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July 18, 2022

The Snake of Saint Marina in Voni


At the Monastery of Saint Marina in Voni of Heraklion, Crete, on the lower right side of the iconostasis depiction of Saint Marina, we can see a small snake in a transparent bottle, which is preserved in a preservative liquid.
 
Many years ago there was a sick gypsy from Megara, as her grandson has recently testified, who came to pray to Saint Marina. Her abdomen was swollen and painful. When she was crossed and blessed with the oil from the lamp of the Saint, she "gave birth" to a snake and was relieved of her pains.

Since that time, the snake* has been preserved as a testimony of the miracle of the Saint.
 

* What is referred to as a snake, seems to be more like a tapeworm.