The Virgin Mary Portaitissa (Keeper of the Gate) is depicted in the form of Hodegetria and the blood on her face is due to a trauma caused by an infidel pirate's knife.
According to the Christian tradition, the icon of Mary, Guardian of the Gate, was thrown into the sea by a devout woman, to save her from the iconoclasts. Several years later, in 1004 AD, the icon emerged from the sea near the Iviron Monastery on Mount Athos, floating on the water. Monks have many times placed her in a prominent position in the Holy Temple. However, the next day he was always found near the Gate, a sign that he had appeared there to guard the Monastery and not to be guarded. The monks built a chapel next to the Porta, where the icon is still preserved today
MADONNA PORTAITISSA
€34.90Price
