Theotokos Paleologina
Holy Monastery of Gregoriou
The Miraculous Icon of Panagia Palaiologina at Gregoriou Monastery
Among the treasured spiritual heirlooms of Gregoriou Monastery, the seaside monastery of Mount Athos dedicated to Saint Nicholas, is the miraculous icon of Panagia Palaiologina. According to the testimony of the monastery's elder fathers and longstanding Athonite tradition, countless believers have experienced the compassionate intercession of the Mother of God through this sacred image.
The Miracle of the Fire of 1761
One of the most remarkable events associated with the icon took place during the devastating fire of 1761. The flames consumed the monastery's Katholikon, causing severe destruction throughout the church. Yet, when the fire subsided, the icon of the Theotokos was discovered completely unharmed among the ashes.
The monks regarded this extraordinary preservation as a visible sign of the protection of the Mother of God. The icon was subsequently placed at the very location where it was found after the fire. To this day, it remains on the left pillar of the main church, facing south, where it continues to receive the veneration of pilgrims from around the world.
Why It Is Called "Palaiologina"
Tradition holds that the icon was originally known as "Panagia Hodegetria Pantanassa." Over time, however, because other revered icons bore similar titles, it became widely known as "Palaiologina."
Its present name derives from its benefactress, Maria Asanina Palaiologina, Lady of Moldavia and Wallachia and the second wife of Prince Stephen III the Great. An inscription engraved upon the icon's silver revetment preserves her memory and bears witness to her devotion, linking this sacred treasure with the enduring faith of generations past.
