The Katholikons of Mount Athos and the Panagia as Abbess of the Holy Mountain
What the video says
A prayer to the Panagia, spoken by a monk. He thanks her for the renewal of her monastery and for bringing back those who had left the faith. He offers himself to her will, even to go to the desert of Sinai, and asks her to drive out every thought of pride and to enlighten the darkness of his soul. He asks to see himself as the last of men, not to feel pride when praised or sorrow when insulted and accused.
He mentions a sting in his heart when a priest spoke, and says he helps his brethren for the love of Christ. He asks her help to remain with the small, weak and persecuted brethren, to be beneath them as the least, and reminds her that she gave birth to the Savior of the world and was never proud.
Key moments
- He thanks the Panagia: her monastery was renewed through her maternal care, those who left the faith returned, and no one was lost.
- He places himself in her will, ready to go to the desert of Sinai if that is her will.
- He asks her to drive out every thought of pride and to enlighten the darkness of his soul, to see that he is the last of men.
- He asks not to feel proud when praised, nor saddened when insulted or accused.
- He felt a sting in his heart when the priest spoke, and says he helps his brethren for the love of Christ.
- He asks her help to stay close to his brethren, the small, weak and persecuted, and to be beneath them as the least.
- He reminds her that she gave birth to the Savior of the world and was never proud, and asks her to take away every thought.
The post presents the Katholikon, the main church at the heart of every Athonite monastery, described as filled with centuries of prayer, sacred frescoes, relics, and holy icons. It notes that throughout the Holy Mountain the Panagia holds a place of special honor as its Protectress and Abbess. The text appears in both English and Greek, with hashtags pointing to Athos, the Panagia, and monastic life, and is identified as an original production of Prayer Orthodoxy.
The video accompanying the post is a prayer to the Panagia spoken by a monk. He thanks her for the renewal of her monastery and for bringing back those who had left the faith, saying no one was lost. He offers himself to her will, even to go to the desert of Sinai if she so wills.
He asks her to drive out every thought of pride and to enlighten the darkness of his soul, so that he may see himself as the last of men. He asks not to feel pride when praised, nor sorrow when insulted or accused. He mentions a sting he felt in his heart when a priest spoke, and says he helps his brethren for the love of Christ.
He asks her help to remain with the small, weak and persecuted brethren, to be beneath them as the least. He closes by reminding her that she gave birth to the Savior of the world and was never proud, and asks her to take away every thought.
Main points
- The Katholikon is the main church at the heart of every Athonite monastery, filled with frescoes, relics, and holy icons.
- Throughout the Holy Mountain the Panagia is honored as Protectress and Abbess.
- The monk thanks the Panagia for the renewal of her monastery and for the return of those who had left the faith.
- He offers himself to her will, even to go to the desert of Sinai, and asks her to drive out pride and enlighten the darkness of his soul.
- He asks to remain with the small, weak and persecuted brethren as the least among them, recalling that she gave birth to the Savior of the world and was never proud.