Maria Menounos kneels at the Virgin Mary of Tinos - She worshipped with her daughter

“I truly believe in his miracles and have witnessed them many times.”

“In recent years, I have been making pilgrimages to Saint Nektarios in Aegina, where I was blessed to hear Saint Nektarios knocking inside his tomb. Since then, my connection with him has become even stronger. This relationship has taken on such great meaning for me that we baptized Athena at the church of Saint Nektarios in West Covina. I truly believe in his miracles and have witnessed his grace many times in my own life. (If you haven't seen the movie "Man of God," I highly recommend it. It's a wonderful way to experience his amazing life.)

But this year I felt a special calling to visit Tinos.

My mother named me after the Virgin Mary, and I've always felt her protection in my life. Since becoming a mother, that relationship has become even deeper. Every night in my prayers, I ask the Virgin Mary to protect Athena and guide me to give her what she really needs. And somehow... I always feel that guidance. Sometimes I say something to Athena or I instinctively understand what she needs and I stop for a moment to think: "Where did this come from?" That's when I know that the Virgin Mary is guiding me.

One of the most moving experiences of the trip was our visit to the Church of Panagia Evangelistria on Tinos.

This is one of the most important places of pilgrimage in Greece. According to tradition, pilgrims kneel from the port to the church as a sign of faith, gratitude and prayer or to fulfill a vow to the Virgin Mary. Under the church flows a sacred spring of holy water, which has given hope and healing to countless people.

Entering this church with Athena with me is a moment I will never forget.

I prayed that the same love and protection would accompany her every step of her life. I also prayed for our family and friends. As soon as I crossed the threshold of the church, I was overcome with emotion. I have rarely felt so much love concentrated in one place. Athena’s godfather, my best man, felt it too.

One of the most beautiful moments of our visit was when Father Peter George took the time to show us around the sacred sites of the temple and tell us their history.

If you are ever planning a trip to Greece, I cannot recommend Tinos highly enough. And if you visit, stay at Odera. It was an experience of absolute peace and true magic.