Holy Mary Portaitissa – Handmade Hagiography – Mount Athos

Description

Handmade Hagiography On natural linden wood by the hands of the hagiographer, the saintly monk Father Vasilios, who is buried in the Holy Cell of Agios Anthony of the Holy Monastery of Philotheus.
An exceptional iconography depicting Holy Mary Portaitissa , crafted entirely by hand.

This specific iconography has been crafted by the Agiorite Father Vasilios, based on Byzantine iconography standards. The depiction of the Saint has been painted entirely by hand. Coating the hagiography with pure beeswax ensures that the colors of the image remain unchanged over time.

The authentic iconography with the Virgin Mary Portaitissa is located in the Holy Monastery of Ibera on Mount Athos and, according to tradition, is the work of the evangelist Luke. It acquired the nickname “Portaitissa” because of its position, as it is placed in the chapel of the Holy Monastery of Iberon, to the left of the central Gate.

In fact, the icon was miraculously presented to the fathers of the Monastery, shortly after its construction was completed. The monks saw a pillar of fire rising from the depths of the sea and reaching the sky. This miracle continued for days until the voice of the Virgin was heard asking the abbot to walk on the sea and take her icon. Indeed, the abbot took the icon exactly as the Virgin Mary indicated to him and since then its place is in the Monastery of Iberon, which it protects to this day.