Everywhere in Greece there is a huge fair, (that you shouldn\u2019t miss).<\/strong><\/p>\n And the reason is that this celebration is for the \u201cMother\u201d of God, the Mother of all the people.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a once-in-a-lifetime experience to be in Imvros on the 15th<\/sup> of August. Every year more than 5,000 people from around the world, from New Zealand, Australia, and America return to the island. They are drawn by the need to visit the houses they left behind, to see their homeland again, to go to the graves of their ancestors. And they gather for the most \u201cGreek\u201d and the most emotional celebration you will ever experience.<\/strong> Customs are preserved across the centuries. (the night before they boil meat with wheat in large caldrons and they make \u201cthe kourkouta\u201d; after church, they go to the cemeteries to eat with their ancestors. This silent island which has been through so much over the years is also resurrected every 15th<\/sup> of August.<\/p>\n You will experience also the magic in Patmos (where they do an Epitaph, exactly as it happens in most of the islands), Special experience is also the 15th<\/sup> of August celebration in Samothraki.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/p>\n The 15th<\/sup> of August in the old times…<\/span><\/p>\n I think that in my child mind the 15th<\/sup> of August was linked with one part of my vacations. Either we were going to the village or to Thessaloniki and Halkidiki.<\/p>\n At the old village, all the women were gathering at the Church and they were sleeping there to \u201caccompany\u201d Holy Mary.<\/strong> In this very unique gathering the old women were sharing stories and fascinating old fairy tales\u2026At the same time grandma Eftychia in Thessaloniki was also waiting for us.<\/p>\n They were \u201cloading\u201d the kids , siblings, cousins, luggages paraphernalia and all the rest in the dark Mirafiori car, that paradoxically could fit all of us..<\/p>\n And daddy was always saying the same line to my mom: \u201cAre we gonna travel again so full\u201d?<\/p>\n He was winking to her and he was giving us a buddy-buddy smile and\u2026 the promising trip was beginning. While daddy was driving he was doing all kinds of jokes and sketches of Karagkiozis and we were bursting into laughters. Mom was falling asleep and I was waiving to all the ATE banks (at the time I was a firm believer of the idea that ATE belongs to us, just because mommy was working there!).<\/p>\n We were only stopping so I could buy \u201cSport tou vorra\u201d for my dad and the Rodi Magazine for myself. (I was a big fan of Rodi and were buying every single issue.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Our favourite Rodi. The best children publication.<\/p><\/div>\n And of course we were making a small stop so we could eat the best breakfast of Macedonia: Mpougatsa with cheese and chocolate milk Topino from Mevgal, at Theios Vanias. Whoever hasn\u2019t experienced that breakfast doesn\u2019t know what a real Saloniki breakfast is.<\/strong><\/p>\n When we were finally arriving, we were always looking for our shoes, always lost inside the car\u2026 And then it was just about the hugs and the kisses of our beloved ones, in beds and divanis\u2026 At the same time daddy was in a hurry because he had to go \u201cin\u201d, back to work.<\/p>\n We were dressing up. I was always wearing a white dress, with white sandals (my Easter gift), and my hair were made up in a ponytail with a white ribbon\u2026 And I was so proud.<\/strong><\/p>\n I couldn\u2019t understand a lot but I knew that Panagia was celebrating.<\/strong><\/p>\n It was confusing for me that she had so many names. I have never seen anybody else having so many names. And I was noting them down, so I wouldn\u2019t forget\u2026 Megaloxari, Ekantopuliani, Faneromeni, Kosmosotira, Hazoviotissa, Eikosifoinissa, Vrefokratousa, Eleousa, Thalassini, Giatrissa, Mirtidiotissa and so many others\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n Panagia Kavouradaina in Leros island\/ Greece<\/p><\/div>\n Only when I grew up, did I realise that Panagia regardless of how religious you may be, is the one that you will always address to. She is your Mother, the Mother of your Mother, Mother of everybody and she can be given as many names as we want to give to her.<\/strong><\/p>\n Only when the years were adding up, the one after the other, did I realise how often I have turned to her. Every time that I got scared, that I have lost my faith, that I got angry, that I was happy, that I wanted to lean to somebody.<\/strong><\/p>\n Only when the years went by, did I realise that Panagia has nothing to do with the mere religious faith, or with the times you go to church.<\/strong><\/p>\n Panagia belongs to everybody.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n And the years went by..<\/p>\n Mirafiori is not around anymore, Rodi magazine has stopped being published, \u201cTheios Vanias\u201d has closed in our\u00a0neighborhood, Grandpa Mitsos is not with us anymore to take me to our small\u00a0yard to touch our watermelons, grandma Artemis is not going to say\u00a0goodbye\u00a0to us\u00a0anymore with her wise wishes \u201cMay Virgin Mary be with you\u201d. My grandparents in Thessaloniki that were always waiting for us in the balcony, are gone forever and ATE bank is closed for good. And I miss all of them terribly.<\/strong><\/p>\n But every time that the celebration of the 15th<\/sup> of August approaches everything returns back on track as a blast from the past. The salty \u201cbougatsa\u201d with the chocolate milk \u201cTopino\u201dsweetens somehow the bittersweet taste in the mouth.<\/p>\n All time classic Patmos (Greece)<\/p><\/div>\n And no matter where I am in the world, I am lighting a candle. A candle for the ones who left, but will see again. A candle for my people that I only ask from God to keep them safe and sound. Last but not least a candle for the whole world.<\/p>\n Happy 15th<\/sup> of August my Greece.<\/p>\n No matter where you are. May Virgin Mary be always by our side.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The celebration of Holy Mary (15th of August) is not one more religious celebration. It\u2019s the \u201cEaster of the<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":2380,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[80],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n![\"To-rodi-periodiko\"](\"http:\/\/www.wearewhatwedo.gr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/Screen-Shot-2016-08-15-at-8.33.24-AM-629x800.png\")
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![\"Patmos-ekklhsia\"](\"http:\/\/www.wearewhatwedo.gr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/patmos-2.jpg\")