According to tradition, the icon had been thrown into a nearby well during an attack by Saracen pirates, but was later recovered with the help of relatives of the offender. As the incident is remembered, the unfortunate barbarian, motivated by foolish contempt for this sacred object of the Christians, wanted to split the icon into pieces in order to light his pipe. At that moment, however, he lost his sight as a punishment for his brashness, and the icon was thrown into a well, where it remained lost for 80 years. Hoping to find some comfort and relief at the end of his life, the barbarian, who had agonized over his actions and repented of them, ordered his relatives to go to Mt Athos after his death without fail, and to reveal the location where the icon had been hidden by him and his companions. His relatives fulfilled his request: They went to the Monastery and led the monks to the hidden icon, which was recovered and treated with great honour.
These types of traditions relating to the miraculous icon are still maintained by the Monastery.
