Icon of Virgin Mary Antiphonitria (She Who Responds) from Konstamonitou Monastery on Mount Athos

The miraculous Icon of Virgin Mary of Antiphonitria is positioned at the southwest column of the main church of Konstamonitou Monastery.

The Legend

On August 1st, 1020, on the eve of the feast of the discovery of the relics of Saint Stephen, the monastery's steward, Agathon, in monasticism Zacharias, was praying before the icon. Desperate about the lack of oil and other necessities for the monastery, he was miraculously addressed by the voice from the icon, assuring him that the Virgin Mary herself would provide. Awakening from his reverie, he discovered a large vessel filled with oil before the icon, and the monastery’s storerooms were also miraculously filled with provisions. This miraculous event was immediately shared with the abbot and the brethren, leading to a vigil on that day.

Iconography

The Virgin of Antiphonitria is portrayed following the established type of the Hodegetria iconography — facing the viewer. An inscription accompanies the image: "Mother of God Antiphonitria". The Virgin holds the Infant Jesus on her left arm. With his right hand, Christ blesses, and in his left, he holds a closed scroll. Accompanying Jesus are the inscriptions: "Jesus Christ" and "He Who Is" on his halo.

The gilded riza of the icon, crafted in Russia during the 19th century, leaves only the hands and faces of the figures exposed. A Russian inscription at the bottom reads: "Under Abbot Simeon, by the efforts of Hieromonk Meletios".

Historical Background

Abbot Simeon, alongside Hieromonks Meletios and Evgenios, visited Russia in 1862 to raise funds for the monastery's restoration. Hieromonk Meletios, in his work "Journey of Meletios of Konstamonitou in Russia", mentions that the riza of the Antiphonitria icon was crafted by Moscow jewelers, just like the riza of the icon of Saint Stephen and other liturgical items.