0055 – The Miraculous Icon of Panagia Esfagmeni – Holy Monastery of Vatopedi

The Miraculous Icon of Panagia Esfagmeni is a wall fresco dating to the 14^th century and is located in the Narthex of the chapel of St. Demetrios which is adjacent and part of the structure of the Katholicon of the Holy Monastery.

According to a manuscript dating to the 17^th century which is titled “Proskinitarion of Vatopdedi” under the heading of “In reference to the Icon of The Esfagmeni” the following is written:

The then care taker of the Church who was a Hierodeacon, after a lengthy and tiring all night vigil which he was charged with undertaking all of the tasks of the Church (For those who have been to Mount Athos and experienced an all night Vigil, the church caretakers workload is enormous), he went to the refectory and asked from the monk in charge for a little bread and wine in order to quench his hunger. The monk in charge of the refectory refused him abruptly because everything had been cleaned and set away already. The Hierodeacon was enraged, he headed toward the Church holding a knife and was saying “I undertake all of this effort and duty for the Church and they cannot even set aside some bread for me to eat” Whilst muttering these words, the evil one took a hold of him, and he raised the knife whilst in front of the Icon of Panagia and stabbed the Icon on the right hand cheek next to Panagia’s eye. Once the blow was struck, a wound appeared on the Holy Icon as if it was alive and much blood flowed from the Icon. From this day, the Icon of Panagia was named Esfagmeni (the slain). Some of the blood from the Holy Icon sprayed into the Hierodeacon’s eyes, and from that moment on he was blinded. He then realised what he had done, he fell to the floor and whilst hitting his head on the marble floor was crying to himself saying “I am a murderer and now worthy of death”.

The Icon without its silver cover.

After some time had passed, the miracle was quickly realised by the rest of the Fathers of the Monastery and they all gathered to witness the blood coming from the wound on the Holy Icons face. The knife lay on the marble floor still coated with wet blood; there was a large pool of blood beneath the Icon, and the Hierodeacon who had committed the unholy act,  lay on the ground, speaking in incomprehensible words as a possessed person does. All of the Fathers were overtaken by fear. The Abbot of the Monastery at once instructed the Fathers to conduct an all night vigil to pray for the forgiveness of the Hierodeacon who had committed the crime. After many vigils, and some months had passed, the Holy Virgin appeared to the Abbot and told him the Hierodeacon’s sin was forgiven. From the moment the Abbot awoke from his vision, the Heirodeacon’s sight was restored.

The Hierodeacon, with his sight now restored sat opposite the Icon for three years crying and asking for forgiveness for his actions. One day he heard a voice from the Icon “Your sin has been forgiven, however, your bold hand shall remain black and lifeless for the rest of your life and its flesh will not dissolve after your repose”.  This in fact was the case, the Hierodeacon’s hand was lifeless and black while for the rest of his life. After his repose and his exhumation as is normal on Mount Athos, his hand was still black, and the flesh was undissolved. The fathers encased this hand in a glass case and placed it in a drawer beneath the Icon of Panagia, which he had struck. Ever since this miracle took place, a silver lamp was placed in front of the Icon, which always has an eternal flame.

Translated from the manuscript Codex 293 of the Holy Monastery of Vatopediou from the 17^th Century.

Writers Note:

I have been blessed to have the opportunity to venerate this Holy Icon in person at the Holy Monastery of Vatopediou. I have also seen the hand of the Hierodeacon which is blackened, its skin still in place and veins also visible. It is placed near the Icon. When you are there next, ask the caretaker monk who is giving you the tour of the Church to see it. He will be more than willing to show you.  

0054 - The miraculous Icon of Panagia Paramythia - Holy Monastery of Vatopedi

The miraculous Icon of Our Lady, Panagia Paramythia is to be found on the wall of the right hand choir in the chapel that bears the Icon's name. This Icon has been removed from a wall painting in the exonarthex of the katholikon of the Monastery, and is dated by tradition to the 14th century. The Icon's appearance and miraculous tradition comes from the following tradition as told by the fathers of the Monastery.

On January the 21st sometime in the 14th century, after the Orthros service was completed, the fathers were on their way to their cells to rest prior to beginning the days tasks. It was at that time that the gates of the Monastery would be opened for the day. They were unaware that the Monastery was surrounded by pirates waiting for the Monastery's doors to open in order for them to plunder its treasures.
The Abbot of the Monastery remained in the katholikon deep in prayer as was his usual routine.

