Road trip of temples, snakes and lilies – 15th August
One of the most important dates in the Eastern Orthodox calendar is 15th August – the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. It’s a national holiday which sees events taking place all over the country to celebrate Mary ascending into heaven. Of course Kefalonia celebrates too, so Anna and I decided to visit some of the… Read more
Assumption of Virgin Mary, Arginia
At the church in the tiny settlement of Arginia, high up on the mountainside above the south coast, there is an icon of the Virgin Mary depicting her with snakes. Each August, around the feast of the Assumption on the 15th, snakes appear at the church and rest on the icon. Parishioners and visitors are… Read more
Panagia Lagouvarda or Fidoussa, Markopoulo
The church of Panagia Lagouvarda or Fidoussa (of the snakes) is located in the mountainside village of Markopoulo around 30km from Argostoli. The church is renowned throughout the Orthodox world for the icon which depicts the Virgin Mary with small snakes. “Panagia Fidoussa” is the name given to the image – Virgin of the Snakes… Read more