Where the icon of the Virgin Mary Esfagmeni is located
The fresco (wall painting) of the Virgin Mary Slaughtered (in Greek “Esfagmeni”) is situated in the narthex of the chapel of Saint Demetrios and dates back to the 14th century. This chapel is integrated into the Katholicon of the Holy Great Monastery of Vatopedi.
How the icon of our Lady Slaughtered was created
The story of the venerable icon of Our Lady Esfagmeni and the miraculous event associated with it are described in a 17th-century manuscript known as the «Pilgrimage of Vatopedi», specifically in the chapter «Concerning the Holy Icon of the Slaughtered and the Extraordinary Miracle Associated with Her».
According to christian tradition, a quirky deacon and ecclesiarch often delayed arriving at the Holy Table due to his service.
One day, the monk responsible for the Holy Table, frustrated by the deacon’s constant delays, refused to provide him with food. Driven by anger, the deacon turned toward the icon of the Holy Mother of God and spoke the following words in frustration:
«How long will I serve you and toil, and yet you show no care for my sustenance?» In an act of blasphemy, he drew a knife and wounded the face of the Virgin Mary.
Find the article here: Holy Great Monastery of Vatopedi: the Athoniada Academy and the miraculous icons of the Virgin Mary
The miracle of the icon of the Virgin Mary Slaughtered
At that very moment, a great miracle occurred! Blood began to flow from the wounded face of the icon, as if it were alive, and the deacon was struck blind on the spot, falling to the ground, full of madness.
From this miraculous event, the Mother of God received the title in Greek “Esfagmeni” meaning “Slaughtered”.
The deacon’s repentance and his punishment
The deacon, devastated for his actions, remained blind for three years. During this time, he prayed ceaselessly, standing before the icon of our Lady Esfagmeni, pleading for forgiveness.
The Fathers of the Holy Monastery also prayed for his atonement. The Mother of God, in her mercy, appeared to the abbot and announced that the deacon would be healed. However, she warned that his sin would follow him beyond death, as the hand that committed the act would forever remain punished.
The punished hand of the deacon
Three years after the deacon’s passing, following the customs of Mount Athos, his bones were exhumed. Indeed, while his body had decayed, his hand remained blackened and deformed.
To this day, the deacon’s punished hand is kept alongside the miraculous icon of our Lady Slaughtered at the Holy and Great Monastery of Vatopedi.
Find here: Orthodox Icons of the Virgin Mary Slaughtered
