Icon of Virgin Mary Myrovlytissa (The Myrrh-Streamer) from Agiou Pavlou Monastery

The miraculous Icon of Virgin Mary Myrovlytissa is enshrined within the proskinitarion at the right column before the iconostasis of the primary church at the Saint Paul's Monastery.

Devotion to the Icon

Traditionally believed to have exuded myrrh, this iconic masterpiece earned its appellation "The Myrrh-Streamer". The monks honor the icon with a distinctive canon sung every Sunday post the vespers and during the all-night vigil on the first Sunday of October.

The hymns, capturing the essence of devotion, were penned down by elder Gerasimos Mikragiannanitos (1982) and another canon by Yakov Neosketiotis (1850).

Description of the Icon

This astonishing double-sided icon features the Virgin Mary, embracing the Infant Christ, on the principal side, while the Council of Archangels adorns the reverse. Virgin Mary faces the beholder, her dark-violet attire adorned with golden trims forming star-like patterns. Christ, depicted as a slightly older infant, gazes upon the devotee, blessing with his right hand and clutching a closed scroll with his left. Contrasting his mother's attire, Christ dons robes with ochre shades adorned with gold. The icon's gilded background carries a red inscription: "Most Blessed Mother of God", but owing to its miraculous property, it is traditionally known as "The Myrrh-Streamer" in the monastery.

Historical Significance

The Myrovlytissa icon represents a unique type of iconography that blends human traits with the Virgin Hodegetria type. Its monumental depiction, expressive demeanor, and other stylistic nuances mirror the double-sided icon of Virgin Mary in the State Gallery of Thessaloniki (circa 1300). This resemblance suggests the icon dates back to the late 13th to early 14th century, likely crafted in a Thessaloniki workshop. Both the portrayal of the Myrovlytissa and the Council of Archangels signify a splendid artwork of that epoch.