May 1, 2016
A Greek Orthodox Church in suburban Chicago has become a destination for religious miracle seekers due to a remarkable icon that 'weeps' oil.
The painting of Saint John the Baptist began emitting the fragrant substance, which some believe to be myrrh, since last July.
Visits to the site to see the icon have increased exponentially as word of the anomaly spread, especially in light of the church's unique method for collecting the oil.
Each week, all of the oil that is accumulated at the bottom of the painting is then imbued into cotton balls which are given out to people who come to see the mysterious icon.
So far, an astounding 5,000 cotton balls have been distributed to parishioners hoping that the mysterious oil will prove to be miraculous.
That just may be the case, as a select handful of people who have encountered the oil have reported having their ailments disappear following the visit.
Unlike many similar cases of 'weeping' religious icons, the painting exudes oil from a number of different locations except for Saint John's eyes.
According the research of Bishop Demetrios, who presides over the church, this particular affectation is a sign of joy and not sadness.
While there is likely a natural cause for the strange occurrence, church officials are reticent to outright acknowledge that possibility, since they see the 'weeping' icon as a blessing for their congregation, regardless of how it may be happening.
Source: Chicago Tribune
A Greek Orthodox Church in suburban Chicago has become a destination for religious miracle seekers due to a remarkable icon that 'weeps' oil.
The painting of Saint John the Baptist began emitting the fragrant substance, which some believe to be myrrh, since last July.
Visits to the site to see the icon have increased exponentially as word of the anomaly spread, especially in light of the church's unique method for collecting the oil.
Each week, all of the oil that is accumulated at the bottom of the painting is then imbued into cotton balls which are given out to people who come to see the mysterious icon.
So far, an astounding 5,000 cotton balls have been distributed to parishioners hoping that the mysterious oil will prove to be miraculous.
That just may be the case, as a select handful of people who have encountered the oil have reported having their ailments disappear following the visit.
Unlike many similar cases of 'weeping' religious icons, the painting exudes oil from a number of different locations except for Saint John's eyes.
According the research of Bishop Demetrios, who presides over the church, this particular affectation is a sign of joy and not sadness.
While there is likely a natural cause for the strange occurrence, church officials are reticent to outright acknowledge that possibility, since they see the 'weeping' icon as a blessing for their congregation, regardless of how it may be happening.
Source: Chicago Tribune