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Virgin Mary Paramythia Miraculous Icon on Mount Athos

The history and the miracles of Panagia Paramythia Where is the icon of Our Lady Paramythia located The miraculous icon of Our Lady Paramythia dates back to the 14th century. Initially, it was a wall painting (fresco) at the Katholikon of the Holy Great Monastery of Vatopedi. Following a major miracle, the venerable icon was transferred to the left side of the main gate of the monastery’s Katholikon (the main church), where there is a chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary Paramythia. The miracle of Monastery of Vatopedi’s salvation In earlier times, the monks of the Monastery would venerate the icon of the Virgin Mary Paramythia after the Matins Service. Then, the Abbot would give the doorman the keys to open the gate, which had remained closed throughout the night. In the early 14th century, on January 21, after the completion of Matins, the fathers returned to their cells to rest until the start of their daily duties. Meanwhile, they didn’t know that hostile pirates had surrounded the gate and were prepared to attack. The miracle of Our Lady Paramythia Then, something astonishing occurred! The Abbot, who was alone in the church, praying with intense devotion, suddenly heard a voice that didn’t sound like a human voice. It said to him: «Do not open the gate of the Monastery today, instead, climb to the walls and drive away the pirates». Realizing that these words were coming from the holy icon of the Virgin Mary Paramythia, the Abbot approached the icon devoutly. Before his eyes, he beheld an extraordinary sight! Find here: Icons with the Virgin Mary Paramythia The words of Jesus Christ to His Mother The Theotokos, holding the infant Jesus Christ in her arms, came to life. The Lord, as a child, moved His hand toward His Mother’s mouth, covering it, and said: «No, Mother, do not tell them. Let them be punished for their neglect of their monastic duties». With great maternal patience, the Blessed Virgin held the hand of her Son, bent her head to the right, and said twice: «Do not open the Monastery gate, climb to the walls and repent, for my Son because He is angry with you». Then, the icon returned to its original form. The monks rushed to the walls and saw the pirates just outside the gate, ready to plunder the Monastery. However, thanks to the divine providence of the Theotokos, the Monastery was saved. The transformation of the Virgin Mary Paramythia Following these miraculous events, the Abbot gathered the monks to recount what had transpired, repeating what he had heard from the holy icon. They approached the icon of Our Lady Paramythia and were astonished to see that it had changed. The Virgin was depicted holding the hand of Jesus Christ near her mouth, while her head was inclined to the right, as if to avoid His hand. Her expression was filled with love and compassion, contrasting with the face of Christ, who appeared strict, like a Judge. The miracle of this holy icon confirms the powerful intercession of the Theotokos before her Son on behalf of humanity's sins. Find here: Hand-painted Orthodox Icons with Theotokos Paramythia The Acheiropoietos Icon of the Virgin Mary Paramythia This form of the holy icon, as it appears today, was not crafted by human hands but was divinely transformed by the grace of the Mother of God to save the Monastery. For this reason, it is called Acheiropoietos, meaning that it is not made by hands. Why the Icon is called Paramythia The icon is named Paramythia, which means comforter as it is said that the gentleness of the Theotokos’ face in the icon soothes and consoles the soul of every believer who gazes upon her. When the Virgin Mary Paramythia is celebrated The Church celebrates the Synaxis of Our Lady Paramythia on January 21 each year. In the chapel of the Virgin Mary Paramythia, an eternal vigil lamp burns before the icon, and the Supplicatory Canon is chanted daily, while a Divine Liturgy is celebrated every Friday. Find here the article: Holy Great Monastery of Vatopedi: the Athoniada Academy and the miraculous icons of the Virgin Mary The Connection of the icon of Our Lady Paramythia with the life of Saint Neophytos The icon of Our Lady Paramythia is associated with the life of Saint Neophytos, who served as the guardian of the chapel. While on a mission to a dependency in Evia, Saint Neophytos fell ill and prayed to the Theotokos to grant him the blessing of passing away in his Monastery. Then, he heard the Virgin Mary say to him: «Neophytos, return to your Monastery and prepare for your departure from this life within a year». True to this prophecy, Saint Neophytos returned to the Monastery, and after one year, he heard the voice of the Theotokos again, saying: «Neophytos, the time of your departure has come». After receiving the Holy Mysteries, he returned to his cell and fell ill. He called the fathers of the monastery to receive their blessing and soon passed away, as the Theotokos had foretold. Find here: Icons with the Virgin Mary Paramythia

