Greeks born and inhabiting this shining-bright Rock of Light in the East Mediterranean, as well as all the Greeks of Diaspora, throughout the Globe, have a special place in their heart for the Divine Feminine.
A red thread of pulsating, bonding devotion for the Divine Mother permeates all the eras, as the art findings and scriptures attest, be it the seven thousand years old (https://youtu.be/rVK7uD2Prs8 :670 πήλινα ειδώλια στο Αρχαιολογικό Μουσείο Θεσσαλονίκης•4 Απρ 2017) clay figurines or, the archaic, pro-classic, classic, Byzantine, middle-ages, contemporary times.
And this is how al these Feasts and Celebrations honouring Panagia, shown below and thriving wherever Greeks exist,
are born and sustained in perpetuity!
Maria L. Pelekanaki
Dekapendavgoustos, Celebrating Panagia
Δεκαπενταύγουστος: Τα έθιμα στα ελληνικά νησιά & τα πανηγύρια που γίνονται!!!
Ο εορτασμός της Παναγιάς στα Δωδεκάνησα, είναι ξεχωριστός, με πανηγύρια σε όλα τα νησιά και σε όλα τα χωριά της Ελλάδας.Τα περισσότερα εξ αυτών έχουν τα δικά τους έθιμα, που κρατούν από γενιά σε γενιά και τα κάνουν ξεχωριστά.
Λιτανείες με θρησκευτική ευλάβεια και βυζαντινή μεγαλοπρέπεια, παραδοσιακά πανηγύρια και ειδικά φαγητά.
Μερικές από τις Παναγιές της Δωδεκανήσου που
ξεχωρίzουν είναι:
Στη Ρόδο, το μεγαλύτερο πανηγύρι είναι αυτό της Παναγιάς της Κρεμαστής, το οποίο διαρκεί 15 μέρες (από τις 10 έως τις 23 Αυγούστου).
Συμμετέχουν σ’ αυτό χιλιάδες Pοδίτες, ενώ στο πλαίσιο του πανηγυριού λειτουργεί και έκθεση παραδοσιακών προϊόντων εδώ και δεκαετίες. Είναι το πανηγύρι με τη μεγαλύτερη συμμετοχή κόσμου σε όλα τα Δωδεκάνησα
Στην Αστυπάλαια, το πανηγύρι της Παναγίας της Πορταΐτισσας, οι εκδηλώσεις του οποίου διαρκούν τρεις μέρες. Ξεκινούν από το βράδυ της παραμονής, μετά τον Εσπερινό, στον περίβολο της εκκλησίας υπό τους ήχους βιολιού και λύρας, με παραδοσιακούς χορούς.
Ανήμερα, οι Αστυπαλαιώτισσες μαγειρεύουν και προσφέρουν στους επισκέπτες τοπικούς μεζέδες και αρνί γεμιστό. Το εορταστικό τριήμερο κλείνει με τα «Κουκάνια», που διοργανώνονται στον Πέρα Γιαλό και είναι μια σειρά από παιχνίδια με πρωταγωνιστές μικρά και μεγάλα «παιδιά».
Το γιαουρτοτάϊσμα, δηλαδή αλληλοτάισμα γιαουρτιού με κλειστά μάτια, το τράβηγμα του σχοινιού, αγώνες κολύμβησης και αβγομαχίες, αλλά και ο «πετεινός», ένα παιχνίδι όπου προσπαθούν να πιάσουν ένα καλάθι με έναν ψεύτικο κόκορα στην άκρη μιας αλειμμένης με γράσο κολόνας πάνω από τη θάλασσα είναι μερικά από αυτά.
Στη Νίσυρο, γιορτάζει η Παναγιά η Σπηλιανή ένα από τα πιο γνωστά μοναστήρια που προσελκύει πλήθος κόσμου από όλα τα Δωδεκάνησα. Το έθιμο θέλει τις λεγόμενες «εννιαμερίτισσες» να καταφτάνουν από τα γύρω νησιά στη μονή εννιά μέρες πριν, για να πραγματοποιήσουν μια ξεχωριστή τελετουργία που λήγει ανήμερα της Παναγιάς.
Την παραμονή προσφέρονται στους επισκέπτες ρεβίθια και πατάτες και ανήμερα κρέας με πατάτες στο γλέντι που γίνεται στην αυλή του σχολείου κάτω από την εκκλησία.
Στην Όλυμπο της Καρπάθου, η Παναγιά γιορτάζεται με τον πιο κατανυκτικό τρόπο. Εδώ, οι λειτουργίες είναι βαθιά συνδεδεμένες με το πένθος για τη Παναγία που «έφυγε».
