Our Lady Portaïtissa of Iviron in a unique handcrafted wooden icon printed on canvas with gold leaf. It comes with a certificate of authenticity sealed with wax on the back. The icon can be hung on the wall through the special opening it has or supported on any surface thanks to its wooden stand.
Dimensions: 15*27 cm
Our Lady Portaïtissa of Iviron
Our Lady Portaïtissa is one of the most miraculous and revered icons of the Most Holy Theotokos, kept at the Iviron Monastery of Mount Athos. Its history is filled with miracles and divine revelations, revealing the Motherly protection of the Virgin Mary over all faithful.
According to tradition, the icon was once located near Nicaea in Asia Minor during the iconoclasm period. A devout widow kept it with prayer and love until soldiers sought to destroy it. She then threw it into the sea to save it, and the icon stood upright on the waves, traveling miracously to Mount Athos. A monk from the Iviron Monastery, Venerable Gabriel, saw in a vision the Virgin Mary asking him to receive the icon. When the monks brought it to the Monastery, they placed it in the Catholicon, but often the icon would move on its own above the Monastery gate. Then the Virgin Mary revealed to Gabriel that she did not want to be "locked inside" but to be a "Guardian of the Gate" — hence she was named Portaïtissa. Since then, Our Lady Portaïtissa has protected Mount Athos and all the faithful who invoke her with faith. Her memory is celebrated on February 12, and her grace is regarded as the protector and shield of Orthodoxy.
Troparion of the Most Holy Theotokos Portaïtissa: Let us praise Portaïtissa, the Guardian and defender of the House of the Lord, the invincible and mighty protectress, the glory and pride of Iviron; invoking her as our protector and helper; save us from all dangers, so we may cry out to you: rejoice, Mother of God.
