Every Greek church is specialized in a mystery on the Christian religion, such as the Holy Cross or even the Ascension, or a saint; and celebrates with special observances when marked from the church calendar for that mystery or saint, and so on yesterday. Some small churches merely applied to that particular occasion during the year.The standard practice should be to have special services within the vigil, or previous day the one marked from the calendar, and on your day itself. The icon with the patron saint is to establish just from the church, or perhaps in a porch, in order that the people may venerate it.
Furthermore, there could be a religious procession when the icon from the mystery or saint being commemorated is going to be carried through the streets. This tends to most usually come about either for the evening of the vigil or, more rarely, when itself. Every now and then there'll be an all-night vigil held within the church on the evening beforehand. A reasonable, with stalls, could possibly be arrange about the church. Food can be supplied by a devoted beast or beasts offered in sacrifice. Occasionally there are very rigid rules about what can be offered, for instance, an unyoked beast of odd number of years of age. Tradition frequently maintains the fiction the beast has somehow volunteered, or presented itself, just as one offering. Usually the beast are going to be purchased by public subscription, and can be beautifully dressed with wreaths of flowers before being led to the place of sacrifice, where it really is blessed by a priest. After being killed and skinned, the meat is cooked and served out from a religious service. Regardless, there could possibly be eating, drinking and dancing afterwards, as well as in some places the participants will wear traditional clothes. In certain areas, e.g. Arachova along with the area around Kalavryta, traditional athletic contests are also held.
These festivals are called paneyiria.
αγια θεοδωρα.How big the crowds fascinated by attend a paneyiri will depend on the historical past and standing of the saint commemorated, and also the incredible importance of the church itself. Some attract huge crowds, while some are certainly modest and poorly attended affairs. The mere height and width of a church building is of little significance in gauging the significance of its paneyiri. A large, modem suburban church without history to speak of may hold simply a modest celebration, while the smallest chapel, apparently abandoned in certain isolated spot, may hold a precious set up the hears of the people of your entire region because of its religious, historical or legendary associations, and may function as focus of an annual pilgrimage of great size.
Why the saint commemorated could also bear no relation to what Westerners may expect. A lot of the days commemorating the apostles are of only moderate significance, whereas saints like George, Dimitris, Nicholas, Spyridon, Marina and Paraskevi are crucial inside the religious lifetime of folks. Of all figures within the Old Testament, none rate adjusted great importance except the prophet Elijah (Profitis Ilias) to whom chapels on mountain tops nationwide are dedicated. It is deemed an indication the fact that cult of those saints owes more to Greece's pagan inheritance rather than the Biblical tradition, understanding that these saints are classified as the contemporary successors of pre-Christian cults.
While in the cities, wall posters are generally displayed on or near churches and railway stations advertising imminent festivals, giving times of special events.
