Ambelli celebrates the arrival of the Virgin Mary of the Bees icon to Paris, France

(Washington DC/Mount Athos, January 10, 2025): The grand reopening of the 850-year-old Notre Dame Cathedral is marked by a gift of profound significance: Virgin Mary of the Bees Icon. Presented by the people of Greece to the people of France, this Byzantine masterpiece encapsulates a message of solidarity and hope, standing as a testament to global unity amidst renewal.
The icon, inscribed with a dedication to the enduring friendship between the two nations, was personally delivered by Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou at the historic reopening event, attended by world leaders.
A Tale of Miracles and Inspiration
The story of Virgin Mary of the Bees is rooted in the miraculous survival of 200,000 bees during the devastating 2019 fire that consumed much of Notre Dame. While flames ravaged the cathedral, these vital pollinators emerged unscathed, inspiring reflections on the resilience of creation. Cathedral beekeeper Nicolas Géant described their survival as a miracle to CNN, reinforcing their role as symbols of life and harmony.
The icon itself is steeped in faith and nature. Inspired by events at the Holy Monastery of the Nativity of the Virgin in Greece, where bees lived undisturbed during liturgies, the icon depicts a deep connection between spirituality and the environment. Hieromonk Georgios Alevras, a renowned figure of Mount Athos and steward of Orthodox tradition, commissioned the icon’s creation to honor the Virgin Mary’s protective grace.
A Symbol of Global Solidarity
Crafted by the master iconographer Phillipos Markopoulos in the Byzantine style, Virgin Mary of the Bees honors the Virgin Mary as a beacon of hope and protector of life. The gift was delivered to the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs on December 2, 2024, the feast day of Hieromonk Georgios's spiritual father, Saint Porphyrios, affirming the Saint's blessing of the endeavor. “This icon was gifted by the devout Greek nation to the faithful people of France,” remarked Hieromonk Georgios. “May the bees inspire us to rebuild the church of unity and love, living as the first Christians did.”
In 2022, Hieromonk Georgios’ initiatives were celebrated at the 11th World Green Energy Symposium in Washington, D.C., where he received the prestigious Nova Award. “His work embodies the harmony between nature and humanity,” said Professor Robert J. Gallagher, WGES executive chairman. By 2024, the Ambelli organization’s Beezantium Project, inspired by his vision, garnered international acclaim and funding from the Headley SEE Cultural Heritage Fund in London.
A Testament to Renewal and Hope
The Virgin Mary of the Bees Icon stands as a powerful symbol of renewal, resilience, and shared purpose. It celebrates the interconnectedness of faith, nature, and humanity, reminding the world of the essential role of unity in sustaining life.
This historic gift bridges nations, honors cultural heritage, and calls humanity to embrace harmony in a fractured world. “Let Virgin Mary of the Bees inspire us all to become stewards of unity and guardians of life,” stated Hieromonk Georgios Alevras.

Ambelli, an emerging non-profit in Greece, launches Beezantium -
an innovative community development initiative weaving Byzantine culture, bees and apiculture
Thessaly, Greece, (9 November, 2024) - Ambelli, a non-profit company, has launched a series of innovative community development and cultural promotion activities in Thessaly Greece under its flagship project, Beezantium. The community engagement initiative draws inspiration from Byzantine culture, most notably the holy icon of the Virgin Mary of the Bees, the life of bees and Orthodox thought on the beehive as the ideal prototype for human society. Last September, Thessaly was shattered by the devasting floods of Storm Daniel when more than 110,000 beehives were destroyed and countless homes and villages left in utter ruin.
Beezantium engages the community in discussions, debate and experiential workshops to envision a new way forward. The project adopts a multifaceted approach weaving cultural promotion, community development and environmental protection across its endeavors. Among the top activities initiated include:
Academic lectures and group discussions: Residents in rural Thessaly came together in mid-October to learn about Byzantine art, beekeeping, sustainable farming and the potential for apiculture tourism in rural areas. The event included public veneration of the local icon, Virgin Mary of the Bees, and information on the historical and theological underpinnings its hagiography. Distinguished guests included Hieromonk George Alevras of Mount Athos who served as the event's keynote speaker, Vasilios Douras, Past President of the Federation of Beekeeping Associations of Greece (OMSE), (EPBA) Professional beekeepers, Fani Hatzina , Biologist - ELGO Research Director Dimitra, President for the 2nd four-year term of the Apimondia scientific committee for bee health and coordinator of 16 European and Greek programs, Katerina Karatasou , Veterinarian, Beekeeping Supervisor Larissa and Nikos Asoutis Didaras , Veterinarian Msc , PhD. The lectures were followed by roundtable discussions, Q & A and, a week later, with the start of autumnal harvest of olives at the communal gardens, a practical application of the lessons and tips learned from the event on farming practices to support bee pollination.
Icon and artistic workshops: In honor of Beezantium, Ambelli has implemented a Byzantine icongraphy project in partnership with Prophet Elijah Charity. In October, a group of blossoming adult artists attended a workshop dedicated to the study of holy icon of the Virgin Mary of the Bees and its artistic traditions and techniques. This diverse group has started to replicate the icon which will take several weeks to complete. The activity is complemented by traditional curriculum in iconography.
Educational activities for children: Starting in November, Ambelli in collaboration with the Foreign Language Centers Soula Tsiatsiou - Rakoviti have launched a six-month educational program for primary school children. The program introduces the young students to the rich heritage of Byzantine culture, while teaching them about the life of beehive underscoring the importance of cooperation. Through creative activities such as games, stories and special exercises, children are encouraged to discover the value of social cohesion, mutual respect and the critical need to protect nature.
In launching Beezantium, Ambelli collaborates with stakeholders, residents and experts to drive dialogue, learning and cooperation to advance sustainability and community renewal in Thessaly. The project will run until July 2025 delivering workshops and trainings in various rural areas of Thessaly.
Beezantium is co-financed by The Headley Southeast Europe Cultural Heritage fund and administered by the Balkan Museum Network.




















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