Αποκορύφωμα του εορτασμού είναι ο παραδοσιακός Κάτω Χορός που ξεκινά από τους άντρες σε σταθερό, αργόσυρτο βήμα και κατανυκτική διάθεση. Ακολουθούν οι γυναίκες ντυμένες με τις εκπληκτικής ομορφιάς παραδοσιακές στολές τους.
Στην Κάσο, γίνεται το μεγαλύτερο πανηγύρι του νησιού. Όλα τα πατροπαράδοτα έθιμα τηρούνται ευλαβικά και δεν είναι λίγοι οι ξενιτεμένοι Κασιώτες που επιλέγουν αυτή τη μέρα για να επισκεφθούν τον τόπο τους, να δοκιμάσουν ντολμαδάκια και πιλάφι και να ξεφαντώσουν με λύρες και λαούτα.
Στο νησί της Πάτμου, το νησί της Ορθοδοξίας, όπου τα πάντα περιστρέφονται γύρω από το ιστορικό μοναστήρι της Αποκάλυψης, οι μοναχοί του τηρούν το έθιμο του επιταφίου της Παναγίας, ένα έθιμο με βυζαντινές καταβολές.
Ο χρυσοποίκιλτος επιτάφιος της Παναγίας περιφέρεται στα σοκάκια του νησιού σε μεγαλοπρεπή πομπή, ενώ οι καμπάνες του μοναστηριού και των άλλων εκκλησιών ηχούν ασταμάτητα.
Στην Κάλυμνο, σε εκκλησίες και ξωκλήσια αναβιώnουν έθιμα και παραδόσεις. Η Παναγιά της Χώρας η Κεχαριτωμένη, η Γαλατιανή στ’ Αργινώντα, η Κυρά Ψιλή στον Βαθύ, η Παναγιά του Γλυκιού στο λιμάνι, η Παναγιά στους Βοθύνους, η Παναγιά της Τελέντου, η Παναγιά στην Ψέριμο, η Μυρτιώτισσα και πολλά μικρά ξωκλήσια θ’ ανοίξουν τις πύλες τους για να υποδεχθούν ντόπιους και επισκέπτες από κάθε γωνιά της Ελλάδας και του εξωτερικού που θα σπεύσουν να προσκυνήσουν τη χάρη της Παναγιάς.
Πηγή: iefimerida.gr
If you are looking for the liveliest time to be in Greece, Dekapentavgoustos (August 15th) should definitely be on top of your list. Marking the Assumption of the Virgin Mary — one of the largest religious celebrations in the country— this period also hosts some of the greatest Panigiria (festivals).
Greeks from Athens, Thessaloniki and all the main cities travel to their island homes and villages to mark this day of non-stop celebration. Every region has its own traditions but overall the day is held in honour of Panagia- who is cherished and respected, and asked to perform miracles on people of all ages.
On this day, each town’s icon of the Virgin is often adorned with flowers and ribbons and carried around the island or village so that the faithful may touch it. The formal religious ceremony is held during the day, with mass and prayers in the morning and in the evening focus shifts to food, wine song and dance.
Panigiria are set in town squares or next to a celebrating church, with each festivity including tables of guests who partake in the local revelry. Each village serves up their local wine and delicacies to the sounds of live bands, which have most locals up and dancing from the time they arrive.
The essence of this celebration is that “all are welcome” and treated like family- participating body and soul in the commemoration.
What is 100 percent certain is that wherever you are in Greece on this national holiday- be it an island, village, city or remote town- there will be a Panigiri somewhere nearby. We take a look at some of the best places to be in Greece for Dekapentavgoustos.
Siatista
In Siatista, in the northern Greek region of Kozani, the local men ride their adorned horses up to the Monastery of the Koimissis tis Theotokou (Dormition of the Virgin). The horsemen train their animals for weeks before this event and on the eve of the feast, the town gather groups of horsemen, who lure local people and guests to the feast. On the day of the Assumption, the riders start out in the morning to worship the image of the Virgin Mary Monastery located in Mikrokastro. Afterwards the groups of riders come with their horses into Siatista to the square of hora and put on a display of their skills in the town’s main square. The celebrations continue until early morning.
Veria
Preserving their traditions, the Pontians of Soumela in Veria don full costume on the their annual pilgrimage to Panagia Soumela Monastery on August 15. Thousands of believers from all over Greece and abroad flock each year to attend the events that take place in Panagia Soumela, the historic church located on the slopes of Vermion, near the village Kastania. The church was built in 1951 by refugees from Pontos, in memory of the historical monastery, the ruins of which are located on Mount Mela, near Trabzon in the Black Sea. Here exists the miraculous image of Panagia, crafted by Evangelist Luke. On Assumption Day, the procession of the holy icon of the Virgin Mary is followed by many believers. On top of this great festival of Christendom, Pontian bands from Macedonia offer unique moments with traditional tunes and a long lasting celebration.
