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August fifteenth, the ” Easter in Summer”…
In every city , on every island across our nation, a church is dedicated to our Holy Mother, to soothe, to comfort, to give strength and encourage those in need and for those who ask for our Mother’s help. Our Holy Mother holds a special place in the hearts of Greeks as it is through Christ she has become the mother of all children, embracing us with divine love.
Ancient, modern, majestic, austere, miraculous, the churches of our “Panagia” celebrate according to our local customs. Some churches will hold grand services, others will rejoice in litany and others will celebrate in what we call a typical Zakynthian “Panagiri”, which involves a religious ceremony, litany of the icon of our Holy Mother, while some celebrate with the epitaph
usually through the streets around the church and then a celebration in song and dance including a feast with all the local delights
Faneromeni, Skopiotissa, Kryoneritissa, Panagoula, Keriotissa, Pikridiotissa, Viglatsoura, Marathonidotissa, Katastara, Trimartyri, Eutichido, Kantouniotissa or simply Panagia are just some of the churches tributed to her. Expressing their love to the Mother of God, Greeks gave her various names and most are related to the area the church is located in, but above all it is Panagia who they dedicate and honour.
In Zakynthos all the churches celebrate with solemnity and ecclesiastical magnificence. After all, according to the teachings of the Orthodox Church, the Mother of God, before ascending to heaven, promised to always take care of the world, to become a mediator between people and her Son.
Today, in every Zakynthian home she is celebrated. The dish of the day is the traditional Zakynthian Stuffed Rooster known as (kokora paragiomisto)
or Beef in tomato Soup with orzo pasta known as (Soupa Mouskari me manestra)
Another tradition that is different to other areas in Greece is that today the name day is dedicated only to Maria, and the Zakynthian name Skopiotis, whilst in other areas around Greece they will also celebrate the name Panagiotis and names derived from “Pangaia”, “Theotokou” and “Despina.”
For those wishing to take part in a traditional “Panagiri” honouring our Holy Mother, Kalamaki, the church of Faneromeni in Zakynthos Town and the church in the village of Katastari will be holding celebnrations in true Zakynthian style Tuesday 15th at 20.30p.m
Χρόνια Πολλά to all.
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