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Monastery
of Panaghia Soumela |
Panagia
Soumela, “The Lady of Pontos”, is an icon of Panagia
“The Odighitria” who is full of grace. It was
painted by Saint Luke the Evangelist, which, according to
the tradition of our church, he presented it to Panagia to
be blessed by Her. The icon was forced out of it’s Monastery
on the mountain of Melas located in Pontos, together with
the people of Pontos. She came and made Her home in a new
place, in a small village near Veria in Northern Greece. In
Her new place She became well known and since has been venerated
for It’s many miracles throughout
Greece and the world.
Wherever
the people of Pontos, the Pondee, immigrate, She goes with
them, because they carry Panaghia Soumela in their hearts
as the most valued Heirloom and as protection and a shelter
in their difficult and sorrowful times. |
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In this great country of The United States of America,
where so many Pondee live and thrive, it is essential for
a church of Panaghia Soumela to be built, in-order
to remind them of Her Glorious Presence, their Pondian heritage
and for Her continuous blessing and intercessions.
We,
the Nuns of Paracletos Monastery in South Carolina, have committed
ourselves to this historical and religious task, to build
a Chapel honoring Panaghia and naming it "Panaghia Soumela".
With Her blessings and assistance and with our humble desire
and wish to become not only a place for prayer and salvation,
but also the center for all Pontian-Greeks in America
In
our effort to undertake such an overwhelming task, we, the
nuns of the Monastery of “Paracletos”, kindly
invite you to be our financial assistant, to build the Throne
of our Panaghia, where all of us will, in hymn and praise,
honor Her every day, and from where She will be sending Her
maternal blessings to all. |
