The Presentation of the Holy Icon Panagia Vimatarissa to the Panagia Chapel at the Diakonia Retreat Center.

Our bishop, Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, was tonsured a monk at the Sacred Monastery of Vatopedi on Mount Athos in 1963.  Serving as a deacon, his diakonate ministry was that of Vimataris - the one who takes care of the sacred vima, which is the altar and all of the sacred items used during holy services.  Since that time, he has kept a close relationship with the fathers for Vatopedi, visiting often.  

The Holy Icon of the Panagia Vimatarissa is never permitted to leave the Holy Mountain.  On very special occasions, the fathers of Vatopedi creat a handcrafted replica of this wonderworking icon and offer it as a spiritual gift.  When teh abbott of Vatopedi, Elder Efraim, learned of the magnificient chapel being built at the Diakonia Retreat Center in honor of the Panagia, he offered to have one of these grace-filled icons prepared for us to serve as a beacon of light to inspire and guide us to greater spiritual heights.

On Saturday, September 29th, the holy Elder, with the monks from Vatopedi Monastery, came to the Diakonia Retreat Center and presented the Panagia Vimatarissa to our Spiritual Father, Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta and large gathering of faithful clergy and laity.

As in the main church (katholikon) of the Vatopedi Monastery on Mount Athos, the Panagia Vimatarissa will forever take her seat in the Holy Altar at the syntrhonon (bishop's throne behind the Holy Table) at the Panagia Chapel.