Panagia Gorgoypikoos

The Virgin Mary Gorgoepikoos (Quick to Hear)

One of the many titles given to the Virgin Mary is Gorgoepikoos, meaning “Quick to Hear” or “She Who Swiftly Answers Prayers.” Her miraculous icon, bearing the same name, has been venerated at the Holy Monastery of Docheiariou on Mount Athos since 1646.

There, as recorded in the history of the Monastery, she “shines like a radiant moon, governing it as an excellent guide and wise steward,” protecting the holy fathers who practice their spiritual devotion there from every harm and evil influence, as well as all those who turn to her with faith, seeking her assistance. In general, she swiftly and willingly protects, listens to, and shows mercy to all who venerate her and invoke her name with faith.

According to the Synaxarion of Saint Nikodemos, an ancient icon of the Virgin Mary was located on the right-hand side of the Monastery's refectory. The fathers of the Monastery state that the icon dates back to the time of the Monastery's founder, Neophytos, in the 11th century.

In 1646, a particularly difficult year for the Holy Monastery, as it lacked the necessary funds to pay the taxes imposed by the Ottoman rulers, the monk responsible for the refectory frequently passed in front of this icon, even at night, carrying burning torches in his hands.

One evening that year, as he was once again passing before the icon of the Mother of God, he heard a voice coming from the icon, saying:

“Do not pass by here and blacken this place with smoke.”

The monk, believing that someone had spoken to him, disregarded the voice and paid no attention.

A few days later, while he continued to pass before the icon carrying burning torches, he heard the voice again:

“O monk, unworthy of the monastic life! How long will you continue to cover my image with smoke and blacken it, dishonoring me?”

At that very moment, upon hearing these words, the unfortunate monk lost his sight and became blind.

Realizing his mistake—that he had disregarded the first warning and had failed to obey—he placed a prayer stall before the icon of the Virgin Mary. There, he continuously begged her to forgive his sin, committed through carelessness, and to restore his sight so that he might once again behold her holy image, glorify her, and give thanks to her forever.

The Virgin Mary heard his prayer and said to him:

“Behold, from this day forward, I restore your sight. Take care never again to pass by with burning torches, for I am the Lady and Protectress of this Monastery. I swiftly answer those who call upon me and grant them the requests that lead to their salvation, for I am called Gorgoepikoos.”

From that time onward, this holy icon became known as Gorgoepikoos, because through her miraculous works, the Virgin Mary continually demonstrates that she swiftly responds to those who turn to her with reverence and faith.

Indeed, her grace performs countless miracles, not only on Mount Athos but also beyond it, in cities and villages throughout Greece and in other parts of the world where she is venerated and invoked.

The Virgin Mary Gorgoepikoos is renowned for her many miracles. She heals various illnesses, grants children to childless couples, helps recover lost objects, protects those in danger at sea, delivers captives, relieves headaches and exhaustion, restores movement to the paralyzed, gives sight to the blind, cures life-threatening diseases, drives locusts away from fields, and performs many other wondrous acts.

These miraculous interventions of the Virgin Mary Gorgoepikoos have been recorded in the archives of the Monastery of Docheiariou.

After the monk responsible for the refectory, whose name was Neilos, was healed of his blindness, the fathers of the Monastery built a chapel at that location in honor of the Virgin Mary Gorgoepikoos, since the Virgin Mary herself had chosen this title.

The Divine Liturgy is celebrated in this chapel twice a week, monastic tonsures take place there, and services of supplication to the Virgin Mary are chanted daily, both morning and evening, before the sacred icon.

The first icon of the Virgin Mary painted at the Monastery of Docheiariou, dating from 1563, refers to her as Vrefokratousa (She Who Holds the Christ Child), Fovera Prostasia (Awesome Protection), and Gorgoepikoos (Quick to Hear).

It is important to emphasize that when the Virgin Mary spoke to the monk, she did not use either of the other titles inscribed on the fresco, namely Vrefokratousa or Fovera Prostasia. Instead, she chose the name Gorgoepikoos for herself.

In doing so, she revealed that she responds swiftly to the prayers of the faithful and, by extension, that obedience plays a fundamental role in the salvation of humanity.

Following the miracle through which she restored the sight of the monk Neilos, the Virgin Mary wished to reveal another of her attributes, another spiritual gift offered for the salvation and spiritual growth of humanity.

Just as her Son serves the salvation of mankind in countless ways, so too does she contribute to our salvation.

Through her obedience to the words of the Archangel Gabriel, she once played a vital role in our salvation. Likewise, now, as she listens to and answers our prayers, she humbly repeats:

“Behold the handmaid of the Lord.”

Thus, she swiftly helps and saves those who turn to her with faith, invoke her name, and honor her as Gorgoepikoos.

Since that time, numerous icons, churches, and monasteries have been dedicated to the Virgin Mary Gorgoepikoos.

In the same spirit, we too have reverently decided to dedicate the inner chapel of our Monastery to her holy name.

For we truly recognize how greatly we need her prayers, intercessions, and maternal protection during the difficult times in which we live.

The Mother of our Lord swiftly cares for the salvation of us all and bestows her grace upon everyone who calls upon her with faith, hope, and love.

Let us always call upon her, chant hymns of supplication in her honor, and joyfully celebrate her feast day on October 1st.