Theotokos Gerontissa

  The Story Behind This Icon: The original icon is found in the Holy Monastery Pantokratoros on Mount Athos, Greece. Theotokos Gerontissa (meaning Elder) is the only Icon depicting the Virgin Mary in full stature and alone. The Icon was brought to Mount Athos from Constantinople with the purpose of establishing a monastery. It miraculously moved three times from the place it was originally placed to its current location before the builders finally decided to leave it on the site The Theotokos had selected. Since then, countless miracles have occurred: I. Once there lived a monk who received a revelation about his impending end. Before death, he wanted to be communed in the Holy Mysteries of Christ and he asked the serving priest to hasten the end of the Service, but the priest would not respect his request and continued to perform the Service at a slow pace. Suddenly a threatening voice coming from this icon of the Mother of God was heard, ordering the priest to do as the monk wished.