Theotokos Economissa or Stewardess on Mount Athos

The history and miracles of Theotokos Economissa at Holy Monastery of Great Lavra Where is the icon of Our Lady Economissa The icon of Our Lady Economissa or Stewardess is kept at the Holy Monastery of Great Lavra. Specifically, it is located in the Lete of the Katholikon of the Monastery, to the left of the Beautiful Gate, placed upon a wooden shrine. The miracle with Saint Athanasios the Athonite The miraculous icon of Theotokos Economissa is associated with a miracle performed to Saint Athanasios the Athonite. During the period when the Monastery was under construction, supplies and provisions had run out, causing great hardship for the monastic brotherhood. Thus, Saint Athanasios was compelled to travel to Karyes, the capital of Mount Athos, to obtain the necessary provisions for the Monastery. However, along the way, the Mother of God appeared to him, urging him to return to the Monastery, assuring him that the storage rooms were filled with the necessary goods. Indeed, upon his return, Saint Athanasius found the storerooms fully stocked. Why the icon of the Theotokos was named Economissa Then, the Theotokos conveyed to him that she would henceforth be the “Economissa” of the Monastery, taking responsibility for its sustenance and material needs. This is why she was given the title Economissa, which means servant. To this day, the Theotokos is deemed the housekeeper or servant of the Holy Monastery of Great Lavra. The only remaining monastic office is that of the assistant housekeeper. Find the article here: Holy Monastery of the Great Lavra: The oldest Monastery and first in hierarchy of Mount Athos What the icon of the Virgin Mary Economissa depicts The venerable icon of our Lady Economissa portrays the Theotokos seated on a throne, holding the Christ Child in her arms. On either side of her are depicted Saints Athanasios the Athonite and Michael, Bishop of Synnada. Above the Theotokos are two angels, holding a crown. In another version, the icon presents 14 figures: the Theotokos with the Divine Infant, surrounded by 10 Saints of the Holy Monastery, with two Angels holding the crown above the Theotokos. Find here: Icon of our Lady of the Economissa

