内容摘要：with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

A woman drips candle wax on Valentin Solis as part of his penance, as pilgrims make their way, some crawling, to the San Felipe Church in Portobelo, Panama, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, during a festival celebrating the iconic Black Christ statue that was found on the shore in 1658. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)A woman takes a photo of her daughter at the San Jeronimo fort in Portobelo, Panama, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, during a festival celebrating the iconic Black Christ statue that was found on the shore in 1658. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

A woman takes a photo of her daughter at the San Jeronimo fort in Portobelo, Panama, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, during a festival celebrating the iconic Black Christ statue that was found on the shore in 1658. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)Pilgrims arrive at San Felipe Church to honor the Black Christ in Portobelo, Panama, at dawn Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, during a festival celebrating the iconic statue that was found on the shore in 1658. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)Pilgrims arrive at San Felipe Church to honor the Black Christ in Portobelo, Panama, at dawn Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, during a festival celebrating the iconic statue that was found on the shore in 1658. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Pilgrims crawl to San Felipe Church to honor the Black Christ in Portobelo, Panama, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, during a festival celebrating the iconic statue that was found on the shore in 1658. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)Pilgrims crawl to San Felipe Church to honor the Black Christ in Portobelo, Panama, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, during a festival celebrating the iconic statue that was found on the shore in 1658. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

People stand under an umbrella at the San Jeronimo fort in Portobelo, Panama, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, a day before the Black Christ festival. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

People stand under an umbrella at the San Jeronimo fort in Portobelo, Panama, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, a day before the Black Christ festival. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)“The Virgin knows the method by which she will transmit her grace to each person – each one, as a brother and as an image of God,” Father Spyridon told The Associated Press.

Even though Greece is rapidly secularizing like the rest of Europe, the church still plays a crucial role in small, tight-knit communities like Amorgos, with 2,000 inhabitants in its small villages.When Father Spyridon spent his longest period ever away last year – about five months, for surgeries – his eventual return was the talk of the towns. After he resumed his visits to tiny chapels and family-run coffee shops with the help of a gnarled walking stick, old and young alike rushed to greet him.

Orthodox Christian monk Father Spyridon of Amorgos, center, talks with islanders after the Divine Liturgy in the chapel of Panagia Evangelistria, in Amorgos island, Greece, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)Orthodox Christian monk Father Spyridon of Amorgos, center, talks with islanders after the Divine Liturgy in the chapel of Panagia Evangelistria, in Amorgos island, Greece, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)