St. Rafael

Gazing upon St. Rafael Church, can you sense the echoes of Byzantine mysticism? This unassuming orthodox church, nestled within Vienna’s vibrant tapestry, holds a secret. A connection to a faraway land, a tale of tears, and a victory against the odds. St. Rafael Church isn’t just a place of worship; it’s a keeper of a remarkable story. Let’s journey back to 1676, a time when Hungary was under siege by Turkish forces. A Hungarian prisoner of war, László Csigri, commissioned an icon of St. Mary and the child Jesus. This wasn’t just any icon; it was the Maria Pötsch Icon, a Byzantine masterpiece destined for St. Rafael Church. Unable to pay the artist, the icon found its way to the church of Pócs, where it soon became known for a series of miraculous events. In 1696, the icon of Mary wept real tears, news of which reached Emperor Leopold I. Fearing for the icon’s safety, he ordered it brought to Vienna, to St. Rafael Church, far from the encroaching Muslim armies. The icon’s journey to Vienna was a triumph. Upon its arrival in 1697, it was placed near the High Altar, a testament to its divine significance. Shortly after, Prince Eugene of Savoy, armed with the prayers inspired by the icon, secured a stunning victory against the Turks at Zenta. This victory cemented the Maria Pötsch Icon’s place in the hearts of the Viennese. The residents of Pócs, understandably, wanted their icon returned. A copy was sent in its stead, and remarkably, the copy itself began to weep and work miracles. Pócs, renamed Máriapócs, became a significant pilgrimage site, its story intertwined with that of St. Rafael Church. Though the original icon at St. Rafael Church no longer weeps, it remains a powerful symbol of faith and hope. Tucked away in the southwest corner of the nave, under a medieval stone baldachin, it continues to draw the faithful, its flickering candles whispering prayers across the centuries. So, the next time you find yourself at St. Rafael Church, take a moment to appreciate the Maria Pötsch Icon. Remember the journey, the tears, and the victory it represents. It’s a reminder that even in the heart of Europe, echoes of Byzantine miracles can still be found.