Miracle? Virgin Mary icon weeps at troubled church

An icon of the Virgin Mary has been discovered weeping at a Greek Orthodox church in Chicago.  

The weeping icon. Visitors from across the USA have made pilgrimages to view it, others have pledged money to keep the church open.

Highlights

By Marshall Connolly (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
9/10/2019 (5 years ago)

Published in Living Faith

Keywords: Virgin Mary, icon, weeping, Holy Trinity, Greek Orthodox, church,

LOS ANGELES, CA (California Network) - An icon of the Virgin Mary appears to be weeping in a Greek Orthodox church in Chicago, IL. A caretaker discovered the weeping icon at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in the Belmont Cragin neighborhood. Thousands of people have flocked to see the apparent miracle. The church is facing bankruptcy proceedings and may be closed as a result. 

Parish priest, Fr. Nicholas W. Jonas, remarked on Facebook, "As I was sitting in my office today, Athena ran in to tell me to come out. Our icon of the Panagia is weeping! We cannot leave this Sacred Space!!!!"

According to reports, the church's caretaker discovered the icon weeping what appears to be oil or some other liquid from the icon's eyes. 

The church is some $8 million in debt, and faces closure due to bankruptcy. A Go Fund Me has only been able to raise about $10,0000 of a $250,000 goal since December.

Since the alleged miracle, pilgrims have been arriving from across the United States. According to the parish council, some people have pledged to mortgage property and to help the church avoid foreclosure. 

Officials are investigating the phenomenon. 

The church will have its next bankruptcy hearing next Tuesday. 
 

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