Istanbul Shrine of the Mother of God, Source of Life

This Marian shrine in Istanbul (formerly Constantinople) dates back to the 5th century, when the future emperor Leo I (d. 474) helped a blind man who had lost his way and was thirsty. On the instructions of a heavenly voice, Leo gave the blind man muddy water to drink and washed his eyes with it. Later, when Leo became emperor, he had a church built in honor of the Mother of God, and named it "Source of Life".

In the 6th century, Emperor Justinian enlarged the church, and many miracles continued to occur. After the fall of Constantinople (1453), the shrine was ransacked. It was rebuilt in 1834 with a solemn dedication. Today, the shrine is visited year-round.

The icon of the feast depicts the Virgin Mary in the "orans" position (with her hands raised up in prayer). She is depicted with the Child Jesus and a jar of miraculous water, which the faithful would beg her to give.

The hymns sung at the shrine establish the link between the abundance of physical and spiritual healings and the fact that the Virgin Mary is the Mother of God (healing comes from Jesus, who is divine in nature, Creator and Redeemer).

F. Breynaert

Marian Encyclopedia