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The 15th of August is one of the biggest religious celebrations in Greece after Easter and Christmas, a national holiday that is observed by the public and private sector.
Dekapentavgoustos (15 August) as it is known by locals, is the day of the Dormition of our Virgin Mary. On the Greek Orthodox calendar this date marks the moment when Mary, Christ’s mother, ascended into Heaven. It is considered a day, not of mourning, but a celebration of joy for the union of the mother with her son in heaven.
Fasting from 1st to 14 of August for the religious, the preparations for the feast take place early in the mornings, Greeks will do their shopping and generally a festive atmosphere is felt around the Island. This evening the church bells will chime letting us know that services for the big day will following in the morning.
The fast is then broken on the 15th, with the traditional Zakynthian meal being stuffed chicken in tomato sauce and either served with spaghetti or roast potatoes.
Many Zakynthian churches celebrate as well, those who are honoured in her name are many around Zakynthos but the ones that stand out are the church on Mt.Skopos, with a morning service where the faithful make their way up the mountains roads to hear the morning’s prayers.
The village of Kalamaki, always in true Zakynthian style will hold procession and a typical Zakynthian ‘glendi’ will follow in the early hours of the evening. The village of Mouzaki, another ‘panagiri’ will take place just as the sun goes down. In town, one of the most popular churches with its impressive artworks and extravagant architecture is the church of Faneromeni, a litany of the the ‘virgin Mary’ will be performed, followed by song and dance.
If you visit the churches you will notice that an icon of the ‘Virgin Mary’ will be placed within a tomb, a tradition that Zakynthians have kept for over centuries. Much like the decorations we see during Holy Friday in preparation of the resurrection of Christ, the grandeur is no less for our Holy Mother.
The most popular celebration in the country for the commemoration of Mary’s passing takes place on the Island of Tinos, where the Greek Orthodox Church’s holiest cathedral, the Panagia Evangelistria, stands.
Pilgrims flock by the thousands to this Cycladic island each year to the church that is home to a miraculous icon of the
Virgin Mary, discovered underground in 1823.
Of course there are other areas which are very popular across Greece, specifically, the celebration on Kefalonia, in the village of Markopoulou, is certainly interesting as a miracle is said to occur every year, that of the “Virgin Mary’s snakes.”
According to legend, when the island was attacked by the pirate Barbarossa in 1705, the nuns in the convent at Markopoulou prayed to Mary to help them escape and were turned into snakes.
Since then, “Virgin Mary’s snakes” enter the Dormition of Virgin Mary Church and head for the bishop’s throne and the icon of the virgin.
The snakes are harmless and are noticeable by the little sign of a cross on their heads, according to villagers, they bring good luck to the island.
If they fail to appear, it is said to be a bad omen, as it happened in the years of major earthquakes in Kefalonia some decades ago and even recently before a major earthquake struck the Island.
Like all of Greece, Zakynthos will be celebrating but in true traditional Zakynthian style, and it is for this reason that our Island’s name day is dedicated to Maria and only Maria, not like they do on the mainland. From church services which start this evening, early morning pilgrimages to churches dedicated in her name and the feast of our Virgin Mary, Zakynthos will end her celebrations with music and song, it’s here you will find the Zakynthian sweet “Fitoura” and of course “Pastelli.” a must at any ‘Panagiri”.
Χρόνια Πολλά (Kronia Polla) will be the greeting of the day. So, as you are travelling around our Island, don’t be shy…. a smile and a wave to the locals and a Kronia Polla, would certainly bring smiles to their faces.
