The Hawaiian Iveron Myrrh-Streaming Icon (2007)
The story
Skip to the verdict ↓In October 2007, a reproduction of the Iveron icon belonging to an Orthodox couple in Kailua, Hawaii began streaming fragrant oil and was recognized by the Russian Orthodox Church as miraculous the following year; its home parish today is the Holy Theotokos of Iveron Church in Hawaii.
On October 6, 2007 — the Orthodox feast of the Conception of St. John the Forerunner — an Iveron reproduction icon in a private home in Kailua, Hawaii was noticed to be exuding a fragrant oily substance. The icon was brought to the attention of local clergy, and streaming continued.
In June 2008, the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia formally recognized the icon as miraculous. It subsequently traveled to over 1,000 parishes across North America, Europe, and Georgia, where more than a million faithful reportedly venerated it in 2014.
In the Orthodox theological tradition, myrrh streaming is held to be a divine sign rather than a permanently explainable phenomenon, and the Church investigates such claims before recognition. ROCOR's recognition followed an eight-month observation period.
The icon, kept at the Holy Theotokos of Iveron Church in Hawaii, remains active and accessible.
Too thin a record to say either way.
Reviewer Notes
Miracles Jar weighs each claim two ways — how extraordinary it would be, and how strong the evidence is.
Assessed by Miracles Jar AI
Institutionally recognized; substance not independently analyzed; natural oil release from iconographic materials plausible.
ROCOR recognized the Hawaiian icon as miraculous in June 2008 after approximately eight months of observation. The icon has since traveled to over 1,000 parishes. However, no peer-reviewed or independent chemical analysis of the streaming substance has been published. Russian investigations of other myrrh-streaming icons have found sunflower or olive oil with aromatic additives in most cases examined. The icon is living and could in principle be examined — this remains the key gap. Recognition by an interested ecclesiastical body is primary evidence for the tradition but secondary for independent evaluation.
The eight-month observation period before recognition is somewhat longer than most such cases. The characterization that the Church "investigates" such claims is retained in the account; whether that investigation is active or thorough is a separate question.
Natural mechanisms for apparent oil streaming from icons include: release of drying oils (linseed, walnut) used in icon varnishes under temperature-change stress; capillary migration of oils through aged paint layers; and application of aromatic oils during veneration that redistribute over the surface. Russian investigators who have chemically analyzed other streaming icons have consistently found plant-based oils. Temperature differentials causing drying oil from an icon's surface treatment to weep through the paint layer is a documented natural mechanism that applies broadly to icons with oil-based varnish and explains sporadic streaming without deliberate fraud.
ROCOR's June 2008 recognition permitting wide veneration tours reflects consistent witness reports, not an independent scientific finding. Streaming reportedly continues in measurable quantities during liturgical seasons and has been observed by many witnesses — the volume and frequency of accounts is notable, but all accounts are testimonial. Analysis of other myrrh-streaming icons in Russia has found vegetable oils in most cases; no independent analysis of this icon has been published — the pattern from analogous cases is the primary skeptical consideration, and this icon could be tested. Temperature-driven weeping of drying oils remains a plausible natural explanation.
The Hawaiian icon's continued accessibility distinguishes it from some analogous cases; independent chemical analysis would significantly advance the evidential picture but has not been publicly reported. The case is institutionally recognized but the substance has not been independently analyzed, and natural oil release from iconographic materials remains plausible.
Evidence ledger — what the verdict rests on
ROCOR officially recognized the icon as miraculous in June 2008, permitting wide veneration tours
Ecclesiastical recognition reflects consistent witness reports; is not an independent scientific finding
Streaming reportedly continues in measurable quantities during liturgical seasons, observed by many witnesses
Volume and frequency of witness accounts is notable, but all accounts are testimonial
Analysis of other myrrh-streaming icons in Russia has found vegetable oils in most cases; no independent analysis of this icon is published
Pattern from analogous cases is the primary skeptical consideration; this icon could be tested
Temperature differentials causing drying oil (linseed/walnut) from the icon's surface treatment to weep through the paint layer is a documented natural mechanism
Applies broadly to icons with oil-based varnish; explains sporadic streaming without deliberate fraud
What would raise the meter: Long-term follow-up documenting permanence, in a condition with a near-zero spontaneous-resolution base rate, would raise the meter.
What would lower it: A documented relapse, or case literature showing the condition fluctuates or remits on its own, would move it down.
How we weigh every claim — the full method, deductions and all →
The natural explanation
The leading natural account for this case is spontaneous remission & the body's own recovery. Read what it explains — and where it stops.
The same wonder, across traditions
This claim is one of many that make the same assertion across faiths. See it side by side in Images That Weep, Bleed, and Stir.
Sources
Tagged by proximity to the event. Primary sources are direct or contemporaneous; tertiary are downstream retellings.
- 1.Primarychurch document
"Hawaii's Myrrh-Streaming Icon — Holy Theotokos of Iveron Orthodox Church", 2024· no public link
Parish's official account; documents recognition by ROCOR and pilgrimage history
- 2.Secondarytestimony
"Paschal Miracle of the Wonderworking Hawaiian Iveron Icon", 2023· no public link
OrthoChristian.com account of 2023 streaming during Pascha; testimonial only
- 3.Secondaryother
"What is a Myrrh-Streaming Icon? — St. Michael Antiochian Orthodox Church", 2020· no public link
Explains the phenomenon tradition and notes that when analysis has been conducted, vegetable oils are typical findings
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