Where the icon of Our Lady Gerontissa was located
The miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary Gerontissa, meaning Eldress, is the protective icon of the Holy Monastery of Pantokratoros on Mount Athos. According to the Orthodox tradition, the icon of the Theotokos was a gift from the Byzantine Emperor Alexios I Komnenos to the Holy Monastery.
The first miracle of the Virgin Mary Gerontissa
The first miracle, performed by the venerable icon of Our Lady Gerontissa, occurred during the reign of Emperor Alexios I Komnenos.
The original monastery was planned to be built about 500 meters away from the current location of the Holy Monastery of Pantokratoros. However, when the workers began construction, the icon, along with the builders' tools, mysteriously disappeared.
In the morning, as they searched for the tools, they found them at the place where the Holy Monastery is standing today. This fact made them realize that it was the will of the Theotokos for the monastery to be constructed at its present location.
The miracle with the elder abbot
At some point in the past, an elderly and virtuous abbot lived at the monastery and came to reach near the end of his earthly life. Having received divine revelation regarding the time of his death, he decided to receive the Holy Sacraments.
On this occasion, he asked the hieromonk, who conducted the Divine Liturgy, to hasten the service so that he could partake of Holy Communion in time. However, the hieromonk did not obey the abbot's request and continued the Liturgy at the usual pace.
Why the icon of our Lady was named Gerontissa
At that moment, a voice was heard from the holy icon of the Theotokos, instructing the hieromonk to speed up the Divine Liturgy so that the abbot could receive the Holy Communion. Indeed, as soon as the abbot partook of the Holy Sacraments, he peacefully passed away.
Until then, no specific title had been attributed to the Most Holy Theotokos. Following this miracle involving the elderly abbot, she was given the name Gerontissa, that means Eldress.
Find here: Icons with the Virgin Mary Eldress.
What the icon of the Virgin Mary Gerontissa depicts
The icon of Our Lady the Eldress depicts the Theotokos in full figure, without Jesus Christ, in a posture of prayer. Her expression exudes sweetness and joy, inspiring feelings of hope and happiness to every faithful that beholds her.
Why there is a jar in the icon of the Virgin Mary Gerontissa
Later, the icon was renovated and adorned with a new, elaborate, silver covering made according to the wish of the Theotokos herself. The cost of this renovation was covered by an empress from Constantinople.
The miracle of the jar and the oil
In the icon of the Virgin Mary Gerontissa, a jar was added to the ornate covering in commemoration of a previous miracle. During the 17th century, the Holy Monastery of Pantokratoros faced severe shortages in its supplies.
The scarcity was so great that some monks even abandoned the monastery. In this critical situation, the abbot prayed to the Most Holy Theotokos, placing all his hopes in the Virgin Mary, who is the protector of Mount Athos.
One morning, the monks saw oil flowing from the entrance of the storage room where the empty jars were kept. Upon entering, they witnessed the miracle with their own eyes!
One of the jars, which is still preserved to this day, was overflowing with oil that continued to pour out. With this abundant oil, the monks filled all the empty jars. When the last jar was filled, the oil flow ceased.
Where the icon of the Virgin Mary Gerontissa is located today
Today, the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary Gerontissa is kept outside the Holy Sanctuary, specifically on the left pillar of the main Church. There, the faithful and visitors of the Holy Monastery of Pantokratoros venerate and glorify Virgin Mary the Eldress with devotion.
When Our Lady Gerontissa is celebrated
The Synaxis of Our Lady Gerontissa is celebrated by the Orthodox Church on December 2nd each year.
Find here: Icons with the Virgin Mary Gerontissa.
