The good oil

Christians have been flocking to the dusty Israeli town of Ramla to see what locals are calling a miracle: streaks of what looks like oil mysteriously dripping down an icon of St George at a Greek Orthodox church named for the legendary Third Century dragon slayer.

Worshippers said yesterday that the more than two dozen streaks might represent God's tears or the Christian rite of baptism.

The church has sent a sample of the oil to a laboratory.

About 50 Christians crowded around the icon yesterday, some from other parts of Israel.