Customs and habits

The month of August has always been a month with lots of activities for the Skopelitans. The production of prunes and the preparations for the coming harvest keep the inhabitants of this fertile island very busy.

6th of August

For centuries, despite the summer heat and the daily hard labor, they have stopped to offer prayers and thanks to the life-giving Lord Jesus Christ, whose transfiguration they honor with a religious feast on August 6th in the holy monastery of Sotiros This belongs to the monastery Xenofontos on Mt. Athos.

Days before women go up (in earlier times riding on the backs of animals and today by private cars) to whitewash the walls, to polish the bronze decorations in the church and to clean and prepare the abbot's cell under the supervision of the monk Dionysios.

The evening before, they take up the bread, which has been specially baked for this day. This will be blessed in nightlong vespers, whilst next morning the holy mass will be celebrated in the festivities and afterwards the monk will bless the faithful whilst they are treat to Tsipouro and water from the well close by "Mother of the water" (pure, clear water with unique mineral qualities).

15 of August

The religious event "the Assumption of Virgin Mary" is the occasion for the simple people to express their gratitude to the Madonna who assists them and stands helping and guiding, by their side.

Women feel more than anyone else the soul of the Blessed Virgin Mary and therefore they honor her death-sleep, mourning during the first 15 days of August and wearing black clothes.

The festive celebrations culminate on the 14th of August in the church Panagia Papameletiou in Skopelos and in the Panagia church in Glossa.

Nightlong religious services with a procession of the epitaph of the Mother of God and a variety of especially baked bread, as nearly all the families will offer bread to the Mediator and highest in heaven.

On the 15th a festive holy mass is celebrated, those attending church are blessed and treated to loukoumi (a kind of sweet) and tsipouro (alcoholic drink). In Glossa the tradition exists to organize dancing performances by the young people of the village in front of the celebrating churches.

29 of August

Only 5 minutes outside of Skopelos town, the little country chapel of St. John is situated in an area called "Kambos".

The small church celebrates on 29th of August and the Skopelitans gather in its yard the evening before to attend the vespers and in the morning the holy mass. Many make a vow to fast and walk to the church without shoes to heal them from "the warmth" (a sickness with high temperature that the island's inhabitants suffered from).

The chapel of St. John of Kampos is from the 17th century and belongs to the monastery of Sotiros in Skopelos.

Conclusion

In this way the tired Skopelitan and also the creative inhabitants of the island strengthen themselves with these spiritual exaltations to continue their course, so in a unique way connecting with their culture and history.

author
Kostas Suros

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