A miracle that takes place annually in Greece on the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The invasion of snakes - "pilgrims" that do not sting people, and the flowering of dried lilies! Celebration of the Dormition of the Virgin in Greece
Assumption in Greece Holy Mother of God celebrated almost as widely as Easter. In the center of the celebrations is the island of Tinos, and its miraculous icon of the Virgin "Tinos": miraculous healings, volleys from ship cannons, flowers and flags, military bands and religious processions
temple-book
Under the numerous gifts with which the believers decorated the icon in gratitude for the miracles, it is difficult to discern the plot of the icon - the appearance of the Archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary with the good news. Nevertheless, every year on the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, thousands of people flock to the Greek island of Tinos to kneel from the port to the temple and touch the miraculous icon. Probably the very first miracle was the miraculous acquisition of the icon, after which the plague stopped on the island. And today, numerous pilgrims ask to heal them, repent, or bring their gifts, called "tama", in gratitude for the miracle. I will say right away that I personally did not succeed in witnessing anyone's miraculous healing, but I managed to get acquainted with the book of records of miracles at the Annunciation Church. This book contains, for example, an entry by the mayor of Athens, Spyros Merkouris, dated February 7, 1914. The mayor went to the island, suffering from incessant bleeding after an unsuccessful operation he underwent in Vienna. At night, a woman appeared to Spiros and told the sick man to calm down, because he would be delivered from suffering. A week later, the mayor returned to Athens in perfect health. In gratitude for the healing, Spyros Mercuris presented the temple with a lamp. In general, the whole temple is an open “book of miracles”. So a ship with a golden fish is attached to one of the lamps. This lamp was presented to the temple in 1850 by the crew of an unknown ship. During a storm, the ship received a hole below the waterline and began to sink. Frightened to death, the sailors prayed to the Blessed Virgin, and were saved. miraculous rescue explained when the ship arrived at the port. It turned out that a huge fish closed the hole in the hull. And to the right of the entrance is a silver orange tree, decorated with golden fruits. This is a gift from the blind Greek George Lambraki. Hearing about healings through prayers before the miraculous icon, the Greek asked " Holy Virgin give me back my sight, and I will bring you as a gift the first thing I see.” George received his sight, and the first thing he saw was an orange tree in his garden. Then he ordered a silver tree from a jeweler, and presented it as a gift in 1927. Even the churchyard itself is decorated with marble with the money of the Turk Mustafa Agha Kutahiji, a Turkish officer serving in Crete, who was healed of paralysis in 1845.
Donation by check
It is worth noting that the Church of the Annunciation is also known for its charitable activities. The temple has an elected Commission of Stewards that manages all donations. The Chairman of the Commission is the Metropolitan of Syros and Tinos, the other members are laymen. Formally, the commission belongs to the Ministry of Education and Religion, to which it reports on its expenses, each donor receives a check. At the same time, all the sacraments and rites in the temple are performed free of charge. Even during the construction of the temple, in 1827, the temple allocated part of the donated money for social needs: the construction of a port on the island and the first comprehensive schools. It is known that during the Greek War of Liberation, the temple donated all the gold items it had to create a navy and the University of Athens. When pensions did not exist in Greece, the Commission paid pensions to priests and teachers who were unable to work for health reasons. On Tinos, church funds were used for plumbing and electric lighting, the road from the port to the temple was paved with marble, and a hospital was built. The commission still pays expensive operations, emergency needs of hospitals, hemodialysis, built and maintains a nursing home for 45 beds, a summer kindergarten. In addition, the commission maintains an art house with a brass band, schools of Byzantine singing and icon painting. Grants for education and awards are given annually to the best students. Individuals receive one-time or ongoing assistance. Now the Commission supports about 300 poor families by paying their utility bills and bank loans. The church hotel accepts pilgrims for free (with a population of about 30 thousand, the island receives about a million people a year). Most of them come to take part in the Mother of God celebrations. The most solemn of them is the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which the Greeks celebrate on August 15th.
In the morning, cadets of the naval school of cadets, junior officers, line up in front of the temple as a guard of honor. This honor is given to the best in education and combat training.
