How Panagia Prousiotissa stopped the spreading of the Spanish flu miraculously.
On the 9th day following the Dormition of our Most Holy Theotokos, we celebrate the feast of a spectacular miracle working icon, Panagia Prousiotissa.
The vast miracles which have been attributed to this icon have brought healing and salvation to the millions of faithful who beseech our Panagia with faith and reverence. While Her countless miracles are all awe inspiring, there is one miracle in particular which is directly relevant to the trying and difficult times we are living today.
In 1918, the Spanish flu was ravaging all of Europe. In the city of Agrinio, Greece the situation was extremely bleak. People were contracting the flu at high rates, people were dying every day, and people lived in consant fear of the spread of the contagious disease. It seemed that there was no hope and that things would get worse. It was in these moments of despair that the residents of the area turned to our Panagia, who had miraculously saved them from a deadly outbreak of cholera about 70 years earlier.
With permission from the Hierarch, the faithful and clergy gathered for days of processions with the icon of Panagia Prousiotissa, fervent prayers, Paraklesis services, Divine Liturgies and Holy Communion. They reverently venerated the holy icon and with tears begged our Mother to intercede for them and save them. Lo and behold, our Pangia heard their pleas and rushed to their aid. The spread of the disease slowly stopped, people who were once ill were made well, and there were no more Spanish flu related deaths in the area.
Our beloved and merciful Panagia came to their rescue once again!
Through this miracle and all Her miracles, our Panagia sends us a clear message and shows us that if we come to Her with faith and humility, our petitions will be heard and our prayers answered. She truly is the healer, joy, and protection of all! She covers those who pray to her with her maternal care and love. The comfort we find in Her is inexpressible.
Of course it doesn't work like magic, but we must approach Her with a heart full of faith and hope. Faith conquers fear and allows us to open up our lives to God's love and mercy. There is a special kind of strength we gain by allowing faith to guide us.
May the intercessions of Panagia Prousiotissa be with us all and may we be found worthy to experience Her love and miracles in our lives.
