$20 Picture of Jesus ‘Leaking Mysterious Sticky Substance’ Has People Believing It Can Cure Cancer

HONOLULU, HAWAII — A $20 second-hand picture of Jesus and Mary, once bought from a Toronto bargain bin, is now drawing global attention after reportedly beginning to leak a fragrant, sticky oil that witnesses say has miraculous healing powers.

The paper print, a reproduction of a centuries-old Orthodox icon, has been kept at the Holy Theotokos of Iveron Russian Orthodox Church in Honolulu for over 15 years. But in late September, something extraordinary began to happen — and believers are calling it a divine sign.

A Strong Scent of Myrrh Leads to Discovery

Parish priest Father Nectarios Yangson first noticed a powerful aroma of myrrh — a biblical resin used for anointing and healing — appearing in unexpected places.

“During the last week of September, I began to notice an unbelievably strong smell of myrrh, at home, in my car, even at work,” Father Nectarios wrote in a letter to his parishioners. “We were afraid. We asked one another if we had recently cleaned or anointed the icons, and both of us said no.”

Days later, he discovered a small droplet of clear, fragrant oil forming on the left knee of baby Jesus in the print. Over time, the liquid began to seep across the image, pooling at its base and soaking into the fabric below.

Witnesses Say the Substance Smells Like Roses

According to church members, the scent filling the chapel was so strong that even Father Nectarios’ cat stood up on its hind legs to investigate.

Videos and photos — later shared by the New York Post and social media users — show the mysterious oil visibly dripping from the framed image.

One user on X (formerly Twitter) posted:

“You can literally go and see this Orthodox icon stream myrrh with your own eyes — and some people still don’t believe.”

Believers Claim the Myrrh Has Healing Powers

Since the incident, hundreds of visitors have flocked to the Honolulu church to witness what many are calling a modern-day miracle.

Churchgoers claim that the myrrh has helped cure blindness, paralysis, chronic pain, and even cancer — miraculous recoveries that have strengthened local faith and drawn believers from across the Pacific.

The Russian Orthodox Church officially recognized the Hawaiian Iveron Icon as a miraculous image in 2008, granting Father Nectarios permission to take it to churches across the United States and Europe.

“Some days have been completely dry, while on other days the image is covered in myrrh,” Father Nectarios said. “Yet whether it streams or not, it gives off an extremely strong scent of roses. It is truly a great miracle — and sometimes I wonder if it is a warning.”

Mystery and Faith

Experts haven’t been able to explain the phenomenon. While skeptics suggest condensation, chemical reactions, or humidity could play a role, many faithful reject those explanations.

To them, the Hawaiian icon’s mysterious fragrance is more than a physical occurrence — it’s a spiritual message of hope at a time when belief feels rare.

What began as a $20 bargain-bin purchase has now become an international pilgrimage site, reminding millions that faith can sometimes flow from the most unexpected places.

If you’ve witnessed something miraculous or unexplained, share your story with us at NapervilleLocal.com — where faith, community, and everyday wonders meet.