Hodegetria from the Xenophon Monastery
Mt. Athos, Greece (16th c.)
Sometimes called the Directress, or “she who points the way,” this image depicts the Mother of God gesturing toward the Child on her lap. In 1730, the treasured icon disappeared from the Vatopedi monastery on Mt. Athos, where monks assumed it had been stolen, since their doors were locked. When the image turned up at the Xenophon Monastery, three hours away, monks from Vatopedi went there to get it and restored it to its place; but after it turned up at Xenophon twice more, all the brethren decided it was the Holy Virgin's will to remain there. The monks of Xenophon celebrate the feast of the All-Holy Hodegetria on the first Sunday in October. Russian and Serbian Orthodox churches honor this icon on June 20 in the old calendar, July 3 in the new.
Text and image used with permission.
Source: "365 Days with Mary" by Michael O'Neill
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