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'''Panagia of Tinos''' [also known as the '''Megalochari of Tinos''' or '''Evangelistria''' (Our Lady of Good Tidings) '''of Tinos'''] is declared the national patron saint of the Greek Nation since its discovery coincided with the very first days of the creation of the modern Greek State. It has since become the most venerated religious icons in all of Greece. The major shrine is located on the tiny island of Tinos, of the Cyclades of Greece.
Thee major festival of the church is [[August 15]] to celebrate the Dormition of the [[Theotokos|Virgin Mary]]. There are three other festivals associated with this icon, [[January 30]], the anniversary of finding the icon; [[March 25]], the [[Annunciation of the Virgin Mary]]; [[July 23]], the anniversary of the vision of the St. [[Pelagia of Tinos|Pelagia]].
==How to get there==
To get to the island, know also as the "Island of the Winds", one must take a Greek state ferry from Athens. The voyage will take approximately three hours. Disembarking at the port, a few 100 metres to the left, a [[pilgrim]] is immediately confronted by the famous second largest street that known as the ''Leoforos Megalochares'' (the Street of Great Joy) which leads up to the cathedralneo-classical church at the top of the steep slope. It This street is a long uphill slope, heavily lined with many merchants , on either side, selling ecclesiastical bits and pieces such as oil lamps, replica icons, postcards etc.
It is traditional for many pilgrims to fall on their knees, at the beginning of this street, cross themselves and then crawl the entire length of the this street on their hands and knees (this is , crossing themselves first, as a physical ascetical offering of the pilgrim in preparation of meeting the Mother icon of God - ''a podvig'')Tinos. This offering is should be done in supplication, mainly in or thanksgiving for prayers answered and less common or in repentance.
==History==
The icon is a beautiful portrayal of the Virgin Mary kneeling with her head bent in prayer. It is regarded as being older than the Byzantine period. Many scholars regard this icon to even be the work of the [[Apostle]] and [[Evangelist]] [[Apostle Luke|Luke]]. It is assumed that this icon was so highly esteemed in the Byzantine era it was either hidden or lost around the time of the Moslem invasions. The icon was rediscovered miraculously and the construction of a church was begun and completed by 1830. Even before this church was finished, pilgrims started visiting the island of Tinos from all of Greece. Numerous reports of miracles have increased the fame of this Church to the point that this is the most venerated icon in all of Greece.
In 1842, a Greek criminal named Christodoulos Dimitriadis hid in one of the overhanging balconies of the church. He took the chalice, various altar utensils and also the icon which was covered in gold and precious stones much like it is today. By noon the next day, he was caught trying to escape to Andros.
===the Icons finding===
