How do the Greeks celebrate their Saints in islands?
Greeks celebrate and honor their Saints in a special way in islands. There are a lot of Saints’ celebrations during the summer. The biggest and the most bright is the Virgin’s Mary Dormitory, August, 15th.
What happens one day before the Saint’s celebration?
One day before the celebration, a service takes place in the afternoon. After this service, the believers offer a special blessed bread, “artos”, “άρτος” in Greek, to the inhabitants of the islands and visitors who attended the service. “Artos” is a sweet bread with sesame or power sugar on the top. Apart from “artos”, traditional and hand made sweets are also offered by some islanders to the prayers.
Moreover, most times there are small merchants outside the church, who sell icons, traditional products of the island, jewelry, toys and several souvenirs.
A small festival sometimes follows. Young dancers may dance traditional dances of the island in special costumes. All people really are surprised by the performers.
Believers may eat together outside the small chapels of the Greek islands. The menu most times includes traditional pies, cheese, olives fresh bread village bread, Greek salads and big quantities of grilled meat. Local wine is the basic drink islanders enjoy drinking.
What happens during the day of the Saint’s celebration?
The day of the saint’s celebration, the service starts early in the morning. A lot of believers commune. Before the end of the service, the priest gives a brief speech on the importance of honoring the Saint. He also offers the blessed bread, “antidoron”, “αντίδωρο”, as well as “artos”.
The benefits of Saints’ celebrations
There are several benefits of Saints’ celebrations:
– fostering social bonds
– boosting local traditions and
– motivating island organisations’ members
Celebrating Saint Kyriaki in Mykonos – July, 7th
Τhe church of Agia Kyriaki is located in the Chora of Mykonos. It is one of the 70 post-Byzantine churches in Mykonos. Agia Kyriaki has wonderful architecture. The icons are of significant historical value. Agia Kyriaki has aso finely crafted iconostasi. The icons are gorgeous.
Inside the church, the Mykonians used to place the bones of their dead on the walls of the churches. Therefore, the visitors can see the names of the most famous families of the island.
Saint Kyriaki, the Great Martyr of Christianity
Saint Kyriaki dedicated her life to religion and martyred under the Roman Emperor Dioclenian. Saint Kyriaki protects people who suffer from depression. Saint Kyriaki heals and cures depression.
Λεξιλόγιο – Vocabulary
1/ η εκκλησία = church
2/ η λειτουργία = service
3/ η κατάθλιψη = depression
4/ θεραπεύω = to cure
5/ κοινωνώ = to commune
