Nicula, Romania - More than 100,000 people converged on an ancient monastery in the hills of northwest Romania on Monday to kiss an icon many believe has miraculous healing powers.
Believers, many of whom walked to the monastery, began arriving on Friday and slept in the open, while more than a dozen Orthodox priests and monks held services around the clock at the monastery some 280 miles northwest of Bucharest. More than 100,000 believers were present on Monday, according to police and organizers.
According to legend, the icon of the Weeping Virgin, painted in 1691, wept for 26 days in 1699. The first recorded miracle occurred in 1701 when it is said to have cured an army officer's wife who was going blind.
Todor Soporan, a 68-year-old with severe rheumatism went round a wooden church at the monastery on his knees. "I came for my troubles and health. I have serious rheumatism and I want less pain so I can work for the rest of my life," he said.
Mihaela Atitei, came from a village near the northeastern city of Iasi with her husband and 3-year-old daughter. "I come here every year with my husband to pray for our needs and the troubles that our relatives are enduring," the 22-year-old said.
People threw money and tickets with prayers on them into the 17th century wooden church, which is decorated with simple paintings and small windows.
The church attached to the monastery is named after St. Mary and pilgrimages there are made every year on Aug. 15, Mary's name day.
People suffering from conditions such as epilepsy and diseases such as cancer have sought cures here.
Under former communist dictator Nicole Ceausescu, believers traveled under cover of darkness for the Aug. 15 celebrations. Authorities would block the roads during the day in an attempt to stop pilgrims from reaching the monastery and icon.
In 1977, the church burned down, but the icon was unharmed.
On Monday, priests and monks specially blessed 10,000 liters (2,640 gallons) of water. Nuns helped by dozens of local residents made cabbage rolls filled with rice and meat which were given to the faithful.