The icon of the Theotokos with Three Hands (Three-Handed or Tricherousa in Greek), one of the miraculous icons of Mount Athos, was an heirloom of Saint John of Damascus. He kept it with great reverence in the chapel of his house.

Who Saint John of Damascus was

Saint John of Damascus served as the main advisor to Caliph Al-Walid during the period 705-715 A.D., for all significant matters concerning the Christians of Syria.

During the Iconoclasm, the Emperor of Constantinople was Leo III the Isaurian. During this period, the veneration of holy icons was forbidden. However, Saint John of Damascus was a fervent defender of the icons. Through his writings, he sought to fight off the pillars of Iconoclasm.

The miracle of St. John of Damascus

Leo III, seeking to undermine Saint John of Damascus, falsely accused him before Caliph Al-Walid, claiming that John secretly sought to conquer Damascus. The Caliph, convinced by this slander, ordered St. John of Damascus to be arrested and had his right hand amputated in the square of Damascus.

Saint John took his severed hand and spent the entire night pleading with the Mother of God to heal him so that he could continue his struggle in defense of Orthodoxy.

Exhausted as he was, he fell asleep and dreamt of the Most Holy Theotokos. The Virgin Mary assured him that his hand would be healed, and indeed, it was so!

Why the icon of the Theotokos is called ‘Three-Handed’

When Saint John awoke, he found his hand healed. Overwhelmed by this miracle, he placed a silver effigy of his hand beneath the left side of the icon of the Theotokos.

The replica, as it was placed on the holy icon, appeared to be the third hand of the Theotokos. For this reason, the holy icon came to be known as ‘Three-Handed’.

Excerpt of article from monastiriaka.gr, an official Mt Athos website. Links to the full article and a video showing the icon below….