The icon of the Theotokos Hodegetria is considered one of the miraculous icons of the Virgin Mary that is preserved on Mount Athos and dates back to the 14th century.
The miracle of the Virgin Hodegetria at the Monastery of Xenophon
The miraculous icon of the Virgin Hodegetria was originally housed in the Katholikon (main church) of the Holy Great Monastery of Vatopedi, placed on a column in the left choir (that is the place where the chanters and the monks gathered to chant) of the church.
However, in 1730 AD, the icon of the Virgin Mary Hodegetria miraculously disappeared and was found at the Holy Monastery of Xenophon. According to the narrations of the monks, the door of the church had been locked when the event occurred, which led them to suspect human intervention.
As a result, the fathers of the Vatopedi monastery decided to recover the holy icon of Theotokos and began their search. During their efforts, they learned that the miraculous icon of the Virgin Hodegetria was now at the Holy Monastery of Xenofon, even though both monasteries had been securely locked.
The second disappearance of the Virgin Hodegetria
The fathers of the Monastery of Vatopedi reclaimed the holy icon of the Virgin Hodegetria and decided to take stricter measures for its protection. They sealed the church in such a way that no human hand could violate its security.
That same evening, during the performance of the regular service, the monks discovered that the holy icon was once again missing, despite the church's security remaining intact. News soon spread that the icon of the Panagia Odigitria had once again miraculously appeared at the Holy Monastery of Xenophon.
Find here: Icons with the Theotokos Hodegetria.
The divine will for the Icon’s placement
After the second disappearance of the Theotokos Hodegetria, the monks of Vatopedi concluded that the icon’s transfer was due to the grace of the Lord and the will of the Most Holy Theotokos.
Respecting this divine desire, they decided to visit the icon of the Virgin Hodegetria at its new location, to venerate it and to bid it farewell.This custom was maintained for many years, with the Fathers offering oil and candles in honor of this miraculous event.
Find here: Hand Painted Byzantine icons of the Virgin Mary Hodegetria.
What the Virgin Mary Hodegetria protects
Since then, the icon of the Theotokos Hodegetria has remained in the Holy Monastery of Xenophon and is the monastery's protective icon (family icon). It performs countless miracles and is the protector of cancer patients and women facing difficulties in conceiving.
When the Virgin Mary Hodegetria is celebrated
The Feast of the Synaxis of the Theotokos Hodegetria is celebrated annually by Orthodox Church on June 20th. The anniversary of the miraculous event of the icon’s transfer is festively commemorated each year by the Holy Monastery of Xenophon on the second Sunday of October.
Find the article here: Holy Monastery of Xenophon: the Monastery of Panagia Hodegetria and Saint Georgios
