Tens of thousands of pilgrims arrive on the island by all means to worship and see the events
The biggest religious event of Lesvos and not only, the Taxiarch’s festival in Madamados, with tens of thousands of pilgrims from all over Greece and neighboring Turkey, culminates on the weekend of May 3 and 4.
The festival for this year’s 146th anniversary of the inauguration of the historic temple gathers tens of thousands of pilgrims All ages – families with children, groups and groups – who come to the island by all means. Ships and airplanes are full while many pilgrims come from northern Greece via Turkey.
There are many Turkish pilgrims who come either for reasons of religiousness (Muslim religion accepts the existence of angels) or to watch the unique event
There are many Roma Pilgrims who especially honor Archangel Michael. They consider their brigadier patron because of the dark color of the image, the only relief in his orthodoxy image in the temple.
Others arrive at the Temple of Taxiarchos on foot – traveling for hours many kilometers from all parts of Lesvos – and others come with horses tradition!
They all carry large candles or traditional gifts to Madamadi Taxiarchis, metal shoes that “Archangel needs after being worn by running for people”.
Religious events will culminate on Sunday morning with a Divine Liturgy, liturgy of the Archangel image, and then distributing the traditional “Kiscez” meat and wheat boiling all night, from Saturday night, in huge cauldron.
The story of Taxiarchis
The Taxiarch of Madamados is one of the most important pilgrimages of Orthodoxy, with his church dominating a verdant space full of olives and pine trees just outside the village.
The original temple dates back to 1700, and in 1879 it was re -established. The relief image of the Saint, unique in Lesvos, was designed, according to tradition, by a monk who survived a pirate raid.
Using clay from the soil and blood of the slaughtered monks, he created the icon, attributing his salvation to the Taxiarch.
The image, with the dark face of the saint who projects from the silver context, inspires awe. The faithful pilgrims say that the expression of the Taxiarch is changing, from strict and distant to calm and intimate, believing that the Saint communicates with them through these changes.
The Taxiarch is considered a patron of not only Madamados but also of the whole of Lesvos.
The pilgrimage hosts significant relics, such as the hierarchical sac of ethnic martyr Patriarch Grigoriou II, who was bought at auction by Madamadi Metropolitan Porphyrios Fotiadis and donated to the church.
In addition, the temple maintains old gospels, a gold -embroidered seaside of 1656, 16th -century icons and the ancient source of sanctification, considered healing. The tomb of Metropolitan Porphyrius, with the built -in plaque, is another reference point for visitors.
Source: Skai
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