Feast of the Virgin Mary in Tragonisi

My Holy Virgin, small church

I have known you for many years, since I was a small child.

I started from Merchia with a small boat

to come here to the Virgin to light a candle.

On the eleventh of Orniachtis Our Lady celebrates,

in the cave we sit and eat our food.

A big party is taking place today at your celebration,

we play our instruments and rejoice your soul.

People have learned a lot and it comes to your joy,

to hear the liturgy through your cave.

Within ten verses o Michalis Kounenis by Mykonos, the well-known Babelis, top tsampounieris of the Cyclades, describes his festival very vividly Τραγονησίου.

H church of Panagia celebrates the saints Barnabas and Bartholomew, June 11. The departure is made by him Caulk and in half an hour you reach a small bay, somewhat protected from the north. Around, high cliffs, inaccessible shores, pier nowhere.

After tying the boats, side by side, and all together on the rocks, the climb begins and the first hundred meters is not the easiest. Steep slopes, sharp stones, slippery pebbles, walking in the blind.

After a half hour walk, the Virgin, a tiny white church, stuck on a red rock between two floating capers, the only green on the island. The priest and the chanters just fit in the temple, while all the faithful stand outside. The chants resonate in the ravine: "The rich went bankrupt and starved […]".

After the operation you descend a few meters and reach a cavernous window in the red rocks, where the benches are set up for the food and drink and spree.

The visitors - only men, woman is not allowed to step on her foot - they take them out appetizers each, each his own. So, along with thugs, the louzes, sausages, quails, all kinds of meatballs and pies, boiled goat and rare appetizers such as local "sushi" made of red mullet, mayo and skate or pike eggs browned in butter with breaded sage leaves!

The party starts and Babelis has taken it tsabouna of:

Today's day is not like any other,

Our Lady celebrates and they are great joys.