Saint Markella
Encyclopedia
Saint Markella was an inhabitant of Chios, Greece who was canonized by the Greek Orthodox Church
. Her feast day is celebrated on July 22.
, Chios, Greece. She was raised as a Christian by her mother. However, her father was a pagan.
Markella lived during the fourteenth century. Her mother was a devout Christian but her father was an idolater. At a young age, her mother died and Markella continued to study her bible, pray to God and live a life according to what she was taught.
Around the time of her eighteenth birthday, Markella's father forced her very hard to be idolater. Afraid of her father, Saint Markella fled to nearby mountains and hid in a bush. Her father found her, with the help of a local herdsmen, and they set fire to the bush to force her to show.
Markella ran to the sea to escape but her father aimed an arrow at her and wounded her. The blood of the saint
dyed the rocks and to this very day, during the festivities for her feast day, at a specific time, her blood becomes visible on these rocks for all the faithful who bear witness to this miracle.
As she was injured, she prayed to Jesus to hide her. A rock opened and she was able to hide all of her body inside, but not her head. Her father decapitated her and threw the head into the sea.
Her final moments were spent in prayer to Christ with a request that the rocks would open for her to hide from her father and this happened. Everything but her head was covered so when her father found her, he cut off her head and threw it into the sea. Her head floated to the nearby beach of Komi. For many years, the locals could not locate the head until one day an Italian Naval ship was in the area. In the evening, they could see a bright light coming from the distance and when they got closer they witnessed a head, floating in the water, lit by upright floating candles. Immediately, they realised that this was a sacred miracle they were witness to and they took the head of the Saint back to their homeland.
Holy water is said to spring from the rocks that mark her martyrdom. Many pilgrims visit this location and every year on 22 July, during the commemoration services for the Saint, the holy sea water in the rock pool boils during the entire Paraklisis Service; this phenomenon only occurs in the presence of a priest
. If a pilgrim's faith is strong, a local tradition is that the water in the rock-pool will feel extremely warm to touch.
of Saint Markella is one of the most revered and is said to be miraculous.
Greek Orthodox Church
The Greek Orthodox Church is the body of several churches within the larger communion of Eastern Orthodox Christianity sharing a common cultural tradition whose liturgy is also traditionally conducted in Koine Greek, the original language of the New Testament...
. Her feast day is celebrated on July 22.
Life
Saint Markella was born and lived in VolissosVolissos
Volissos is the largest village in the northwest part of Chios, Aegean Islands, Greece. The village is situated 40km away from the main town of Chios. Volissos has a port called "Limia" that connects the island with the island of Psara. Saint Markella of Chios lived in the village. Volissos is...
, Chios, Greece. She was raised as a Christian by her mother. However, her father was a pagan.
Markella lived during the fourteenth century. Her mother was a devout Christian but her father was an idolater. At a young age, her mother died and Markella continued to study her bible, pray to God and live a life according to what she was taught.
Around the time of her eighteenth birthday, Markella's father forced her very hard to be idolater. Afraid of her father, Saint Markella fled to nearby mountains and hid in a bush. Her father found her, with the help of a local herdsmen, and they set fire to the bush to force her to show.
Markella ran to the sea to escape but her father aimed an arrow at her and wounded her. The blood of the saint
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
dyed the rocks and to this very day, during the festivities for her feast day, at a specific time, her blood becomes visible on these rocks for all the faithful who bear witness to this miracle.
As she was injured, she prayed to Jesus to hide her. A rock opened and she was able to hide all of her body inside, but not her head. Her father decapitated her and threw the head into the sea.
Holy water is said to spring from the rocks that mark her martyrdom. Many pilgrims visit this location and every year on 22 July, during the commemoration services for the Saint, the holy sea water in the rock pool boils during the entire Paraklisis Service; this phenomenon only occurs in the presence of a priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
. If a pilgrim's faith is strong, a local tradition is that the water in the rock-pool will feel extremely warm to touch.
Religious Significance
Today there is a church on the cave of Saint Markella. The rock in which she was killed is said to spring holy water. Her nameday is on July 22 and on that day the sea is said to boil. The iconIcon
An icon is a religious work of art, most commonly a painting, from Eastern Christianity and in certain Eastern Catholic churches...
of Saint Markella is one of the most revered and is said to be miraculous.
Prayer
A special prayer is dedicated to Saint Markella:- "Rose of piety and sprout of Chios, we honor with canticles Saint Markella who was beheaded by her father's hand, as she guarded the commands of Christ, give strength and save from danger, us who cry unto you. Glory to Him who gave you strength, Glory to Him who crowned you. Glory to Him who works through you, healings for all the faithful."
Today
Many Orthodox Churches are dedicated to Saint Markella, especially by residents and former residents of Chios. These include the Cathedral of Saint Markella, in Astoria, New York,, founded by His Eminence, Metropolitan Petros of Astoria in 1954. Today, the Cathedral of St Markella is the seat of His Eminence, Metropolitan Pavlos of North and South America, of the Holy Metropolis of the G.O.C. of America.Hymns
ApolytikionApolytikion
The Apolytikion or Dismissal Hymn is a troparion said or sung at Orthodox Christian worship services. The apolytikion summarizes the feast being celebrated that day. It is chanted at Vespers, Matins and the Divine Liturgy; and it is read at each of the Little Hours...
- Rose of piety and sprout of Chios, we honour with canticles Saint Markella who was beheaded by her father's hand, as she guarded the commands of Christ, give strength and save from danger, us who cry unto you. Glory to Him who gave you strength, glory to Him who crowned you. Glory to Him who works through you, healings for all the faithful.
External links
- Life of St Markella of Chios
- Martyr Marcella of Chios (OCAOCAThe Oca , is a starchy, edible tuber, grown in South America.OCA or Oca may also refer to:* Oca a tributary of the Ebro, Spain, having its source in the comarca of Montes de Oca.In business and politics:...
) - Markella, the Virgin-martyr of Chios (GOARCH)
- The Holy-Female Martyr Marcella (Prologue from OhridPrologue from OhridThe Prologue from Ohrid was compiled by Nikolai Velimirovic. Bishop Nikolai's work is a compilation of lives of saints, hymns, reflections, and homilies. It was originally written in Serbian.-Published editions:*Velimirovic, Nikolai...
) - The Life of Saint Markella, The Patron Saint of Chios
- The Holy Shrine of St. Marcella
- Volissos - Saint Markella
- Chios - Saint Markella