Orthodox believers in the Greek village of Maronia rejoiced on Tuesday as the icon of their patron saint, St. Charalampos of Magnesia, was returned. This was reported by the news agency Romfea.

St. Charalampos was a bishop in Magnesia in the early 3rd century (the city is currently located in present-day Turkey). He met a martyr's death at the hands of persecutors during the reign of Roman Emperor Septimius Severus.

The icon of St. Charalampos was taken from Maronia to Piraeus in 1913 during the First Balkan War. Now, after more than 100 years, the image has been brought back to its historical place and installed in the Assumption Church on the village's main square.

The icon was accompanied by Metropolitan Serafim of Piraeus on a boat. Hundreds of believers and local clergy welcomed the icon on the quay. Upon arrival at the port, the icon was carried in a cross procession to the central square of Maronia, where an official reception took place, followed by prayers of gratitude.

"The arrival today of the icon of St. Charalampos is an unexpectedly precious gift," said Metropolitan Panteleimon of Maronia, recalling how the local residents were forced to leave their homes in 1913. Addressing the gathered crowd in his sermon, the hierarch shared the story of a miracle that occurred during the onset of the occupation when the people of Maronia fled the village, taking the icon with them.

"According to the accounts that have reached us, before departing, a series of miraculous events strengthened the faith of the besieged residents of Maronia and lifted their fighting spirit. When the ship's priest prepared to offer a prayer before the icon, he discovered that the image was missing. The captain gathered the passengers and crew on the deck, imploring whoever took the icon to confess. However, no one came forward. By the inspiration of God, the priest returned to the church and, to everyone's amazement, saw the icon in its rightful place! He brought the holy image back to the ship, but the same thing happened the following day. The ship had already sailed out of the harbor, but the icon disappeared again, and the captain had to turn the vessel around to return to Maronia. When the ship set sail with the icon for the third time, the priest prayed before the holy image throughout the entire voyage. As the ship moved away from the shore, a thunderous noise came from the sky, as if the roof of the church had collapsed. Then everyone on the ship understood that even if the icon of St. Charalampos were to leave the village, he would never abandon Maronia and its inhabitants," recounted Metropolitan Panteleimon.

Photo: romfea.gr