The leadership of the Naval Forces lays wreaths at the monument to the battleship Elli, which was sunk in the port of Tinos by a Nazi submarine
The history of the icon of the Virgin "Tinos" is closely connected with the national liberation movement of the Greeks
The miraculous finding of the icon coincided with the beginning of the liberation uprising, and its leaders considered it their duty to bow to the shrine
Every year, the festive service is attended not only by naval officers, but also by representatives of the Greek government. This year the Minister of Foreign Affairs was the representative. It's hard to get into the temple.
During the service and the laying of wreaths, the guard patiently waits at the entrance to the temple
A solemn procession leaves the church, the icon is placed on a stretcher carried by officers
The procession goes from the temple on the way to the square on the port embankment
With the help of naval officers, a wide rope of the crowd is turned into a narrow human thread and threaded through the eye of a needle between the ground and a stretcher with an icon
Everyone passing under the icon tries to touch it with his hand or attach some object to the icon.
In general, the organization of the process resembles a visit to Moscow with the belt of the Most Holy Theotokos
The procession is accompanied by the hooting of Africans, accustomed to the vivid expression of their feelings.
Africans follow the procession as a group, sing songs and clap their hands
In the center of the Procession, the Metropolitan of Tinos and Syros with bishops and officials
Two military bands march before the procession
Orchestras play in turn
The orchestras finally meet on the port square, and the conductors have the opportunity to talk
Two warships are also moored here. During the procession, they give long beeps and fire from ship guns.
The area is cordoned off and guarded, but rather symbolically. If desired, both spectators and photographers can move freely
Many spectators gather on the surrounding rooftops. Hospitable Greeks open the doors of their entrances and apartments so that people can climb higher
In many homes, hospitable hosts offer coffee, water, sweets, or a shot of aniseed to random guests.
Volleys of warships and armed sailors delight little altar servers
After the prayer service in the square and the solemn speech of the first persons, the procession returns to the temple in the same order.
People who did not have time to pass under the icon gather under the stairs, along which they will carry the icon
At this time, the celebration begins in the city, numerous guests and, first of all, the gypsies occupy all the tables in the cafe
Guests from Africa with an umbrella trimmed with church cloth with crosses. Icons sewn around the perimeter of the umbrella
The celebrations continue into the evening. When a religious procession passes by their table, the pious Greeks put off their meal and take on the appearance appropriate to the situation.
Kirill MILOVIDOV
Assumption of the Virgin- This is one of the most important religious holidays in Greece, in scale and splendor is not inferior to either Christmas or even Easter. "Kimisi tis Theotoku", or "Decapentaugustos" as it is called in Greece, is celebrated August 15 in every church of the Virgin, whether in the center or in the most remote and smallest village in northern Greece, and even on islands with a permanent population of no more than 50 people!
In general, in Greece, the churches and temples of the Virgin are the most common of all, and therefore this holiday is treated here with special awe and respect.
In general, yes, in general, the celebration scenario is the same everywhere, although each church, of course, has its own characteristics and traditions.
So, from 1 to 15 August in Greece is great post, - in this way the Greeks show their devotion to the Mother of God and prepare themselves for a magnificent celebration . On the day of the Assumption of the Virgin thousands of Greeks go to churches and temples to take communion at the icon, take part in the procession and defend the church service. Traditionally, after the service, all the most interesting begins - a big holiday " panigiri».
Panigiri- this is something like a one-day festival of folk customs and traditions of Greece. Concerts, fairs with national dishes, theatrical performances, games, dances and songs are held on the streets of each village and city - people walk "to the fullest" until the morning. At night, bright fireworks light up the sky, hundreds of candles and garlands decorate the streets and houses, the music does not stop until the morning. In villages, bonfires are often lit or theatrical scenes on biblical themes are played.
The most magnificent celebrations August 15 are held in Cycladic island, where, along with traditional ceremonies and services, a procession on knees is carried out from the center of the capital of the island to the Church of the Virgin (Annunciation). Hundreds of Greeks from different parts of the country come to take part in the celebration on Tinos.
