'Miracle' Icon From Hawaii Coming To Shirley Church

An extraordinary religious icon from Hawaii, believed by the faithful to produce fragrant, healing oil, is coming to Shirley for a special evening of prayer, worship and anointing open to people of all faiths.

St. John the Theologian Orthodox Church will welcome the Hawaiian Iveron Icon of the Mother of God on Saturday, October 24, at 158 West End Avenue.

The icon, depicting the Virgin Mary holding the infant Jesus, has reportedly streamed fragrant oil known as myrrh for more than 15 years.

Believers across America have attributed remarkable healings to the icon, including accounts involving a hospital patient in Hawaii and a Pennsylvania man suffering from a brain disease. Those claims have not been independently verified.

"In these days of endless strife and division, wars and utter feelings of despair and brokenness, we are comforted to know that the Most Holy Mother of God, the Ever-Virgin Mary, prays for us ceaselessly," said Archpriest Jonathan Ivanoff.

"She is always with us, always visiting us, always there to comfort us," Ivanoff added.

The evening begins with Vespers at 5 p.m. The icon arrives at approximately 5:45 p.m., followed by an Akathist service honoring the Virgin Mary at 6 p.m.

Every visitor, regardless of religious affiliation, will be offered prayers and anointing with oil from the icon.

The sacred image will remain available for veneration until approximately 9 p.m. or later.

The icon's caretaker, the Rev. Nectarios Yangson, regularly travels nationwide, bringing it to churches and hospitals.

Founded in 1983, St. John's serves Orthodox Christians throughout eastern Suffolk County.

The parish also plans additional healing services in November and December using myrrh retained from the visit.

Admission is free, no registration is required, and everyone is welcome.

Additional information is available at stjohnthetheologian.com.