The Miraculous Icon of Panagia Esfagmeni is a wall fresco dating
to the 14th century and is located in the Narthex of the chapel of
St. Demetrios which is adjacent and part of the structure of the Katholicon of
the Holy Monastery.
According to a manuscript dating to the 17th century
which is titled “Proskinitarion of Vatopdedi” under the heading of “In
reference to the Icon of The Esfagmeni” the following is written:
The then care taker of the Church who was a Hierodeacon, after a
lengthy and tiring all night vigil which he was charged with undertaking all of
the tasks of the Church (For those who
have been to Mount Athos and experienced an all night Vigil, the church
caretakers workload is enormous), he went to the refectory and asked from
the monk in charge for a little bread and wine in order to quench his hunger.
The monk in charge of the refectory refused him abruptly because everything had
been cleaned and set away already. The Hierodeacon was enraged, he headed
toward the Church holding a knife and was saying “I undertake all of this
effort and duty for the Church and they cannot even set aside some bread for me
to eat” Whilst muttering these words, the evil one took a hold of him, and he
raised the knife whilst in front of the Icon of Panagia and stabbed the Icon on
the right hand cheek next to Panagia’s eye. Once the blow was struck, a wound
appeared on the Holy Icon as if it was alive and much blood flowed from the
Icon. From this day, the Icon of Panagia was named Esfagmeni (the slain). Some
of the blood from the Holy Icon sprayed into the Hierodeacon’s eyes, and from
that moment on he was blinded. He then realised what he had done, he fell to
the floor and whilst hitting his head on the marble floor was crying to himself
saying “I am a murderer and now worthy of death”.
The Icon without its silver cover.
After some time had passed, the miracle was quickly realised by
the rest of the Fathers of the Monastery and they all gathered to witness the
blood coming from the wound on the Holy Icons face. The knife lay on the marble
floor still coated with wet blood; there was a large pool of blood beneath the
Icon, and the Hierodeacon who had committed the unholy act, lay on the ground, speaking in
incomprehensible words as a possessed person does. All of the Fathers were
overtaken by fear. The Abbot of the Monastery at once instructed the Fathers to
conduct an all night vigil to pray for the forgiveness of the Hierodeacon who
had committed the crime. After many vigils, and some months had passed, the
Holy Virgin appeared to the Abbot and told him the Hierodeacon’s sin was
forgiven. From the moment the Abbot awoke from his vision, the Heirodeacon’s
sight was restored.
The Hierodeacon, with his sight now restored sat opposite the
Icon for three years crying and asking for forgiveness for his actions. One day
he heard a voice from the Icon “Your sin has been forgiven, however, your bold
hand shall remain black and lifeless for the rest of your life and its flesh
will not dissolve after your repose”. This in fact was the case, the Hierodeacon’s
hand was lifeless and black while for the rest of his life. After his repose
and his exhumation as is normal on Mount Athos, his hand was still black, and the
flesh was undissolved. The fathers encased this hand in a glass case and placed
it in a drawer beneath the Icon of Panagia, which he had struck. Ever since
this miracle took place, a silver lamp was placed in front of the Icon, which
always has an eternal flame.
Translated
from the manuscript Codex 293 of the Holy Monastery of Vatopediou from the 17th
Century.
Writers Note:
I have been blessed to have the opportunity to venerate this
Holy Icon in person at the Holy Monastery of Vatopediou. I have also seen the
hand of the Hierodeacon which is blackened, its skin still in place and veins
also visible. It is placed near the Icon. When you are there next, ask the
caretaker monk who is giving you the tour of the Church to see it. He will be
more than willing to show you.
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