Procession with “Axion Estin” icon held at Koutloumousiou on Mount Athos

The “Axion Estin” icon of the Mother of God. Photo: UOJ

On April 13, 2026, Bright Monday, the annual procession with the “Axion Estin” icon of the Mother of God took place on Mount Athos – a particularly venerated holy icon of Karyes, the administrative center of the Holy Mountain. This was reported by the UOJ in Greece.

The procession followed the established Athonite typikon, with clergy, monastics, and pilgrims taking part. It was led by Metropolitan Andreas of Saranta Ekklisies. Also participating were Elder Nikolaos, abbot of Koutloumousiou Monastery, together with the monastery’s brotherhood.

The “Axion Estin” icon holds a special place in the spiritual life of Mount Athos. According to tradition, it was before this icon that the Archangel Gabriel first sang the hymn “Axion Estin,” which later became an integral part of Orthodox worship and is now heard daily in churches throughout the world.

On Athos, this icon is regarded not only as a shrine, but also as a place of personal prayer. Pilgrims come before it with their most heartfelt petitions, and many testify that here they feel with particular clarity a prayerful presence and an inner response.

The route of the procession runs through Karyes – the administrative center of Mount Athos. The procession begins at the Protaton, where the icon is kept, and continues past monasteries and sketes. Along the way, more faithful join the procession.

The procession lasts about six hours and is carried out with prayers for the sanctification of nature, the surrounding world, and the strengthening of spiritual life. Each year, this tradition gathers large numbers of pilgrims from many countries on Mount Athos.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos will be brought from Mount Athos to the Serbian Orthodox Church for the feast of the Ascension.

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