The "snakes of the Virgin Mary" reappeared in Kefalonia - The legend and the scientific explanation

It is one of the reasons that the village of Markopoulo on the Ionian island receives thousands of visitors every year. According to tradition, the Snake of the Virgin Mary appears from August 6 to 16 in the church of Panagia Fidoussa and is miraculous.

The Holy Snake is the Snake of the Virgin Mary
This particular snake is called the Holy Snake or Telescopus Fallax. In Greece we find it almost all over the country, both in mainland Greece and most of the islands. It is a harmless snake for humans, as its venom is very weak. This happens because of the position of its teeth, which are located at the back of the oral cavity and are fixed. These teeth are not tubular but have an external groove through which toxins are slowly released from glands (known as Duvernoy’s glands) during persistent bites.

How the “Virgin Mary’s Snake” came about
This snake is part of a religious tradition that began in Kefalonia on the 15th of August.

According to legend, snakes suddenly appear on the icons of the church of Panagia Lagouvarda or Fidoussa and the faithful catch them with their bare hands. It is assumed that these snakes are unique in their kind, they do not exist anywhere else in the world and on their heads four black dots form a cross. They are considered quite a good omen when they appear.

Threats
The degradation and destruction of habitats due to residential, tourist, industrial and agricultural development or pollution, roads, fires, stray cats, the introduction of alien predators (e.g. hunting pheasants, peacocks and mink), and deliberate killing, are the main threats and pressures of the species. The introduction of the alien fungus that attacks snakes and has been identified in European countries (Origgi et al. 2022), but not yet in Greece, can also be considered a potential threat.

So if you find yourself in Kefalonia during the August 15th period, do not spoil the local tradition by revealing that it is a common snake, but see it as an opportunity to admire a non-venomous reptile up close.

The scientific approach
Beyond the religious and folklore dimension, herpetologists have also dealt with the phenomenon. Members of the Hellenic Herpetological Society have recognized the species with the scientific name Telescopus fallax, as a widespread and harmless species for humans that is found in a large part of Greece, in the Balkans, in Asia Minor and in the eastern Mediterranean.

It is a nocturnal snake with a mild venom, effective mainly against small lizards and rodents. The seasonal appearance of the snakes around the church is linked, according to experts, to the breeding and feeding habits of the species during this period of summer.

The first "Virgin Mary's snakes" appeared this year in Markopoulo and Arginia
The first "Virgin Mary's snakes" made their appearance this year in Kefalonia, a few days before August 15th, marking the beginning of one of the most special local customs on the island.

A total of three snakes have been spotted so far, as reported by kefaloniapress: one in Markopoulo and two in Arginia.

Specifically, one snake appeared in the Holy Church of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary in Markopoulo, in Panagia Langouvarda, while since the previous day, residents in Arginia had spotted two more.

The search begins on the Savior's Transiguration
According to custom, the search for the so-called "little snakes of the Virgin Mary" begins after August 6, the feast of the Transfiguration of the Savior, in specific spots around the churches and villages.

In both Markopoulo and Arginia, there are residents who know the spots where they usually appear and every year they undertake to search for them.

A custom deeply tied to Kefalonia
The "little snakes of the Virgin Mary" have been one of the most well-known religious and folklore customs of Kefalonia for decades, attracting visitors from Greece and abroad every August.

Local tradition has given special symbolism to their appearance, however it is worth noting that the Church has not characterized their appearance as a miracle.