The original icon of the Virgin of Consolation is held in honor at the Vatopedi Monastery on Mount Athos. It originated from a miracle that occurred when the son of Emperor Theodosius the Great fell off a ship and into the sea. By miraculous intercession of the Blessed Virgin, he was carried safely to shore unharmed and found sleeping in a bush, not far from the monastery. In recognition of this miracle her icon was painted and is today displayed at Vatopedi.

In later years pirates had secretly landed on the shore of the monastery and were hiding, waiting for the gates to open in the morning in order to launch an attack on the monastery of Vatopedi. The abbot, who had remained behind after the end of Matins in order to continue his prayer, heard these words from the icon of the Blessed Virgin: "Do not open the gates of the Monastery today, but go up on the walls and drive away the pirates."

Painted in classic Byzantine style, Brother Simeon's portrait conveys the compassion and tenderness of the Holy Virgin, presented in the bright colors and stylization of original iconography.

This new portrait is available as icon plaques and prints in sizes from 4 inches to five feet tall, which appear in the order options on this page. In addition, discover more about possible discounts for icon plaques of this subject and also orders for magnets, pocket icons or mini-icons of Our Lady of Consolation on the Special Icon Orders page on this site.