Elder Irodion

Elder Irodion was born in 1904 in Romania in the province Orntasest. His father, named Peter Mantouf, his mother Helen, was poor but honest people. Peter worked in the fields, tending sheep. God gave him a son, John. It was an innocent lad and pride. Tall, stocky, with bright blue eyes. He helped his father in sheep and grew along the fields. John had a strong religious physio. It was a peaceful character. He liked to hear stories about great hermits, who lived in caves and small huts. One day a Russian traveler stopped in their village. He was walking back from his pilgrimage to Mt. Athos. Petru, little Ion’s father, invited the wayfarer to their poor shack. The household fed the stranger, gave him hot tea to drink, and he eloquently recounted his journey with its twists and turns to them, and with tender emotion and tears in his eyes related his meeting with the Garden of the Holy Theotokos. Many years passed. Little Ion grew up, but the “spark” of monastic life, ignited in his heart by that unexpected guest, glimmered on inside him. At that time a virtuous elder from Dionysiou Monastery’s Cell of the Entry of the Theotokos into the Temple was living in Romania. After meeting Fr. John (the name of that ascetic), young Ion with his parents’ blessing chose the monastic path. He came to Holy Mount Athos at the age of twenty-five. There he began his monastic life in the Cell of the Entry of the Theotokos into the Temple; further, there is mention of the elder’s stay in Lakkoskiti, Provata, Karakallou Monastery, near Karyes, Philotheou Monastery, and Vatopedi Monastery. The cause of his wanderings was his poverty. At that time many kelliotes (monks who lived not in coenobitic monasteries, but in separately built cells, albeit not necessarily as strict hermits) had to work in different monasteries simultaneously to earn a living. They would labor in vineyards, grow and care for olive and hazel trees, till the land, and gather in the crops. Then, the Elder thought that there was a lot of noise and he couldn’t focus on to prayer. He decided to leave the monastery and go to Kapsala, the desert of Mount Athos, in order to live alone, remote, in silence and fasting. He lived there for 40 years, perusing the words of God. He stayed there until the end of his earthly life. Elder Irodion reposed on December 12, 1990. “Take this, birds!” We went into the cell and saw a man with his long hair hanging down, wearing something strange instead of his cassock. He was sitting at the entrance, holding on to a wooden beam with both hands, leaning back against another beam. We went in. “Father, we have come to see you!” “Who has sent you?” he asked with Romanian accent. We answered “Father Paisios!” “Ah, Father Paisios, a holy man! Father Paisios, a holy man!” he exclaimed. “Yes, and he told us to bring you something to eat.” “Ah, thank you so much, Father Paisios! What has Father Paisios brought me?” he went on. Then he took a tomato and hurled it against the opposite wall: “Eat it!” Next he hurled the Papadopoulos cookies, tore open the box with the words: “Let the birds eat them!” A peach was thrown aside, too. I was observing all of this with interest, trying to fathom the reason behind his odd behavior. He scattered everything around. He tore open the packet of macaroni and dropped it on the ground: “Thank you, Father Paisios! Thank you, Father Paisios! The birds will have this! The birds will have this!” he repeated over and over again.

Prayer to Theotokos in Greek

Ώ Δέσποινα, Θεόνυμφε Κόρη, Άλοχε Μήτηρ, Απείρανδρε Τροφέ τού Θεού Λόγου, θαύμα υπερφυέστατον φύσεως, ουράνιε σκηνή τού Υψίστου, υπέρτατέ της αρετής κορυφή, άπλετον πέλαγος τού ελέους, ανεξάντλητον πέλαγος τής ευσπλαχνίας, βάθος δυσθεώρητον μυστηρίων δυσλήπτων, δοχείον θεοτευκτον τού υπερουσίου προβλήματος, Πανύμνητε Θεοτόκε Μαρία, επάκουσον ημών τών οικτρών δεομένων σου καί η καθαρότης τής ακηράτου παρθενίας σου άς καθαρίση τάς εσπιλωμένας ημών ψυχάς, ο άφθορος καί σωτήριος τόκος σου... μή αποξενώση τήν σωτηρίαν από τούς λατρευτάς σου, τήν οποίαν αυτήν σωτηρίαν εβράβευσε πλουσίως εις τήν άπειρον πληθύν τών πιστώς αυτόν προσκυνούντων. Παρακαλούμεν εκτενώς, ώ Δέσποινα Θεονυμφε, σκέπε, φρούρει καί διαφύλαττε ημάς τούς ευτελείς οικέτας σου καί πάντας τούς Ορθοδόξους χριστιανούς, τούς μετ’ ευλαβείας προσκυνούντας καί ασπαζομένους τόν ιερό χαρακτήρα τής πανσέπτου εικόνος ταύτης, δί’ αισθητών μέν χειλέων εδώ εις τήν γήν καί διά νοητών εσένα τήν Υπερευλογημένην Μητέρα τού Μονογενούς Υιού τού Θεού εις τούς ουρανούς. Όθεν καί εκ μέρους πάντων σου δεόμεθα καί σέ παρακαλούμεν νά διατηρής άβλαβον καί ανωτέραν τών εναντίων εχθρών τήν σήν ποίμνην καί κληρούχους πάντας αναδείξον τής δόξης τού αφθόρου σου τόκου καί τής γλυκείας αυτού ελλάμψεως καταξίωσον. Μεθ’ ου τώ Πατρί δόξα, τιμή καί μεγαλοπρέπεια σύν τώ αγίω Πνεύματι εις τούς αιώνας τών αιώνων. Αμήν.

