The miraculous icon of Theotokos Portaitissa is kept in Mount Athos. According to tradition, it must never leave the monastic community, since its removal would signify the end of Mount Athos. It would also be considered the beginning of the countdown to the Second Coming of Christ.

The icon of Theotokos Portaitissa is one of the most important icons of Mount Athos. Crowds of pilgrims from all over the world pray before it every day, asking for help and protection.

The History of the Miraculous Icon

The icon of Theotokos Portaitissa, claimed to be the work of Luke the Evangelist, is located in the Holy Monastery of Iviron. It is 137 centimeters high and 94 centimeters wide, and weighs 96 kilograms, including the offerings of the faithful that hang before it. The expression of the Most Holy Theotokos, emphasized by her deep and captivating gaze, inspires awe and emotion in anyone who sees her icon.

It was named "Portaitissa" because it was placed in the chapel of the monastery of Iviron, to the left of the main gate.

It originally belonged to a devout widow from Nicaea, who prayed before it every day, holding a lit candle. During the iconoclastic period, when Emperor Theophilus' soldiers raided people’s homes, they found the sacred icon and wanted to destroy it, along with all the relics of the faithful.

The woman, trying in every possible way to save it, offered them money in exchange for gaining one more day. At night, together with her son, she secretly took the icon and threw it into the sea. Instead of sinking, the wood remained on the surface of the water and, carried by the waves, floated towards Greece.

Her son, wanting to avoid arrest, traveled to Thessaloniki and then to Mount Athos. There he became a monk at the monastery of Iviron. He then told his brothers the story of the miraculous icon and of its rescue from the iconoclasts.

The Appearance of the Icon in Mount Athos

For 170 years, no one knew where the sacred relic was located. From 829, when it was thrown into the sea, until 1004, when it was miraculously found on the shores of Mount Athos, the icon remained hidden. Finally, it was presented to the monks of the monastery of Iviron.

One day, while the brotherhood was gathered and absorbed in spiritual discussions, the monks saw a bright column of light rising from the sea toward the sky. They tried to reach that spot by boat and witness the miracle. They were able to see  that the light was coming from the icon of the Virgin Mary. However, as they approached, it moved away.

They gathered in the monastery church and prayed fervently to the Almighty God in order to allow them to receive the sacred relic. The Lord heard their prayers and answered them.

In the woods outside the monastery, there lived an ascetic, the monk Gabriel the Iberian. He was a simple and humble man who survived by constantly repeating the prayer, keeping his mind and heart focused on the face of Christ. He fed on herbs from the mountain, drank water from the springs, and was completely devoted to the Word of the Gospel.

One day, while praying, he felt an irresistible desire to sleep. As soon as he closed his eyes, the Virgin Mary appeared before him in all her divine majesty. She said, "Go to your monastery and tell the abbot that you will be the one to retrieve my icon from the sea. Go down to the shore and walk on the waves. In this way, everyone will see how much I love and care for the monastery." After saying this, the Virgin Mary disappeared.

The ascetic immediately went to the brotherhood and announced the joyful news. They prepared a formal procession and, chanting hymns to the Mother of God, went down to the sea. Faithfully following the Virgin Mary's instructions, Gabriel walked on the water and took the icon in his hands.

The monks gathered the miraculous icon with great joy and gratitude. For three days and three nights, they held vigils, prayed, and celebrated the Divine Liturgy, thanking the Lord and the Virgin Mary for the miracle that had taken place.

The Patron Saint of the Holy Monastery of Iviron

The icon was placed several times in the monastery's katholikon. However, each time it disappeared and reappeared miraculously above the entrance gates. This happened repeatedly until Theotokos appeared again to Elder Gabriel and said:

"Tell the abbot to stop bothering me. I did not come to the monastery in order to be protected, but to protect you, to be your guardian both in this earthly life and in eternity. Tell the monks to be courageous and not to fear hell, those who live humbly, with reverence, those who are diligent and cultivate their virtues, and those who end their earthly life here, because I have asked my Son and God to grant them His mercy. Remember also this: as long as my icon remains in the monastery, Athos will not be deprived of the Lord's mercy and grace."

Hearing those words, the elder hurried to the monastery and conveyed the Virgin Mary's wish to the abbot. He was very pleased, glorified God, and decided to build a chapel dedicated to Theotokos Portaitissa at the entrance.

The icon has been kept in this chapel ever since. It is also believed that if it leaves this place, it will mark the end of the Athonite state and the beginning of the countdown to the Second Coming of the Lord.