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The Theotokos of the Awesome Protection: Wonderworking Icon at Koutloumousiou Monastery
The post presents the wonderworking icon of the Theotokos of the Awesome Protection, housed at Koutloumousiou Monastery on Mount Athos. The icon shows the Mother of God holding the Christ child close as he gazes toward the instruments of his future passion. Her sorrowful expression, the stars upon her veil, the golden background, and Christ's loosened sandal all reveal the mystery of the incarnation and the suffering he would willingly endure for the salvation of the world.
This icon is especially associated with the holy monastery of Koutloumousiou. According to Athonite tradition, when pirates threatened the monastery, the monks turned in prayer to the Panagia. Through her intercessions the monastery was miraculously protected and hidden from the attackers.
For this reason the icon is known as the Awesome Protection. Through this holy icon the church reminds the faithful that the most holy Theotokos never ceases to intercede for them and that she leads them to her son.
Key moments
- The icon shows the Mother of God holding the Christ child close as he looks toward the instruments of his coming passion.
- Her sorrowful expression, the stars upon her veil, the golden background, and Christ's loosened sandal all reveal the mystery of the incarnation and the suffering he would willingly endure for the salvation of the world.
- This wonderworking icon is especially associated with the holy monastery of Kutlumousio on Mount Athos.
- According to Athonite tradition, when pirates threatened the monastery, the monks turned in prayer to the Panagia.
- Through her intercessions, the monastery was miraculously protected.
- For this reason, the icon is known as the awesome protection.
- Through this holy icon, the church reminds us that the most holy Theotokos never ceases to intercede for the faithful.
- She also leads the faithful to her son.