The Portaitissa icon at Iveron monastery and the cult of the Virgin on Mount Athos

The Portaitissa icon, a revered image of the Virgin Mary at Iveron Monastery on Mount Athos, is linked to a miraculous origin dating back to the iconoclast period under Emperor Theophilos. According to tradition, the icon was cast into the sea to avoid destruction but later reappeared in a pillar of fire off St Clement’s monastery (later Iveron). It was eventually retrieved by a Georgian ascetic named Gabriel and placed in a dedicated parekklesion (side chapel) at the monastery's entrance, earning its name 'Portaitissa' (Our Lady of the Gate). This study explores the icon's significance within the cult of the Virgin on Mount Athos, highlighting its role as a guardian and protector. The research approach combines historical narrative with theological analysis to contextualize the icon's cultural and religious importance.

(Ed.). (2017). The Portaitissa icon at Iveron monastery and the cult of the Virgin on Mount Athos. Images of the Mother of God, 189–198. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315252674-25