The Icon of Three Hands
St. John Damascene was the great defender of icons. Because of his defense of the holy images and because of his great ability as a writer, the order was given by the iconoclasts that his right hand be cut off at the wrist. St. John asked for the severed hand and prayed before the icon known as the Hodegetria or She Who Shows the Way. Asking fervently that his hand might be restored, he fell asleep exhausted. Virgin Mary came to him in a dream; when awoke his hand was miraculously restored with only a red line showing. In gratitude, St. John composed the hymn "In thee, O Full of Grace, all creation rejoices" The icon before which St. John prayed exists to this day on Mount Athos in the Hilander Monastery. It is called Tricherousa, or Panagia "Of Three Hands" due to the silver hand which St. John placed on the icon as a testament to the above miracle. See: The Icon of the Three Hands Additional links: small album ~ Doctors of the Church
- The Image Doctor - Doctor of the Church
- John Damascene: The Incarnation Reveals the Goodness and Wisdom, the Justice and Might
- Saint John of Damascus, Priest, Religious, Doctor of the Church
- Peering Through the Windows
- St. John of Damascus
- St. John of Damascus
- Full of Grace and Truth
- Righteous St. John of Damascus
- Icons are Dynamic Love Letters between God and Man
Apologia Against Those Who Decry Holy Images)
