Holy Snakes facts for kids

The Holy Snakes of the Panagia are a special sight that people have reported seeing for hundreds of years. This happens during celebrations for the Virgin Mary between August 5 and August 15. You can find them in the village of Markopoulo on the Greek island of Kefalonia. These small, black snakes appear at the Panagia of Langouvarda church. This church is built where a monastery once stood, dedicated to Our Lady of Langouvarda.

The Legend of the Holy Snakes

A famous story about these snakes comes from the year 1705. This was when pirates attacked the monastery. The nuns who lived there prayed very hard to the Virgin Mary for help. The legend says they were then turned into snakes. This way, they avoided being captured by the pirates.

What Kind of Snakes Are They?

These snakes are known as Telescopus fallax, also called the European Cat Snake. They have a small cross shape on their heads. Their tongues also look like a cross.

During the church services, the snakes show no fear. They are harmless and gentle during the festivities. But as soon as the main service ends on August 15th, they change. They become a bit wilder and disappear back into the nature around the church. You won't find them again until the next year.

A Special Sign from the Snakes

The people in the villages believe these snakes are holy. They carefully collect them and place them on a silver picture of the Virgin of the Snakes (Panagia Fidoussa).

Locals have shared stories about two times the snakes did not appear. This happened during World War II and in 1953. That year, a very strong earthquake hit the island in August. Because the snakes did not show up then, people now see it as a sign. If the snakes don't appear just before August 15th, it means something difficult might be about to happen.

The Blooming Lilies

There's another amazing event on the island of Kefalonia. It happens at a different church. In May each year, women pick lilies and place them on a picture of the Virgin Mary.

Normally, a cut flower with a dry stem cannot bloom again. But these dried lilies are special. On August 15th, they fully blossom again! They don't start blooming on earlier days. They begin and reach full bloom right on August 15th.