Have you ever wondered if God is still with us? Why hasn’t He sent prophets like in the Old Testament? Why do miracles seem so distant—something from the time of St. Paul or St. Mark, but not today? I have. But, when I began looking into Orthodoxy, everything changed.
I started to dig deeper: I watched videos, compared stories, and asked questions. And one of the main things I discovered is that God is undeniably still with us, and that miracles—real, visible, undeniable miracles—still happen. Miracles you could witness today, not so far from home!
This post shares some of the most remarkable, recurring miracles in the Orthodox Church today. These miracles aren’t just stories—they’re God's invitations to witness His divine work in our world. From icons that weep, to holy flames that do not burn, these signs are all around us.
These miracles speak with the voice of God. They bring great joy to the faithful and remind us that Christ’s miracles haven’t stopped—they’re just sadly too often overlooked or ignored by our cynical society. Whether you’re new to Orthodoxy or have been part of the Church your entire life, I hope this post opens your heart to the wonder of God’s presence.
1. The Holy Fire in Jerusalem
Where & When: Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem. Every Holy Saturday (the third day after the crucifixion of Christ, just before Pascha).
What Happens: on Pascha night, the Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem enters the sealed Tomb of Christ. After a time of intense prayer, he emerges with a flame—the Holy Fire—lit without human means. The flame doesn’t burn for a short time and is passed from candle to candle across the crowd.
History: Documented since the 4th century, this miracle has drawn Orthodox faithful from around the world. The event is a living continuation of the Gospel of John and a powerful reminder of Christ’s Resurrection. Even those skeptical of religious experiences can’t explain it by scientific method.
2. The Jordan River Reverses on Theophany
Where & When: Bethany Beyond the Jordan, modern-day Jordan. Every January 6 (Julian calendar January 19).
What Happens: As the Patriarch blesses the water with holy relics and submerges the cross, the current of the Jordan River visibly reverses. It flows upstream—against gravity, against its natural flow—just as when Christ, the Son of God, was baptized.
History: This moment is a live re-enactment of the Lord Jesus Christ’s baptism, when the Holy Spirit descended like a dove. The Church commemorates it each year as a revelation of the Holy Trinity and a renewal of all creation through holy water.
3. The Cloud on Mount Tabor
Where & When: Mount Tabor, Israel. Every August 6 (Feast of the Transfiguration).
What Happens: During an overnight prayer service at the Orthodox Church of the Transfiguration, a glowing white cloud descends over the faithful. Here’s the amazing part: Mount Tabor hosts several churches, but the cloud only descends on the Orthodox church.
History: This recalls the event from the New Testament where Christ revealed His divine glory to Peter, James, and John. The voice of God—the voice of the Father—declared, “This is my beloved Son.” The phenomenon today shows that the mountain still bears witness to the Son of Man.
4. The Snakes of the Panagia
Where & When: Markopoulo, Kefalonia, Greece. Annually from August 6–15 (Dormition Fast).
What Happens: Gentle snakes with cross-shaped markings on their heads appear in the church. They crawl around the icon of the Virgin Mary and on the altar, peacefully resting among the people. On the Dormition feast, they disappear.
History: During a desperate time in the 1700s, pirates threatened a local convent. The nuns prayed to the Mother of God and were transformed into snakes. To this day, the snakes appear only during this fast. Scientists can’t explain their sudden arrival—or their unique markings.
5. The Myrrh-Streaming Hawaiian Iveron Icon
Where & When: Based in Honolulu, United States. Travels year-round to Orthodox churches across North America.
What Happens: Since 2007, this icon of the Virgin Mary has streamed myrrh continuously. During prayer services, you can see the oil streaming from the icon’s surface. It leaves a scent that fills the church.
History: The icon is a copy of the wonderworking Iveron icon from Mount Athos. Orthodox clergy verified it and have allowed it to travel, spreading holy communion and peace through holy oil. This miracle has lasted a surprisingly long time without interruption.
Final Take Away
These are just some of the modern-day Eastern Orthodox miracles you can still see today.
If you’ve ever doubted that God still speaks, just look at the fire in Jerusalem, or the sweet smell of myrrh in Hawaii, or the Jordan reversing itself in front of thousands. These miracles don’t just show us that God exists—they show us that He cares, that He’s close, and that He’s with us.
And this is just the beginning. There are many more miracles recognized by the Orthodox Church—each one a testimony to the true faith.
If you're curious, keep searching. Let your whole family explore them together. Open the Holy Scriptures. Attend a prayer service. Seek the will of God with strong faith—and see what He reveals.
Glory to God for all things!
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely. The Orthodox Church teaches that true miracles are real and ongoing. They are not just ancient stories found in Holy Scripture, but signs of God's presence that still happen in our world today. Christ’s miracles didn’t stop with the New Testament—they continue through the saints, the sacraments, and even through holy icons and relics. From the first miracle at Cana of Galilee to the Holy Fire in Jerusalem, miracles affirm the mission of the Orthodox Church and strengthen our faith in the Creator of the universe. As St. John Chrysostom said, God uses miracles not to entertain, but to save.
Yes. The Orthodox Church believes that during the Divine Liturgy, the bread and wine truly become the Body and Blood of Christ—every time. That’s not symbolic. It’s a mystery and a miracle at the heart of our faith. In rare cases, God allows something extraordinary to happen to reveal that mystery in a visible way. For example, in some churches, the Holy Communion has been seen to remain fresh and incorrupt for a long time, or it has even emitted a sweet fragrance. These are Eucharistic miracles. They aren’t publicized in the same way you might see in Western traditions, but they do happen—and they confirm what we already believe through faith and the commandment of Christ: “Take, eat; this is My Body.”
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