From Tinos to Amorgos: Seven sacred pilgrimages of August 15th

The 15th of August in Greece is not just a great religious celebration. It is the highlight of summer. It is the appointment of faith and tradition, the day when cities are emptying and the villages are filled, the ports smell incense and the squares and the streets are filled with tables for the festivals. From the Aegean islands to the slopes of Vermio, each place celebrates in its own way, carrying centuries of stories.

We quote seven of the most historical and characteristic celebrations of the day

1. Tinos – The Great

The heart of the Greek 15th of August beats in Tinos. Thousands of faithful, many kneeling, climb uphill from the port to the Holy Temple of Evangelistria, where the miraculous icon found in 1823. Symbol of hope after the revolution, Tinos is the absolute pilgrimage of August.

2. Panagia Sumela – Vermio, Kastania Imathia

On the slope of Vermio, the Pontians from all over the world (and not only) meet in front of the image that came in 1930 from Trabzon after the actions of Eleftherios Venizelos. The desire of the Pontians was to find some rocky and quiet place, similar to Pontus, to build the “New” Monastery that would host the image, which was finally done in 1951 in the area of Kastania in Vermio. The celebration of August 15th is associated with memory and refugees, but also with a feast and dances that unite generations.

3. Panagia Ekatontapyliani – Paros

Paros lives on August 15th with religious brilliance and island grace. In the Ekatontapyliani, which tradition says that St. Helen founded in the 4th century and is one of the oldest and best preserved Christian temples, there is a surroundings of the icon and doxology. In the evening, all the boats in the port are illuminated and an incredible spectacle with dozens of sparklers floods the sky. Tradition that is preserved to date on the name of the Histapyliani name says: “Ninety -nine obvious doors have the Catapolitan. The centimeter is closed and does not appear. This door will look and open when the Greeks take the city. “.

4. Panagia Kanala – Kythnos

Panagia Kanala, the patron of the fishermen, is built on one of the most beautiful and pine -covered beaches of Kythnos. Her festival is one of the most famous of the Cyclades and lasts two days. Today, on the 15th of August, the image is performed on the streets of the village, accompanied by the band and the Navy. The miraculous image is then represented by throwing a copy of the image into the sea. There are many faithful who dive to catch her.

5. Our Lady of Agiassos – Lesvos

The story of Our Lady of Agiassos is closely linked to the icon of the Virgin Mary called “Agia Zion” (brought by Agathon in 803 BC), from which, through a modification of the name, the name of the settlement of Agiassos came. It is said that the icon of the Virgin Mary is miraculous, resulting in many pilgrims especially on August 15th. The day combines devotion and traditional festivals with local dishes.

6. Panagia Chozoviotissa – Amorgos

Hanging on the cliff above the sea, the Hozoviotissa Monastery is a breathtaking setting. Built in the 11th century, it was named after the corruption of the “Chozibitissa” or “Cozibitissa”, which in turn comes from the name Hozeva or Koziva (today Wady Kelt, Palestine), where there was the Orthodox Monastery. According to local tradition, the icon of Panagia Hozoviotissa arrived at the time of the Iconoclasm by sea in the bay of Agia Anna, near the Monastery. The monastery is accessed, climbing 271 steps.

7. Panagia Parakritiani – Mykonos

Far from the cosmopolitan face of the island, is Panagia Parakritiani. Its construction began in 1425 and was not completed until the 17th century. This impressive calcified church consists of five separate churches: the four churches (dedicated to Agios Efstathios, Saint Sozos, Agioi Anargyroi and Agia Anastasia) are located on the ground floor and are the base of the fifth church built on them.