By Scott
Jason - Staff Writer
On Eimad Abdulaziz's wall in Chico hangs a 14 inch by 18 inch portrait
of the Virgin Mary, who is holding a young Jesus with both her hands.
Her head tilts delicately down to her left and an angel floats on each
side of her face. The portrait is mounted onto a piece of carved wood
and coated in lacquer. On the glossy surface, about ten small drops of
yellowish-green oil form. They are like raindrops on a windshield.
They began appearing around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 8.
That
Sunday, they were declared a miracle by Archbishop Clemis Eugene
Kaplan of the Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch. Since the
miracle was announced, hundreds of visitors, from as far as Lake Tahoe
and Los Angeles, have come to the Abdulaziz house to pray.
Jeff Sayegh, a family friend, was called to the home after the miracle
occurred.
"We feel it is a blessing for the house, for the community and for
Chico," he said.
Abdulaziz's
wife asked him to bring a bottle of milk for their son, Sayegh said.
After giving her the bottle, Abdulaziz went into a trance and told his
wife he was seeing a bright light. He then told her that their portrait of
the Virgin Mary downstairs was dripping oil.
Downstairs she confirmed her husband's vision and found the wall and
carpet soaked in odorless oil, Sayegh said. She made a holy cross on her
forehead with the oil and then made one on her husband's head upstairs,
which took him out of his trance. He said he didn't remember anything of
what had happened.
The Abdulaziz began calling members of their church, St. Elias Orthodox
Church of Butte County, who immediately came over that morning and prayed.
Sayegh said over a hundred people have come to see the portrait. Every
time people begin to pray, he said, more drops begin forming.
Sayegh said he is not sure yet what to make of the miracle.
"I'm hoping for a good, clear message," he said. "It will be coming from
God through our Lady."
He said there already have been effects from the miracle in the church
community.
"It brought us closer together," Sayegh said. "We see each other more
often and we are more friendly."
Father George Durghali of St. Elias Orthodox Church said the Virgin Mary
is sending a message, but he said he doesn't ask why.
"We just thank him all the time for whatever comes from above," he said.
He said he believes it is a miracle.
"There is no way in the world it could be faked," Durghali said. "There's
no way liquid can go through it. It is coated."
James Snidle, who owns James Snidle Fine Arts in Chico, said he hasn't
seen the portrait, but said there could be other explanations.
"It could be the varnish being weird," Snidle said.
Father Mike Newman of the Newman Center in Chico said he hadn't heard
about the portrait, but is skeptical that it is a miracle.
"I've seen so many of these things that have been brought to the forefront
fraudulently," Newman said.
For Durghali's son, Matthew, it is the second portrait of the Virgin Mary
dripping oil he's seen. The first time was in Detroit for a youth church
convention.
"It surprises you and it brings back your faith," he said.
He said some people think there is a message within the miracle, but
others think the miracle is the message.
"For me, it's bringing people back to their faith," Durghali said. "It
gives you faith; it's a sign of hope."
sjason@paradisepost.com
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