Following Tinos follows island with the temple of Ekatontapyliani in the port of Parikia with a noisy fair, music, dancing and island wine. And in the evening, the bay of the village of Naousa is illuminated by dozens of boats with lit torches and festive fireworks.
A big holiday is taking place on island. True, it does not begin on August 15, but on August 19 and lasts for 6 whole days. During this period, the Monastery of Faneromenis is visited by hundreds of pilgrims from all over Greece, just watching the holiday, or helping to organize events and festivals.
Others important places of celebration Assumption of the Virgin are the temple of Panagia Sumela in , the Holy Monastery of the Virgin in village Castagna at the foot of Mount Vermio, temples of the Virgin in, villages, regions and northern Greece.
Concerning Greek islands , then you should definitely visit the temple of the Virgin in the village of Ayaso on, the village of Olympos on
August 15 in Greece - the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - one of the three largest holidays of Greek Orthodoxy, celebrated everywhere and having the richest centuries-old traditions. This day is called here "Summer Easter".
Much has already been written about this bright holiday, and about the miracles that accompany it, but nevertheless, much remains unsaid, surprising and unknown.
In the history of any state, there are facts that at one time, for various political or other reasons, they tried to hush up and cover up, and then they were lost in the avalanche of events that followed them, much larger and more catastrophic.
So, in Greece it is known to everyone, young and old, that their country has entered II world war October 28, 1940 - famous, now celebrated as Public Holiday, the day of "Οχι", when the ruler of Hellas, Ioannis Metaxas, responded with a decisive refusal to the terms of the Italian ultimatum.
But, I think, even for some of the Hellenes, especially young ones, it can be a revelation that the events of the Second World War, which was already blazing in Europe with might and main, reached Greece much earlier, namely, on August 15, the same 1940.
By this time, Italy, an ally of fascist Germany, had already dominated the Mediterranean, and the "queen of the seas" Britain, which traditionally dominated this region, experienced daily destructive German air raids on its territory, fearing an amphibious assault, kept most of the fleet closer to its native shores and did not could resist the Italians here.
The Greek navy then existed in its infancy, was very small in number and, carrying out only border patrols of its coasts, could not pose any practical threat.
Nevertheless, a prominent member of the Fascist Party of Italy, the governor and commander-in-chief of the operation in this region, Cesare Maria de Vechi, with the knowledge of Benito Mussolini, gives the commander of the Italian submarine "Delfino" J. Aicardi a secret order to secretly attack any ships in the region of the Greek islands of Tinos, Syros, Leros with further blocking of the passage of ships through the Corinth Canal.
On August 14, the Delfino left the naval base on Leros, and by the morning of the 15th, it secretly approached the port of the island of Tinos, a place deeply revered by all Orthodox Christians in the country for the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary "Megalochari".
Initially, the submarine commander had the intention to attack passenger ships"Elsie" and "Esperos", going with numerous pilgrims to the island to celebrate the Assumption of the Virgin. Such an attack could lead to huge civilian casualties, but Aicardi saw through the periscope the light Greek cruiser Elli arriving at the port of Tinos, which also came to the island to celebrate the Great Day of the Virgin Mary. The halo of a major military victory prevailed over the joy of easy prey in the head of the Italian captain.
And on the embankment a procession was already gathering with the miraculous icon of the Virgin for the procession.
At 8:25 a.m., the boat fired three torpedoes in the direction of the cruiser, one of which hit the target, and the other two exploded on the embankment. Fuel tanks caught fire on the Greek cruiser and, despite the best efforts of the crew, she sank an hour later. As a result of this attack, 9 Greek sailors were killed and 24 people were injured.
On the shore, except for one dead woman, there were no other victims.
"Delfino" immediately secretly headed for Syros, but not finding worthy targets there, went home, and soon the secret mission of the submarine was canceled by the Italian authorities for fear of an international scandal, because Greece at that time still maintained neutrality and participation in hostilities did not accept.
Much later, the blame for this attack was laid on the commander-in-chief of the Italians, de Vecky, accusing him of giving an unauthorized order.
