The Feast Day of Panagia Mavromolitissa at Megalo Revma, Constantinople
The ancient icon of Panagia Mavromolitissa has been kept in the Community of Megalo Revma in Constantinople since the beginning of the 18th century. This Holy Icon comes from the Monastery of Panagia Pantanassa of Mavros Molos, which was located near the mythical Symplegades (Cyanean Rocks), at the exit of the Bosphorus towards the Black Sea.
This Monastery was built in the 12th century, but it was destroyed in the year 1713. The Monks dispersed, but some of them took the icon of the Virgin Mary to Megalo Revma, along with the tradition that it celebrates on August 23.
The modern people of Megalo Revma are also loyal to this old tradition, and this year they honoured Pantanassa Mavromolitissa Mother of God with a modest celebration, in which His Grace Bishop Benjamin of Tralee presided, and was joined also by The Grand Catechist Archimandrite Chrysanthos, the Proistamenos of the Community of Megalo Revma, Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne Father Evangelos Grigoriadis, Proistamenos of the neighbouring Community of Mesachorion, while the Deacon of the Great Community of the Stavrodromi, Father Konstantinos Mavromatis, officiated also.
According to the program, on Tuesday evening, 22 August 2023, the Great Vespers of the Apodosis (Leave-taking) of the Dormition of the Theotokos was celebrated, during which the Artoklasia (Blessing of the Five Loaves) took place for the health of all the faithful of the Megalo Revma Community, and on the morning of Wednesday, 23 August 2023, the Matins of the Feast Day of the Mother of God and the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy were celebrated.
The cool garden of the Archangel Michael hosted, for both days, the devout pilgrims who came to venerate the Panagia Mavromolitissa, and who also received the heartfelt care of the Philoptochos Association of the Community.
The Community of Megalo Revma wishes to all the Megalo Revma faithful around the world, and to all the faithful of the Church, to always have the protection and help of Panagia Mavromolitissa and to be granted health, length of days, and many years.
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