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Friday, September 14, 2007

A STOP-OVER AT TINOS

Every August pilgrims flock to the island of Tinos to visit the Church of Panagia Evangelistria where there is a miraculous icon that is said to have healing powers. The infirm and disabled pilgrims or those seeking supplication, crawl all the way up the hill on a strip of carpet that leads up the many steps into the Church. While we were visiting inside, there was one lady who had obviously crawled up, the purpose being to kiss the miraculous icon and ask for healing. The icon itself is nothing too remarkable, quite small and covered with gems (whether real or replaced by fake who knows?) It's basically a form of faith healing. Whether it works or not I can't say. The inside of the church is hung with silver votives from supplicants or from sailors as many are in the shape of ships. Votives are a form of relic worship that goes back to ancient times in Greece.

VOTIVE CANDLES FOR SALE



This is a monument honoring the supplicants that stands along the roadway on the way up the hill to the Church.
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