Orthodox Hawaiian Iveron Icon Association - OHIIA

06/22/2026

2026 Visitation of the Wonderworking “Hawaiian” Myrrh-Streaming Iveron Icon to the Midwest

We are pleased to announce the visitation schedule of the Wonderworking and Myrrh-Streaming “Hawaiian” Iveron Icon of the Mother of God. This grace-filled pilgrimage offers the faithful a rare opportunity to venerate the Miraculous Icon, which has been a source of comfort, healing, consolation, and spiritual renewal for Orthodox Christians throughout the world.

June 2026 Schedule

Tuesday, June 23, 2026

Saint Nicholas Macedonian Orthodox Church
5225 Howard Avenue
LaSalle, Ontario, Canada

7:00 PM – Arrival of the Wonderworking Hawaiian Iveron Icon
7:10 PM - Akathist Service to the Most Holy Theotokos and Anointing of the Faithful

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Wednesday, June 24, 2026

Saint Innocent Orthodox Church
23300 W. Chicago
Redford, MI 48239

8:45 AM – Arrival of the Wonderworking Hawaiian Iveron Icon
9:00 AM – Divine Liturgy and Anointing of the Faithful

Saint Sabbas Monastery
18745 Old Homestead Drive
Harper Woods, MI 48225

4:50 PM – Arrival of the Wonderworking Hawaiian Iveron Icon
5:00 PM – Great Vespers

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Thursday, June 25, 2026

Saint Sabbas Monastery
18745 Old Homestead Drive
Harper Woods, MI 48225

7:30 AM – Hierarchical Divine Liturgy with Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York and Bishop Theodosy of Manhattan

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Friday, June 26, 2026

The Wonderworking Icon returns to Hawaiʻi.

06/22/2026

O Most Holy Theotokos, save us!

Help feed the Kenyan Orphans ☦️(25 Church Feeding Programs, feedin...

06/08/2026

06/03/2026

“Why?”
A Sermon on Faith in the Midst of Suffering

by Priest Nectarios Yangson

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Dear Beloved in Christ,

There is perhaps no question more ancient than the word, “Why?”

Why did this happen?

Why is my family suffering?

Why did God allow this sickness?

Why did this person die?

Why did my prayers seem to go unanswered?

Why, Lord?

Many people imagine that asking God “why” is somehow a sign of weak faith. We are often told that it is a question we should never ask. Certainly, we should trust in God. We should have faith in Him. Yet we are weak. We are human. We suffer. And when we open the pages of Holy Scripture, we discover something truly remarkable: some of the greatest saints, prophets, and righteous ones asked that very question.

“Why?”

Moses asked why.

David asked why.

Jeremiah asked why.

Job asked why.

Even the holy Apostles often struggled to understand God’s ways.

The question itself is not a sin.

The danger comes when we stop trusting God while we are asking it.

Consider the holy Prophet Moses.

God appeared to him in the burning bush and gave him a sacred mission: “Go unto Pharaoh and tell him, Let My people go.”

Moses obeyed.

Yet what happened immediately afterward?

Things became worse.

The Israelites were beaten more severely.

Their burdens increased.

Their suffering deepened.

The people turned against Moses.

They accused him.

They questioned him.

And Moses himself cried out to God:

“Lord, wherefore hast Thou so evil entreated this people? Why is it that Thou hast sent me?” (Exodus 5:22)

Moses had obeyed God, yet all he could see was darkness.

He could not see the Red Sea opening.

He could not see Pharaoh’s defeat.

He could not see the pillar of fire.

He could not see Mount Sinai.

He could not see the Promised Land.

He only saw the pain.

And perhaps many of us know exactly how that feels.

You pray, yet the situation worsens.

You obey God, yet the burden grows heavier.

You try to do what is right, yet suffering increases rather than decreases.

And in those moments, the question rises naturally from the depths of the heart:

“Why?”

The righteous Job knew this question.

In a single season he lost his children, his possessions, his health, and his reputation.

He sat among the ashes scraping his wounds.

His friends offered explanations.

But explanations did not heal his grief.

Job wanted God.

And throughout his suffering he cried out with questions.

Yet even amid his anguish he proclaimed:

“Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.” (Job 13:15)

That is faith.

Faith is not pretending that suffering does not hurt.

Faith is not denying grief.

Faith is not forcing a smile when the heart is broken.

