After departing Madera, on August 4 the Black Madonna traveled to St. Susanna Orthodox Church in Sonora, an arid area of California suffering from a long-term drought. Pulling into the driveway, Father Andrew Jacobs, Deacon Elias Union, and Subdeacon Nicholas Teshin welcomed us with warm enthusiasm in anticipation of the Akathist to the Mother of God.
Our sweep of California with the Pilgrim Icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa led us next to Central California on August 2. Despite the summer heat, a large crowd of 250 people welcomed the Black Madonna to St. Joachim Church in Madera with a jubilant procession around the block and into the church.
When we arrived in Sacramento, a city named after the Blessed Sacrament, Father Jeremy Leatherby, pastor of Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, as well as Father Patrick Lee, a priest in residence, welcomed the Pilgrim Icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa with deep joy.
Continuing our journey through Northern California, we stopped at St. Margaret Mary Church in Oakland. Father Stanislaw Zak, who was particularly zealous in welcoming and hosting the Black Madonna, is Polish and has an intense devotion to Our Lady of Czestochowa. Father Zak encouraged additional prayer services, devotions, and opportunities for veneration.
The faithful of Holy Trinity Cathedral and Bay Area parishes were honored to welcome the pilgrimage icon of the Most Holy Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary of Czestochowa. on the eve of the Dormition Feast.
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- The Black Madonna Returns to Washington State
- Devoted Canadians Warmly Receive the Black Madonna in Vancouver
- Pilgrim Icon Strengthens Pro-Life Efforts in Washington State
- Three times around the world – The Icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa on an ocean shore again.
- The Pilgrim Icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa Comes to the Big Sky Country of Montana
- The Black Madonna Welcomed in the Dakotas
- Lincoln, Nebraska Welcomes Our Lady of Czestochowa
- Kansas City Life Saved After Black Madonna Visit