What happened to Sydneyâ€™s Miracle House?

A photo of Mike who is believed to be responsible for oil weeping out his family home. Source: News Corp Australia

NEARLY a decade ago a house in Western Sydney was drawn into the international spotlight after claims it had mysterious oil with healing powers weeping from its walls.

After countless years in the media spotlight — for good and bad — the house disappeared from the public eye.

Having been five years since last making an appearance in the media, news.com.au headed out to the Guildford property in order to see if it was still in operation.

Driving down the street it became vastly apparent the Miracle House remained opened for members of the public.

If the cars lining the street and religious paraphernalia on the front veranda weren't obvious enough, the large sign advertising opening hours for visitors sure did the trick.

Entering through the front gate, visitors get a glimpse of an outdoor garage that looks like it has been transformed into an area for vigils.

With the house boasting a weekly prayer of the Rosary every Friday, one can only imagine this is the location it is held.

Look closely and you can see religious symbols made by the oil. Source: News Limited

After knocking on a large screen door, the Tannous family warmly welcome visitors into their house.

The patriarch of the family George then takes visitors on a tour of the family home and explains the oil was first found in their son's room after he had passed away.

He then shows how it has now spread to new areas of the house.

It might be the countless photos of their deceased son, the large array of religious items or the oil itself, but something creates an eerie vibe.

Shining lights on the walls expose a number of written messages supposedly created by Mike's spirit.

Apparently, Mike has twice written his birthdate, his name and also drawn a large number of religious symbols.

Attention is also brought to a baby photo of Mike next to a photo of Jesus.

It is explained that Mike's hand gestures mimic that of Jesus as they are both pointing one finger up to heaven.

For those unable to attend in person, a Facebook page offers a number of regular updates of the happenings within the house.

When asked for an interview to give an update on the Miracle House, Mr Tannous declined to comment to news.com.au.

The tight-lipped response came as a surprise, given he has previously claimed to be doing God's work.

While believers may find comfort in the details already offered, the silence is sure to make cynics further question the authenticity of the claims.

Because one has to wonder if the oil has spread to more areas of the house, when will it stop?

Will it soon take over the whole house, street or suburb?

Additionally, if the claims are correct and the house is a connection between mortals and God, why hasn't the Vatican responded?

Nevertheless, it would appear as long as people believe, the house will remain open.

And this really isn't such a bad thing.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

The modest three-bedroom home first emerged in the headlines after owners George and Lina Tannous announced that the oil was the spirit of their recently deceased 17-year-old son, Mike.

Mike's mother first made the discovery 40 days after he was tragically killed in a car crash 200m from the family home in September, 2006.

"My wife saw something shining on the wall like a diamond over his bed," Mr Tannous previously told News Corp.

"Only my wife saw it and there was 15 of us in the room with her. She touched it and all of sudden oil started appearing on the walls and it hasn't stopped. This is a big miracle. I can't explain it."

The weeping wall in the "miracle house". Source: News Corp Australia

In a bizarre twist to the story, Mr Tannous said Mike had told him of a dream in which he had died and was shown heaven by the Virgin Mary, just two weeks before his death.

Wanting to share the religious phenomenon, the family opened their doors to the public and allowed people to use their house as a shrine.

"I open the door for everyone. We don't ask anyone for money or take any money. We are doing this for God," Mr Tannous said.

George and Lina Tannous in front of their home. Source: News Limited

SAINTHOOD

As word spread of the miracle, people travelled from overseas and interstate, hoping to get a glimpse of the oil, which had now spread to framed photos of Mike, religious paraphernalia and other walls in the house.

"Over the weekend, we had people everywhere. We even had to close the street ... they want to experience a miracle," Mr Tannous told News Corp in 2009.

The family claimed Mike was "hand-picked by God" and was responsible for a number of marvels.

One of the first miracles the family descried had to do with a woman who was told by doctors she would be unable to fall pregnant.

Desperate to give birth to a third child, she came to the house and prayed.

One month later, she returned to the house with a box of chocolates, exclaiming she had fallen pregnant.

People queue to view the weeping walls in the "miracle house". Source: News Corp Australia

The family also credited the oil to curing a woman of cancer.

"Mike is a messenger between us and God. He has healed so many people," Mrs Tannous said.

After the announcement of Mary Mackillop's impending canonisation, Sydney Archbishop Cardinal George Pell made a suggestion for two people who should be considered as Australia's next "would-be saints".

While their son was not included in the Cardinal's announcement, the Tannouses felt their son should have been next in line for sainthood.

"Our boy is a saint. This is him talking to us, talking to other people," Mr Tannous said.

Despite the push, Mike is still yet to be canonised and Mary Mackillop remains Australia's only saint.

A family is shown around the house. Source: News Limited

SCEPTICS VS BELIEVERS

Supernatural phenomena tend to be highly contentious topics that divide people as sceptics or believers.

Following initial media coverage of the home, internet forums were abuzz with debate.

In a Yahoo Answers thread, users were quick to refute claims made by the family.

One commenter offered a plausible explanation when they wrote, "Walls weep because materials under/on the paint, in the ceiling, but most of all in the air either leak through or are caught up in condensing steam from a shower".

While another user gave a far more cynical response by writing: "Seems to me that if God wanted to manifest himself to us on Earth it wouldn't be by pouring 10W-40 Castrol on the walls of a house in Australia".

An apparent "family friend" posting under an anonymous account quickly came to the Tannouses' defence.

"I believe in what is happening; I guess this has also to do with my faith. They are not taking donations, nor do they seek '15 minutes of fame'. They strongly believe this is a sign from God for the world to see," they wrote.

George Tannous in his dead son Mike's room with the weeping walls. Source: News Corp Australia

A leader from the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese was also outspoken about his belief in the miracle.

Archbishop Paul Saliba said God had many ways of revealing himself and strongly believed this was the Lord's work.

"I've been there many times and we cannot pinpoint exactly what's happening. It is miraculous," Father Saliba told News Corp.

"Our church policy is that people have to look and see for themselves and make up their own minds and this takes time.

"When the people of the church come to a conclusion, then the church will comment."

There has been extensive testing on the mystery oil, but no explanation has been given of its source.

All that has been discovered is that the oil contains water, gold and a safe level of uranium.

CONTROVERSY

George Tannous leaves Fairfield Court. Source: News Limited

After fading away from the limelight, the house made its way back into the headlines.

Although, this time it was for all the wrong reasons.

Mr Tannous was arrested in the family home after a three-year investigation into an alleged credit fraud scam in Sydney's west.

Police alleged he was fraudulently completing credit card applications on behalf of third parties.

When speaking about the police raid on his home and subsequent credit-card fraud charges, Mr Tannous said it was a conspiracy against the miracle of his son.

"I would like to announce that there is a big game prepared by those who are against the miracle and the House of Miracles," he told News Corp.
"The Westpac Bank opened this case against me while the miracle is giving fruits to the world.

"The miracle will continue always and the door is always open."

WHERE TO FROM NOW?

If you want to check out the house for yourself, visiting hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 11am-2pm and 4-6pm.