Kursk Root icon flown over Auckland, NZ

(Orthodox New Zealand) - The Kursk Root Icon made a special flight over Auckland during its visit to New Zealand

With the blessing of the First Hierarch of ROCOR, Metropolitan Hilarion, the Kursk Icon On Tuesday, December 7, was flown over the city of Auckland. The Holy Icon, accompanied by Archpriest Vladimir Boikov, Dean of New Zealand parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church, and the guardian of the Icon, Deacon Nicholas Olhovsky, was flown over the city with prayer in a small aircraft. The use of the aircraft was graciously offered by Alexander Zapisetsky (who piloted the plane) and Igor Ivanov. Being parishioners of the Church of the Resurrection in Auckland, they are also the directors of the Eagle Flight Training company.

The Holy Icon was in New Zealand from Novemebr 29 until December 7, and was greeted everywhere by the faithful (Russians, Serbs, Greeks, Romanians, Arabs and New Zealanders) with a great measure of reverence and piety. We are preparing an article about those grace-filled days, but for now, we offer some photos taken during the flight.

Photos available here.