According to the tradition of the Virgin Portaitissa (1320), the Theotokos came to life and warned the monks not to open the monastery gate because of an imminent pirate attack. Christ, as the Judge, sought to restrain her, but she, with maternal boldness, insisted on saving them and calling them to repentance. The icon “froze” in this moment of intercession: the Virgin expresses mercy and compassion, while Christ bears a stern, judicial countenance.