THE HOLY ICON OF PANAGIA TRIHEROUSA
The beautiful Icon of Panagia Tricherousa is kept at the
Holy Monastery of Hilandariou on Mount Athos. It is an old Byzantine Icon of
Holy Theotokos. The face of Panagia is life like and sweet which conjures
emotions in the venerator and leaves you in awe of Her presence. The Icon for
reasons of protection and showing of respect is covered with a golden riza on
which are attached 5,000 precious stones, donated by centuries of faithful that
have venerated the Holy Icon.
THE HOLY MONASTERY OF HILANDARIOU - MOUNT ATHOS
The Icon’s history:
The Miraculous Icon of Panagia Tricherousa belonged to the
family of St. John Damascene and was always kept in the chapel inside the
Saint’s home. St. John Damascene was the chief advisor of the Caliph Walid of
Syria between the years of 705-715 A.D. for all matters concerning the
Christian population of the Caliphate.
During this time period, in the reign of Leo the 3rd
Byzantine Emperor of Constantinople, the heresy of Iconoclasm became prevalent.
Emperor Leo the 3rd was a staunch opponent of Icons which he thought
formed idolatry. St. John proved to be a great supporter of the use and
veneration of Icons and with his many writings was one of the many Fathers that
upheld the use of Holy Icons. In
an effort to silence St. John, Emperor Leo sent word to Caliph Walid of Syria,
that St. John was conspiring to overthrow his rule in Syria.
ST. JOHN OF DAMASCUS - DAMASCENE
Once word was received, Caliph Walid immediately ordered St.
John Damascene’s arrest and ordered that the Saint’s right hand be cut off in
the main square of Damascus in the presence of the public. The Caliph’s order
was immediately upheld and the Saint’s right hand was cut off. Saint John
Damascene was then given his hand and sent away. Throughout the course of that
night, St. John prayed unceasingly before the Holy Icon of Panagia Tricherousa
in order for his hand to be healed so that he could continue his efforts
against the heresy of iconoclasm.
During the course of the night, in immense pain, he fell
asleep for a small period of time and had a vision of Panagia through the Icon
before him telling him that from this time onwards your hand will be healed.
St. John awoke shaken from his vision, however immediately
realised that His hand had been miraculously re-attached and his pain had
subsided. To show his gratitude to the Icon, he had a silver plate in the
likeness of His own hand made and attached it to the left hand bottom of the
Icon of Panagia. This is how the Holy Icon was named Tricherousa (Three
handed).
After this great miracle, St. John Damascene decided to
leave the city and become a monk in the Holy Monastery or Lavra of St. Savva
the Blessed in Palestine.
THE HOLY MONASTERY OF ST.SAVVAS PALESTINE
He took his much loved Icon of Panagia with him. In
the year 1217 A.D. St. Savvas of Chilandariou Monastery, Son of the King of
Serbia Stephan Nemania (after named Symeon) visited the Lavra of St. Savvas
whilst on a pilgrimage. Whilst at the Monastery, he was gifted with the Icon of
Panagia Galaktotrofousa (Milk Feeder) the Crossier (staff) of the founder of
the Lavra and the Holy Icon of Panagia Tricherousa, which he took with Him to
the Holy Monastery of Hilandariou of Mount Athos. The Holy Icon remained at the
Monastery until the year of 1347.
In the year 1347, the Serbian King Dousan upon departing
from the Monastery on a pilgrimage, decided to take the Holy Icon with him as a
blessing from the Monastery. The Holy Icon was placed in the Holy Monastery of
Studenitsa in Serbia for veneration and safe keeping.
At the beginning of the 15th century, the Serbian kingdom
was invaded by the Ottomans. In an effort to save the Holy Icon of Panagia
Tricherousa, the Icon was placed in the saddle bag of a donkey and concealed
well. The donkey was then left to be guided by Panagia to a safe place of Her
choosing.
Some months later, under miraculous circumstances, the quiet
donkey showed up at the Holy Monastery of Hilandariou at Mount Athos having
walked through the mountainous regions of southern Serbia and northern Greece.
The monks once realising what precious cargo the donkey was carrying
immediately greeted the Holy Icon with full honours and a procession. Legend
says that once the Holy Icon was placed in the altar of the Monastery’s
Katholikon (Church) the blessed donkey passed away.
Until this day, the Holy Icon of Panagia Tricherousa is
considered the Abbot – Protector of the Holy Monastery of Hilandariou and
Protector of the Serbian Orthodox people.
The Abbot of The Holy Monastery of Hilandariou.
