Verses
The spring became empty of its wonderworking waters,
And it was once again wondrously filled.
And it was once again wondrously filled.
On August 16th we commemorate the Depletion and Issuing Forth Again of the Holy Water in the Church of the Life-Giving Spring (Zoodochos Pege) in Constantinople. We do not know exactly when this miracle took place, but it probably took place on August 16, 542 when a great earthquake struck Constantinople, which is also commemorated on this day. During this earthquake, the spring probably dried up, as is common when earthquakes occur in an area of springs, since desertification might be an effect of fault motions resulting from earthquakes. This likely caused great distress among the people, but their joy was returned when the spring began to flow again. In thanksgiving for the restoration of the flow of these wonderworking waters, this feast was established.
