The "Mete it is" ("Dostoino Est") Icon of the Mother of God
Commemorated on June 11
The "Mete it
is" ("Dostoino Est") Icon of the Mother of God is situated
at the high place of the altar of the cathedral church of the Kareia monastery
on Mount Athos.
On a certain Sunday,
and living not far off from Kareia, an elder went to the monastery for the
all-night vigil. In the cell remained a novice, and with the onset of night
there was a knock from an unknown monk. At the time of the all-night vigil,
when it was necessary to sing the "More Honourable than the
Cherubim...", both stood before the Icon of the Mother of God, called
"The Merciful" ("Miluiuschaya"), and the guest remarked
that they should sing "Mete it is in Truth...". During the time of
the singing of the previously unheard song the Icon of the Mother of God
brightened with an heavenly light, and the novice wept with joy. At his request
this wondrous song, for want of paper, was written on stone, which became
softened like wax, under the hand of the strange singer. Calling himself
Gabriel, the stranger then became invisible. The Icon of the Mother of God,
before which was first sung the "Mete it is", was transferred to the
cathedral church of the Dormition of the MostHoly Mother of God at Kareia (the
administrative centre of Athos). The stone-tablet, with the song inscribed on
it by the Archangel Gabriel, was taken to Constantinople during the time when
the Patriarch was Sainted Nicholas Chrysoberges (+ 995, Comm. 16 December).
Numerous copies of the "Mete it is" ("Merciful") Icon are
revered as holy in Russian churches. At the Galerna Harbour of Peterburg there
was erected a church with five cupolas in honour of the Merciful Mother of God,
and into it they put a grace-bearing "Merciful" icon sent from Athos.
© 1996-2001 by translator Fr. S. Janos.