How Can I Visit Mount Athos - The Process for Issuing a Residence Permit "Diamonitirio" from the Pilgrims Office

In this article you will find all the necessary steps and the procedure you need to follow to visit the monasteries of Mount Athos for the first time. Contact with the Pilgrims Office First, in order to be allowed to enter Mount Athos, you should contact the Pilgrims Office to issue the necessary Residence Permit, called “Diamonitirion”. The contact number of the Pilgrims' Office in Thessaloniki is +30 2310 252575 (for Greek visitors), +30 2310 252578 (for foreign visitors) and is located at 109 Egnatias Street P.O. 54635, Thessaloniki. Opening hours: Monday - Friday 09:00 - 14:00 and Saturday: 10:00 - 12:00. The contact phone number of the Pilgrims Office in Ouranoupoli is +30 23770 71421 and it is located a few meters before the port. The information requested by the competent office is the following: full name, patronymic, year of birth, identity card or passport number, date of issue and issuing authority. Your information, the code number, and the exact date you will visit the Garden of Virgin Mary are written in the Residence Permit. In addition, it is important to know in advance the Holy Monasteries you are going to visit, as you will be asked to declare it. Therefore, you should first contact the monastery where you wish to stay. Keep in mind that the number of pilgrims allowed daily on Mount Athos is limited, so you should book your entry permit well in advance. The days of stay are usually set at four (three nights), however, if a visitor wishes to stay longer, he can request an extension from the Holy Monastery that hosts him. The person in charge of the Pilgrims Office will inform you precisely about all the details necessary for your entry to Mount Athos from Ouranoupoli or Ierissos in Chalkidiki. Here you can find the itineraries of the ships from the ports of Ouranoupoli and Ierissos to Mount Athos. How will you receive the Residence Permit “Diamonitirion” During the process of issuing your Residence Permit, it is important to state which port your departure will be from, either Ouranoupoli or Ierissos. The Residence Permit is collected from the Pilgrims' Office in Ouranoupoli, Chalkidiki, on the day of departure, upon presentation of the police ID or passport. The operating hours at the Office in Ouranoupoli are from Monday to Friday 05:30 - 13:00, Saturday from 06:00 - 13:00 and Sunday from 08:00 - 13:00. Visitors who take the ferry from Ierissos and head to the eastern side of Mount Athos, pick up their Residence Permit from the port of Ierissos, from the Pilgrims Office agent there. It would be good for visitors to be at the reception area of the Residence at least 1 hour before their departure. How much does it cost to issue a Residence Permit The cost at the moment for the issuance of the Residence Permit is: €25 for Orthodox Christians. €30 for Heterodox - Non-religious. €10 for special groups of pilgrims (pupils, students, soldiers, disabled). Foreigners, non-Orthodox and Orthodox have the possibility to make a reservation six months in advance, by sending a photocopy of their passport or a request to [email protected].

Prayer for Jesus Christ: O Christ the true Light

O Christ the true Light that enlighteneth and sanctified every man that comes into the world. Let the light of Thy countenance shine upon us, that in it we might behold the unapproachable light. Guide our footsteps in the keeping of Thy commandments, by the prayers of Thy Most-pure Mother and of all Thy Saints. Amen.

Prayer of Repentance

O Lord my God, I confess that I have sinned against You in thought, word and deed. I have also omitted to do what Your holy law requires of me. But now with repentance and contrition I turn again to Your love and mercy. I entreat You to forgive me all my transgression and to cleanse me from all my sins. Lord, fill my heart with the light of Your truth. Strengthen my will by Your grace. Teach me both to desire and to do only what pleases You. Amen. Now, without justification or self-pity, make a prayerful examinations of your conscience regarding all things. As a help, reflect on your life in the light of the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes. Take pencil and paper and specify your sins so that, at the time of the sacrament, you will be able to make a thorough confession from the list, without confusion or lapse of memory.