Faith is continuing to trust God when nothing makes sense.

The holy Patriarch Joseph also asked “why.”

Why was he betrayed by his brothers?

Why was he sold into slavery?

Why was he falsely accused?

Why was he forgotten in prison?

Year after year, Joseph could not see God’s plan.

All Joseph could see was the pit.

But God saw the palace.

Joseph could only see chains.

God saw the throne.

Joseph could only see betrayal.

God saw salvation for an entire nation.

The pit was not the end of the story.

It was part of the road.

How often do we judge God’s plan by a single chapter?

We stand in the middle of the story and conclude that God has abandoned us.

But the Lord sees the entire book.

We see one page.

He sees eternity.

My brothers and sisters, one of the greatest spiritual temptations is demanding that God explain Himself according to our timetable.

Yet throughout Scripture, God rarely gives explanations.

Instead, He gives Himself.

When Job cried out, God did not explain every tragedy.

He revealed His presence.

When Moses was afraid, God did not reveal every detail of the future.

He simply said:

“Certainly, I will be with thee.” (Exodus 3:12)

When the Apostles were terrified in the storm, Christ did not first explain the storm.

He stepped into the boat.

This is the Christian answer to suffering.

Not a philosophical explanation.

Not an intellectual formula.

But the presence of Christ.

The Son of God Himself entered our suffering.

He was betrayed.

He was mocked.

He was rejected.

He was scourged.

He was crucified.

And from the Cross humanity heard the mystery of suffering expressed in the words:

“My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46)

Christ Himself voluntarily entered into that abyss.

He descended into the deepest darkness of human suffering.

He entered into our grief.

He entered into our loneliness.

He entered into our abandonment.

He entered even into death itself.

And there, in the depths of Hades, He shattered the gates of brass and broke the bars of iron asunder.

He broke the chains.

He sanctified every human sorrow.

He transformed suffering from a dead end into a path toward Resurrection.

This is why Orthodox Christians never view suffering as meaningless.

We may not understand it.

We may weep because of it.

We may struggle beneath its weight.

But we know it is not meaningless.

The Cross appeared to be defeat.

Yet it became victory.

The tomb appeared to be the end.

Yet it became the beginning.

And at times the things that seem like the end of our story are merely the place where God is preparing a Resurrection.

Perhaps today some of you are asking “why.”

Why the illness?

Why the pain?

Why the loss?

Why the loneliness?

Why the disappointment?

Why the burden that seems too heavy to carry?

I do not stand before you today pretending to know the answer to every one of those questions.

But I do know this:

God has not abandoned you.

He has not forgotten you.

He has not ceased loving you.

The same Lord Who stood beside Moses stands beside you.

The same Lord Who sustained Job sustains you.

The same Lord Who lifted Joseph from the pit is watching over you.

And the same Lord Who rose from the dead walks beside you even now.

Remember the holy disciples.

On Great and Holy Friday, they watched their Master betrayed, arrested, mocked, scourged, crucified, and laid in a tomb.

Everything they had hoped for seemed shattered.

Everything they believed seemed to be slipping away.

The Kingdom they expected did not appear.

The promises they had heard seemed impossible.

All they could see was death.

All they could see was defeat.

All they could see was a sealed tomb.

What they could not yet see was the empty tomb.

They could not yet see the stone rolled away.

They could not yet hear the angel proclaim, “Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen.”

They could not yet see the Risen Christ standing in their midst saying, “Peace be unto you.”

On Friday they saw the Cross.

On Sunday they saw the Resurrection.

On Friday they saw death.

On Sunday they saw Life Himself standing before them.

And so it is often in our own lives.

We stand on our Friday asking questions, while God is already preparing Pascha.

We stand before the Cross while God already sees the Resurrection.

We see the tomb.

He sees the empty tomb.

We see the tears.

He sees the joy that shall come in the morning.

We see the suffering.

He sees the glory that shall be revealed.

One day, perhaps in this life, or perhaps only in the Kingdom to come, we shall understand what today remains hidden.

But until then, we walk by faith and not by sight.

Faith is not pretending that everything makes sense.

Faith is not the absence of questions.

Faith is trusting God when we cannot yet see what He sees.

Faith is believing that Christ is present even when the darkness seems overwhelming.

Faith is believing that the tomb is not the end of the story.

For trust is not knowing why.

Trust is knowing Whom.

