The “miracle snakes” of the Virgin Mary are an annual tradition or miracle that goes back centuries on the island of Kefalonia, Greece.
The snakes were said to appear at the Virgin Mary of Lagouvarda Church in the village of Markopoulo just days before the Feast of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary on August 15th. Nowadays, snakes are also taken by pilgrims to the church in bags or jars and deposited in the church near the silver icon of Panagia.
The church is also called “Panagia Fidousa,” meaning “Panagia of the Snakes” by the local people.
The appearance of snakes on the icon of the Virgin Mary in Markopoulo has a distant origin, linked to miraculous events handed down orally. There are therefore slightly different versions of the legend, all however full of that mysticism and attachment to traditional values that characterize authentic Kefalonia.
Miracle snakes in Kefalonia
The snakes are small and gray, measuring no longer than one meter (3.3 feet). They appear annually in the church, especially around the icon of the Panagia.
Unlike most snakes, their skin is velvety and their heads, like the tip of their tongues, form a small cross. They are known to be unafraid of humans and are considered friendly.
Locals eagerly await the emergence of the snakes every year, and tradition dictates that if they do not show up, something unfortunate will happen.
The “Snakes of the Virgin Mary” have failed to appear only twice: The first time was in August of 1940, shortly before the outbreak of World War II, and the second time was in August 1953, when Kefalonia suffered a tremendously destructive earthquake.
According to tradition, in 1200 AD, pirates raided the island and tried to take over a convent full of nuns. Innumerable snakes then appeared, entangling the bodies of the pirates and forming a wall between them and the convent. Understandably, the pirates panicked and fled after this occurrence.
Every year since that time, the “Snakes of Our Lady” have made a miraculous appearance every August.
The faithful are invited to visit the Virgin Mary of Lagouvarda Church in Markopoulo every August to worship as well as to view and even touch the snakes, which are allowed to move freely inside the church.
If according to the Christian tradition, the snake symbolizes temptation and sin, in ancient Greece, it was a symbol of regeneration and healing.
It doesn’t matter if the appearance of snakes may have a scientific motivation, in Markopoulo pre-Christian spirituality blends with Orthodox religiosity to create a traditional event that enchants and fascinates and still today attracts hundreds of pilgrims and, why not, travelers interested in discovering the island in its most authentic and characteristic aspects.
