The Icon of the Mother of God “Deliverer”, before it was brought to the New Athos Simon-Cananite Monastery in the Caucasus, was located on Holy Mount Athos with the resident of the Russian Panteleimon Monastery, Schemamonk Martinian († 1884). The pious schema-monk received this icon from the ascetic Theodulus. The holy icon has been famous for its miracles since ancient times. By praying before this icon in 1841, the inhabitants of Sparta (in Greece) got rid of locusts. From the Panteleimon Monastery, according to the will of Schema-Archimandrite Macarius, this icon was transferred to the New Athos Monastery on July 20, 1889, and a festival was established in its honor on October 17. When the first celebration in honor of this icon took place at the Simon-Kananitskaya monastery, a storm washed up more than a ton of fish on the shore near the monastery. On the icon, the Most Holy Theotokos is depicted holding on her right hand the Infant God, blessing with her right hand.
20 – Prmch. Hilarion the Cretan, Athonite († 1804, commemorated September 20)
Saint Hilarion was from Crete, his secular name was John. He was raised by his uncle, a doctor, who did not want to initiate the boy into the secrets of his profession. After some time, John left his uncle’s house and got a job as an assistant to a certain merchant in Chios. He suspected John of money fraud. Under pain of execution, the young man was forced to convert to Islam.
He was pardoned, dressed in beautiful clothes and sent to study walking.
But John begged God for the opportunity to escape and fled to Crimea. But his conscience did not give him peace for renouncing his faith. On the advice of other Christians, he followed to Holy Mount Athos, where he first entered the monastery of St. Anna, and then became a novice of a certain hieromonk, who was a student of the holy priest. Luke of Mytilene of Odrin (see March 23). Later the elder tonsured him with the name Hilarion.
A few years later, Hilarion announced to the elder that he was ready to firmly confess Christ. He went to Istanbul, where he came to the church, prayed, and received Holy Communion. Christ's Mysteries. Then Hilarion appeared before the aga and confessed Christ.
After much torment, the saint was beheaded.
An eight-year-old demon-possessed girl was healed by anointing with the blood of the holy head of the martyr.
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Venerable Martyrs of Zograf (Athos)