Holy snakes of Virgin Mary (The miracle) [2/2]

The phenomenon of the Holy Snakes of the Virgin Mary has been occurring for centuries during the festivities to the Theotokos between August 5 and August 15 in the village of Markopoulo on the island of Kefalonia, Greece. The small black snakes appear at the church of Panagia of Langouvarda on the site of a monastery, established as a nunnery and dedicated to Our Lady of Langouvarda.

The myth about these snakes is attached to the year the monastery was attacked by pirates in 1705. The nuns prayed fervently to the Virgin Mary for protection and were subsequently transformed into the snakes to avoid being taken as prisoners.

The snakes have a small cross on their head and their tongues are also in the shape of a cross. They are known to belong to the Telescopus fallax species, also known as the European Cat Snake, and they appear in and around the courtyard of the church, on the walls and on the bell tower. The snakes show no fear while the services are held and are harmless during the festivities. As soon as the Liturgy concludes on the 15th of August, they become hostile and aggressive and disappear back into the wilderness of the area. The snakes cannot be found until the following year.

The inhabitants of the villages consider them to be holy, collecting them and setting them on the silver icon of the Virgin of the Snakes (Panagia Fidoussa). It has been documented by the locals that during World War II and the year of the island's destructive 1953 earthquake in August, the snakes failed to appear. The locals now use this as a sign that if the snakes do not show just before the 15th of August that something bad is imminent.

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• Markopoulo

[Fantezism]

How can this NOT be a miracle? l guess people are so selfish that if they aren't physically healed or guaranteed salvation they just won't believe a miracle when they see it. How can I believe that these animals are from God? Well, aren't ALL animals from God? Where's Christ? He's right there, in the church and the snakes seem to be worshiping Him. The snake once showed men the way out from Heaven; nowadays they are showing men the way back to Heaven. It's a miracle, whether you like it or not.

[aresnikoff]

Mark 16:17-18 (King James Version) 17And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

[mishakol129]

At 3:30-45, when the lady said "whoever finds the snakes first will have good fortune for him and his family", I find that to be crossing into obvious superstition.

I mean, that like saying Jesus or the Virgin Mary doesn't bless all things, but just finding snake can bless you.

Just an observation, no offense to the lady.

[SimoPepi11]

Oh,Lord ! How can this be a miracle? Is somebody healed or delivered? How can you believe,that this animals can be from God ? Where is Jesus Christ ?

[zeljunko]

slava Bogu na visini....

[pettervaxjo]

@aresnikoff

yeah, I thougth of that word too :D

[GRIMJOHNTV]

@ChristTrip well its lilith actually but they appear only one time per year

[Spartakos9]

The chants in Western Greece were influenced by the harmony of the music of Italy in the 19th Century, but polyphony is still frowned upon by classical chanters who are most likely to make recordings.

[ChristTrip]

The snakes, isnt that satan?

[vasiacelica]

@MrQwester of course you know that Eve' s snake was just a symbol. Read the Old Tetsimony and learn what was the real reason that Eve and Adam were forced to leane paradise