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Post by M. Hawbaker on Sept 11, 2019 16:35:25 GMT
CHICAGO, Illinois -- 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 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. 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. 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.
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Post by M. Hawbaker on Sept 11, 2019 16:37:16 GMT
Some people, always looking for miraculous signs in all the wrong places.
While I do believe in miracles, this sounds too much like a well meaning but misguided hoax intended to try and save the church from foreclosure.
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Post by M. Hawbaker on Sept 11, 2019 16:43:35 GMT
Church sold for $2.5M amid weeping Virgin Mary icon
CHICAGO (WLS) -- The fate of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church was in the hands of bankruptcy court Tuesday as they faced foreclosure.
A judge approved the sale of the church for $2.5 million to Universal Life Church. Holy Trinity will now have 75 days to relocate.
Holy Trinity is the second oldest Greek Orthodox Church in the country and the oldest in the Midwest.
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Post by barb43 on Sept 11, 2019 19:30:07 GMT
Some people, always looking for miraculous signs in all the wrong places. While I do believe in miracles, this sounds too much like a well meaning but misguided hoax intended to try and save the church from foreclosure.
I completely agree with you. It was interesting too that the reporter said they were there at night and the painting was dry. I would have really liked to see video proof that the painting was "crying" earlier in the day or the day before.
It's sad that this church was sold in foreclosure, but that is probably happening more than we know around the country.
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Post by M. Hawbaker on Sept 11, 2019 19:51:29 GMT
It is a shame too that this historically important Christian church building is now going to be a center for the Universal Life Church cult with its "all roads lead to Heaven" theology.
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Post by M. Hawbaker on Sept 11, 2019 21:28:59 GMT
Greek Orthodox officials ask to take ‘temporary possession’ of Virgin Mary icon
Greek Orthodox Church officials have asked a Northwest Side parish for “temporary possession” of an icon of the Virgin Mary and the child Jesus after news of its appearing to weep was shared on social media, leading “to negative public attention,” according a statement from the church’s Chicago diocese.
“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," church officials said in their statement, issued Tuesday night. "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,” according to the statement.
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Post by M. Hawbaker on Sept 13, 2019 15:54:30 GMT
Holy Trinity worshippers guard weeping Virgin Mary icon as leaders seek to authenticate 'miracle'
Although a judge approved the sale of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church on the city's northwest side, some of the faithful who gathered there are vowing to protect the icon from being taken away. The faithful at Holy Trinity said their weeping Virgin Mary is a sign.
Now with the fate of their congregation is up in the air, a group of parishioners spent the night guarding the Virgin Mary icon, saying they will fight to keep it right where it is. However, the leaders of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago have other plans, announcing they plan to remove the icon from the sanctuary in an effort to authenticate the "miracle."
"We understand their position," said Holy Trinity board member Dino Bezanes. "They wanted to authenticate the miracle and we don't have a problem with that, but we refuse to let them remove it from the church. There are other ways to authenticate the icon."
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Post by barb43 on Sept 13, 2019 18:31:20 GMT
"We understand their position," said Holy Trinity board member Dino Bezanes. "They wanted to authenticate the miracle and we don't have a problem with that, but we refuse to let them remove it from the church. There are other ways to authenticate the icon."
Sounds like part of a ploy for the Holy Trinity not to have to immediately vacate what they consider to (still) be "their" church. Otherwise, why not let their Church's officials take it for now. That way, not only can they authenticate the miracle, or not, but they can also protect this painting as the congregation moves to another location.
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