P. Laskarakis

August Religious Festivals on Greek Islands

Every year on the 15th of August the Orthodox Church celebrates the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, and thousands of pilgrims visit the churches dedicated to Her. After the morning mass, a procession of the Virgin's icon takes place in most villages/ towns, and then everyone gathers for the feast of the day, where locals and visitors come together to celebrate. These festivals showcase the cultural identity of each destination and their long-lasting traditions.

Lutes, bagpipes, violins and traditional dances highlight this festive day. This is an excellent opportunity to savour local wine and dishes served on long tables set for the occasion. There is no island in Greece on this particular day that doesn’t hold a celebration, however some stand out either for their special traditions or their unique atmosphere!

CYCLADES

Panagia Kastriani Monastery stands on a steep windswept cliff on Kea (also known as Tzia) Island. A big festival is held in the monastery’s yard, where traditional patatato (braised meat with potatoes) and local sweet wine are served.
In Koimiseos Church yard on Folegandros island a big feast takes place for everyone present.
In Panagia Panochoriani on Amorgos Island people arrive on donkeys. The local specialties offered are braised meat with potatoes and xidato (a type of consommé with vinegar), accompanied by rakomelo (a mix of tsikoudia spirit with honey) made on the island.
The festival of Xylopanagia on Serifos Island lasts three whole days. Tradition has it that the couple that opens the first dance around the large olive tree by the church will be married within the year!
The locals in Filoti Festival, on the island of Naxos, stand out for their traditional costumes as they dance to the sounds of the violin, lute and bagpipe.
On Andros Island, Panagia Thalassini is a picturesque church by the sea. This is where a big celebration is held offering to guests the traditional froutalia (a kind of omelette) and soumada (almond spirit).
The annual big festival in Parikia, οn Paros Island, is held in honour of Panagia Ekatontapyliani where people come from all over Greece to attend the glorious celebrations.
The church of Panagia on Tinos Island (also known as Megalochari) is where an annual celebration takes place with events lasting up to August 23rd. That includes the commemoration of the sinking of the warship "Elli" - by the Italians on 15th August 1940 - alongside other church festivities.

DODECANESE

In Olympos, Karpathos Island the locals commemorate the passing of the Virgin Mary, outside Panagia Church. This involves a slow dance performed by the men and followed by women dressed in their colourful traditional costumes.
The biggest feast on the island of Kasos is held in Panagia village where customs are well preserved. Try tasty dolmadakia (fresh vine leaves stuffed with rice) and dance along the sounds of lyra and lutes.
The festival of Panagia Spiliani on Nisyros Island, holds its local celebration for nine days, starting from the 6th to mid-August. Enjoy dances and lots of local wine.
Portaitissa Church on Astypalaia Island holds a unique festival where visitors can savour the delicious stuffed lamb referred to as Labrino.

NORTHEAST AEGEAN

On the island of Lesvos, Panagia Agiasotissa church is the location of a festival that is one of the most popular in the Northeast Aegean. Pilgrims from Mytilini town walk 25 km to the church to take part in the celebrations.
The undisputed queen of festivals is Ikaria Island. In mid August visit the island and take part in the festivals, dance to the local rythms of the sound of violins in Lagada, Christos Rachon, Gialiskari and Kouniadous. Savour the local goat meat dish and the strong red wine.

IONIAN SEA

Visit Markopoulo village on Kefalonia Island and witness the harmless little snakes of the Virgin Mary, with a crucifix pattern on their head. They make their appearance every year in mid-August on the dome of Panagia Lagouvardas Church. Legend has it, that the nuns of an old monastery in that region, to avoid capture by the pirates, prayed to the Virgin Mary to have them transformed into snakes. In Pastra village, lilies are placed on the icon of the Virgin Mary in Panagia Gravaliotissa Church.
On Corfu Island in the villages Stavros, Karousades and Peroulades hold the biggest mid August festivals on the island.

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The day of Virgin Mary

On August 15, The Greek Orthodox church celebrates the Assumption. But that is just the religious “excuse” for villages to be decorated, folklore festivals to be held, shows of traditional dances to be staged, and a festive atmosphere to be impatiently expected by Greeks and foreigners alike.