Commemorated September 1 (New Calendar) September 14 (Old Calendar)
In the days of the iconoclasts, under the emperor Leo the Isaurian, the wonderworking icon of the Most Holy Theotokos that stood in the Miasin monastery was thrown into Lake Azur. Long afterward, in the reign of the faithful emperor Michael and his mother Theodora, the icon rose to the surface on the first day of September, unharmed by the water. The monastery kept the day each year in her honor.
What the reading keeps
Miasin was a Greek place about eighteen stades from Melitene in Armenia. It lay in a wide valley between two hills. The river Azur ran east through it and filled the valley with lakes.
There had been an idol shrine and a fruit garden where unclean sacrifices were made. Saint Acacius, bishop of Melitene, cleared the place and built a church in the name of the Most Pure Virgin. He made a dwelling of angels where demons had lived, and a bloodless Sacrifice where blood had been offered. Wonders were worked from the icon of the Most Pure Mother of God. The monastery took its name from that church.
Many years after the icon was thrown into the lake, the faithful found it on the first of September. It was not damaged. For that finding the monastery kept a yearly feast of the All-Immaculate Lady. The reading says the same commemoration was kept even in Constantinople, in the Chalkoprateia church of the Mother of God.
Who is gathered on this day
Saint Acacius of Melitene built the church and cleared the old shrine. The emperor Leo the Isaurian is named with the iconoclasts who threw the icon into the lake. The emperor Michael and the empress Theodora are named for the reign in which it was found. The reading does not name the monks who first kept the icon.
This day is also the Church New Year. That beginning is kept here: The Beginning of the Indiction.
The icon was hidden in water and came back whole. What men throw down in fear or hatred is not lost to her.
Pray for us
Troparion, Tone 1
Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos full of grace, haven and intercession of the human race, for the Redeemer of the world became incarnate of thee. Thou alone art Mother and Virgin, ever-blessed and most glorified. Entreat Christ God to grant peace to all the world.
Kontakion, Tone 6
Steadfast protectress of Christians, constant advocate before the Creator: do not despise the cry of us sinners, but in thy goodness come speedily to help us who call on thee in faith. Hasten to hear our petition and to intercede for us, O Theotokos, for thou dost always protect those who honor thee.
Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Sources
St. Demetrius of Rostov, Lives of the Saints, September 1. https://azbyka.ru/otechnik/Dmitrij_Rostovskij/zhitija-svjatykh/729
Orthodox Church in America, Finding of the Icon of the Mother of God at the Miasena Monastery. https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2020/09/01/102457-finding-of-the-icon-of-the-mother-of-god-at-the-miasena-monaster
Orthodox Encyclopedia, Azurovskaya (Miasin) Icon of the Mother of God. https://www.pravenc.ru/text/63710.html
Orthodox Encyclopedia, calendar: 14 September (1 September). https://www.pravenc.ru/calendar/2024/09/14.html
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Updated 9/20/2026