'Miracle' monk grabs show ahead of Greek Orthodox Easter

ATHENS (AFP) - The discovery that Vissarionas Korkoliakos remains largely preserved -- along with his monastic robes and book of Gospels -- is being hailed as a "sign", in a country strong on religious tradition that loves miracles.
"Even (his) soft parts are intact," exclaimed the region's senior cleric, Bishop Nicholas of Fthiotis, as the Greek Orthodox Church officially deemed the event a "celestial sign, a message for our people and our time."
As word got out, thousands have flocked to the monastery near the central town of Lamia, where the body was put on display in a special glass case last month.
"We just witnessed a miracle," one woman told the Eleftherotypia daily. "This man is a saint."
"After all these years, you can still make out his Adam's apple and the veins in his feet," added a man.
Given the fervor, the church decided to keep the corpse on public view, drawing criticism from some clerics who fear the monk's exposure will lead to commercial exploitation and have called for his reburial.(more...)