He was startled suddenly after hearing a voice that did not sound human. Filled with fear he looked around but not see anyone, no one was there. He concentrated to see where the voice was coming from and to his surprise he was drawn to the Icon of Our Lady in the exonarthex, which he fearfully approached. He listened closely to the voice coming from the Icon and heard Our Lady say "Do not open the Monastery's gate today, but go to the walls and get rid of the pirates" He gazed at the Icon and saw the most surprising miracle.
Our Lady's image was alive. Christ the child (as depicted in the Icon) also was alive. Christ raised his right arm to cover Panagia's mouth and gazed at Her with a very strict facial expression. He then heard Christ speak in a sweet child like voice "Don't Mother, don't tell them. Let them be punished as they deserve because they do not keep their monastic duties." Then Our Lady with care lifted Christ's hand and moved Her face gently to the right, repeated her advice for the second time "Do not open the doors of the Monastery today, go to the walls and rid the Monastery of the pirates, and be sure to repent because my Son is angry with you". She repeated the same words a third time and suddenly Their images became an Icon once again.
The Abbot who was full of amazement, gathered all of the fathers quickly and described the events to them in detail. The fathers all went to the Icon and were all amazed! The Icon had changed! It looked nothing like it was originally. The Icon remained as it can be seen today, with Our Lady's hand restraining Christ's hand from Her mouth, Her face slightly facing to the right trying to release Her mouth to talk and has a calm and motherly expression on Her face. Christ's hand attempts to cover His Mother's mouth and His facial expression is stern and strict.
This Icon is not made by human hands (αχειροποίητος) because it depicts an image that was not painted by human hands but by the Grace of God.
The monks to this day out of gratitude toward Our Lady, burn a perpetual flame before the Icon and a supplication service is conducted before the Icon daily.

0053 - My absence and return.

Dear readers,

Firstly I apologise for the lack of posts over the last few weeks, for all of those who are unaware, I was ordained into the Diaconate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia (Ecumenical Patriarchate) on the 20th of May 2012.
I look forward to continuing my posts on the Miraculous Icons of Mount Athos.

0052 - ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ, CHRIST IS RISEN.

To all my readers. May the light of the Resurrected Lord shine bright in all of your hearts and give your souls a resurrection and a new beginning.
I hope you all had a blessed Pascha.

In Christ,

George

0052- The miraculous Icon of Panagia Vimatarissa or Ktitorissa - Holy Monastery of Vatopediou

The miraculous Icon of Panagia Vimatarissa or Ktitorissa is the premier Icon of the Holy Monastery of Vatopediou. It is placed at the central chair of the Holy Altar inside the main church (Katholicon) of the Monastery.

According to tradition, Arcadius, the young son of Theodosios the Great, Emperor of Rome, was involved in a ship wreck. He washed to shore and ended up under a bush under miraculous circumstances. He found this Icon under this bush. This site later became the site of the Monastery of Vatopediou and hence the name of the Monastery - The greek word for bush is Vatos and the Greek word for child is Pedi, Vato Pedi or Greek - Βατοπαιδιου. The Icon was placed in the Holy Altar of the Monastery when the Monastery was built. The Icon also receives the name Ktitorissa (the establisher) from this miracle.

The best known miracle of this Holy Icon is as follows. When Arab pirates decided to loot the Monastery (as was common practice in the 10th century), the Hierodeacon Savvas was the Vimataris (person responsible for the Holy Altar) of the main church (Katholikon). He managed to place the Icon in the well of the Holy Altar, together with the Cross of Constantine the Great and a lit lantern which was always placed before the Icon. He did not manage to save himself though, he was caught by the pirates and was sold as a prisoner on the island of Crete. 70 years later when  Crete was liberated by the Emperor Nikiforos Fokas, Hierodeacon Savvas was also freed and immediately return to his Monastery. 

Upon his return, he led the then Abbot of the Monastery Nicholas to the well inside the Holy Altar and instructed him to open it. It was a miracle! the Icon, and the Cross were found floating on the surface of the water and the lantern was still lit before the Icon, even though though it was lit 70 years before.  The Icon also receives the name Vimatarissa because of the where it was placed for 70 years.

Ever since this occurrence, a Paraklesis service to Panagia is chanted before the Icon every Monday afternoon, and the Holy Liturgy is conducted in the main church (Katholikon) every Tuesday, apart from Sundays and major feasts of course, and all processions conducted at the Monastery, always have the Holy Icon of Panagia Vimatarissa or Ktitorissa first in line of the procession. 

On the Tuesday after Easter each year, a procession of the Holy Icon is done around the Monastery in honour of Panagia. 

Photos thanks to Pemptousia.gr, vatopedi.wordpress.com & pneymatiko.wordpress.com

0050 - The Miraculous Icon of Panagia Koukouzelissa - Holy Monastery of Great Lavra

The below text gives us a brief account of St. John Koukouzelis's life and why the Icon of The Theotokos, has the name Koukouzelissa. 

Panagia Koukouzelissa is a miraculous Icon, which is located at the Holy Monastery of Great Lavra, the oldest and first in hierarchial order of all Monasteries on Mount Athos. 