Nevertheless, even then, despite all the secrecy of the attack, Greek divers established that the torpedo belonged to an Italian submarine. But the government of I. Metaxas also preferred to keep this secret in the strictest confidence for fear of a military response from Italy and a violation of its neutrality.
And in the Greek press, this information was published only on October 30, 1940, two days after that very day of "Οχι". Thus, it was not possible to avoid participation in the Greek war, even hiding the fact of the attack.
In 1950, as reparations for losing the war, Italy gave Greece its light cruiser "Prince Eugene of Savoy", which was in honor of the ship sunk off the coast of Tinos on the Day of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, renamed by the Greeks "Elli". Since 1951, under the Greek flag, he was part of the naval forces of Hellas.
And the ship, torpedoed on August 15, 1940, miraculously changed the goal of the Italians, took on fire, which made it possible to avoid monstrous casualties among the pilgrims and the inhabitants of the island, was raised to the surface and, unfortunately, cut into scrap metal. But the remains of the Italian torpedo are still on display at the Naval Museum of Piraeus.
So, sometimes, in an incomprehensible way, political and religious events echo in life. And, celebrating this bright holiday in the life of every true Christian, it is also worth remembering the Greek sailors who died for the sake of foreign interests and ambitions, and the fact that only the Most Holy Theotokos saved then a crowd of thousands of residents and pilgrims from terrible victims.
Joyful Feast of the Assumption and a peaceful sky, dear readers!
About a little-known historical factEkaterina Aravani told
In the eastern part of Kefalonia (Island in the Ionian Sea), not far from the village of Markopoulo, there is a small church dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Here, for many years, something unusual has been happening every year on the feast of the Assumption. Since the Transfiguration, snakes appear inside and outside the temple. The locals call them snakes of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Previously, in previous years, the number of snakes increased every day, and on the eve of the Assumption, they filled the entire district. These days, the inhabitants of Markopulo walk along the ravine, on the slope of which the church is located, and collect snakes to bring them to the Most Holy Theotokos. Where the snakes come from and where they disappear after the holiday, no one knows. To this day, it remains a great mystery to everyone.
The Dormition of the Mother of God is called the second Easter here. August is the month of the Virgin. The inhabitants of the village of Markupolo, of which there are no more than 30, have been helping in the temple since the very morning. In line, pilgrims from all over the world who want to see the miracle barely fit in the small square near the church.
During the all-night vigil, snakes crawl freely among people - along the stasidia, lecterns, without being afraid of anyone. “If a snake crawls into your bosom,” the villagers warn pilgrims or tourists, “do not be afraid! By the grace of the Most Holy Lady of the Mother of God, snakes will not cause you any harm. Pick them up and they will lick your fingers like kittens.
Indeed, incredible things happen during the service: snakes, like bracelets, wrap around the hands of believers, crawl over the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos and the Crucifixion, over the bread prepared for the litia. The snake can even crawl onto the Gospel, which is read at the Liturgy. Snakes, as representatives of the animal kingdom, celebrate together with Christians, reminding them of the Garden of Eden, in which primitive people lived with animals as a single family. At the end of the holiday, the snakes also leave.
German scientists investigated these snakes, but could not attribute them to any of the known species. They are gray and thin. In length, they do not exceed one meter, their skin is velvety. They have a cross on their head, as well as on the tip of the tongue.
If in any of the years snakes did not appear, this was always a bad omen. So it was in 1940 and 1953, when strong earthquakes occurred on the island.
The island of Kefalonia is called the “Island of Miracles”, since it is here that miracles known throughout the Orthodox world take place on the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. On this day, poisonous snakes miraculously crawl to the Church of the Assumption of the Most Holy Theotokos to Her miraculous icon of Panagia Fedus, in the village of Markopulo, to glorify the Mother of God together with all believers.
