This Icon gained renown in the following manner.  When, in the year 862, Arab robbers attacked the Holy Mountain and were already near Vatopedi, the monastery ecclesiarch hid the Ktitorskaya Icon of the Most-holy Theotokos and a Cross in a well behind a marble panel under the church planking, and lit a candle before the holy things.  He was seized by the barbarians and imprisoned. After his release 40 days later, he returned to the severely devastated monastery and revealed where the holy things had been hidden; they were found, with a candle burning before them.  To this day, a candle burns with an eternal flame before the Icon of the Mother of God.  The monks add wax to the lamp, keeping it burning continuously from generation to generation.  The Icon is now in the Altar of the Catholicon, and thus is known as the “Altarnitsa.”

 

The Miraculous Ktitorskaya (“Altarnitsa”) Icon of the Most-Holy Theotokos is in the Vatopedi Monastery on Mt. Athos.

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