Virgin Mary Epakouousa Miraculous Icon on Mount Athos

Where the icon of the Virgin Mary Epakouousa is located The miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary the Hearer or Epakouousa (in Greek it means "She who Hears") is found in the Holy Monastery Zografou, in the Sanctuary of the monastery’s Katholikon. On the icon, Theotokos is depicted holding the child Jesus Christ before her chest. Jesus Christ is portrayed at a young age blessing with His right hand. The history behind our Lady Epakouousa The icon of our Lady Epakouousa is closely connected with the life of Saint Kosmas the Zographite. Saint Cosmas the Zografite was a hermit, who lived in the late 13th and early 14th centuries. One day, while he was still residing in the monastery, he found himself alone in the church. There, he approached the icon of the Virgin Mary Epakouousa and prayed heartlly, saying the following words: «Most Holy Theotokos, intercede to your Son and God that He may guide me on the path of salvation». At that very moment, the Most Holy Theotokos answered him with the following words: «My Son and God, teach Your servant how to be saved». This time, the response came from Jesus Christ, who urged him, saying:«Let him depart from the monastery and find peace alone». Thus it came to pass. Saint Cosmas the Zographite withdrew to a cave outside the monastery to devote himself to a life of solitude, a path he followed with great spiritual success. Indeed, he was deemed worthy to receive the gift of performing miracles. Why the icon of the Virgin Mary was named Epakouousa The name Theotokos "Epakouousa" has the meaning that she heard and answered the request of Saint Cosmas when he sought her in prayer. For this reason, the icon of the Theotokos was named Epakouousa.

Prayer of Saint Ephraim

O Lord and Master of my life,Grant not unto me a spirit of idleness,of discouragement,of lust for power,and of vain speaking. But bestow upon me, Thy servant,the spirit of chastity,of meekness,of patience,and of love. Yea, O Lord and King,grant that I may perceivemy own transgressions,and judge not my brother,for blessed art Thouunto ages of ages. Amen.

Virgin Mary Koukouzelisa Miraculous Icon on Mount Athos

The history and miracles of Theotokos Koukouzelisa Where the icon of the Virgin Mary Koukouzelisa is located The icon of the Virgin Mary Koukouzelisa is one of the miraculous icons of Mount Athos and belongs to the Monastery of Great Lavra. It is placed on a wooden throne inside the chapel of the Monastery. The appearance of the Theotokos to John Koukouzeles In front of the miraculous icon of the Theotokos Koukouzelisa, it was customary to conduct the Vigil for the Saturday of the Akathist Hymn. One night, after the completion of the Saturday vigil, the chief chanter of the Monastery, John Koukouzeles, who had once served as the lead musician at the imperial palace, fell lightly asleep in the choir board. In his sleep, he saw the Most Holy Theotokos greeting him, saying, «Rejoice, John! Sing to me, and I will never abandon you». As she spoke, she placed a gold coin in his palm. Find here: Orthodox icon of the Virgin Mary Koukouzelisa. The miracle of the Virgin Mary Koukouzelisa When Saint John awoke, he beheld something truly wondrous! He was holding in his hand the coin that the Theotokos had left him in his dream! From that moment, he devoted himself to long vigils and standing in prayer, which led to him developing serious issues with his legs. Find the article here: Holy Monastery of the Great Lavra: the oldest Monastery and first in the hierarchy of Mount Athos The healing of John Koukouzeles by the Theotokos The Theotokos appeared to him again in his sleep and healed him. Since then, many miracles have been attributed both to the icon of the Virgin Mary Koukouzelisa and to the gold coin that John Koukouzeles held. When is Virgin Mary Koukouzelisa celebrated The Orthodox Church celebrates our Lady Koukouzelisa on November 21 each year. Why the Virgin Mary is called ‘Koukouzelisa’ The name ‘Koukouzelisa’ comes from the connection with Saint John Koukouzelis through the vision and the miracle that occurred. For this reason, Saint John was ever-present in the right choir, chanting in honor of the Lord and the Theotokos. Who John Koukouzeles was John Koukouzeles lived in Dyrrachium, in Albania. He was often called ‘Koukouzeles,’ as whenever he was asked what he ate, he would reply, “koukia and zelie,” meaning broad beans and a Bulgarian word for cabbage. After completing his studies at the Imperial Academy in Constantinople, Emperor Komnenos appointed him as a musician at the palace. However, John desired to follow the monastic life. At one point, the Abbot of the Great Lavra Monastery visited Constantinople. John followed him back to Mount Athos, disguised as a servant so that no one would recognize him. Despite his efforts to be accepted into the communal monastic life, he was instead made a shepherd. Through this service, he lived happily, in absolute peace and devotion to the Lord, as he had wished. One day, a hermit nearby heard him singing so melodiously that even the animals stopped grazing to listen to him. When John Koukouzelis fell asleep Amazed, the hermit informed the Abbot of the Monastery of Great Lavra. After this revelation, the Abbot accepted him into the monastery. From then on, he lived at the Monastery of Great Lavra until the end of his life. He fell asleep peacefully on October 1. Find here: Orthodox icon of the Virgin Mary Koukouzelisa.

