Some worshipers see a sign from God after a caretaker at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Chicago saw what looked like tears pouring from the Virgin Mary's eyes.
The Orthodox Church split off the
Roman Catholic Church a little more than a thousand years ago, and while they
hold many beliefs in common with the Romans, they do not consider themselves to be Catholics. That said, they do do a lot of Catholic things like praying to 'manifestations of the Virgin Mary' as you will see in today's article on what's happening now in Chicago.
"The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger. Do they provoke me to anger? saith the LORD: do they not provoke themselves to the confusion of their own faces?" Jeremiah 7:18,19 (KJV)
I was saved out of the
Roman Catholic religion back in 1991, and it took me many years to sort out and sort through all the superstition and paganism that I had acquired in my nearly 30 years as a faithful Roman Catholic. Things like cursing myself on a daily basis by making the 'sign of the cross' over my face, seeking guidance from the dead saints which the Bible calls necromancy, and a whole host of other uniquely Catholic things that are nothing but raw paganism.
"Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him." Mark 6:3 (KJV)
What makes an idol begin to shed tears? Well, the Bible says that God hates idols right there in the Ten Commandments and in another hundred or so places. When the Jews were backslidden and far from the Lord, they always went to the groves and bowed before idols. Mary was only a virgin for her first child, Jesus, but for the other 6 children we read about in Mark 6:3 she obviously did not remain a virgin. Do I believe that this icon of Mary in Chicago is actually shedding 'tears"? Yep, I sure do. Tears that are coming straight from the pit of Hell.
Worshipers flock to mysterious crying Virgin Mary icon, hope miracle saves church from sale
FROM ABC 13 CHICAGO: The caretaker noticed the shocking sight early Sunday morning, as she prepared for what could be one of the church's final services. The church faces foreclosure and is due to go to bankruptcy court Tuesday morning. The community was in shock at the weeping icon.
"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," said Father Nick Jonas. Monday the residue of the oil-like substance streaming from the Virgin Mary's eyes remained, with many believing the oil has healing properties and that its origins are a blessing from God.
"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," Fr. Jonas said. A steady stream of visitors have been visiting the icon as well; about 300 people Sunday, according to the secretary of the church, and even more Monday. A nun from California traveled across the country to see the weeping icon in person as well.
"It's the type of thing you never forget and I always will be inspired by it," said Mother Angelina.
For the last year, the church has been fighting to remain at the corner of West Diversey Avenue and North Meade Avenue in the city's Belmont Central neighborhood. Holy Trinity avoided foreclosure late last year after a generous anonymous donation, but an issue with the money arose and forced the church to go up for sale again.
"Some people have come up to me and said, 'We'll mortgage our homes,'" said Stanley Andreakis, president of Parish Council.
READ MORE
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Worshippers Flock To See 'Weeping' Virgin Mary
Hundreds of worshippers have flocked to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in the Belmont Cragin neighborhood, after what appeared to be tears were seen pouring from the eyes of a painting of the Virgin Mary. CBS 2's Audrina Bigos reports.
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