Monastery of the Panagia Pantanassa at Mystras |
In August 1960, a fire broke out at the archaeological site of Mystras in Sparta near the Holy Monastery of Panagia Pantanassa.
This great fire threatened with utter destruction the historic Monastery of the area.
Regarding the extinguishing of the fire and the rescue of the Monastery, there was no possibility for human help at that time.
Thus, both the Abbess and the Nuns of the Monastery fell into a state of despair and frenzy, since they themselves could not do anything to save their Monastery.
At the same time, however, the Abbess had the inspiration to turn to the nearby Metochion of Panagia Portaitissa of the Holy Monastery of Iveron on Mount Athos.
Panagia Portaitissa at Iveron Monastery |
For this reason and with only a cry of despair to the Panagia, saying: "Panagia Portaitissa save us", the Panagia listened to the Abbess and immediately sent her help.
The fire became limited at that moment and finally extinguished without any further damage to the Monastery!
And then the nuns went straight to the Metochion of the Holy Monastery of Iveron and thanked the Panagia Portaitissa who saved them, and told the Abbot of the Metochion about the rescue of their Monastery and what exactly happened.
Source: From the book Ιστορικόν και θαύματα της Παναγίας της Πορταϊτίσσης, γ’ έκδοση, Άγιον Όρος – Άθως, 1968. Translation by John Sanidopoulos.