The icon of Theotokos Palaeologina is placed in the Katholikon of the Holy Monastery of Saint Gregory. It has performed many miracles, the most important of which relates to the fire that broke out in 1761 in the monastery. The damage caused was immeasurable, as the entire church was set on flames. When the icon was found untouched after the fire, the monks praised the Virgin Mary for the miracle, as she had once again demonstrated her presence and care for the community of the monks.
As for its name, it comes from the person who donated the icon to the monastery. Maria Asanina Palaeologina, wife of the monastery's founder, dedicated the icon to the monastery in 1497. Hence the nickname “Palaeologina”.
Regarding its iconographic type, the icon follows the model of the Virgin Mary Hodegetria. Theotokos holds Jesus in her left hand, while her right hand is placed in front of her chest. The Divine Infant is seated in the arms of his Mother. In his left hand he holds a closed scroll, while with his right hand he blesses the faithful. The two faces are turned towards the faithful. Despite the beauty of the colors, the purple garment of the Virgin, the golden cloak of Jesus and the blue background, the icon is covered with a silver frame from which are excluded only the faces and hands of the figures. However, the cover is decorated with precious stones and a relief surface that highlights the plumes, the folds of the garments, while it also adorns the halos with strong silver rays.
At the bottom of the frame there is a reference to the donor and the history of the image.
