The Holy Icon of Virgin Mary Dakryrroousa (The Tear Shedder) from Skete of Prophet Elijah on Mount Athos

The Icon of Virgin Mary Dakryrroousa (The Tear Shedder) from Skete of Prophet Elijah

Origin

The Holy Icon of Virgin Mary Dakryrroousa (The Tear Shedder) from Skete of Prophet Elijah on Mount Athos
The Holy Icon of Virgin Mary Dakryrroousa (The Tear Shedder) from Skete of Prophet Elijah on Mount Athos

The miraculous icon of Virgin Mary was gifted by a benefactor of the monastery - a Russian merchant from Petersburg, M.A. Vyushin. It's situated in the right proskinatarion of the main temple of the Skete of Prophet Elijah.

During works in the altar of the main church, a priest observed tears flowing from the eyes of the Virgin. The news of this miracle quickly spread throughout the Holy Mount Athos and the Orthodox world. The monastery decided to commemorate this miracle on 17th February every year.

The Role in Historical Events

During the Turkish war, Tsar Alexander II of Russia sought assistance from the Athonites. He requested this icon be moved to the war front. It is believed that the icon played a pivotal role in the victory of the Russian troops. Military leaders, having witnessed the miracles of the Virgin, revered the icon and adorned it with their medals.

Despite the wish to keep the icon in Russia, Tsar Alexander had to return it to the Skete of Prophet Elijah on Mount Athos. However, before doing so, a precious riza was crafted for it. The icon is known to shed tears periodically, offering solace to the suffering.

Physical Description

The icon is encased in a riza made of gold and silver, gifted by Tsar Alexander II. The intricately designed riza reveals only the faces and hands of the figures and the feet of Christ. An inscription in Old Slavonic at the bottom reads: "Image of the Most Holy Mother of God of Tikhvin".

Iconography

From an iconographic perspective, this Virgin Mary icon dates back to the first half of the 19th century. It follows the established type of Hodegetria with elements symbolizing the future Passion of Christ. This icon is considered a copy of the highly venerated Tikhvin Icon of the Virgin in Russia. According to tradition, this icon was miraculously transported in 1383 from Constantinople to the small Russian town of Tikhvin, where a monastery dedicated to the Mother of God was later established.