Among the most known for the splendour of their festivities dedicated to the “Koimisis tis Theotokou” (meaning Her “falling asleep” and ascending into heaven) are Tinos, Paros, Nisyros,Kefalonia and the northern Greece village of Kastania.»
Last night there was a parade from the church of Papameletiou
along the Paralia, and Kostas Psatas was the lead singer,
a good friend of many Norwegians,
who has stayed at his family Place Soulas House.
This morning when walking the doggies
I could see all the cars parked at
There was a morning mass there, as every year!
This is up from Glisteri, the beach is to the right of my photo.
Tonight we go Agnondas with friends, beauty and music!
«Saint Catherine of Alexandria, or Saint Catharine of Alexandria, also known as Saint Catherine of the Wheel and The Great Martyr Saint Catherine (Coptic: Ϯⲁⲅⲓⲁ Ⲕⲁⲧⲧⲣⲓⲛ, Greek: ἡ Ἁγία Αἰκατερίνα ἡ Μεγαλομάρτυς) is, according to tradition, a Christian saint and virgin, who was martyred in the early 4th century at the hands of the pagan emperor Maxentius. According to her hagiography, she was both a princess and a noted scholar, who became a Christian around the age of fourteen, converted hundreds of people to Christianity, and was martyred around the age of 18. More than 1,100 years following her martyrdom, Saint Joan of Arc identified Catherine as one of the Saints who appeared to her and counselled her.» This is from https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catherine_of_Alexandria and you can read more there!
As I wrote the other day, the Greek Orthodox cellebrathes namedays much more than birthdays! So if you know a Katerina or a Merkourios send a greeting!
Today reminds me of a great woman who left us this autumn
In Greece, Cyprus and the Greek diaspora throughout the world, the feast is called the Theophany,[80] or colloquially called the Phōta (Greek: Φώτα, “Lights”)[81] and customs revolve around the Great Blessing of the Waters.[82] It marks the end of the traditional ban on sailing, as the tumultuous winter seas are cleansed of the mischief-prone kalikántzaroi, the goblins that try to torment God-fearing Christians through the festive season. At this ceremony, a cross is thrown into the water, and the men clamour to retrieve it for good luck. The Phota form the middle of another festive triduum, together with Epiphany Eve, January 6 (and eve of January 5), when children sing the Epiphany carols, and the great feast of St. John the Baptist on January 7 (and eve of January 6),[83] when the numerous Johns and Joans celebrate their name-day.
The Feast of Epiphany includes many events which are perpetuating the ancient Greek customs. In the perception of the Greek people, Epiphany is “Great celebration Theotromi”. For some even regions of Macedonia (West) are the biggest festival of the year and each new garment “protoforoun the lights to illuminate.” But when dogmatic The Baptism of Christ symbolizes the rebirth of man having so great importance, which is why until the fourth century Christians celebrated New Year in Baptism of Christ on January 6.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epiphany_(holiday)– and you will find more there.
Also big day tomorrow; Sat Jan Yannis, Giannis, Yannos, Giannos, Yangos, Jeannette, Jean, Zannetos, Cedd, Ioanna, Ioannis, Ivana, Vana, Vanna, Prodromos, Yanna, Gianna
On Skopelos now the 6th at 07.25 it is +8,6C
but it looks like bad weather is coming,
and it is rain in the air.
Out with ENA – the fantastic old fashioned wooden boat
– the very best days of summer I spent onboard.
All photos above taken with a Nikon Coolpix –
but I think RL shot some of them also!
I am cleaning up my photo-gallery and was so
surprised when I saw these photos,
some of them are like a painting!
Thanks a lot for many wonderful trips the last summers!
November; A Norwegian friend said today that he thought it is very cold now, but that is the thing, winters here can be cold but always warm days are coming!
More photos from a summer day on Ena;
I love boat trips, especially the very best one around Skopelos!
Here with friends and family, we rented the boat
for our private charter, just great ;o)
So what can you do?
Dream about summer holiday in Skopelos
with a great boat trip!
Many of the women of Skopelos wear their “Morko”
the old traditional wedding-dress of the island,
as you see on the photo.
The community has made copies of the dresses
and one can borrow one, if one is lucky!
My lucky day was some years ago
when I was allowed to be dressed up;
Pro in Greek is in front, before, and dromo is road, meaning a forunner. (Skopelitissa; very easy to recognize the icon of Ag. Ioannis, because he is always painted with two heads.) Here you see the church – just outside of Glossa.
This church normaly celebrates the nameday
on the 29th of August when it is believed
that Prodromos was beheaded.
Prodromos birthday is on the 24th of June.
Agia Varvara in front, Prodromos in the back – in «the monastery hill», opposite Skopelos town
Wikipedia;
Teofani from Greek theo “god” & phainein “to show”
A day always celebrated on the 6th of January!
Tom Stone’s Greek Handbooks, by Lycabettus Press, says; “In the Orthodox Church, this commemorates not the coming of the Magi but the baptism of Christ in the Jordan.
Thus, the central event of the day is the blessing of the waters, an extremely important ritual in such a
sea-faring nation.
All over Greece, priests and parishioners gather by the nearest body of water (the sea, a river, a lake) which the priest blesses and then into which he throws a cross.”
… and there will be boys diving in to catch the cross,
here always from a boat.
“Many Christians around the world annually celebrate Epiphany on January 6. It is a public holiday in many countries and marks two events in Jesus Christ’s life, according to the Christian Bible. The first event was when the three wise men, or kings, visited infant Jesus. The second event was when St John the Baptist baptized Jesus.”
that was from http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/greece/epiphany
This is the only day of the year that you can, should,
fire your rescue lights and you will not get a fine.
Its about time to renew them anyway!
Big holiday today