Climbing on the Summit of Mount Athos - Useful Information

Mount Athos has a history dating back to the 12th century and remains remarkably well-preserved through the ages, both in its cultural heritage and natural landscape. Athos, the emblematic summit of the Holy Mountain The peak of Mount Athos rises majestically above the Athonite peninsula, reaching an altitude of 2,033 meters. This impressive mountain stretches eastward toward the Gulf of Ierissos and westward toward the Singitic Gulf, offering breathtaking natural beauty. Climbing the summit of Athos Although Athos is not among the tallest mountains in Greece, the climbing to its summit is particularly challenging. The difficulty lies in starting from sea level, requiring hikers to cover the entire elevation. Essential equipment for the ascent on Athos peak Hikers and nature enthusiasts often wonder how to climb to the summit of Athos, what is the best season and the safest path. Answers may vary, but the hikers should never forget the importance of proper equipment. The climb demands experience and good preparation. Checking the weather forecast beforehand is vital. Rain, storms and lightning can be extremely dangerous and even life-threatening. Essential gear includes a headlamp, sleeping bag, dry food, water, electrolytes, trekking poles, a mobile phone with GPS and detailed physical maps of the hiking trails. Mobile signal coverage may be unreliable in certain areas, so a detailed map with paths and routes of Mount Athos is required. Explore here: Hiking Map of Mount Athos - Detailed Find here: Maps of Mount Athos Overnight stay during the ascent on the summit of Mount Athos An overnight stay may be necessary during the ascent. At the location known as «Stavros», there are small shelters suitable for 3-4 people, offering basic amenities such as a water well. The path to these shelters is stunning, passing through forests of chestnut, fir and pine trees. At higher altitudes, the Panagia refuge (approximately 1,500 meters) is ideal for staying to acclimate to the climatic conditions before the final ascent. This shelter can accommodate 10-12 people and is easily accessible by animals from Saint Anne or Kerasia. Donkeys are often used by monks to transport goods, but also to move from one place to another when distances are large and conditions allow. When the church of Theotokos was build The church of the Theotokos, located at the shelter, was built in 1665 by Patriarch Dionysius III. However, evidence suggests the presence of an earlier church in the area, as Saint Jacob lived as an ascetic there before 1520. Despite harsh weather conditions, the church was preserved and renovated in 1972 by the Monastery of Great Lavra. Read here: Holy Monastery of the Great Lavra: the oldest Monastery and first in the hierarchy of Mount Athos Starting points for the ascent of Mount Athos The most popular starting point for the ascent to the Athos summit is the Monastery of Great Lavra. Alternatively, one can begin from the “Skala of Saint Anne” or “Kleftiko” if the sole focus is the climb. What awaits at the peak of Athos The first church at the peak, dedicated to the Transfiguration of the Lord, was built in 965 by Saint Athanasius the Athonite. Though it was destroyed by lightning, it was rebuilt multiple times, notably by Patriarch Dionysius III and later by Patriarch Joachim III. The current structure dates back to 1977. At the summit, at an altitude of 2,033 meters, a 3x4 meter iron cross, erected in 1897, stands prominently. The view from the Summit The view from the summit of Athos is breathtaking. One can admire the entire Athos peninsula, including Karyes, the Skete of Saint Andrew and the Monastery of Koutloumousi, in a landscape that inspires awe and spiritual serenity. The Athos peninsula continues to shine and will stand lofty as long as we, faithfuls, safeguard the traditions of the monastic community and the natural environment, aptly called "The Garden of Virgin Mary." Read the article here: Paths Trails of Mount Athos - Hiking on Athos Peninsula

