Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Athos”

The main religious and spiritual center of the entire Orthodox world has been the monasteries of Mount Athos. According to tradition, when the apostles were casting lots to decide where each would preach the Gospel, the Most Holy Theotokos asked to participate as well, so as not to be separated from the mission. By lot, she was assigned the land of Iberia (Georgia) in Asia Minor.

As the Most Holy Theotokos prepared to go to Iberia, Archangel Gabriel appeared to her, saying: “Jesus Christ, who was born of You, commands that You do not leave the land of Judea and Jerusalem. The place assigned to You is not Iberia, but the Macedonian Peninsula — Athos…”

As soon as the Lady of the World set foot on Athos, all the idols on the peninsula groaned. Their cry seemed to call: “Men, descendants of Apollo, go to the Bay of Clement to receive the Mother of the Great God — Mary.” The local inhabitants received the Theotokos, Saint John the Theologian, and others with great reverence. Seeing the place assigned to her, the Most Holy Virgin said:

“My Son and my God, bless this place and my lot, pour out mercy upon it, and keep it unharmed until the end of this age.”

The Most Holy Theotokos, Protector of the Athonite Monasteries, then blessed the people and said:

“May God’s grace remain upon this place and over all who dwell here with faith and reverence, keeping the commandments of My Son and God. They will receive abundantly the blessings necessary for life on earth with little effort, and a heavenly life will be prepared for them. The mercy of My Son will not diminish from this place until the end of this age. And I shall be the Intercessor for this place and plead for it before God.”