Icon: Queen of Heaven

This icon of Queen of Heaven is based on the events of an all-night vigil on the Holy Mount of Athos in 980. As a group of monks chanted before an icon of the Holy Virgin, they were joined by a monk they didn't recognize. As this monk began to chant a traditional hymn to the Virgin, he opened with a new verse the monks had never heard, beginning with "It is truly meet and right to bless thee." As he chanted to the Mother of God, her icon began to shine with light. And so this icon became known as "Axios Estin" - "It is meet and right."