Skiathos events

Easter

Orthodox Easter

Easter is the most important religious holiday on Skiathos. Greek Orthodox Easter usually falls on a different date from Easter in the rest of the Christian world, so check the calendar if you would like to be here for it.

On Good Friday evening the epitaphios, the flower-decked bier of Christ, leaves the church of the Three Hierarchs at about 9 pm and is carried through the streets as the bells toll. A second service begins at 1 am on Saturday at the Evangelistria Monastery. The two congregations meet in the town and, from about four in the morning, walk together through the lanes behind a herald chanting the psalms, past houses lit up and courtyards full of candles and incense.

At about 5.30 am they reach the church of the Three Hierarchs, where the clergy re-enact Christ’s descent into Hell: at the words “Lift up your heads, O ye gates” the priest pushes the church door open. Dawn is close, but nobody goes to bed. Holy Saturday is for the last preparations for Easter Sunday.

Agios Georgios

The feast of St George

St George, patron saint of shepherds and horsemen, is usually shown as a young knight on horseback slaying a dragon. Every year on the second day after Easter, local horses race each other beside the lake near the airport.

Zoodochos Pigi

The Life-giving Spring

The country church of Zoodochos Pigi, 7 km north-west of Skiathos town, was built where an icon of the Virgin was found on top of a spring. Every year on the first Friday after Easter, locals celebrate the finding of the “Fountain of Life” with traditional songs and dances.

Agia Paraskevi

Just across the road from the hotel

The feast of Agia Paraskevi is a wonderful chance to see the island’s colourful folk dances, and visitors are welcome to join in, with traditional music and local costumes. The church is right across the road from Magic Hotel, and we warmly recommend a visit on the day.

The Dormition of the Virgin

At the Evangelistria Monastery

The Evangelistria Monastery celebrates the Dormition of the Virgin Mary with a beautiful epitaphios service that brings the whole island together, a service unique in Greece and well worth seeing. Greeks from the cities flock back to the islands and villages for this festival.

Katsonia

In memory of the submarine Katsonis

In September 1943 the submarine Katsonis sank in the waters off Kastro. Every year on the anniversary, officials and islanders sail out on a navy ship and lay wreaths of flowers on the sea in remembrance.

Kounistra

The Presentation of the Virgin

On 20 November the original icon of the Virgin is carried on foot from the church of the Three Hierarchs in town to the Kounistra Monastery along the mountain route, with a gun salute at Akropoli (bus stop no. 4) as it passes. When the icon reaches the monastery, prayers continue all night, and on the 21st it returns to the church in town.