The snakes of the Virgin Mary have made their annual appearance again in a church on the island of Kefalonia, Newsbreakgr reported.
The snakes appeared later than usual, as they are usually seen on the Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
According to the media outlet, one snake was found at the Church of Panagia Lagouvarda in the village of Markopoulo. The other was found a little while later by local residents. Immediately the village bells rang joyfully.
The small snakes which are friendly to people have a characteristic soft skin and the shape of a cross adorning their backs.
Thousands of faithful pilgrims usually flock to the villages every year to observe the miracle snakes of Panagia that seem to appear from out of nowhere and disappear again after the feast of the Dormition.
The snakes crawl throughout the churches and around the icons of Our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary.
The Church of Panagia Lagouvarda or Panagia Fidousa is the most well-known church of Kefalonia, built on the ruins of an old monastery.
According to history, the snakes of the Virgin Mary have failed to appear twice. The first time in 1940, shortly before the outbreak of World War II and the second time in August 1953, when Kefalonia suffered a tremendously destructive earthquake. Thus, it is believed to be ominous if the snakes do not appear.
