Venerable Gennadius of Vatopedi

The Miracle of the Oil

As steward of Vatopedi, Gennadius oversaw the community's stores at a time when the monastery's supply of oil had dwindled. Exercising careful economy, he restricted the remaining oil to the needs of the church alone. When the monastery's cook complained to the abbot (igumen) that there was no oil left for preparing food, the abbot directed Gennadius to place his trust in the Mother of God and to supply oil for all the monastery's needs, distributing it to the whole brotherhood as before.

According to the account, when Gennadius went to the storeroom he found the oil tank overflowing, the oil spilling across the floor and reaching as far as the door. The event was understood as a vindication of the abbot's trust in the providence of the Theotokos, and it was ascribed to her intercession.

The Elaiovrytissa Icon

The miracle became associated with an icon of the Mother of God that stood in the storeroom, known thereafter as the Elaiovrytissa, a name meaning "oil-flowing" or "flowing with oil." Since the time of the miracle the icon has remained in the storeroom, where it is said to give off a distinctive fragrance.

The Elaiovrytissa is counted among the most venerated miraculous icons of Vatopedi Monastery. On stylistic grounds the icon has been dated to the latter half of the fourteenth century, the same period in which Gennadius served as steward. It is commemorated annually on Bright Friday.

Veneration

Gennadius is venerated as a venerable (monastic) saint of Vatopedi Monastery on Mount Athos, and is commemorated on November 17. A troparion appointed for his feast (Tone 8) honours his ascetic life and his miraculous works and invokes his prayers.