Theotokos Paramythia

Holy Monastery of Vatopedi

This miraculous icon originates from a fresco in the exonarthex of the main church in the Holy Monastery. Subsequently, it was relocated to a distinct chapel adjacent to the main church, named in her honor. As per the long-standing tradition of the monastery, after the monks leave the main church, the abbot presents the keys of the monastery to the gatekeeper, a ritual that involves the veneration of the sacred icon.

On one occasion, as the abbot was in the process of handing over the keys, he heard a voice from the icon warning him against opening the monastery's gate.

Instead, the voice advised him to scale the walls to fend off pirates. This warning was uttered twice. When the abbot looked towards the icon, he witnessed a remarkable sight: the Holy Infant's hand stretched out, covering the Virgin Mary's mouth, seemingly to prevent her from warning the monks, perhaps indicating they should face their fate.

However, the Virgin Mary, moving Christ's hand away from her face, turned to the abbot and reiterated her warning. Alarmed, the abbot alerted the monks, and they swiftly took their positions on the walls. To their astonishment, pirates had encircled the monastery, waiting for an opportune moment to breach its gates.

Thanks to the Virgin's timely intervention, the monastery remained unharmed. In recognition and gratitude for this divine protection, the monks now maintain a perpetual candle lit at the icon and offer prayers daily.

This miraculous icon uniquely showcases the compassionate visage of the Mother of God juxtaposed against the more severe and admonishing expression of the divine Infant.