Icon of St. Ephraim of New Makri streams myrrh at Greek hospital

Kalymnos, Greece, March 19, 2026

Photo: Romfea Photo: Romfea     

An icon of St. Ephraim of Nea Makri at the General Hospital of Kalymnos, Greece, recently began streaming myrrh, to the astonishment of the island’s faithful.

The phenomenon was first noticed by a nurse at the hospital, who observed moisture on the face of the saint. The hospital administrator was immediately informed and in turn notified Metropolitan Paisios of Kalymnos, Leros, and Astypalaia, who went to the hospital at once, reports Romfea.

A paraklesis service was celebrated there in an atmosphere of reverence.

Speaking to local media, Met. Paisios described the event as a clear sign of faith, he stated: “The icon is streaming myrrh. Miracles aren’t a matter for investigation. For us, this is a blessing of God.”

He also noted that the occurrence represents a source of hope and support, especially in a place like a hospital, where human suffering meets the need for Divine intervention.

Since news of the miracle became known, large numbers of people have been making their way to the General Hospital of Kalymnos to venerate the myrrh-streaming icon.

***

St. Ephraim was born in 1384 and reposed as a martyr in 1426. Orphaned of his father and one of seven children, he was sent at the age of fourteen to the Monastery of the Annunciation to protect him from the mass abduction of children carried out by Muslim raiders. He lived at the monastery as a novice for four years before being tonsured a monk and ordained a priest.

In 1416, Athens fell to the Turks, and the monastery suffered two attacks. During the first, the saint was away, praying in a cave on the mountain. During the second, on September 14, 1425, the attackers returned and subjected St. Ephraim to eight and a half months of severe torture. He was martyred on May 5, 1426, at the age of 42, at Nea Makri.

His holy relics were discovered through Divine intervention in 1950, 524 years after his death. He was formally glorified by the Patriarchate of Constantinople in March 2011.

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3/19/2026

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