Panagia Blachernitissa

The Panagia of Blachernitissa (Gr. Παναγία η Βλαχερνίτισσα, Turkish: Meryem Ana Kilisesi), also known as Blachernae, Vlachernae, or Vlahernon, is a 7th century Byzantine icon from Constantinople preserved in the imperial palace of Blachernai. The icon, according to tradition, was not written; rather, it was made from a composition of wax and the ashes of 6th-century martyred Christians. A rare copy of the Blachernitissa icon is also located in Russia at the Tretyakov Gallery.

Name ambiguity

There are two places with the name "Blachernae/Vlachernae". The first location, and most recognised, is in Constantinople and is spelt with a B. The second, is a municipality in the prefecture of Arta, Greece. It is not so well known and is spelt with a V. It is therefore correct to refer to the icon and the church with "B".

Churches

• The first Church of Blachernae: Church of the Virgin of Blachernae, Istanbul (Turkey).
• Church of Blachernae, Pontikonisi (Corfu, Greece)
• Church of Blachernae, Peloponneso (Greece), a 12th century church decorated with beautiful frescoes of St. John the Baptist.
• Isle of Dias, village of Kalligata (Kefalonia, Greece)

Monasteries

• Panagia Blahernon (Corfu, Greece), 17th century.
• Panagia Vlahernon Greek Orthodox Monastery (Williston, Florida)

See also

• Panagia the Life Giving Spring
• Life-giving Fount of the Theotokos
• Theotokos of Tikhvin

Sources

• Paul Halsall - Response on Blachernae enquiry
• Russian Traditions
• The Virgin of Orans explained

External links

• Wikipedia Article - the illustrious icon from Blachernae
• Article on the Blachernae Icon of the Mother of God "Hodegetria"
• Article on Protection of the Mother of God - Church of the Panagia Blachernae
• Travel Guide to Turkey