Explore a captivating 14th-century replica of a religious icon from St. Demetrius Chapel. This piece narrates a deacon's sacrilege against the Virgin Mary, his miraculous forgiveness, and penance. The preserved arm of the deacon, which as a punishment from the Virgin Mary remained intact and turned completely black, a symbol of this profound tale, adds unique historical depth.
This icon is a wall - painting of the 14th century located in the narthex of the Chapel of St. Demetrius, within the complex of the main church. Tradition relates that a deacon who was the sacristan of the main church used to arrive at the meal in the refectory somewhat late every day because of his duties. One day, when he asked the refectory attendant for food, he was refused. The sacristan returned to the church full of indignation and said to the icon, "How long do I have to go on serving you and toiling, while you do not even care that I should eat?" With that, he took a knife and struck the face of the Blessed Virgin, and, as if it were living, blood began to run from the wound. The deacon himself was struck blind and fell down unconscious. In a state of repentance, he occupied the stall opposite the icon for three years, weeping and begging the Mother of God to forgive him. After three years, the Blessed Virgin appeared to the Abbot and told him that she had forgiven the reckless sacristan and would restore his health, but the arm that had committed the sacrilege would be condemned at the Last Judgement. When the monk died and the time came, according to the custom of the Holy Mountain, for the disinterring of his remains, it was found that although the rest of his body had decomposed normally, the offending arm had remained intact but had turned completely black. The arm of the sacristan is preserved today in the main church.
