‘IT’S A MIRACLE’
God-fearing worshippers flock to see ‘crying’ Virgin Mary painting in ‘bankrupt’ church in Chicago
GOD-FEARING worshippers have been flocking to see a crying Virgin Mary at a bankrupt Chicago church.
A caretaker at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church first spotted what appeared to be tears pouring out of the eyes of the Mother of Christ on an icon.
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Since then the devoted across the Windy City have been breezing into the chapel to look at the weeping Madonna.
The custodian was preparing what could have been one of the final services at the place of worship that was just days away from foreclosing after falling in financially hard times.
But the doors have remained open at the church after it avoided fiscal damnation following the influx of the faithful.
Father Nick Jonas told : "There's something she's trying to tell us, so we're just going to seal our lips and listen to what she has to say.
"I can't explain why she is tearing, but I do know as human beings we are usually crying for two reasons: either joy or sorrow.”
THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY What to do when you find a weeping icon
THE Greek Orthodox Church has said in a statement that if a church icon appears to be weeping, there is as protocol that is supposed to be followed, but in this case was not.
They said: “In such cases, Orthodox clergy know to immediately inform their bishop so that he may take appropriate steps to discern the nature of the phenomenon.
“When similar events were discovered in the Metropolis in the past, such news was not shared until months later in order to discern that what was observed was truly a sign from God.
“Unfortunately, appropriate discernment was not used in this particular instance, and an announcement was hastily posted on Facebook, which subsequently led to negative public attention.”
The Church has now asked the parish for temporary possession of the icon.
After a period of prayer and examination, the icon will be returned and the church will issue an official statement about what had been observed.
Many have come to believe the oil like substance streaming from the Our Lady’s eyes may have healing properties.
A steady stream of visitors has been viewing the icon with about 300 people on Sunday, according, and even more Monday, according to the church secretary.
A nun even made a pilgrimage from California see the tearful Mary in person.
Mother Angelina said: “It's the type of thing you never forget and I always will be inspired by it.”
The could-be-miracle has granted the church a stay of execution as officials investigate the phenomenon.
The church said a bank rejected a loan request after the church was not able to secure £1.3 million in pledges in an effort to save it.
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Another buyer has offered £2 million for the church, but that still means the community that worships there will need to find a new home.
They need roughly another £800,000 to buy the church from the bank, and fundraisers have fallen short.
Holy Trinity is the second oldest Greek Orthodox Church in the USA.
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