Faithful flock to see icon dripping oil at Homer Glen church

HOMER GLEN, Ill. (WLS) -- Many are flocking to a small Greek Orthodox Church in Homer Glen where an icon is dripping a fragrant oil that some believe has healing properties.

Assumption Greek Orthodox Church is a small congregation of only about 200 families. When the icon first started dripping oil, the church kept it quiet. But after a news report overnight, visitors are coming from near and far to see it for themselves.

"It was a good feeling to come to church all the way from Morton Grove to here," said Nash Daoud.

"I heard about it this morning on the radio and we decided that we would come out and see the weeping icon," said Hiam Daoud, also of Morton Grove.

Going into the Holy Weekend for Eastern Orthodox Christians, the crowd is large at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church. But some came from other areas to see an icon of Saint John the Baptist with what appears to be myrrh oil coming from the image.

"It's a great church, it's a great priest, it's a great congregation. There's just a real sense of community at this church," said Eleni Owen.

In July, two parishioners and an altar boy noticed the oils coming from the icon.

"We think it's the hand of God, so we just look at it as a blessing," said F. Sotiri Dimitriou, Assumption Greek Orthodox Church.

Around 5,000 people have come to be anointed by the oil. Some say they have had miraculous healing after being anointed, like Kathy Limber, who was diagnosed with leukemia.

"Ever since I've gotten anointed by the oil, I keep praying and I keep being anointed by it. My numbers have just gotten better and I just have more energy. I just feel amazing," Limber said.

With the church holding services this weekend for Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday, visitors seeking to be anointed by the oil are asked to come next week.