Together with the inclusion of Saint Matrona of Moscow, the Holy Synod decided to add to the calendar of the Romanian Orthodox Church the Syriac Icon of the Mother of God from Ghighiu Monastery to be celebrated on the feast of the Life-Giving Spring, on Bright Friday, beginning with 2019.
During its February working session, the Holy Synod approved the Akathist and the Service to the Syriac Icon of the Mother of God.
The Ghighiu Convent is located in the village of Barcăneşti, Prahova County, 44 miles north of Bucharest. The Syriac Icon of the Mother of God arrived to Romania in 1958, brought to Patriarch Justinian by Bishop Vasilios Samaha of Sergiopolis of the Patriarchate of Antioch following a dream in which the Theotokos instructed him to bring the icon, painted on sandalwood in the Syrian school in the 16th century. He presented the icon to the patriarch at Ghighiu Monastery.
Since 1958, many believers have testified that they received quick help, healing, and strengthening of faith after praying to the Mother of God before her holy Syriac Icon.
Another wonderworking icon of the Theotokos highly honoured by the Romanian Orthodox Church is the Prodromitissa Icon of the Mother of God or the Not Made by Hands Icon from the Athonite Prodromos Skete, celebrated on July 12.
Feasts of other wonderworking icons of the Mother of God honoured by Romanians are expected to be added to the Church calendar.
Photography courtesy of the Basilica.ro Archive
