The snakes of the Theotokos have finally appeared

The icon of the Theotokos with the snakes, depicted over her church in Markopoulos (source)

   

According to the news site Agoritikovima, the snakes of the Panagia have finally appeared in the village of Arginia on August 11th, 2014.

The snakes, which are harmless and have the sign of the cross on their heads, are seen as a blessing for the people of the island. They usually appear on the eve of the Transfiguration (August 5th) and are seen among the people and in the church climbing over the icons until August 15th, when they promptly disappear until the following year.

There have been years when the snakes do not appear, and this usually has coincided with some form of natural (e.g. earthquakes) or man-made disaster (e.g. war).

For more on the snakes of the Panagia in general, see here.

May we all continue to repent and turn to the Lord while we still can! May the All-holy Theotokos protect all those in trials, sickness, dangers and temptations of all kinds, throughout the world!

   

Most-holy Theotokos, save us!