Where the icon of the Virgin Mary Proanangelomeni is located
The miraculous icon of the Theotokos, known as Foreteller that is in Greek Proanangelomeni or of the Akathist or Cherovo (in Bulgarian Херово) is kept at the Holy Monastery of Zografou on Mount Athos. The history of this icon unfolds in the last quarter of the 13th century, during the period of the false union of the two Churches—Orthodox and Western.
What happened during the period of the false union of the two Churches
The Council of Lyon concerned the Union of the two Churches, Eastern and Western, which was decided in 1274 AD. To implement the decisions of the Council, Emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos, in collaboration with Pope Urban, sent representatives to Mount Athos under the leadership of Patriarch John XI Bekkos.
Patriarch John XI Bekkos (1275-1282) was a fervent supporter of the union of the two Churches and he was particularly harsh towards the monks of Mount Athos and those opposing the union—the anti-unionists—who rejected the Pope’s primacy and considered his doctrines irrational.
In 1276 AD, Patriarch John XI Bekkos, accompanied by an official delegation of Unionists, proceeded toward Mount Athos with the intent to impose, at any cost, the Emperor Michael’s commands and the decisions of the Council.
At the same time, not far from the Holy Monastery of Zografou, a righteous elder lived in a small cell. He was distinguished for his strong faith and his special love for the Most Holy Theotokos.
Daily, and almost without interruption, the Elder devoutly prayed before the holy icon of our Lady Cherovo, reflecting deeply on the meanings of Her Salutations
The miracle of the Theotokos toward the Elder
On the day when the envoys of Emperor Michael decided to move toward the Holy Monastery of Zografou to suppress the monks' resistance, the Elder began to recite the Akathist Hymn with awe, exclaiming «Rejoice, O Bride Unwedded».
At that moment, the icon of the Virgin Mary Proanangelomeni responded, speaking the following words:
«Rejoice, O Elder of God! Do not fear, but go quickly to the Monastery to announce to the Abbot and the brothers that the enemies of both Me and My Son have come closer! Let those whose hearts are weak hide in patience until the trial has passed! But those desiring the crowns of martyrdom, let them remain in the Monastery! Now go quickly!»
Why the Theotokos is called Foreteller
The Theotokos, through her words, warned the Elder and urged him to inform the Abbot and the monks of the arrival of the Unionists.
She advised that those monks who were fearful should quickly hide, while those who were willing to sacrifice themselves and receive the wreath of Confessors should remain. For this reason, she is called “Proanangelomeni”, which means “She Who Foretells,” because she announced events before they took place.
The second miracle with the icon of the Virgin Mary Proanangelomeni
Without hesitation, the Elder rushed to warn the Abbot and the monks. Upon arriving at the gate of the Monastery, a second miracle unfolded before his eyes!
The holy icon of our Lady Cherovo was standing before him, as if waiting for him! The Elder knelt before the icon and reverently venerated it. Then, he took the icon in his hands and proceeded to the Abbot, to whom he recounted all that the Theotokos had revealed to him.
Quickly, all the monks were notified. Some, as expected, sought refuge, while the Abbot Thomas, along with 21 monks and hieromonks and 4 pilgrims, awaited the arrival of the Unionists.
The sacrifice of the 26 Confessors
When the Unionists arrived, they attempted to persuade the monks to dissuade and abandon their resistance, without result. Then, they piled brushwood and dry branches around the tower and consigned the 26 Confessors to fire for their faith.
The Abbot Thomas, along with the monks Kyrillos, Michaeos, Simon, Sergios, Hilarion, Iakovos, Job, Antonios, Kyprianos, Ioannikios, Savvas, Iakovos, Martinianos, Cosmas, Minas, Joseph, Paul, Barsanouphios, Euthymios, Domitian, and Parthenios, as well as the four pilgrims, met a martyr’s death!
Afterward, the remaining monks returned from the forest. Reverently searching among the ashes, they sought to gather the holy relics of the Confessors Martyrs.
The icon of the Virgin Mary, untouched by the fire
The monks witnessed something truly miraculous! The holy icon of the Virgin Mary Proanangelomeni was completely untouched by the terrible fire!
Deeply moved, they carried the holy icon into the Monastery’s Katholicon. In 1764 AD, the Chapel of the Dormition of the Theotokos, also known as the Chapel of the Akathist Hymn was erected and was built in the northern courtyard of the Monastery. There, the holy icon was enshrined.
In commemoration of the miracle of the Virgin Mary Proanangelomeni, it was established that during the Divine Liturgy, Hymns in honor of the Theotokos are read, a tradition that continues to this day.
When the memory of the 26 Confessors is commemorated
Following this event, the Confessors were recognized as Saints by the Orthodox Church. Their memory is commemorated twice a year, on September 22 and October 10.
It is noteworthy that the iconographer Metrophanes captured their holy martyrdom on the northern wall of the Monastery’s Katholikon. Additionally, a chapel was dedicated to the memory of the Holy Martyrs in the northern wing of the top floor of the Holy Monastery.
Later, in 1873 AD, an imposing marble cenotaph was erected in the courtyard of the Holy Monastery, serving as an eternal memorial to these brave Confessors!