Virgin Mary Hodegetria - Holy Monastery Xenofontos

The icon of the Theotokos Hodegetria is considered one of the miraculous icons of the Virgin Mary that is preserved on Mount Athos and dates back to the 14th century. The miracle of the Virgin Hodegetria at the Monastery of Xenophon The miraculous icon of the Virgin Hodegetria was originally housed in the Katholikon (main church) of the Holy Great Monastery of Vatopedi, placed on a column in the left choir (that is the place where the chanters and the monks gathered to chant) of the church. However, in 1730 AD, the icon of the Virgin Mary Hodegetria miraculously disappeared and was found at the Holy Monastery of Xenophon. According to the narrations of the monks, the door of the church had been locked when the event occurred, which led them to suspect human intervention. As a result, the fathers of the Vatopedi monastery decided to recover the holy icon of Theotokos and began their search. During their efforts, they learned that the miraculous icon of the Virgin Hodegetria was now at the Holy Monastery of Xenofon, even though both monasteries had been securely locked. The second disappearance of the Virgin Hodegetria The fathers of the Monastery of Vatopedi reclaimed the holy icon of the Virgin Hodegetria and decided to take stricter measures for its protection. They sealed the church in such a way that no human hand could violate its security. That same evening, during the performance of the regular service, the monks discovered that the holy icon was once again missing, despite the church's security remaining intact. News soon spread that the icon of the Panagia Odigitria had once again miraculously appeared at the Holy Monastery of Xenophon. Find here: Icons with the Theotokos Hodegetria. The divine will for the Icon’s placement After the second disappearance of the Theotokos Hodegetria, the monks of Vatopedi concluded that the icon’s transfer was due to the grace of the Lord and the will of the Most Holy Theotokos. Respecting this divine desire, they decided to visit the icon of the Virgin Hodegetria at its new location, to venerate it and to bid it farewell.This custom was maintained for many years, with the Fathers offering oil and candles in honor of this miraculous event. Find here: Hand Painted Byzantine icons of the Virgin Mary Hodegetria. What the Virgin Mary Hodegetria protects Since then, the icon of the Theotokos Hodegetria has remained in the Holy Monastery of Xenophon and is the monastery's protective icon (family icon). It performs countless miracles and is the protector of cancer patients and women facing difficulties in conceiving. When the Virgin Mary Hodegetria is celebrated The Feast of the Synaxis of the Theotokos Hodegetria is celebrated annually by Orthodox Church on June 20th. The anniversary of the miraculous event of the icon’s transfer is festively commemorated each year by the Holy Monastery of Xenophon on the second Sunday of October. Find the article here: Holy Monastery of Xenophon: the Monastery of Panagia Hodegetria and Saint Georgios