Ivḗron Icon of the Mother of God

Commemorated on February 12.

Filled with great joy, the monks built a small church near the Monastery gate in honor of the Mother of God, and placed the wonderworking Icon inside. This holy Icon came to be known as the “Ivḗron Mother of God” or Πορταΐτισσα in Greek. 1 Through the intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos, many miracles have taken place and continue to take place throughout the world.

1 Πορταΐτισσα = The Gate-Keeper.

Troparion

The audacity of those who hated the Icon of the Lord and the might of the godless came to Nicaea,
and those who were sent there inhumanly tortured a widow who devoutly revered the Icon of the Mother of God;
but by night, she and her son cast the Icon into the sea, crying out:
“Glory to you, O pure one, for the impassable sea has given you its shoulders.
1
Glory to your straight way,
2
O you who alone are incor­rupt.”
1
The waves.
2
Psalm 5:8.

Kontakion

Although your holy Icon was cast into the sea by the widow who could not save it from its enemies, O Theotokos,
it has been shown as the Guardian of Mount Athos and the Gate-Keeper of Ivḗron Monastery,
driving the Enemy away and delivering those who honor you from all misfor­tunes and dangers.