Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Quick to Hear”

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The Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “She Who Quickly Hears”

The icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “She Who Quickly Hears” is located in the Dochiariou Monastery on Mount Athos. It was painted in the 10th century in a niche above the entrance to the monastic refectory. The icon manifested its grace-filled power for the first time in 1664. At that time, the monastery’s refectory attendant was the monk Neilos. Every evening he would pass by the icon carrying a lit pine torch. One evening, he heard a voice coming from the icon: “From now on, do not pass here with a lit torch and do not blacken My image!” Neilos was startled, but he assumed that the words came from one of the brothers and paid no attention, continuing to pass with the lit torch.

Soon after, he again heard a voice: “Monk, unworthy of this name! How long will you shamelessly and carelessly blacken My image?” At these words, the monk suddenly went blind. The next morning, the brothers found him unconscious in front of the icon. When he regained consciousness, Neilos tearfully confessed what had happened and admitted his sin. The monks venerated the Holy Icon, lit an ever-burning lamp before it, and instructed the newly appointed refectory attendant to offer incense before the Holy Image every evening.

Neilos, with deep repentance, begged the Mother of God for forgiveness, firmly resolved not to leave until he received healing. And the All-Merciful Intercessor of sinners soon forgave him. One day, as he wept before the icon, he heard a gentle voice: “Neilos, your prayer has been heard. I forgive you and restore your sight. Tell the brothers of the monastery that I am their Protectress and Defender. Let them and all Orthodox Christians come to Me, and I will not leave anyone without help. For all who call upon Me, I will be their intercessor, and through My prayers My Son will fulfill their petitions. And this icon shall be called ‘She Who Quickly Hears,’ for I will swiftly hear all who pray before it and show them My mercy.”

Neilos regained his sight, and the news of the miracle quickly spread throughout Mount Athos. From that day on, the icon became a source of many miracles.