Icons festival celebrates Orthodoxy

WARREN -- The 12th Annual Festival of Icons at St. John's Orthodox Church will feature "The Wonderworking Weeping Icon of Our Lady of Livonia."
The festival, called "A Celebration of Orthodoxy: Christ's Church Enters Its Third Millennium," begins with a prayer service at 8 a.m. Nov. 3, offering praises to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Church officials say the icon has been "weeping" -- giving off myrrh -- since Nov. 21, 1997. They say the icon and its myrrh have been the source of spiritual, physical and emotional healing. Those present can be anointed at the conclusion of the service.
Speaker: The keynote speaker is Frank Schaeffer, the author of "Saving Grandma" and "Portofino." He is the founder and editor-in-chief of Regina Press, which publishes and produces books, videotapes and music related to the Orthodox Church. He serves on the Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Council. His documentary, "Whatever Happened to the Human Race?" on medical ethics and life issues was co-produced with Dr. C. Everett Koop, the former surgeon general of the United States.
Schaeffer will speak at 10 a.m. on "Remaining Orthodox in the Secular Environment" and at 3 p.m. on "The Future of Orthodoxy -- Will the American Orthodox Survive our Materialistic Culture?"
The Very. Rev. Daniel Kovalak, pastor of The Elevation of the Holy Cross Mission in Williamsport, Pa., will speak at 1:30 p.m. on "Choosing Forgiveness." He's active in prison and college ministries and is the author of "The Orthodox Family as a Bridge to the Mission to America."
On display: More than 1,000 icons and books will be on display and for sale. Vendors include St. Isaac of Syria Skete, Boscobel, Wis.; Yaroslavi School of Iconography, Russia; St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, N.Y. and St. John's Bookstore.
The cost of the lecture program is $10 per person. A catered lunch for $10 per person is available with advance registration. Call (330) 393-3025 or (330) 372-3895 to make reservations.