And even before the waters part…

Even before the prison doors open…

Even before the healing comes…

Even before the answer arrives…

Even before the stone is rolled away…

God is still God.

God is still good.

Christ is still risen.

Christ is still victorious.

And Christ is still with us.

To Him be glory, together with His Father Who is without beginning, and His All-Holy, Good, and Life-Creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Amen.

06/01/2026

☦️ Glory to Jesus Christ! С праздником!

Håfa Adai & Tirow! ☦️🌺🙏🏻

With great joy and gratitude to Almighty God, we announce the return of the Wonderworking and Myrrh-Streaming Hawaiian Iveron Icon of the Mother of God to the Mariana Islands.

Following her recent pilgrimage to Saipan and Guam, the Most Holy Theotokos once again comes to bless her children throughout the Marianas, bringing comfort, hope, healing, and heavenly consolation to all who seek her maternal intercessions.

This visitation comes at a particularly meaningful time. After the devastation and hardships brought by Super Typhoon Sinlaku, the Queen of Heaven returns to these islands as a loving Mother returning to comfort her children. Through her wonderworking icon, she has brought countless people peace and joy in times of sorrow, strength in moments of weakness, and renewed faith amid life’s trials. Her presence among us is a reminder that God has not forgotten His people and that the Mother of God continually intercedes for all who call upon her with faith.

Please visit orthodoxsaipan.org to learn how you can help with the recovery efforts.

The Wonderworking Hawaiian Iveron Icon will be present for all services in Saipan and Guam, offering the faithful an opportunity to venerate the holy icon, seek the prayers of the Most Holy Theotokos, and participate in the sacred services of Christ’s Holy Orthodox Church.

Holy Virgin of Vladimir Russian Orthodox Church, Saipan

📍 5P7V+6RH, Isa Drive, Laulau Bay, Saipan, CNMI
🌐 orthodoxsaipan.org

Parish Feast of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God

Tuesday, June 2, 2026
☦️ 5:00 PM – Great Vespers and Litia

Wednesday, June 3, 2026
☦️ 10:00 AM – Divine Liturgy
Parish Feast Day of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God

Saturday, June 6, 2026
☦️ 5:00 PM – Great Vespers

Sunday, June 7, 2026
☦️ 10:00 AM – Divine Liturgy

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The Orthodox Christian Mission of Guam

📍 Wyndham Garden Guam, Maga’lahi Conference Room
240 Ypao Road, Tamuning, Guam

Tuesday, June 9, 2026
☦️ 6:00 PM – Vigil with the Arrival of the Wonderworking Iveron Icon
☦️ Confessions will be heard at 5:30 PM

The Wonderworking Hawaiian Iveron Icon of the Mother of God will be present throughout the services.

We warmly invite all Orthodox Christians, catechumens, inquirers, military families, and friends throughout the Mariana Islands to join us for these grace-filled services. Whether you have been Orthodox all your life or are simply seeking the ancient Christian Faith, come and pray with us as we celebrate these holy days together.

May the Most Holy Theotokos spread her protecting veil over Saipan, Guam, Tinian, Rota, and all the islands of the Marianas. May she bring healing to the afflicted, comfort to the grieving, strength to the weary, and peace to every home.

O Most Holy Theotokos, save us!

All are welcome! “Come and see…”

05/21/2026

Please continue to help support the Orthodox Christian Church of Saipan and various local organizations in “fueling hope” for our communities on Saipan and Tinian who are suffering without power, food and various resources.

https://www.givesendgo.com/fueling-hope

Father Nectarios Yangson, guardian of the Wonderworking Iveron Icon and Rector of the Holy Theotokos of Iveron Russian Orthodox Church will be returning to Saipan on June 1-9, 2026 to celebrate the Patronal feast day of the Holy Virgin of Vladimir Orthodox Church in Saipan (www.orthodoxsaipan.org) and help assist with relief efforts.



https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DgL4eYifi/

05/21/2026

Christ is Risen!

Please help support the newly established Holy Virgin of Vladimir Eastern Orthodox Church in Saipan by liking and following their new page.

As the first Orthodox Christian church in the Northern Mariana Islands, they are grateful for your prayers and support as this small mission community continues to grow and bring the ancient Orthodox Christian faith to the Mariana Islands.

