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[[Image:Panormitis_Monastery.jpg|thumb|right|Monastery of Arch. Michael "Panormitis" (Symi, Greece)]]Symi island of the Dodecanese, Greece, is situated in southeast Aegean sea and northwest of Rhodes. While touring around the island you will see many [[church]]es and [[monastery|monasteries ]] devoted to the Archangel Michael. The Greek Orthodox '''[[Monastery]] of Taxiarchis Mihail Panormitis''' is the most important on the island and second largest in the Dodecanese after the monastery of St John the Theologian in [[Patmos]].
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[[Image:Arch_Michael_Panormitis.jpg|thumb|right|Icon of Arch. Michael "Panormitis" (Original image)]]
'''Archangel Michael O of Panormitis''' (Gr. O Πανορμίτης) refers to a miraculous [[icon]] of the [[Archangel Michael]] on the island of [[Metropolis of Symi|Symi]] and is one of the four miraculous [[icons]] of the Archangel in the [[w:Dodecanese|Dodecanese]] of [[Church of Greece|Greece]].
== Monastery of the Taxiarchis ==
The monastery is located on the south end of Symi, situated on the sea front of the tiny village of Panormitis. It is a closed in cove with a small sandy beach, protected by a narrow inlet that opens out into a wide harbour. The mountainous backdrop is covered with pine trees which give the area an ambiance of solitude.
The monastery is a large 18th-century Venetian styled building with the highest baroque bell tower in the world. The facade of the main structure is white and it stretches along the coast on either side of the main gateway. In excellent condition, the Italians constructed these two rows of buildings after World War II. These buildings now contain holiday flats that can be rented by tourists visiting the monastery and also contain a bakery among other things.
Once inside the monastery main gate, visitors are welcomed by an inner courtyard, decorated with exotic trees and plants, and paved with 'hokhlakia'. The church dedicated to the Panormiti, is on the left and inside contains the 2-metre high, silver-leafed, wall icon of the Panormiti. The entire church interior is covered with iconography (of particular interest is the ‘fall 'fall of the angels’ angels' mural at the back of the church) and is decorated with very elaborate chandeliers. [[Image:Panormitis_Monastery.jpg|thumb|right|Monastery of Arch. Michael "Panormitis" (Symi, Greece)]]
The exact historical date of the construction of this church remains unknown but some suggest that it was built around 450 AD over the site of an ancient temple dedicated to the pagan god Apollo. It is known for certainty that the existing church underwent a major renovation in the 18th century to bring it to the standard that is in existence today.
The monastery has two museums. One of houses ecclesiastical art, and is rich in exhibits like pontificals, silver icons, Russian epitaphs and ecclesiastical utensils, ship models model offerings brought to Panormitis from far away by the sea... , and one of folk art with important objects of the folk culture of the island, relevant to fishing, agriculture and shepherding. There is also a library with Byzantine manuscripts and editions of ecclesiastical, historical and philological content, as well as a gallery with paintings of the landscape of the monastery and its two chapels. There is also memorial to a former abbot, two monks and two teachers, who in 1944, were executed for running a spy radio for the British commandoes.
The monastery receives heaps of day-trippers from Rhodes, so if you really want to enjoy it in peace and quiet it is best to wait until they have gone. The monastery’s monastery's dorm-house can host up to 500 people. The only way to get to the monastery is via a ferry or excursion boat. If you are already on the island, there is a road that exists between the monastery and the town of Symi. This can take over six hours to walk or an hour using a local bus service or rented scooter.
== Panormitis Icon ==
One story is that this icon appeared miraculously and, on several occasions, was removed only to reappear mysteriously in this same location. The church was then built over the location, which, other sources suggest, was also a template to Apollo.
== Folklore & Tradition and tradition ==
According to legend, if you ask a favour from Archangel Michael, you must promise to give something in return.
:The tradition of the broom offering
== See also ==
*Miraculous [[icon]] of [[Archangel Michael]] of '''[[Archangel Michael of Mantamados|Mantamados]]''' on [[w:LesbosMetropolis of Mytiline|Lesbos]] island, [[w:Greece|Greece]].
*[[Metropolis of Symi]]
== Hymns & Troparia ==Hail, Michael, great chief commander , with all the hosts of heaven!
== External links ==
*[http://www.imsymis.org/istoriki_anadromienglish.html Official Website for '''Official Website for the Panormiti iconPanormitis'''] (English)[http://www.imsymis.org/istoriki_anadromi.html (Greek)] ''Site is maintained mainly in Greek, includes but English section is good and entire site has plenty of visualcontent.''
*[http://athos.edo.gr/modules.php?name=News&file=print&sid=351/ Article on the Panormitis icon by Mount Athos aghiorite] (Greek)
*[http://www.osymi.gr/laografia/laografia/proti_selida/laografia%20me%20pinakes.htm by ΕΛΕΝΗ ΖΑΧΑΡΙΟΥ-ΜΑΜΑΛΙΓΚΑ] (in Greek)
*[http://1myblog.pblogs.gr/2008/10/o-arhaggelos-mihahl-o-panormiths-symhs-rodoy-diahroniko-thayma.html Blog in Greek with detailed information about miracle 11 November 2008]
===YouTube links===
*[http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=GTX1mEXzB6s Panormiti miracle at the November 11, 2008 Vesper Service] (in Greek) - ''News story explains how at the vesper service this year the entire face of the icon disappeared for a few minutes and re-appeared in front of the entire congregation'' Read more (in Greek) here: [http://www.madata.gr/index.php/3/10/27003.html 1][http://orthodox-world.pblogs.gr/2008/05/o-thaymatoyrgos-arhaggelos-mihahl-o-panormiths-sth-symh.html 2]
*[http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=ewDbmSvm2jg Amateur video of the 2008 Feast Day celebrations from outside the monastery]
*[http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=u1neCZU9Abk A small documentary] (in Greek)
[[Category:Angels]]
[[Category:About Icons]]
[[Category:Monasteries]]
[[Category:Greek Monasteries]]
