The icon of Virgin Mary Revealing was found in the year 1700 AD by three nuns called Agni, Tatiana and Paisia in old Iraklitsa, located in East Thrace. 

According to old sayings that are still alive today, there was an ancient abandoned tower in which the three nuns wanted to reside. The tower was abandoned as mysterious noises had kept people away in fear. Despite that, the nuns wanted to find the source of these noises. It was while searching, that one of the nuns, Tatiana found a sign on the wall of the tower and by digging discovered a crypt in which the Icon of Virgin Mary was found embedded on the wall.

What can not be explained in any logical way is that in front of the Icon was a lit candle. On removing the candle to take the Icon from the crypt, the candle extinguished, its mission to light the icon in the darkened crypt having been completed. Possibly the Icon was placed in the crypt to safeguard it during the years of Christian persecution.

The years passed…and on the site of the find a new temple was built. This temple was part of Iviron church of Agion Oros. The temple was later destroyed by the Turks and turned into stables for their animals. 

In 1922 the Icon was transferred for safety to the Iviron church of Agion Orson . After many attempts by the inhabitants of Iraklitsa to reclaim the icon, the church returned it ten years later in 1932. The Icon has two names; Panagia Revealing as it allowed itself to be found in a miraculous way and Panagia of Crypt because it was found inside a crypt. As the years passed the first name of Panagia Revealing triumphed and is the name used.

More information on how the Icon was discovered can be found in the book published by the church. It must also be stressed that the Icon has been located in our church since 1932 and has carried out many miracles for the thousands of worshippers who visit our church every year.