The importance of celebrating the Dormition of Παναγία
The celebration of the Dormition of the Theotokos, ΘΕΟΤΟΚΟΣ in Greek, holds a special place in the collective subconscious of the Orthodox Christians. Literary texts or poems have been written, verses have been set to music, soft and familiar notes that praise Panagia, ΠΑΝΑΓΙΑ in Greek. The Virgin Mary, η ΜΑΡΙΑ, is the ultimate refuge of souls.
From Tinos to Panagia Soumela Every August 15th, Greece seems to become a great pilgrimage. Panagia, Παναγιά, in Greek, has a lot of different names in the Greek Orthodox church:
Μεγαλόχαρη, Γλυκοφιλούσα, Βρεφοκρατούσα, Ελεούσα, Οδηγήτρια, Γαλακτοτροφούσα, Πλατυτέρα των Ουρανών, Φανερωμένη, Γιάτρισσα, Θαλασσινή, Μυρτιδιώτισσα, Εκατονταπυλιανή, Χοζοβιώτισσα, Σουμελά, Σουμελιώτισσα, Πολίτισσα, Αθηνιώτισσα, Τσαμπίκα, Πορταΐτισσα, Τριχερούσα, Ελευθερώτρια, Παρηγορήτρα, Παραμυθία, Χρυσοπηγή, Χρυσοσκαλίτισσα, Γοργοεπήκοος, Δεκαπεντούσα, Δέσποινα, Υπέρμαχος, Κεχαριτωμένη, Ψυχοσώτρια. Numerous names for the one and the Holy Παναγία. August, 15 is considered the Easter of the summer for the Orthodox Christians.
Historic pilgrimages of Theotokos – Ιστορικά προσκυνήματα της Θεοτόκου
There are a lot of historic pilgrimages that still remain gathering places for thousands of believers on August 15th.
The Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Tinos
Thousands of believers from all parts of Greece and abroad came to the Holy Island of Tinos to celebrate the Great Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. All participated with devotion in the Liturgical Ceremonies and festive Events, centered on the All-Holy Church of the Annunciation of Tinos. In Tinos, thousands of people arrive at Megalochari carrying their own vow and their own history.
Panagia Ekatontapyliani in Paros
Moreover, a lot of pilgrims went the historic pilgrimage of.The church of Panagia Ekatontapyliani, completes 17 centuries of life this year. The church with the brilliant icon of Panagia keeps on reflecting her radiance throughout the Orthodox world. In Paros, Ekatontapyliani becomes a point of reference for the entire Aegean.
The Sumeliotissa Panagia, the Lady of Pontus
Every year on the heights of Mount Vermion, the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is celebrated. The tradition and history of 16 centuries that began to be written with struggles and martyrdoms continues, around the Holy symbol of the Icon of the Lady of Pontus, the Sumeliotissa Panagia. Thousands of believers flock to the Pilgrimage site to pay homage. In Panagia Soumela, the figure of the Virgin Mary meets the memory of Pontus and the uprooted Greeks.
The Panagia Thalassini in Andros
According to tradition, Panagia Thalassini of Andros protects those who travel at sea, along with Saint Nicholas. Τhe icon of Panagia appeared one night to sailors in danger. The canons of hagiography state that the mother of Christ always wears a red tunic on the outside, which indicates her human nature, and blue or dark green on the inside, which testifies to her direct association with the birth. Panagia Thalassini in Andros or Agia Thalassini or Panagia Theoskepasti, is the well-known picturesque chapel that the visitor sees, built on a rock in the sea, at the entrance to Chora.
Χρόνια Πολλά στη Μαρία, στη Μαριγώ, στη Δέσποινα, στην Παναγιώτα και στον Παναγιώτη!
Χρόνια Πολλά σε όλους τους Έλληνες!
Λεξιλόγιο – Vocabulary
1/ η αφοσίωση = devotion
2/ προσκυνώ = to worship
3/ επαινώ = to praise
4/ αγιογραφία = hagiograpy
5/ ο κανόνας = canon