Every year on the eve of the Assumption of the Mother of God, a small earthquake (3-4 points) occurs on the island, and on the very day of the holiday it rains, which at this time of the year a rarity. But this is not the main miracle, but its harbinger. On the day of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, the Kefalonians bring white lilies to the temple, similar to the one with which the Archangel Gabriel appeared to Her. These flowers are put into the kiot of the icon of the Mother of God "Panagia-Krini", where they remain without water until the feast of the Assumption of the Virgin. And here a marvelous thing happens: pale white flowers bloom on dry, heat-cracked stems of lilies - and this is five months after they were cut! On the feast of the Assumption of the Mother of God, after the Liturgy, a prayer service is served in the church, flowers are blessed and distributed to the faithful who came to the church that day. These dry stems of lilies are like our souls, withered from unbelief and doubt. The snow-white flower, as it were, reminds us that nothing is impossible for God and that our soul, mired in sins, can also blossom and be illuminated by the grace of God.
It should be noted that lilies are biblical flowers. In the Gospel of Matthew, the Lord Himself testifies to this: “Look at the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither work nor spin; but I tell you that even Solomon in all his glory did not dress like one of them” (Matthew 6:29).
And in another temple on this day, near Her miraculous icon of Panagia Krini, living lilies bloom again on the dried stems of flowers that believers bring to the feast of the Annunciation. In one of the monasteries on this island, the right foot of the holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called is kept.
Pilgrims also visit the monastery of St. Gerasimos of Kefalonia, who labored on the island in the 16th century. This saint is the heavenly patron not only of the island of Kefalonia itself, but of all the Ionian Islands. The veneration of St. Gerasimos can be compared with the veneration of St. Seraphim of Sarov both in Russia and in Greece. 
Kefalonia is the most big Island ionian sea, has an area of 737 sq. km., located between the islands of Zakynthos and Lefkada. Kefalonia is the first point on the way to Italy, and, accordingly, has always been of interest to those travelers who want to follow the path of the legendary Odysseus, as well as just get acquainted with the beauties of the Aegean Sea. The island seems to rise from the sea, gradually appearing on the horizon. First, the traveler sees the Aenos mountain range, surrounded by black pines, and then the island itself appears - endless bays and luxurious beaches surrounded by the dark blue waters of the Aegean Sea. It is an island full of secrets, contrasts and surprises, derived from its geological structure and the peculiar nature of its inhabitants. The inhabitants of Kefalonia travel a lot, they are strong, active and practical people, combining softness and rudeness, courtesy and cheeky humor, they are very hospitable people, who once won their favor will always feel at home here.
Argostili - the capital of the island - modern city with a rich cultural heritage. Among the most significant geological phenomena is the Melissani Cave, an underground lake with wild pigeons flying out from there as soon as the sun's rays penetrate through wide openings. Another attraction is the Drogarati cave with red stalagmites and stalactites. A strange sight can be seen in Argostili - this is the cave of Agia Theodori, where huge quantities sea water come to the ground and disappear in the earth's crevices in order to reappear after passing 17 km underground, in Sami in Lake Melissani. In the north of the island, in Paliki, there is another interesting phenomenon - Kunopetra - a rhythmically swaying rock ...
Flowers and fruit trees cover the island, filling it with exceptional aromas. Many birds live here: ducks, herons and swans, which usually nest in the Livadi Bay in Lixouri and in the Koutavas Lagoon in Argostili. On south coast islands, the famous tortoise Caretta-Caretta lays its eggs, and in northern cliffs Mediterranean seals live.
Story.
