EPIPHANY in GREECE (down in Glyfada, 2006)

Unfortunately this year I could not make pics of the moments when the croos was thrown into the sea. Anyway Here is what I managed to make.
And to start here are some facts what`s this all about...
Epiphany in Greece is known as Theofania or Fota. The first sanctification of the Epiphany (The Enlightenment) takes place in church on the eve of the holiday. Afterwards, the priest goes from house to house holding a cross and a basil branch. As he walks through each house, he uses the basil to sprinkle (bless) all the areas of the home.
The big sanctification takes place the following day, January 6, the day of the Epiphany.
A long procession is formed and follows whatever road that leads to a body of water - the sea, a river or even a reservoir. Up in front of the procession are the cherub icons, followed by the priests dressed in their best holiday splendor, then the VIPs, followed by all the people. In the bigger cities, the procession becomes more elaborate with the addition of music and military contingents.
At the end of the sanctification ceremony a priest throws a cross into the water, thus blessing the waters.
Then, those who dare - mostly the younger people of the village - jump in the usually icy water and compete in retrieving the cross. The one who brings the cross up to the surface will enjoy good luck and health for the entire year.


Olegk Sizidis
Owner of www.oakforde.com

A Day Out In Vouliagmeni

My family and me have just returned from one of the famous Athens suburbs - Vouliagmeni - there we have spent the whole day out and here is what I made with my camera.
The whole area of Vouliagmeni is surrounded by sandy beaches, the most famous being "The Vouliagmeni Beach".
Besides its beautiful beaches, Vouliagmeni is famous for its natural lake "The Lake of Vouliagmeni". Its crystal clear waters come from underground natural caves, which pour their waters in this lake. All year round, its waters have a steady temperature of 25C.
This water is known to be therapeutic for different ailments, such as rheumatism, arthritis, osfialgia, neuralgia and gynecological problems and others.

Olegk Sizidis
Owner of www.oakforde.com

Now A Few Facts About Kastoria (see also pics in my previous posts)

The prefecture of Kastoriá is located in the northwestern side of the Western Macedonia region of Greece. It is one of the most mountainous prefectures where there exist noteworthy prehistoric and byzantine monuments.
The city of Kastoria, built in a peninsula surrounded by the lake Orestiada, is 520 kilometers away from Athens and 200 kilometers away from Thessaloniki. There is a regular direct flight connection between the prefecture of Kastoria and the capital city of Athens.

Kastoriá is believed to have had ancient origins; it has been identified with the ancient town of Celetrum, which the Romans captured in 200 BC. The Byzantine historian Procopius records that it was later renamed Justinianopolis. The town's strategic position led to it being contested between the Byzantine Empire and the Despotate of Epirus during the 12th century, and it fell into Serbian hands between 1331 and 1380.

Around 1385, the Ottoman Empire seized Kastoriá during its progressive conquest of Greece. It remained in Turkish hands until the First Balkan War of 1912, when it returned to Greek hands. During both World War II and the Greek Civil War, the town was repeatedly fought over and heavily damaged in the process. It was nearly captured by the Communist ELAS movement in 1948, and the final battles of the civil war took place on the nearby Mount Grámmos.

Kastoriá is renowned for its fur trade, which dominates the local economy. Indeed, the town is named for one of the former staples of the trade – the European beaver (kastóri in Greek), now extinct in the area. Trading in mink fur now predominates. Other industries include the sale and distribution of locally grown produce, particularly wheat, wine and fish.

Kastoriá is an important religious centre for the Greek Orthodox Church and is the seat of a metropolitan bishop. It originally had 72 Byzantine and medieval churches, of which 54 have survived. Some of these have been restored and provide a useful insight into Greek Orthodox styles of architecture and fresco painting.

Olegk Sizidis
Owner of www.oakforde.com

More pics of Kastoria

Olegk Sizidis
Owner of www.oakforde.com

Here we go on

"Another View Of The Lake In Kastoria"

Olegk Sizidis
Owner of www.oakforde.com

To start with

I have created this blog to share my pictures of Greece which I have made while travelling throughout my country. Hope you`ll like them too.
The first one is "View at the lake in Kastoria"

Olegk Sizidis
Owner of www.oakforde.com