The Apparition of the Virgin Mary to Athanasius of Mt.Athos

St. Athanasius of Athos was in great need when he began the construction of the Great Lavra. He had no money to pay the workers, and even no food to feed them. For this reason, one day he took his rod and went to the capital of the Holy Mountain Kareah, in order to see what could be done to remedy the situation.

After two hours of travel, a stately-looking woman suddenly appeared in front of him on the path and asked him:

"Where are you going, Abba Athanasius? Why did you leave the God-pleasing work that you started? Go back and continue building."

"Who are you, mistress, who knows me? Why do you tell me to go back? How can I continue building when we have run out of everything we need?"

Then the woman who appeared revealed that She was the Mother of God and commanded Athanasius to go back, promising that She herself would take care of the means and the filling of the storehouse.

To be sure of the truth of Her words, the Monk Athanasius asked for a sign from Her.

"Hit this rock with your rod," She told him. And with the blow, the most pleasant water flowed from the rock, and its source has not become scarce to this day!

Saint Athanasius returned to the monastery and found his treasury full, and in the storerooms all the necessities for sustenance, just as the Blessed Virgin had promised.

With renewed zeal and diligence he continued and completed the work of building the monastery, praising and singing Her Blessed Name.

- Archimandrite Ioannikios Kotsonis

Holy Mount Athos