The Stabbed Icon of Panagia Esfagmeni at Vatopaidi Monastery

[Dawn Marie]

The Stabbed Icon of Panagia Esfagmeni at Vatopaidi Monastery

In the 14th century this Holy icon was damaged by the knife of a malcontent deacon-monk who in a fit of rage stabbed the Icon .From the wound which he inflicted, blood flowed and the face of the Virgin is said to have turned pale. The deacon was immediately blinded and fell to the ground, beating himself and driven out of his senses. He remained in this state for three years until Theotokos cured him, but his sacrilegious hand stayed black for ever.

[Flavia Talladen Schott]

Ave Maria!