The miraculous icon of Theotokos Gorgoepikoos is located in the Docheiariou Monastery. Its name comes from the miracle it performed on one of the monks during the period of the Ottoman rule.
The representation of the Virgin Mary was painted on the right side of the entrance to the Trapeza. The monk Nile, who looked after the place at the time, constantly walked in front of the icon holding a lit torch or candles. One day, while making his usual route, he heard a voice saying to him, "Do not pass by here again with the torch, because my icon is worn by the smoke." The monk did not understand, nor was he sure of what he had heard. He passed by without paying much attention. When a few days later he passed by the same spot, the voice sounded more serious and urgent. He realized then that it was the Blessed Virgin Mary herself who had appeared to him. Right after that he lost his sight. Recognizing that he had not obeyed the command of the Mother of God, the monk bitterly repented. He sat in the temple and prayed night and day for forgiveness and healing. It was not long before the Virgin Mary appeared to him again, saying: "I am the Lady of this monastery and I answer quickly to those who call upon me".
Thus, the icon was given the nickname "Gorgoepikoos" because of the immediacy with which the Virgin Mary replied to the prayers of the monk. This, of course, is not the only miracle. Theotokos, like a vigilant guard, hears all the prayers of the faithful and responds with motherly love to their requests. She guards the lives of those who have faith in her.
As far as the iconography of the icon is concerned, it corresponds to the model of Theotokos Hodegetria. In the 18th century it was adorned with a gilded wooden shrine. When deterioration made the figures indistinguishable, the faces of Christ and the Virgin Mary were repainted on canvas and were placed over the original depiction. During the Ottoman period, the silver cover that was placed on the icon, as well as the precious candles and the offerings, had to be removed in order to pay the taxes imposed on the monastery. As the monks were unable to replace them, they requested that the icon was painted from the scratch, and the faces were covered with the recently painted canvas.
Although the icon has undergone many changes, its meticulous care and preservation renders it a great relic for the monastery. Furthermore, the beauty and the blessing of the Virgin Mary reaches the faithful through her holy shape. The Gorgoepikoos heals those who are sick, guards those in danger, comforts those in pain and illuminates the lives of people through her motherly care. May her grace support all of us and guide our steps!