Please help us spread the word by sharing their page with family and friends.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1EMnbBLMa5/

05/19/2026

2026 Visitation of the Wonderworking “Hawaiian” Myrrh-Streaming Iveron Icon to the Midwest and East Coast

We are pleased to announce the visitation schedule of the Wonderworking and Myrrh-Streaming “Hawaiian” Iveron Icon of the Mother of God will embark on a sacred pilgrimage to churches throughout the Midwest and East Coast of the United States of America in May of 2026. This grace-filled visitation offers the faithful a rare opportunity to venerate the Miraculous Icon, which has been a source of comfort, healing, and spiritual renewal for Orthodox Christians around the world.

The schedule of visitations is provided below:

May 20, 2026, Wednesday

New Gracanica Serbian Orthodox Monastery
35240 W Grant Ave
Lake Villa, IL 60046
8:45am, Arrival of the Wonderworking Iveron Icon
9:00am, Divine Liturgy

St. Kiril and Metodij Macedonian Orthodox Church
10S330 IL-83
Willowbrook, IL 60527
6:45pm, Arrival of the Wonderworking Iveron Icon
7:00pm, Festal Vespers with Metropolitan Metodi

May 21, 2026, Thursday

Holy Virgin Protection Russian Orthodox Cathedral
1800 Lee St
Des Plaines, IL 60018
8:45am, Arrival of the Wonderworking Iveron Icon
9:00am, Divine Liturgy

Nativity of the Virgin Mary Macedonian Orthodox Cathedral
43123 Ryan Rd
Sterling Heights, MI 48314
7:15pm, Arrival of the Wonderworking Iveron Icon
7:30pm, Akathist and Moleben to the Holy Theotokos

May 22, 2026, Friday

St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Monastery
St. Tikhon’s Road
South Canaan, PA 18459
Tel: (570) 937-4067
4:00pm, Arrival of the Wonderworking Iveron Icon with Moleben followed by Vespers & Matins

May 23, 2026, Saturday

St. Dimitru Romanian Orthodox Monastery
1572 Mountain Road
Middletown, NY 10940
8:15am, Arrival of the Wonderworking Iveron Icon
8:30am, Matins
10:00am, Hierarchical Divine Liturgy

May 24, 2026, Sunday

St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Monastery
St. Tikhon’s Road
South Canaan, PA 18459
Tel: (570) 937-4067
9:00am, Hierarchical Divine Liturgy
4:30pm, Vespers and Matins

May 25, 2026, Monday - (Memorial Day

St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Monastery
St. Tikhon’s Road
South Canaan, PA 18459
Tel: (570) 937-4067
7:30am, Early Divine Liturgy
10:00am, Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at Monastery Church
2:30pm, Healing Service to the Theotokos at All Saints Church
4:30pm, Vespers and Matins

May 26, 2026, Tuesday

St. John the Baptist Russian Orthodox Cathedral
706 Hill Street
Mayfield, PA 18433
Tel: (570) 876-0730
6:15pm, Arrival of the Wonderworking Iveron Icon
6:30pm, Moleben and Akathist to the Holy Theotokos

May 27, 2026, Wednesday

Holy Trinity Orthodox Church
1236 Juniper St
Pottstown, PA 19464
12:00pm, Arrival of the Wonderworking Iveron Icon
3:00pm, Akathist to the Mother of God

The Holy Icon will remain at the church until 5:00pm

St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church
601 South Harrisburg Street
Oberlin-Steelton, PA 17113
6:20pm, Arrival of the Wonderworking Iveron Icon
6:30pm, Akathist to the Mother of God

May 28, 2026, Thursday

Romanian Orthodox Monastery of the Transfiguration
321 Monastery Lane
Ellwood City, PA 16117
1:30pm, Arrival of the Wonderworking Iveron Icon
2:00pm, Paraklesis to the Mother of God
The Holy Icon will remain at the monastery until 5:00pm

Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary Russian Orthodox Church
330 Shaw Avenue
McKeesport, PA 15132
6:15pm, Arrival of the Wonderworking Iveron Icon
6:30pm, Moleben and Akathist to the Holy Theotokos

May 29, 2026, Friday

Holy Trinity Romanian Orthodox Church
723 N Bodine St
Philadelphia, PA 19123
6:15pm, Arrival of the Wonderworking Iveron Icon
6:30pm, Paraklesis to the Holy Theotokos

05/11/2026