Continuing our series on the “Sword of St. Michael,” following each location featured in our Finnian comic book series, we will examine another monastery of St. Michael along the sacred line of seven monasteries that stretches from Ireland to Israel.
On the island of Symi outside of Greece, there stands an ancient monastery dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel (along with many other churches dedicated to St. Michael on the same island). It is called the Monastery of Taxiarchis Mihail Panormitis. The Greek word Taxiarchis is usually translated as “commander” and is often applied to St. Michael as the “Commander of the Bodiless Hosts” (aka, Commander of the Heavenly Armies).
The monastery has a rich history and features a miraculous icon.
It is generally believed that the monastery was first established in 450 over a pagan temple to Apollo. Little is known about this time period of the monastery until the 18th century. A Byzantine (Eastern Roman Empire) military outpost and castle was built here during this time. The Knights of the Order of St. John built a castle upon its ruins in the 14th century.
Here is a popular legend of how the current monastery was constructed and the sudden appearance of an icon of St. Michael the Archangel.
According to a local legend, the church had been built soon after a lady named Maria from Protenio – who was a pious native – found an icon of St Michael.
That lady donated her own house for the church to be built … in 1783 – as engraved on an epigraph of marble found on an outer wall.
It is said that the icon was removed on several occasions, but miraculously came back to its exact location.
St. Michael is the patron saint of the island as well as the local sailors. There still exists a tradition of throwing a bottle in the sea with a prayer written on a piece of paper. It is said that these bottles always end up at the shore of the island.
Additionally, there is a local tradition that St. Michael will keep you accountable for any offerings you made to him.
The Archangel Michael is famous in the Dodecanese for his righteous nature. If you have made an offering to him and do not fulfill it, he will make it clear through various miracles that he is not pleased – until you complete your promise. One famous miracle that occurs often and to this day, is the miracle of the Archangel preventing the boats from leaving the dock. This has become such a regular occurrence, that the Captains of the boat will announce over the PA to the passengers that someone on the boat has forgotten a promise to the Taxiarch. Once this promise is fulfilled, then and only then does the boat’s engines work.
This monastery is a fascinating one and again follows the pattern of being built on an island and on top of a mountain during the 5th century. It recalls St. Michael’s intercession for sailors and reminds us all of his protection over each one of us in our time of need.
He indeed is a “commander” of the heavenly hosts and is armed and ready to defeat the legions of evil.
Philip Kosloski
Philip Kosloski is the founder of Voyage Comics & Publishing and the writer and creator of the comic book series, Finnian and the Seven Mountains.