Markella from Chios

The rocks of Saint Markella at the monastery of the same name

Markella von Chios (* in the 15th century AD in Volissos on Chios ; † at the age of 18 in the 15th century AD in Chios) was a Greek martyr; she is venerated as a saint.

Life

Markella, born in Volissos , was brought up by her mother as a devout Christian.

Markella lived in the 15th century when Chios was under Genoese rule (1304–1566) . Her mother died when she was a child, but Markella continued her Bible study, worshiping God, and life as she was taught.

Around her eighteenth birthday, the virtuous Markella had to flee from the anger of her abusive father. Different versions are attached for the reasons for this operation. One version says that her father, an idolater , tried by all means to force his daughter into idolatry too. This interpretation seems out of date, since paganism in Chios had long since been extinguished in the 15th century.

According to another version, Markella's father harbored an incestuous lust for his daughter, so she fled in horror when he revealed his intentions. In any case, Markella fled to the nearby mountains and hid in a bush. Her father found her with the help of a local shepherd, and they set the bush on fire to force her to show up.

Markella fled to the sea, but her father wounded her with an arrow shot; so that their blood stained the rocks. To this day, during the festivities of her holiday, at a certain moment, her blood on the rocks becomes visible to all believers who witness this miracle.

During her wounding, she prayed to Jesus, whereupon the rock opened. Here she could hide her body, but not her head. The father beheaded her and threw her head into the sea. Her head drifted to the distant beach of Komi (Chios) , where it disappeared for a long time. One day an Italian (presumably Genoese ) warship spotted a brilliant distant light. As they approached, they saw the head floating in the water, lit by candles floating upright, which they brought back to their homeland.

According to local tradition, sacred springs spring from the rocks of their martyrdom. Pilgrims go to the place. Every year on July 22nd during the memorial service of the saints, the holy lake water would boil in the rock basin during the entire paraklisis service. This phenomenon only occurs in the presence of a priest. Local tradition says that when a pilgrim is strong in faith, the water in the basin is extremely warm to the touch.

Religious effect

Today there is a church above the cave of St. Markella. The icon of Saint Markella is one of the most venerated and is considered to be miraculous. For the veneration of Saint Markella, the Orthodox female monastery of Saint Markella (Ιερό Προσκύνημα Αγίας Μαρκέλλας ου) was built near her birthplace, Volissos.

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A special apolytic is dedicated to Saint Markella:

Rose of piety and bud of Chios, we honor you with hymns of praise, Saint Markella, who was beheaded by her father's hand when she kept the commandments of Christ, give us strength and save us from the danger we call for you. Glory to Him who gave you strength, glory to Him who crowned you. Glory for Him who works through you, healing for all believers.

literature

Georgios I. Zolotas (Γεώργιος I. Ζολώτας): Ιστορία της νησιού Χίου. (Istoría tis nisioú Chíou) (The story of Chios). Vol. 2 pp. 217, 230-234. Athens 1924, PD Sakellarios.
Popi Chalkia-Stephanou (Πόπη Χαλκιά-Στεφάνου): Tα μοναστήρια της Χίου (Ta monastíria tis Chíou) (The Monasteries of Chios). Athens 2003, Eptalophos, pp. 116–123 (Holy pilgrimage site of Saint Markella of Chiotin (Volissos)). ISBN 960-8360-10-2
Popi Chalkia-Stephanou (Πόπη Χαλκιά-Στεφάνου): Οι αγίοι τής Χίου: Εκκλησιαστική Ιστορία της νήσου από της διαδόσεως του Χριστιανισμού μεχρι τις ημέρες μας (20ός αίονας) (I AGIi tis Chiou: ekklisiastikí istoria tis NISOU Chiou apó tis diadóseos tou Christianismoú Mechri tis iméres mas (20ós éonas)) (The Saints of Chios: Church history of the island of Chios from the spread of Christianity to our day (20th century)). Athens 2008, Eptalophos, pp. 127–144 (The Holy Virgin Markella the Chiotin). ISBN 978-960-90294-2-1

Individual evidence

↑ The incest version is the interpretation that in the article of the Church in America Orthodox is spread [1] .
↑ Paraklisis has two meanings: the first is “consolation”, so the Holy Spirit is called “Paraclete” or “Comforter”; the second meaning is "pleading, asking" [2] .
↑ Chios Portal www.e-xios.gr - Monasteries - Agia Markella
^ Translation from English [3] ; the original Greek text can be found in Chalkia-Stephanu 2008 p. 144.

Web links

personal data
SURNAME	Markella from Chios
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	Saint Markella of Chios; Agia Markella
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	greek martyr
DATE OF BIRTH	15th century
PLACE OF BIRTH	Volissos , Chios
DATE OF DEATH	15th century
Place of death	at Monastery of Agia Markella, Chios

[1] The incest version is the interpretation that in the article of the Church in America Orthodox is spread [1] .

[2] Paraklisis has two meanings: the first is “consolation”, so the Holy Spirit is called “Paraclete” or “Comforter”; the second meaning is "pleading, asking" [2] .

[3] Chios Portal www.e-xios.gr - Monasteries - Agia Markella

[4] Translation from English [3] ; the original Greek text can be found in Chalkia-Stephanu 2008 p. 144.