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An icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker flows myrrh in the Russian church in Antwerp

Antwerp, July 26, Interfax - An icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, archbishop of Myra in Lycia, began to flow myrrh in a parish of the Moscow Patriarchate in Antwerp several days ago, press service of the Brussels and Belgium archdiocese of the Russian Orthodox Church reported to Interfax on Wednesday.

The parishioners noticed the first signs of myrrh-flowing during Sunday divine service on July 16. Two clear drops appeared beneath the saint’s right eye on the icon and turned into tear-resembling streams of clear oily fluid.

Then St. Nicholas’ omophorion was covered with dewdrops, and the worshippers saw with their own eyes the thin streams of myrrh beginning to flow and exhaling strong fragrance, a source in the archdiocese said.

After the liturgy the rector of the church celebrated a prayer service with akathistos hymn to St. Nicholas. All the worshippers were singing, while the myrrh was gushing from the right hand of the saint raised in blessing. The stream left an oily imprint on a paper icon.

There were no signs of myrrh-flowing on the icons placed near the St. Nicholas icon made of the same material, the press service specified.

The myrrh-drops and fragrance were receding on the days that followed, probably because many pilgrims coming from Belgium and the neighboring countries to worship before the icon touched it.

Many different ailments and hardships of life were alleviated in Brussels during the last week. The believers think it to be the result of the prayer to St. Nicholas.

The rector of the church will record all testimonies of people who received help from the myrrh-flowing icon.