Author Topic: Panagia Fidiotissa  (Read 3279 times)

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Offline Maik

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Panagia Fidiotissa
« on: Wednesday, 15 August, 2018 @ 02:11:41 »
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Panagia Fidiotissa in Kefalonia

The most well-known church of Kefalonia is that of Panagia Fidiotissa.

Every year a phenomenon occurs in the small church in the vicinity of Markopoulos, on the south side of the island as during the period of 6 to the 15th of August, the area is filled with small snakes, friendly to people, with a characteristic soft skin, and the shape of a cross adorning their backs.

The snakes of the Virgin Mary are a unique event in the world, and if you find yourself on the island in August, you should not miss it.
https://greekcitytimes.com/2018/08/13/panagia-fidiotissa-in-kefalonia/

Offline Maik

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Re: Panagia Fidiotissa
« Reply #1 on: Friday, 17 August, 2018 @ 18:20:31 »
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Annual appearance of "Virgin Mary's snakes" brings tourists to Cephalonia island

The annual appearance of small snakes associated with the Virgin Mary attracted hundreds of tourists and worshippers on the island of Cephalonia recently.

Regional official Olga Anthi Kardakari, who observed the phenomenon for the first time, told the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA) that about ten small snakes showed up, which the local residents interpret as a blessing for the island.

The snakes are considered harmless and therapeutic, and many claim they have been healed by touching them. When they show up in the churches, they hang off the Virgin's icon, curl up at pews, and are also found lying on the church's main Bible.
http://int.ert.gr/annual-appearance-of-virgin-marys-snakes-brings-tourists-to-cephalonia-island/


 :hmm: And there's me thinking the innocent little things are collected prior to the big day - largely to protect them. Any stray snakes would probably be 'liberated' or crushed underfoot (or under bum).