Vatopedi Monastery Celebrates Miraculous Oil-Flowing Icon
A centuries-old Athonite icon continues to inspire faith through its enduring miracle of overflowing oil.
MT. ATHOS — The Vatopedi Monastery marked the Friday of Bright Week with its annual celebration of the miraculous Panagia Elaiovrytissa Icon, also known as “She Who Flows with Oil,” in accordance with longstanding Athonite tradition. The feast coincided with the commemoration of the Mother of God of the Life-Giving Spring, drawing clergy and monastics for prayer and procession.
Following established custom, the icon was solemnly transferred from the monastery’s oil-storage building to the katholikon. After the Divine Liturgy, a sacred procession took place, attended by visiting clergy including Archimandrite Bartholomew of Crete and Abbot Nektarios of Trikorfo, along with Athonite fathers and pilgrims.
Dating to the 14th century, the icon is associated with a miracle in which oil overflowed during a time of scarcity after an act of faith by the monastery’s cellarer. The icon has since been revered for its fragrance and as a sign of divine providence.
Previously, the UOJ reported that Mt. Athos hosted the annual procession of the revered Mother of God icon.