Zagoria
Zagoria is famous for its Dekapentavgoustos feasts and in villages such as Vitsa and Tsepelovo, the commemoration of the Assumption lasts three days and features an abundance of traditional cuisine with a serving of continental dances. The third and last day is celebrated with non- stop local Epirot musicians and dances.
Paros
Panagia Ekatontapyliani is one of the most worshipped churches in the Aegean and is located in the capital of Paros. Believers from all over Greece gather here in mid-August to take part in the festivities. After the procession of the epitaph, begins the great festival of the people, partying until the early hours, with traditional music, and local wine and delicacies. In the port of Naoussa, boats approach the pier with lit torches and reveals the arrival of pirates who start the festival with traditional island dances.
Syros
On August 15, most of Syros’ islanders gather at the island’s numerous ports, hopping on the fishermens’ boats for a free ride at sea. All they have to do in exchange is to help set off all the fireworks rocketing from these boats and lighting the sky throughout the process. As it’s a religious festival, one of the boats carries a big icon of Panagia. That is when the party begins. The fishermen drive their boats back to the ports to drop off the passengers, who taste some of the delicious “kakavia” – fishermans soup made by the locals – and some free local drinks. The night of course ends with plenty of live music and dancing.
Tinos
This special island has been linked with religious festivities for decades, with the Church of Panagia Evangelistria on Tinos’ main port drawing thousands of pilgrims from around the world each year. On August 15, Tinos also commemorates the sinking of the warship Elli in 1940 by Italian torpedoes off the island’s coast, an event that effectively brought Greece into the Second World War. Assumption Day is considered the best day to visit this island and each year visitors start a long journey to Tinos, to pay a visit to the church and experience some of the extraordinary blessings and celebrations.
Chania
Chania is located in Crete- the largest of the Greek islands and the locals celebrate Assumption Day in their own Cretan way, with certain villages offering free food and wine and non-stop Cretan music all day. Expect to hear lots of Mandinades (Cretan folklore music) and celebratory gunshots, which creates a very festive atmosphere and dynamic vibe.
Ikaria
Ikaria boasts authentic local celebrations of the Virgin Mary’s day in Greece, attracting hundreds of travellers who enjoy more of a traditional festival. It gives international guests the opportunity to mingle with the locals surrounded by stunning village surroundings, traditional food, live music, non-stop dancing, and plenty of local wine.
Serifos
Dekapentavgousots in Serifos is where young men get into fist fights to win the attention of young women. According to old wives tales, the man who comes out triumphant and gets to dance with his girl under the old olive tree is going to be next to wed. Today this custom is performed just for fun but the festival is still one of the most important dates of the islands calendar- as most inhabitants come back every year to catch up and dance for three days straight.
According to the Holy Scriptures, Christ was dying on the cross and saw His Mother and His disciple John. He said, “Woman, behold your son,” to John. From that moment Apostle John took care of Panagia at his home in Jerusalem.
Panagia was with the Holy Apostles on the day of Pentecost- a moveable feast that occurs 50 days after Pascha (Easter) and marks the descent of the Holy Spirit and the culmination of the Holy Trinity. All of the Apostles except Apostle Thomas were at Panagia’s bedside when she “fell asleep” and the Lord Jesus Christ came down and carried her soul to heaven.
The body of the Theotokos was laid in a tomb near the Garden of Gethsemane but the tomb was empty three days later when Apostle Thomas went to see her. The Assumption of the Theotokos (body) was later confirmed by an angel and an appearance she made in front of the Apostles.
Commemorating and preparing for the Dormition of the Theotokos in Greek Orthodox households begins on August 1, the beginning of Dekapentavgousto, with fasting. Paraklesis services are performed by most Greek Orthodox parishes worldwide in weekdays before the Feast, which consists of supplication and prayer for the intercessions of the Theotokos. A Great Vespers is held the evening before the Feast, and on the day of the Feast, it is celebrated with the Divine Liturgy of John Chrysostom in the morning.
Devout Greek Orthodox people make a pilgrimage to the Greek island of Tinos, where it is said Panagia made an appearance before a nun and told her where to find an icon of Panagia, which has healing properties. There are also huge celebrations held at Panagia Soumela in Mount Vermio, Panagia Ekatontapyliani in Paros.
Today, every Greek church across
Greece and the entire world will be holding some form of commemoration
for Panagia, Mother of all.