July

A month of celebrations. Especially as June ended with the fete of Penticost, so now we feel more ready to appreciate all that July presents.

Saint Elias, St. Kyriaki, St. Panteleimon. Dont forget St. Paraskevi (26/7) known so well here in Greece. Roads, villages, churches all have her name. In Corfu there is a small monastery, celebrating on 7/7, and named for St. Kyriaki. Hundreds go there, sit in the flowery garden, and then enjoy the sweets given to the visitors.

You know too of St. Irene Chrysobalanto (28/7) and of her never ending help. Every school and office has someone with that holy name. A trip to the monastery, in Pefki, to worship, to see the gloious icon, to eat the blessed apple, all rewarding.

July is certainly a month for observing traditional church-associated events. Go to Levkada, Salamina - in fact, in all of Greece, this month is one of pilgrimage, of rich services plus lots of ritual.

Enjoy this month. Revive your faith, love these saints and have a splendid July. Your participation in celebrations is a gift to the monasteries and churches who have worked all year for the special day.

May you all be blessed.

August 23 - Festival of The Odigitria

As at every monastery, so too at the Holy Metochi, the celebration of the Saint to whom the monastery is dedicated is the most significant day in the year. 

In the case of the Metochi, our Patroness is the Holy Virgin and Mother of God, the Odigitria, who in this area is called the Panayiopoula. All year in our thoughts and prayers we call to  her to bestow her grace on us.

The 23rd of August is the Return Feast of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, the 9th day, and worshippers venerate a small icon of the Dormition, showing the All-Holy settled on her deathbed surrounded by apostles, hierarchs and angels.

Leading up to the day the church is scrubbed, polished and decorated. The Altar is covered with a richly embroidered cloth only used for this festival, flowers fill every corner and rows of flags are strung up and down the street. The  beloved and grace-filled icon of the Panayiopoula is framed in priceless handmade lace.

Celebrating the Panagia Odigitria

The church which so many describe as having a 'soul' is very small, so chairs outside in the quiet street soon fill up with locals and some from further away.

• On 22nd August, Vespers starts at 8 p.m.with the Blessing of the Bread (Αρτοκλασια) and is followed by refreshments.
• On 23rd August, Matins and Divine Liturgy starts at 8 a.m. Later, coffee is served next door, with extra help from a group interested in maintaining Corfu Town customs. Although lacking a refectory we aim at hospitality as that of Abraham.
• The small Canon to the Theotokos is chanted in the evening at 8 p.m., by candlelight, and already we look forward to next year's celebration, God willing.

Each Service is officiated by the Hegumen of the Holy Monastery Platytera.

'All generations shall call me blessed'  Luke 1, 48. That is why we call and pray for her help, our Ever-Virgin Mother. All Holy Theotokos intercede for us.

The church can be contacted by writing to PO Box 532, Corfu, 49100 Greece or by email at info@corfu-odigitria.com.