Tinos Miraculous Icon
The Church of Panagia Evangelistria is one of the most important religious monuments in all of Greece. It was built in 1823 by the Smyrniot architect Efstratiou to house the miraculous icon of the Holy Virgin. It is an impressive building created using the most expensive marble from Tinos, Paros and Delos. Located at the end of a broad road that starts from the waterfront and ends up at its lovely pebbled courtyard, it is surrounded by offices, chapels, and museums.
The discovery of the icon
In June 1822, Pelagia, a nun from the convent of Kechrovouni had visions of the Holy Virgin for three consecutive weeks, who told her how much she had suffered after being buried underground for many years. According to the legend, the nun was instructed by the Virgin Mary to inform the elders of Tinos to begin digging up a piece of land where they would find a sacred icon. Excavations began in September 1822, with the icon finally being found in January 1823. These excavations also brought to light the ruined temple of Saint John the Baptist along with the ancient temple of Dionysos.
The icon of Panagia Evangelistria is a beautiful depiction of the Virgin Mary kneeling with her head bent in prayer. Scholars say that the icon dates before the Byzantine Period and was probably the work of the Apostle Saint Luke. It was a sacred icon of the Byzantine church and was either lost or hidden during the Muslim invasions. Today, it is adorned with stunning jewels that are mostly sent by devout people who have been blessed with a miracle.
Once the icon was discovered, work on the church began. Even before the church was completed, pilgrims from across Greece were pouring in to catch a glimpse of the icon and worship it. Many reports of miraculous healings increased the fame of the church, which is today one of the most venerated and respected religious sites in the country. Four major festivals are held at this shrine, each celebrating an important moment in its history; the Anniversary of the finding of the icon on January 30th, the Annunciation of the Virgin on March 25th, the Anniversary of the nun Pelagia on July 23rd, and the day of the Assumption of Mary on August 15th.
The miracles
Countless miracles have taken place here, so estimating the ones that have not been officially recorded is almost impossible.
• The icon's cover
The first recorded miracle talks of an unknown material that covered the icon. It was silky and glasslike and looked like it was made of earth and water. It protected the icon, acting like a shield through the ages, keeping it untouched. It is said that the man who uncovered the icon took some of the solid matter along with holy water and when he wiped it on his plague-infected son, it cured him instantly.
• The Elimination of the Plague
Many people believe that the plague was eliminated right after the icon was discovered and attribute it to its miraculous workings.
• One hundred coins
A lack of funds plagued the construction of the Church of Panagia Evangelistria in 1823, effectively leaving it half-finished. Around the same time, an English ship carrying the vice-consul of England, Eric Flick, arrived at the port of Tinos. When the ship anchored, a terrible storm suddenly started that threatened to drown it and its crew members. It is said that the captain of the ship turned his eyes to the half-built church, calling for the Virgin Mary's help and promising to offer a hundred coins. Miraculously, the ship escaped unharmed and the English Captain gave one hundred coins to the commission of the church to keep his promise.
• A child was healed
One account says that there was a woman from Mytilini named Mary, whose child suffered from a strange and incurable disease. After many expensive procedures and much suffering, Mary decided to ask the Virgin for her help. It is said that the child immediately vomited and out came an octopus-shaped flesh. After this, the child was healed forever.
• The Fishbone
Captain Sclavounos had a fishbone stuck in his throat for two consecutive years. With time his throat got infected, causing him great pain and displeasure. When he heard about the miraculous icon, he immediately went to the site of the church, praying for relief from his torture. Upon finishing his prayers, he started having a violent coughing fit, which got the fishbone out.
• A crippled man was healed
Dimitrios Xenos from Moldova was left crippled after freezing one cold night. He was sent to the church of the Virgin Mary where he stayed at the temple of Zoodochos Pigi, remaining there as an inmate for four months. On Easter Day, he heard a voice calling out to him in his sleep asking him to stand up. He not only stood up but also walked, much to the surprise of the people around him.
• Faith beyond medicine
Panagiota Nazaou from Falatados had an incurable wound. Her condition worsened so much that the wound developed into gangrene and the doctors were ready to amputate her leg. That was until she turned to the Virgin Mary and was instantly healed. She would go on to become a nun in the monastery of Kechrovouni.
• The fountain of Mustafa Aga
On the way to the church, you can see a marble fountain to the right of the yard. It is the offering of a Turk, Mustafa Aga who was crippled but was cured by the Virgin.
• The orange tree
A rich Greek American who was blind asked the Virgin for her healing, promising to offer whatever he saw first if his prayers were answered. He did get his sight back and the first thing he saw was an orange tree. He contributed a silver orange tree that you will see over the right candle counter of the church.
