Dear readers, today's entry offers a glimpse into a pivotal moment in the life of my mother, Evangelia, at the age of 24. A miraculous encounter on the island of Tinos changed her path, blending her deep faith with a life-altering spiritual journey.
At the age of twenty-four, while working as a nanny in Athens, my mother Evangelia embarked on a spiritually significant journey to Tinos. It was March 25, the day when the Greek Orthodox Church commemorates the Feast of the Annunciation, celebrating the momentous event of the Incarnation of God.
Evangelia's early loss of her father meant she was without a dowry, significantly narrowing her prospects for marriage. This shaped her life in a profound way, directing her maternal yearnings towards a sacred aspiration — becoming a godparent.
The cathedral on Tinos, dedicated to the Theotokos and surrounded by a monastery, has been a pilgrimage site for centuries. Christian pilgrims from various lands journey here to venerate the sacred icon within its walls. On this island, where many believe miracles are a part of daily life, the atmosphere is particularly charged during the Feast of the Annunciation.
Gaining access to the icon on this day is a challenge, with throngs of people pressed together, each longing for their own private moment with the Mother of God. The icon itself, while made of wood and paint, possesses an indescribable quality. Its depiction of the young Mary accepting the Divine Decree resonates deeply with the faithful, illustrating her obedience despite the potential scandal and danger she faced.
As my mother knelt in prayer before the icon, much like my grandmother before her, she cried out:
“Beloved Theotokos, only you understand the depth of my longing. Please, don't turn me away empty-handed. Grant me the grace to baptize a child.”
In that moment of prayer, a young teenage girl with blonde hair, and dressed in black, tapped Evangelia on the shoulder. With a knowing, radiant smile, she said:
“Listen, I know your purpose here. You wish to baptize. Watch for a woman in black with a two-year-old girl, coming to the altar soon. Be alert, as you are not the only one waiting for this chance.”
Soon after the girl's message, my mother saw a young widow carrying her child towards the altar. Pushing through the crowd, she reached the altar just in time. “Ya Vaptisma, for baptism?” Evangelia asked. The widow nodded. What followed was a blur, filled with the chants of “Panta Aksia, Panta Aksia, Panta Aksia ~ Ever Worthy.”
Inquiring later about the young girl, the widow confirmed she had no other child. In that moment, amongst the fervent chants, Evangelia's spiritual journey found its fulfillment. This pilgrimage, intertwining her desires for family with her deep beliefs, solidified her connection to our Greek Orthodox faith.
My mother always believed this mysterious girl was the young Panagia, the Virgin Mary herself. This belief was only recently reinforced one stormy night, as I, unable to sleep amidst the howling wind and relentless rain, found solace in reading “Words of the Heart,” the biography and sermons of Gerondissa Makrina Vassopoulou – when I came across this passage:
“One time, during the Cherubic Hymn in the Divine Liturgy, while Gerondissa was kneeling and overcome with anguish, she beheld the Panagia as a fifteen-year-old girl standing in the Royal Doors, Her face bathed in otherworldly light.”
This revelation jolted me out of bed - Evangelia's conviction the Panagia had guided her during her pivotal journey to Tinos seemed ever more real.
My mother’s transformative journey from Athens to Tinos, from nanny to godparent, was not just a path of faith. It was a journey marked by a divine encounter, reaffirming her belief in the miraculous, and forever altering her understanding of motherhood, marriage, and spiritual destiny.
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