A BLESSED FEAST OF THE TRANSFIGURATION!
A FESTAL BLESSING FROM THE HOLY MOUNTAIN!
Alhambra, California – Friday, August 19, 2022
Today, on the Feast of the Transfiguration we received a special blessing in the visit of Abbot Metodije of the Hilandar Monastery on Mount Athos! At the liturgy, the Abbot presented His Grace, our Bishop Maxim with a gift, a replica of the icon of the “Mother of God with three hands.” The icon was originally painted by St. Luke the apostle, without the third hand. The “third hand” icon originates in the 8th century during the time of the iconoclasts. For his writings in defense of Orthodoxy, Saint John of Damascus’ hand was cut off by order of the muslim caliph, because it was the hand which had written in defense of Orthodoxy. But the saint begged the Mother of God to intercede for his hand to be restored. In thankfulness for this miraculous healing, Saint John placed on the icon of the Mother of God, a hand fashioned of silver, from which the icon then received its name “Of Three Hands.” The original icon was given to St. Sava of Serbia together with many other valuable icons from the Holy Land when he visited those areas and was eventually brought to Serbia where it was preserved for a while. However, after some internal turmoil in Serbia the 
icon was sent to the Holy Mountain. His Grace received the beautiful icon with much joy and gratitude and placed it in the Cathedral where the faithful will be able to venerate it and receive its blessing for generations to come.
Following the liturgy, everyone joined together for a fellowship luncheon prepared by Laura Burge, Olga Djukelic, Dara Bozunovic, Debra Tasic, Valerie Glover and their helpers. After a few welcoming remarks, a brief Q & A was held with Abbot Metodije on a variety of topics. Also, special recognition was given to Debra Tasic who received a Hilandar Gramata honoring her late husband +Miodrag and the Tasic family for thier love and support of the monastery. Abbot Metodije also presented Fr. Nick with a very special and beautiful pectoral cross from Hilandar, which he now wears with humility and gratitude.
Photos and Article courtesy of Saint Steven’s Cathedral, Alhambra, California