Miracle working icons without the Theotokos?

[Jonathan Michael]

A recent thread on this forum led me to realize that of all the wonder-working icons I know of, all of them are of the Theotokos (most of them also depict Christ of course). Even if there are some icons of other Saints or of just Christ Himself that have known to heal or gush myhrr, they are in a minority to the miracle-working icons of the Mother of God.

I just wondered if any Orthodox writers have ever commented on this, and what they've said about it.

I hope my question isn't impious, or makes it look as though I am suspicious of the help our Holy Mother gives us. It's just an interesting (to me) observation, and I wonder if others can expand upon it.

Thank you in advance.

[Herman Blaydoe]

I have seen a miraculous icon of St. Nicholas (http://www.visionsofjesuschrist.com/weeping84.htm)that exudes myrrh. There are also miraculous icons of St. Stylianos, St. Andrew, St. Basil and most certainly icons of Christ our Lord.

Herman

[Andreas Moran]

In Moscow there is a myrrh-issuing icon of Tsar-Martyr Nicholas.

[Olga]

And let's not forget the very first icon of them all, which in its formation, and its actions, was indeed miraculous: the Acheiropoeitos, also known as the Mandylion, or the Icon of Christ Not Made By Hands.

I cannot recall coming across any writings which attempt to analyse the apparent preponderance of miraculous icons of the Mother of God, compared to those of Christ or other saints. Perhaps there is no need for such analysis, as it may indeed lead to some sort of "league table" of worthiness and holiness, which would be unseemly indeed. God bestows His grace where He wills it.

I would only very cautiously speculate that the seeming greater frequency of miraculous icons of the Mother of God is by virtue of her being of greater honour than the saints and angels, the Queen and Mother (as the eirmoi/irmosi of Ode 1 of her festal canons proclaim), renowned and extolled as a most powerful intercessor before God.

[Jonathan Michael]

Thank you all for your replies.

Doh! The Icon-Not-Made-By-Hands is a pretty obvious miracle working icon of Our Lord that I should have remembered!

[Vasiliki D.]

Just two of the Archangel Michael:
http://www.orthodoxwiki.org/Archangel_Michael_of_Mantamados
http://www.orthodoxwiki.org/Archangel_Michael_Panormitis

Then there is the following icon of Saint Panteleimon in Mount Athos:
http://www.orthodoxwiki.org/Image:Panteleimon2.jpg

There are icons which have been found by miraculous circumstances. Are you interested in a list of these?

PS. I have some photos of an icon of Christ I personally took in Constantinople in October. I havent shared these on the Internet yet (except for my facebook account). These are special because I personally witnessed a miracle from this icon ... If you have a chance take a look at the Youtube video I posted and see if you can see the miracle in the video ...

[Vasiliki D.]

PS. I have some photos of an icon of Christ I personally took in Constantinople in October.

If anyone is interested in finding out why they are unusual, message me in private other please find the photos attached and enjoy my (now) favourite images of Christ ...

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[Vasiliki D.]

Wonder-working icons of the Theotokos

The following link will give you a quick snap-shot of all the popular wonder-working icons of the Theotokos that exist at the Holy Mountain of Athos. My personal protectress is Panagia Paramythea ...

http://www.mountathos.gr/active.aspx?mode=en{00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000005}View

[Vasiliki D.]

If anyone is interested in finding out why they are unusual, message me in private other please find the photos attached and enjoy my (now) favourite images of Christ ...

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this is my video on YouTube ... it is not the main icon but the smaller icon that is interesting .. I wonder if anyone notices what it is that I was blessed to witness not just on the video but in real life that made me take the photo and the video of this icon ....

www.youtube.com/watch?v=udFMlUTsuoI

[Jonathan Michael]

Hmm.... YouTube seems to be blocked now; something that does happen from time to time. It is probably only temporary though and I will try and view the video again later. Thank you for your photos.

I would be interested in the list of icons found in miraculous circumstances; the only ones I know of - besides The Icon Made Without Hands - are also of the Theotokos (e.g. The Kurtsk Root Icon, found at the root of a tree. In Kurtsk)

[Vasiliki D.]

Hmm.... YouTube seems to be blocked now; something that does happen from time to time. It is probably only temporary though and I will try and view the video again later. Thank you for your photos.
Please if you have the chance take a look at it later but pay particular attention to the smaller icon and replay it if you have to ...

I would be interested in the list of icons found in miraculous circumstances; the only ones I know of - besides The Icon Made Without Hands - are also of the Theotokos (e.g. The Kurtsk Root Icon, found at the root of a tree. In Kurtsk)

OK, I will think of a way to do this in the next few days. There are some amazing stories out there ... the most amazing is that a lot of the icons venerated in Greece are popular because they were FOUND through miraculous circumstances .. ie. the Saint or the Virgin would appear in visions and dreams guiding people to the location of the icon etc.

One such famous icon is the Virgin Mary of Tinos ... and SO many others, where to start ... we have an icon of Saint Blaise in Ano-Trikala of Corinth. This icon is 2 meters high and close to 1metre wide and appeared to a sheperd in a vision. It was sitting on the ledge of a sheer cliff!!!! No human was able to get to this ledge and goats could barely do it ... noweadays, they have put a large cross to identify the spot the icon was found and a monastery has been built opposite .... the icon is available in the church of the monastery .. its huge! and it is a Wonder-working icon too!