Festival of Panagia, Crete

Greece's second biggest religious festival, the feast of the Panagia, will be commemorated by events across Crete next month.

On August 15th, ceremonies will be held in at Gonia Monastery, in Elafonissi and at Neapoli, Agia Galini, Koxare and Anogia.

Panagia is a name for the Virgin Mary in Orthodox Christianity, with the Greek Orthodox Church celebrating the feast day of her Assumption (ascent into heaven) through the festival.

Greeks traditionally return to their home towns and villages on this day to celebrate. The close bond in Greece between religion and revelling is preserved by the dancing and feasting during the evening parties which traditionally follow the special church services.

The feast day can also be used as an excuse to travel to some of the island's more out of the way destinations. As well as hosting a Panagia celebration, the small town of Neapoli boasts an unusually temperate climate thanks to its mountain air, and contains some of the best neoclassical architecture on the islands.

Elafonissi, a tiny island with spectacular beaches, and the 17th century Gonia Monastery, which holds a large collection of religious icons and relics, are also great places for visitors to celebrate the Panagia festival.

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