.- In the few days before the Vatican’s icon of Our Lady of Kazan will make its way to Russia and be given to the patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, Pope John Paul II will take some time to pray and venerate the icon.
The pontiff will celebrate a Liturgy of the Word Aug. 25 for the veneration and transfer of the icon.
The Pope is giving the icon to Patriarch Alexei II, the Russian Orthodox Church and the people of Russia. Walter Cardinal Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity, will deliver the icon on the Pope’s behalf Aug. 28.
The faithful can venerate the icon in the Vatican basilica Aug. 26.
