Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and you shall call His name Immanuel.  Isaiah: 7:14

For the next 12 months Holy Trinity Parish as host parish for the 2015 Diocesan Assembly will be home to the most beautiful icon known as The Mother of God of New England.

This icon was crafted by His Eminence, Archbishop Job (Osacky) of blessed memory, while serving as Bishop of Hartford and New England in 1987, as a gift to his diocese. Vladyka was a renowned iconographer.

It is in the "Sign" style, depicting the Mother of God holding Christ-Immanuel (God is with us) in her womb. He is surrounded by a background of stars showing that He is Lord of the universe.

This style of Theotokos icon was first revealed miraculously in Russia in the 12th century and soon became widely popular. At the bottom we see depicted Sts. Herman of Alaska, preeminent missionary to North America, Innocent, first bishop of North America, Peter the Aleut and Priestmonk Juvenaly, first martyrs of the North American Church. These were the American Saints glorified up to the time the Icon was written.

The beautiful riza, or overlay, was commissioned by Vladyka in 1990. The Holy Synod planned to transfer Vladyka from Hartford to Chicago, and after his intense prayers to remain here, the Synod postponed action. In gratitude His Grace commissioned silversmiths in New York to make the embossed silver overlay with 4 sky blue opals. The carved walnut frame was made by Timothy Tregubov of Claremont, NH at the same time.

This icon presides over major Diocese of New England events and several years ago it became practice to place her in the church preparing to host the upcoming assembly. Next year it will leave us to go to Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Springfield, MA in preparation for the 2016 Assembly there.

Let us take advantage of this great blessing by praying frequently before the Icon for the needs of our families and friends and for our God-preserved Diocese, its Archbishop, clergy and faithful people.