Kefalonia, as well as Ithaca, Zakynthos and Lefkada, flourished during the Mycenaean period, when the inhabitants of these islands traveled extensively. In the classical era, Kefalonia was divided into 4 administrative districts(today it is Krani, Sami, Pali and Proni) named after the four sons of the hero Kefalos, whose name the island began to bear. During the Dorian period, the wars continued, as a result of which many fortifications were erected on the island. During the Byzantine period, exorbitant taxes were imposed on the inhabitants of the island, and at the same time the island was constantly attacked by pirates. During the Norman Conquest, Kefalonia was designated administrative center. After the French and Venetian occupation, the island was taken over by the Turks, causing terrible destruction. The Venetian rule was characterized by the emergence of class differences, which became an important milestone in the history of the island, starting from 1500. From that time until 1797, Kefalonia became an important strategic point for the Venetian fleet. In 1757 the capital was moved to the city of Argostili. Since then, the island has passed to the French, who were met here as liberators. Despite the unrest and the conquest of the island, Kefalonia began to develop rapidly economically and intellectually. After some time, Kefalonia went to the Turks. Since 1809, British rule has been established. The famous Drapanos stone bridge connecting Argostili with the opposite bank was built in 1813. In 1815, a treaty was signed under which the island came under British protection. Kefalonia, along with some other Ionian islands, was annexed to Greece in 1864. Over time, after numerous conquests, the Ionian Islands have accumulated a huge historical heritage, after which many historians began to call them the "Civilization of the Seven Islands". This fact left its mark on the characters of the people living on these islands.
Kefalonia is the island of St. Apostle Paul! In 59, a Roman ship was carrying St. Apostle Paul from Caesarea to Rome for trial, on the way they were overtaken by a storm near Malta, where St. the apostle stayed three months. At this point, we should pause and turn our attention.
On about. Kefalonia there are two temples, from the Byzantine period, in honor of St. Apostle Paul! (according to the Greek tradition, temples and monasteries have several names 1 - official - canonical, 2 - folk in honor of some historical event, and the folk name also tends to change over time) despite their many centuries of history, temples have never changed their original name , and even on the territory of western Greece, these are the only ancient temples in honor of St. apostle Paul. The very location of the temples on the island already speaks volumes! One temple is located in Pessada, the place where the center of the preaching of the apostle was, the second temple is located on the site where in ancient times there was a port from which ships sailed to modern Italy.
The Synod of the Church of Greece in 2000 officially ranked the Church of Kefalonia among the churches founded by St. apostle Paul.
In Kefalonia, the Grace of God and piety has never ceased since apostolic times: an example of this is the many churches and holy monasteries in which miracles and inexplicable phenomena for today's science take place!
Monastery of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, or Fidetis.
In the east of Kefalonia there is a small nunnery, its appearance is associated with the miracle of finding the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos. Somehow, the inhabitants of the nearest village saw that the forest was burning in their immediate vicinity. When the alarmed residents came to fight the fire, they saw only one burnt tree. And under it was the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos absolutely untouched by fire. With great reverence they endured St. the image to his village church, but the next morning the icon was not in it. She was found again in the same place under a burnt tree, after some time a temple was built there, and cells began to appear near it, and so a convent was formed!
Many miracles happened from St. image, but the most impressive thing for everyone, both believer and non-believer, is the miracle associated with snakes! The nuns of the monastery, seeing the approaching danger in the face of pirates who wanted to rob and abuse the defenseless nuns, then the sisters of St. the monastery in a prayer petition turned to their Intercessor of the Most Holy Theotokos, the pirates approached the monastery and stumbled upon the formidable defenders of the monastery - they were snakes! Until today, every year on the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, snakes appear in the monastery. No one knows where they hide all year round, where they crawl out from and where they go later, they crawl everywhere and even on pilgrims who have come. As they say locals these are the snakes of the Most Holy Theotokos, and if they crawl on you, do not be afraid! You can pick them up and they will lick your hands like kittens! So every year the Most Holy Theotokos glorifies Her monastery and humble nuns!
Monastery of the Holy Mother of God Koronatu or Dakrygusas.
At the end of the 15th century, noble blood Leon Polikalas moved from the Peloponnese region of Koroni to Kefalonia. He brought with him the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, which was left with honors in the temple for general worship, and there she was until a strong earthquake destroyed the temple. A century later, a shepherd from a nearby settlement miraculously found St. an icon hanging on a tree in a dazzling radiance!
Several times the image of the Most Holy Theotokos disappeared from his house and ended up at the place of acquisition, after which the shepherd had to tell his fellow villagers about what had happened, and after some time a temple was built on this place again!
Gradually, over time, monastic cells began to appear near the temple, thanks to the labors and cares of the inhabitants, the monastery turned into an oasis of the soul and spiritual!
