Icon of Virgin Mary Arsaniotissa (Of The Pier) from Esphigmenou Monastery on Mount Athos

The Virgin Mary Arsaniotissa, aptly named “Of The Pier”, traces its origins to the monastery's dock of Esphigmenou Monastery. Today, it graces the main temple, a shift attributed to a divine miracle on December 6, 1892.

According to local legends, one fateful rainy night resulted in a landslide. Massive rocks demolished the pier buildings, yet a lone fisherman from Ierissos slept peacefully by the Virgin's icon. Surprisingly, post the calamity, only a wall segment, shielded by the icon's proskinitarion, remained intact.

But as monks lifted the holy image, this last vestige crumbled. By divine intervention, the fisherman was unharmed, seemingly relocated just beyond the impact line.

Iconography

This revered image portrays the Virgin Mary in the traditional Hodegetria style. Mary, facing front, lovingly holds the Infant Jesus in her left arm, with her right hand paused near her chest. Jesus, also facing forward, clutches a sealed scroll and bestows blessings upon the faithful.