Prayer Rope with Silver Medallion “Hodegetria”

The Most Holy Theotokos “Hodegetria” is one of the oldest and most venerated images of the Mother of God in the Christian world. She assists in difficult life situations, drives out evil spirits, and shows the right path in life. The first depiction of the icon was painted by Saint Luke the Apostle and Evangelist. The icon was brought from Jerusalem to Constantinople in the 5th century by Empress Eudocia, wife of Byzantine Emperor Theodosius II. Specifically because of the icon, the emperor’s sister, Saint Pulcheria, founded the main female monastery “Odigon.”

The name “Hodegetria” comes from Greek, meaning “She Who Shows the Way.” The icon became the protector of Constantinople, and hundreds of thousands of pilgrims came to venerate it and seek help. After the fall of Byzantium in 1453, the original was lost for centuries.

In the 18th century, the “Hodegetria” icon appeared on Mount Athos, first in the Vatopedi Monastery, and later miraculously chose the Xenophontos Monastery, moving there several times by divine intervention.