The miraculous [[iconImage:Arch_Michael_Panormitis.jpg|thumb|right|Icon of Arch. Michael "Panormitis" (Original image)]] of the '''Archangel Michael of Panormitis''' (Gr. Αρχάγγελος Μιχαήλ ο O Πανορμίτης στη Σύμη) in refers to a miraculous [[icon]] of the [[Archangel Michael]] on the island of [[Metropolis of Symi|Symi, Greece ]] and is one of the four miraculous [[icons ]] of the Archangel Michael in the Dodecanesse [[w:Dodecanese|Dodecanese]] of [[Church of Greece|Greece]].

[[Image:Panormitis_Monastery.jpg|thumb|right|Monsatery of Arch. Michael "Panormitis", Symi, Greece]]Symi island of the Dodecanese, Greece, is situated in southeast Aegean sea and northwest of Rhodes. While touring around the island you will see many [[church]]es and [[monastery|monasteries ]] devoted to the Archangel Michael. The Greek Orthodox '''[[Monastery]] of Taxiarchis Mihail Panormitis''' is the most important on the island and second largest in the Dodecanese after the monastery of St John the Theologian in [[Patmos]].

The monastery is located on the south end of Symi, situated on the sea front seafront of the tiny village of Panormitis. It is a closed -in cove with a small sandy beach, protected by a narrow inlet that opens out into a wide harbour. The mountainous backdrop is covered with pine trees which give the area an ambiance of solitude.

The monastery is a large 18th-century Venetian -styled building with the highest baroque bell tower in the world. The facade of the main structure is white and it stretches along the coast on either side of the main gateway. Once inside the monastery main gate, visitors are welcomed by an inner courtyardIn excellent condition, decorated with exotic trees and plants, and paved with 'hokhlakia'. The church dedicated to the Panormiti, is on the left and inside contains the 2-metre high, silver-leafed, wall icon Italians constructed these two rows of the Panormitibuildings after World War II. The entire church interior is covered with iconography (of particular interest is These buildings now contain holiday flats that can be rented by tourists visiting the ‘fall of the angels’ mural at the back of the church) monastery and is decorated with very elaborate chandeliersalso contain a bakery among other things.

Once inside the monastery main gate, visitors are welcomed by an inner courtyard decorated with exotic trees and plants and paved with 'hokhlakia'. The church dedicated to the Panormiti is on the left and inside contains the two-metre-high, silver-leafed wall icon of the Panormiti. The entire church interior is covered with iconography (of particular interest is the 'fall of the angels' mural at the back of the church) and is decorated with very elaborate chandeliers. [[Image:Panormitis_Monastery.jpg|thumb|right|Monastery of Arch. Michael "Panormitis" (Symi, Greece)]]The exact historical date of the construction of this church remains unknown but some suggest that it was built around 450 AD over the site of an ancient temple dedicated to the pagan god Apollo. During It is known for certainty that the existing church underwent a major renovation in the 18th century, to bring it to the church was renovatedstandard that is in existence today.

It The monastery has two museums. One houses ecclesiastical art, and is dedicated rich in exhibits like pontificals, silver icons, Russian epitaphs, and ecclesiastical utensils, ship model offerings brought to Panormitis from far away by the Taxiarch Michael sea, and we do know that it was renovated at one of folk art with important objects of the folk culture of the end island relevant to fishing, agriculture, and shepherding. There is also a library with Byzantine manuscripts and editions of ecclesiastical, historical, and philological content, as well as a gallery with paintings of the landscape of the monastery and its two chapels. There is also a memorial to a former abbot, two monks, and two teachers, who in 1944 were executed for running a spy radio for the 18th centuryBritish commandos.

