrrh Streaming Icon of Hawaii
Sunday, January 6, 2019, the Feast of Epiphany in the western church, is the Vigil of Christmas in the Orthodox Church. After a personal invitation from an Orthodox priest, Mother Maria Francis and several Little Sisters attended this special liturgy. It was our privilege to celebrate with our Orthodox brothers and sisters the Christmas Vigil Liturgy, enhanced by two magnificent choirs, at St. Thomas University Aquinas Chapel. Afterwards we had the opportunity to venerate a special Icon that was in the Twin Cities for the weekend. It is called the Myrrh Streaming Icon of Hawaii.
In 1997, Nectarios Yangsonan, an Orthodox Subdeacon in Honolulu Hawaii, received a feast day gift from his priest. It was a reproduction of a miraculous Icon called the Myrrh Streaming Icon of Montreal. In 2007, he and his wife noticed a scent of roses coming from the icon area in their home. The picture was wet with a myrrh substance dripping from it, and a very strong fragrance was present. In June 2008, after consultation with their priest and the Russian Orthodox Church, the Icon was deemed miraculous and worthy of veneration. This Myrrh Streaming Icon of Hawaii has been traveling all over the world and has been the source of many miraculous healings. Millions of people have flocked to see and venerate it, and place objects on its case.
It was with wonder and awe that we too approached this amazing sight. Here before us was a wooden Icon that has been streaming myrrh for over ten years. We each were anointed with myrrh on our foreheads and given a holy card with the image of the Icon. The glass case that covers the Icon also was full of myrrh. The cloth on which it rests has to be changed regularly due to so much oil residue. The sisters and other attendees brought various rosaries, scapulars, icons and other religious objects to be placed on the Icon and blessed with the oil. The smell was heavenly.
Afterwards, Nectarios spoke briefly about his experience and many miraculous events and healings that have occurred from touching the oil and Icon. He has been asked to travel throughout the world and act as its guardian.
The night was filled with amazement and praise to God for the great gift of being invited to share in this awesome wonder. It was with thankful hearts and energized spirits that we returned to our daily task of working diligently for the salvation of souls. We thank God and Our Lady for the invitation and opportunity to witness such a miracle.
You can read more at: orthodoxhawaii.org to see the full transcript of the events surrounding this Icon.
There is a short nine minute video on Youtube which gives a brief overview of the Icon’s history.
Myrrh Streaming Icon of Hawaii