04.02.2026
VATOPEDI MONASTERY VIDEO LIBRARY
"Fairytale Virgin, our guardian, eternal fairy tale teller"
According to the Athonite tradition and monastic order, the Synaxis of the Most Holy Theotokos of Paramythia was celebrated at the Holy Great Monastery of Vatopedi on Mount Athos. The Metropolitan of New Jersey, Mr. Apostolos, was invited to preside over the feast. On the eve of the feast, the holy icon of the Virgin Mary of Paramythia was transported in procession from the chapel, where it is kept, to the catholicon of the Monastery. Subsequently, a small vespers was celebrated and a table was set. In the afternoon of the same day, the Vigil of the feast began with the celebration of the solemn Vespers presided over by the Metropolitan of New Jersey, Mr. Apostolos. During the Vespers litany, the established Athonite feast was served in the Synodical Hall of the Monastery. The Metropolitan of New Jersey, Mr. Apostolos, and Elder Ephraim, Abbot of the Vatopedi Monastery, addressing the fathers and pilgrims, referred to the person of the Theotokos and extended festive wishes to those present.