WESTERN EUROPEAN DIOCESE: 7 November, 2025
The Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign" comes to the south of France

The Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign," the prime holy relic of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, visited the historic Archangel Michael Church in Cannes, France, on 5 November, 2025, where His Grace Bishop Irenei of London and Western Europe led a prayer service. He was joined by clergy from the region, after which the icon was taken into the temple and then in procession around its exterior, blessing it anew with the grace of the Mother of God and Her Son.

This moment was particularly potent for the clergy and faithful, as political questions over property matters have meant that the beautiful church structure has been closed for access and not functioning as a liturgical center of prayer for several years. While productive efforts are underway, aided by fraternal assistance from representatives of the Moscow Patriarchate, to restore the church to its historic home in the ROCOR, clergy and faithful of the longstanding parish are currently worshipping in the Chapelle de Notre Dame de l’Assomption in nearby Mandelieu-la-Napoule. That today they, aided by the heavenly intercessions of God’s Mother, were able to see the sacred icon enter into the temple, and then pray before it at the threshold of their proper church building, was a profound joy and consolation; and all together lifted up their prayers for unity in the faith, an increase in brotherly love, and a cessation to all hostilities currently plaguing the world.

At the conclusion of the service, Bishop Irenei addressed the faithful with words of encouragement. ‘Today, the Mother of God makes a special visitation to this beautiful coast, and to this historic temple where for more than a century prayers were raised to her Son. Let it be out of fervent prayer, and the object of the labors, that divisions may be overcome by His mercy, and that by her ongoing guidance and blessing all those of pious heart may be joined again here in the worship of the True God, to His glory and the sanctification of the whole world!’

Following the visitation to the temple, the sacred Kursk-root icon was taken to visit the homes of faithful in the regions of Cannes and Antibes. That evening it was be taken to the city of Menton where it was present for the Altar Feast of the parish there.