"Snakes of Virgin Mary" again appear in Kefalonia churches before Dormition

Warm-blooded snakes on the island of Kefalonia. Collage: UOJ

On the Greek island of Kefalonia, small snakes have returned to the churches ahead of the Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God. These reptiles crawl in annually during the feast period, attracting thousands of pilgrims from around the world, reports the UOJ in the USA.

The current appearance of the so-called "holy snakes of the Virgin Mary" was recorded at the Church of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos (Panagia Lagouvarda) near the village of Markopoulo. According to local Orthodox tradition, these small reptiles come to the churches every year during the celebration of the Transfiguration of the Lord, which falls on August 6 according to the new calendar, and remain there until the feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, celebrated on August 15.

During the festal services, the snakes show absolutely no fear of the people present and move freely among the faithful who fill the church. They crawl over church furniture, various utensils, and icons, displaying no fear of people whatsoever. Pilgrims who travel to the island each year to take part in the Dormition celebrations describe the reptiles as creatures with very soft skin and a distinct cross-shaped pattern on their backs.

The local tradition, dating back to the 18th century, connects the regular appearance of the snakes with the miraculous deliverance of an ancient monastery from a pirate raid. According to the legend, when bandits attacked the village, the nuns of the old monastery prayed fervently to the Most Holy Theotokos for salvation, after which snakes appeared in the monastery and drove the pirates away. The present Church of Panagia Langouvarда, also known as Panagia Fidousa, is built directly on the ruins of that historic women's monastery.

The annual appearance and subsequent disappearance of these reptiles remains an unsolved mystery to this day. Local tradition offers no explanation as to where they come from before the feasts or where they vanish immediately after the Dormition celebrations end.

As the UOJ previously reported, scientists will study the "miracle of warm-blooded snakes" on the island of Kefalonia.

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