The monastery has two museums. One of ecclesiastical art, rich in exhibits like pontificals, silver icons, Russian epitaphs and ecclesiastical utensils, ship models offerings brought to Panormitis from far away by the sea... and one of folk art with important objects of the folk culture of the island, relevant to fishing, agriculture and shepherding.  There is also a library with Byzantine manuscripts and editions of ecclesiastical, historical and philological content, as well as a gallery with paintings of the landscape of the monastery and its two chapels. There is also memorial to a former abbot, two monks and two teachers, who in 1944, were executed for running a spy radio for the British commandoes. The monastery receives heaps of day-trippers from Rhodes, so if you really want to enjoy it in peace and quiet , it is best to wait until they have gone. The monastery’s monastery's dorm-house can host up to 500 people. Reaching it can be done The only by way to get to the monastery is via a ferry or excursion boat from Gialos. The telephone of If you are already on the island, there is a road that exists between the monastery for any information and bookings is +2246071581the town of Symi. This can take over six hours to walk or an hour using a local bus service or rented scooter.

The monastery houses the famous icon of Archangel Michael - '''Panormitis''', who One story is the island's patron saint and the guardian of sailors.  The that this icon appeared miraculously in this location and, on several occasions, was removed only to reappear mysteriously to in this same location. The monastery church was then built over the location, which, other sources suggest, was also a template to Apollo.

There are restrictions in place by the monastery regarding taking photographs inside the church. == Folklore & Tradition and tradition ==

::The locals of the Dodecanese are known to have offered a traditional broom. Church tradition has passed down that monks from the monastery would hear the Saint sweeping his monastery at night with this broom offerings. Local tradition has passed down that many would be visited by the Archangel in their sleep , who would ask them for the brooms.

::The Archangel Michael is famous in the Dodecanese for his righteous nature. If you have made an offering to him and do did not fulfull fulfill it, he will make it clear through various miracles that he is not pleased - until you complete your promise. One famous miracle that occurs often and to this day, is the miracle of the Archangel preventing the boats from leaving the dock. This has become such a regular occurance, occurrence that the Captains of the boat will announce over the PA to the passengers that someone on the boat has forgotten a promise to the Taxiarch. Once this promise is fulfilled, then and only then does do the boat's engines work.

::Another item Other items of interest is are the bottles with prayers inside. The origin's origins of this tradition are owed to the Greek sailors, who would cast these into the sea and would end up, mysteriously, on the shoreline of the monastery.::Today, many believers still practise practice this tradition. If you visit the museum , these messages have been kept for anyone to read.

As a result of these traditions, the inside of the church is decorated with an array of gifts given by the devout [[Pilgrimage|pilgrims]]. There have been so many of these gifts that a lot of them can be viewed in the museum and include model ships made from gold and silver. The monastery is also filled with wonderful paintings, carvings , and icons depicting various saints.

== Other church churches of Archangel Michael in Symi ==

== Hymns & Troparia See also ==Hail, *Miraculous [[icon]] of [[Archangel Michael, great chief commander with all the hosts ]] of heaven! == The Other Icons of the Dodecanesse ==1. [[Archangel Michael of Mantamados|Mantamados]] near Mytilini, Lesvos on [[Metropolis of Mytiline|Lesbos]] island, Greece. *[[Metropolis of Symi]]

<!--- == Supplicatory Canon to Panormitis =YouTube links===*[http://au.youtube.com/watch?v= GTX1mEXzB6s Panormiti miracle at the November 11, 2008 Vesper Service] (in Greek) - ''News story explains how at the vesper service this year the entire face of the icon disappeared for a few minutes and re-appeared in front of the entire congregation'' Read more (in Greek) here: [http://www.madata.gr/index.php/3/10/27003.html 1][http://orthodox-world.pblogs.gr/2008/05/o->thaymatoyrgos-arhaggelos-mihahl-o-panormiths-sth-symh.html 2]*[http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=ewDbmSvm2jg Amateur video of the 2008 Feast Day celebrations from outside the monastery]*[http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=u1neCZU9Abk A small documentary] (in Greek)