Theotokos Phovera Prostasia

An exact replica of the icon of Theotokos Phovera Prostasia from the Monastery of Koutloumousiou on Mount Athos. Made on a particle board with the use of the most advanced imprinting and production techniques. The background is decorated in a way that gives the impression of glossy gilding.

This miraculous icon is kept in the chapel to the left of the narthex of the main temple of the Koutloumousiou monastery. The icon was called Phovera Prostasia (The Aweful Protection) because she protected the monastery from imminent great dangers. One of these dangers was the raid of pirates who wanted to plunder the monastery, but the Mother of God made it invisible. The monks inside the monastery heard the noise and knew that the pirates were trying to break into the monastery. Eventually they were forced to withdraw because they could not locate the monastery and even the occasional passer-by could not show them the entrance.
The Mother of God is portrayed on the icon holding the Divine Child in Her left hand, who put both His hands in the palm of His Mother's hand. The Mother of God is dressed in a chiton of deep purple color and a purple cloak, decorated with golden embroidery. The legs of Christ are crossed, the Mother is holding Him in Her arms, while the head of the Child is turned to the left, toward the angel with the hands covered, holding the symbols of the Lord's Passion: the cross, the spear and the sponge. Christ's garments are adorned with splendid gold embroidery.