Its name comes from Saint John Koukouzelis, the renowned chanter of the Holy Monastery of Great Lavra.

The young John was born in 12^th century in Dirrachio and his father passed away when he was very young. John and his pious mother lived in poverty, eating broad beans and peas almost on a daily basis. This is where John receives his nickname “Koukouzelis”. Broad beans in Greek is “koukia” and peas is “bizelia.” A synthesis of the two words: Koukouzelis.

When John came of age he went to Constantinople and enrolled himself into the Imperial Academy. Thanks to his beautiful voice, the Emperor Komninos soon noticed him. Not much time passed and he was made the head singer/musician of the imperial court. Although he had all of the worldly riches, his heart desired a life of silence, prayer and solitude. He was made aware that the Emperor sought to marry him to a lady of the court, and this resulted in his departure from Constantinople.

He had heard of Mount Athos and had decided to go there. Prior to his departure from Constantinople, he met the Abbot of Great Lavra whom he confessed his thoughts to. Afraid of the repercussions of leaving the Emperor, he disappeared. After some time had passed he arrived at Mount Athos, as an anonymous person, and went to the gate of the Great Lavra Monastery.

He begged the doorkeeper to let him in and allow him to be tonsured a monk. He was accepted and given the task of Sheppard of the Monastery’s animals thus achieving his desire for solitude and silence whilst maintaining his anonymity.

All of John’s desires had been fulfilled; he was in an environment filled with silence, peace and solitude. He was so very grateful to God for allowing his wishes to be granted to him. He chanted hymns with all of his heart and with such a spiritual sweetness, that he would draw the undivided attention of the horses in the flock he was minding, to an extent, that the animals would lose interest in eating or drinking, in order not to miss any of John’s chanting.

One day a hermit heard John’s beautiful chanting and saw the way the animals were so enthralled by the sound of his voice. The hermit immediately notified the Abbot of Great Lavra. John was summoned before the Abbot, however the Abbot barely recognized John whom he had once met, John’s features had changed from the thousands of prostrations and unceasing fasting and ascesis.

From that day onwards, the Abbot instructed John to stay in the nearby kellion of the Archangels for 6 days of the week and on Sundays, he would come to the Monastery and chant at the right hand analogion.

On the Saturday of the Akathist Hymn, whilst he chanted the Hymns of the feast, he sat for a while during the course of the all night vigil, at a seat opposite the Icon of Panagia The Most Holy Theotokos, in front of which the odes of the salutations are read. 

As the vigil progressed, he heard a voice that said to him: “Salutations John!” and hearing the voice he opened his eyes and before him was The Theotokos which was Shining with the brightest heavenly light. She said to him “Chant for me, and I will not leave you.” With these words The Theotokos placed a gold coin in his hand, and disappeared. 

John, who was overwhelmed with happiness and jubilation, fell to his knees, venerated the Icon of The Theotokos before him and thanked Her for Her love toward him and begged Her for his salvation.

He later hung the gold coin on the Icon of the Theotokos, which continued to be the source of numerous other miracles. From this point on, the Icon of The Theotokos was named Koukouzelissa.

From this point onwards, John conducted his chanting duties with much more enthusiasm, chanting with much piety and devotion for countless hours on his feet, without ever sitting. This practice took its toll on John’s feet, which formed open wounds and caused unbearable pain. Again though, The Holy Theotokos appeared to him and said: “From this moment on you will be healthy.” From that moment on, all of his wounds and sores disappeared.

After this miracle, John intensified his monastic program with stricter fasts, and increased prayer and was blessed with the ability to foresee his death. He asked the Abbot to bury him in the Chapel of his beloved kellion of The Archangels, and whilst praying, his soul departed for the Lord which he had loved all of his life and praised with his beautiful voice.

May God remember him for the ages to come, Amen.

The Holy Synod of Constantinople some years after his repose proclaimed John a Saint.

Saint John Koukouzelis also wrote music for many of the hymns in the Orthodox Church, in the Byzantine tradition. These works exist to this day, and are very commonly used on Mount Athos. 

The Chapel of Panagia Koukouzelissa - Holy Monastery of Great Lavra, Mount Athos. The Miraculous Icon is housed inside this chapel. 

A procession of the Holy Icon. 


Photo Sources:


agioritikesmnimes.blogspot.com
Orthodox Wiki
dimitrelos.gr
vatopaidi.wordpress.com

0049 - A new series of posts.

Dear Readers,

In the month of April, I will commence making posts on the origins of the Miraculous Icons of Mount Athos in the order of the Monasteries. Some of the stories are not really known well outside of Athos, and for some, this will be the first time the full stories will be written in English.

I hope you all enjoy, and I wish you all a Blessed Easter.

In Christ,

George Fangos