In Astypalea on the 15th of August
The island festivals have always been a good opportunity to experience a genuine traditional fete with plenty of music, dancing and local delicacies. The island smartens up, the streets and cobbled streets are whitewashed and the locals, with great joy open their doors to visitors, who relish the Greek hospitality.
The biggest religious celebration of the summer is none other than the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, which is celebrated with reverie throughout Greece. The celebration of the Virgin Mary in the Dodecanese is special. In Astypalea, the miraculous icon of the Virgin of Portaitissa is showered in flowers and the faithful rush to worship the grace of the Virgin Mary.
Panagia Portaitissa is one of the prettiest churches in the Dodecanese. The largest festival of the island has been held in its courtyard since 1762. In fact, the party and proceedings last three days! Both, on the eve of August 15 and on the day of, the whole island gathers in the church to worship in the spirit of religious devotion and then moves to the ‘Rodia’ courtyard for the big fete with violins, lutes and lots of traditional dancing. In fact, the Cultural Educational Association of Astypalea "opens" the event with young men and women of the island, dressed in local traditional costumes starting the dance. The festival is a pole of attraction for both Astypaleans and tourists, who take to dance and singing until the early hours of the morning.
On the day of the Virgin Mary, on August 15th, the Ecclesiastical Charitable Fund of Astypalea (EFTA) invites the visitors of the island to the “Meal of Love” where exquisite local delicacies are served accompanied by live traditional music.
The specialty dish of the island is Lambriano, a dish of goat or lamb stuffed with rice and livers and slowly roasted overnight in a wood oven over low heat. Really worth a taste!
The three-day celebration concludes with the "Koukania", organized in Pera Gialos on August 16th and it’s a series of games starring young and old "children". Blindfolded yoghurt wars, tug-of-war, swimming races and egg-and-spoon, but also the "rooster", a game where they try to catch a basket with a rooster inside it, by crawling on greased column hanging over the water.
The Ecclesiastical Museum of Astypalea on the Rodia courtyard remains open to visitors during the three-day celebration. It houses a small collection of old and rare images.
Therefore if your journey brings you to Astypalea on August 15th, be mindful not to miss the big attractions.
A FEW WORDS ABOUT THE CHURCH OF PANAGIA PORTAITISSA
The church of Panagia Portaitissa is located at the base of the Venetian Castle and was founded in the middle of the 18th century by Saint Anthimos. According to tradition, the image of the Virgin Mary, which is said to have been imprinted on the wood of itself, is the same as that of I.M. of Iveron located on Mount Athos. An icon copy was brought to the island by the founder of the Monastery, Saint Anthimos. The church stands out for its impressive, gilded, wood-carved iconostasis.
The Church of Panagia Portaitissa was severely damaged by a major fire on 22/10/2023 and there are ongoing efforts of locals, friends of Astypalea and authorities to support the restoration efforts.
