September

That was a great month that just passed. All of the month for the Panagia. Festivals, Celebrations, Services and relaxed moments. Our Metochi celebrated as always on 23/8 like Panagia Soumela in Turkey. Our Patriarch likes doing the Service there when he gets permission from the authorities there. The Service is the same as 15/8 and chanters feel good repeating the splendid troparia. This year few lay people attended out of fear of some aggression from the locals. That’s how we have become. More attention to problems than to our spiritual improvement. Like now we hear of the assault from the Ukrainians into the region Kursk of Russia. There is a famous icon there, the Kursk icon that the Orthodox people adore. Every year it is taken to America and thousands worship the icon. It is so famous since it saved St. Seraphim of Sarov when, as a youngster, he was dangerously ill. They brought him the icon, and immediately he recovered. It has gone even to Australia, and one of the monasteries there produced a book with details concerning the icon.

September starts with emphasis on the beginning of the new church year, then on the 2nd of the month we celebrate the young St. Mamas, much loved in Cyprus. His icon is like no other showing the youngster riding on his untamed animal with yet another animal in his arms. Look up his life in your monthly book on the saints.

September offers both cooler days and softer light, yet it is also a month full of new jobs, new schools, needing attention. 14/9 is an important day relating to the Cross. Make sure you have the day for church and get some sprigs of basil.

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.