Panagia Soumela

According to Orthodox tradition, the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary Soumela was painted by the Apostle Luke. The name “Soumela” comes from the Pontic phrase “shou Mela,” meaning “to Mela,” referring to Mount Mela in Trebizond.

After Luke’s death, his disciple Ananias brought the icon to Athens, where it was first known as Panagia Athiniotissa. In 386 AD, Athenian monks Barnabas and Sophronios, guided by visions of the Virgin Mary, followed a miraculous journey through Greece and Asia Minor to Trebizond. There, the icon led them to a glowing cave on Mount Mela. They built a church in her honor, carved into the mountain—thus founding the Monastery of Panagia Soumela, which became a major spiritual center.

After the expulsion of the Pontic Greeks, the icon was brought to Athens. In 1952, it was enshrined on Mount Vermio, where it remains a symbol of faith and cultural heritage. 

Our Church celebrates her memory on August 15th

Size – 19 x 14 x 3cm