The monastery celebrates three times:
August 15 - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
January 23 - Holy Mother of God Koronatu or Dakrygusas, salvation of the monastery from the earthquake in 1967
July 2 - Blachernae icon of the Most Holy Theotokos (icon of the Virgin Robe of Isaiah) The Athos charter is preserved in the monastery.
Holy monastery Kipureon
The place on which today's monastery stands has always been holy, hermit monks labored here. If you point your feet here, you will understand why! The nature of this place itself makes you think about eternity. The temple in honor of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos was built in 1759, at the time of its heyday the brethren consisted of 80 people. The history of the monastery of the 20th century is unfortunately very tragic, so by mistake in 1915 the monastery was fired upon by a French cruiser, causing great destruction. The earthquake of 1953 destroyed almost all the buildings. But despite this, in 1964 the temple was restored, and in the 90s the buildings were rebuilt.
Great Orthodox shrines are kept in the holy monastery, the heads of the founders of the monastery of St. Chrysantha, St. Constantine and St. Euphrosyne, the miraculous icon of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, near which everyone who asks receives the Blessing of the Mother of God, a particle of the Cross of the Lord - which was donated to the monastery by Vladimir Dolgoruky in 1862. Myrrh with the relics of St. Demetrius of Thessalonica, miraculous icon of St. Paraskeva, and particles of the holy saints of God!
Holy Monastery of the Most Holy Theotokos Sision.
The monastery was founded in the 13th century by Francis of Assisia.
Initially, the monastery was subordinate to the Latin bishopric of the island of Kefalonia. During the Middle Ages, Orthodox monks also appeared in the monastery, in subsequent centuries the monastery became completely Orthodox. The miraculous icon of the Most Holy Theotokos Sision of the 15th century is kept in the monastery. The altar icons of the temple represent a large cultural heritage the edges.
Temple Leading to the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The gilded dome is not a single attraction; the coffin and a particle of the relics of St. Martyr Patriarch Gregory 5 of Constantinople, who was hanged by the Turks on April 10, 1821 on the greatest feast of Easter, on the gates of the temple, which remain closed to this day in memory of St. patriarch. The quiet and cozy temple disposes those who come to prayerful contemplation.
Church of St. Paraskeva, Metochion of the Monastery of the Holy Mother of God Koronatu or Dakrygusas.
At the temple there are cells for the nuns of the monastery. The miraculous icon of St. Paraskeva, a huge collection of particles of relics, also the relics of the newly-appeared Saint Panag 1801 - 1888. nun Agathia worked very hard collecting everything related to the saint, and when there was a meeting on the issue of glorification to the saints, the materials collected by nun Agathia greatly accelerated this process.
Monastery – Saint Gerasimos
From the first centuries of Christianity near Mount Omalon in a beautiful valley there was a monastery with the name of Holy Jerusalem, during the Middle Ages it ceased to exist, what was the reason for this, we do not know. But the Lord does not leave those places where the righteous served Him, so in 1560 the monk Gerasimos came here. He came from a noble Byzantine family, which was related to the Palaiologos family. After St. Gerasimos received higher education that time, he went to Constantinople, Athos, Crete and the island of Zakynthos. After his journey, St. Gerasimos came to the island of Kefalonia in the region of Lassi in 1555 and asceticised in a cave, in which today there is a small temple. After 5 years, the Lord brought His saint to the site of the former ancient monastery, so that the place would be glorified again and the Grace of God would spread. Here St. Gerasimos not only saved his soul, but also taught people to preserve Orthodoxy from the violence of Catholic domination on the island, taught children to read and write, planting plane trees and caring for the place.
In 1579 Saint Gerasimos reposed in the Lord, and in 1622 the patriarchal synod glorified him among the saints.
The relics of the saint are kept in the monastery church, where miracles often occur.
From the monastery there is an entrance to the cave where St. Gerasimos. Everyone can enter there, but the entrance is very narrow, you have to literally crawl through it. It is here that a miracle happens: anyone who wants to can fit in the passage, and no one has yet gotten dirty from the earth and dust at the entrance to the cave.
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