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The purpose of this group 'Discover Orthodox Christianity' is to create an atmosphere where Orthodox or non-Orthodox people can gain spiritual advice from the Holy Saints, Monastics, Fathers, and Mothers of the Holy Orthodox Church.

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Panagia Kitrinopetritissa: The Miraculous Founding of the Monastery of St George in Yellow Rock, Australia

This post recounts the miraculous story behind the icon of Panagia Kitrinopetritissa (Panagia of Yellow Rock), commemorated on the 4th of October, and the founding of the Holy Monastery of St George at Yellow Rock, New South Wales. Eleni, the monastery's founder, fervently prayed with her husband Dimitrianos for guidance in their lives.

She received a vision of the Mother of God directing them to a faraway land overseas, which subsequent visions made clear was Australia. The couple arrived in Sydney from London on the 8th of March 1958. In 1960, Eleni saw a vision of wild bushland with creeks and eucalyptus trees and a large silver cross in the sky, accompanied by a voice telling her, "You are to build a Church here."

When she asked how this could be accomplished, the voice answered, "The people will help you." After several twists and turns that nearly led her to the wrong locations, the Mother of God appeared to Eleni again in a dream, telling her she was looking in the wrong places. Eleni eventually found herself at Yellow Rock, where she immediately recognised the land from her vision.

She sought the counsel of His Eminence Archbishop Ezekiel of blessed memory, who gave his blessing for the couple to purchase the land. Upon inspecting the property, Eleni joyfully proclaimed, "This is the place Your Eminence!" Archbishop Ezekiel prayed and declared that the monastery would be named after Saint George.

In 2012, through the spiritual guidance of the then-Abbot, Bishop Kyriakos of Melbourne, the icon of Panagia of Yellow Rock was commissioned. Faithful pilgrims venerate the holy icon at the monastery, and some have experienced miracles through it. The post is a devotional account of the monastery's founding, emphasising the role of divine guidance, obedience to the Theotokos's visions, and the hierarchy's blessing in establishing the monastery.

  • Eleni received visions of the Mother of God directing her and her husband Dimitrianos to Australia; they arrived in Sydney from London on 8 March 1958.
  • In 1960 Eleni saw a vision of bushland with a silver cross in the sky and a voice telling her to build a church there, promising the people would help.
  • After being told she was looking in the wrong places, Eleni recognised the land at Yellow Rock; Archbishop Ezekiel blessed the purchase and named the monastery after Saint George.
  • In 2012, under Abbot Bishop Kyriakos of Melbourne, the icon of Panagia Kitrinopetritissa was commissioned.
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Young Man Speaks Before the 'Quick to Hear' Icon at Docheiariou Monastery on Mt. Athos

This post recounts a reported miracle at Docheiariou Monastery on Mount Athos in early December 2016, described by a monk who witnessed the event and later retold at a public Church gathering in Thessaloniki. According to the account, an eighteen-year-old man from Strumica, who had never spoken clearly and could produce only unintelligible sounds (the headline describes him as mute from birth, while the body text also mentions a severe stutter), visited the monastery to venerate the wonderworking icon of the Mother of God known as 'Gorgoepikoos' — 'Quick to Hear.' Standing before the icon, the young man suddenly cried out in his native language: 'Mother Mary, give me my health.' Those present, who knew his condition, were astonished.

After a monk continued reading the prayer service, the young man addressed those who had prayed with him, saying: 'Thank you everybody, now I feel very well.' The post frames the event as a manifestation of the grace that Orthodox tradition associates with the Panagia through this particular icon, which has a long history at Docheiariou and is honored for swiftly answering the prayers of the faithful.

The monastery's abbot, Elder Gregorios, and the brethren are described as continually offering supplicatory services and praying for the living and the departed. The account closes with a liturgical acclamation to the Mother of God as she 'who art quick to hear, fulfilling our petitions for our benefit.' The post presents the story as an eyewitness testimony circulated via the Greek website Vimaorthodoxias.gr; readers are invited to receive it within the Church's living tradition of the Theotokos' merciful intercession.

  • A miracle was reported in early December 2016 at Docheiariou Monastery, Mt. Athos, before the wonderworking icon 'Gorgoepikoos' ('Quick to Hear').
  • An eighteen-year-old from Strumica, who had never spoken intelligibly, suddenly cried out 'Mother Mary, give me my health' before the icon.
  • Afterwards he thanked those present, saying he felt well; the event was witnessed and recounted by a monk.
  • The story was also told at a public Church event in Thessaloniki and reported by Vimaorthodoxias.gr.