The Virgin Mary has many sobriquets. Here in Kefalonia where religion, after so many trials in the history of the island, has a special place in the lives of residents, the most famous is that of Panagia Fidiotissa. Every year a strange phenomenon occurs in the small church in the vicinity of Markopoulos, on the south side of the island: the period 6-15 August, the area is filled with small snakes, friendly to people, with a characteristic soft skin, and the shape of a cross adorning their backs. The snakes of the Virgin Mary are a unique event in the world, and if you find yourself on the island in August, you should not miss it. If you can’t make it for this event, the miraculous Icon of the Panagia Fidiotissa will reward you with the intriguing story of its salvation from a burning tree many years ago.