Theotokos Gorgoepikoos

Holy Monastery of Dochiariou

To the right of the entrance to the trapeza (dinning room) of the Monastery there is a special shrine, where the miraculous icon of Gorgoepikoos is placed. A chapel of the same name was built opposite. In 1664 the then trapezaris (supervisor of trapaza) Nilos the monk, passing, as usual, in front of the icon with a torch lit to go to the trapeza, heard the phrase: "next time don't come through here smoking my icon".

But the trepezaris monk, who did not understand where the voice came from, did not pay attention and continued his tactics. But after a few days, and at the time when the first voice had been heard, he again heard a voice saying to him: "Eh monk, monk, how long will you smoke my form disrespectfully and dishonorably?", and at the same time he lost his light. Then the monk remembered the previous voice, so he understood that he did not heed the command of the Holy Virgin Mary and was rightfully punished.

Since then, the blind trepazaris monk remained on a pew facing the icon, begging the Virgin to forgive him and give him his light. After some time, the Holy Virgin Mary forgave him, healed him and said to him: "I am the Virgin Mary of the Monastery, Theotokos the Gorgoepikoos and quickly obedient to those who invoke my name." This rapid response of the Virgin to the requests of the faithful is also indicated by the name Gorgoepikoos.