15th August

Norsk utgave (Norwegian edition)

August 15th is a very special day (at least for us Norwegians), a Greek national holiday to commemorate the assumption of the Virgin Mary. I suppose it can somehow be compared to our ascension. I think this day mostly passes by without many celebrating, like Easter does in Norway. Nice to have a day off, but there is nothing more to it. It is like that for most Greeks, too. But not on Paros, or to be more specific; Parikia. Lots of people, also pilgrims, come from many places in Greece. Every year there is a big and very famous procession in the honour of the Virgin Mary.

Parikia has a big, beautiful church (Ekatontapyliani, Our Lady of a Hundred Portals), that has a lot of marvellous icons. The church is especially known for its big, beautiful icon of the Virgin Mary. This holy icon is said to have a healing power.

The procession starts from this church. First in the procession are 15-20 young girls, all dressed in similar, white dresses. They all have they arms crossed. After them, flagmen followed by boys carrying reliques. Then the music orchestra from the Navy, in all white uniforms, and carrying helmets. Then the big icon of Mary from the church. It is being carried on the shoulders of handsome Navymen. The icon is decorated with long, white ribbons. Surrounding the carriers are other Navymen in nice uniforms, carrying guns on their shoulders. Then there is another icon. It is much smaller, and it shows the birth of Jesus Christ in the stable. The icon is accompanied by honorary guards, this time from the Army. Between the icons there is also a small choir of men, singing. After the icons, it must be the authorities of the island, followed by a lot of priests and bishops with marvellous crowns on their heads. I have never seen that much gold and so many jewels. Then, anyone who wishes, may follow the procession. When it enters the harbour, by the old wind-mill, the procession stops and everyone turns to face the sea. A priest is then giving a short speech. When the procession starts moving again, all the flutes of boats and ferries in the harbour start whistling. The procession continues along the promenade to the second largest church in the town.

I felt strange, standing there watching the procession. It was of course very hot, but the Greeks were all dressed up in their best clothes. The women in beautiful dresses and the men in white shirts and black trousers, and in-between one could spot lots of tourists in their light summer clothes. I would like to recommend everyone, if they are on Paros on this day, to go to Parikia early in the day and experience the procession. It is definitely worth the experience.

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Thanks to Hilde Reitan, Strømmen, Norway for her translation into English!
© Jan Bergtun, 20. March 1999	Updated, 07.18.2007
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