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[[Image:MarkellaChios01.JPG|thumbnail|right|Markella of Chios [[icon]] found in the Church of St. Markella, Chios island - the place of her martyrdom]]
The holy and glorious [[Virgin-martyr]] '''Markella of Chios''' (also ''Marcella'') is the [[patron saint ]] of Chios and was born and lived in the village of Volissos of Chios. Her [[feast day]] is celebrated on [[July 22]].
== History ==
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[[Image:MarkellaChios02.JPG|thumbnail|left|Location where the blood of the [[martyr ]] appears annually marking the spot of where she was wounded]]
Markella ran to the sea to escape but her father aimed an arrow at her and wounded her. The blood of the [[saint ]] dyed the rocks and to this very day, during the festivites festivities for her feast day, at a specific time, her blood becomes visible on these rocks for all the faithfull faithful who bear witness to this miracle.
Her final moments were spent in prayer to Christ with a request that the rocks would open for her to hide from her father and this happened. Everything but her head was covered so when her father found her, he cut of her head and threw it into the sea. Her head floated to the nearby beach of Komi. For many years, the locals could not locate the head until one day an Italian Naval ship was in the area. In the evening, they could see a bright light coming from the distance and when they got closer they witnessed a head, floating in the water, lit by upright floating candles. Immediately, they realised that this was a sacred miracle they were witness to and they took the head of the Saint back to there homeland.
[[Image:MarkellaChios04.JPG|thumbnail|right|Shrine opposite the tomb]]
Holy water is said to spring from the rocks that mark her martyrdom. Many pilgrims visit this location and every year on the [[July 22|22nd of July]], during the commemoration services for the Saint, the holy sea water in the rock pool boils during the entire Paraklisis Service; this phenomenon only occurs in the presence of a [[priest]]. If a pilgrim's faith is strong, a local tradition is that the water in the rock-pool will feel extremally extremely warm to touch.
== Hymns ==
