Theotokos Epakouousa

Holy Monastery of Zografou

It is a fresco, which was removed in 1818 from the old church and was installed in a niche of the new Holy Step. Saint Cosmas, who lived around the end of the thirteenth and the beginning of the fourteenth century, prayed to the Virgin Mary and asked her to plead with Christ to inform him how he would be saved. 

“Most holy Theotokos, pray to your Son and God, that I may be led along the path of salvation”. He then heard the Theotokos say: “Son my God, teach your servant how he may be saved”, and Christ immediately reply: “Let him retire from the Monastery and find his peace alone”. The saint lived as an ascetic in a cave outside the monastery and his memory is celebrated on September 22nd.