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| St. Gerasimos Church at Omala Valley, Kefalonia |
Kefalonia's significant holiday
October 20th is the most significant religious holiday for Kefalonia as the island honors its patron saint. The commemoration festivities for Saint Gerasimos are held over two days. Then, the Valley of Omala comes alive with the devout, the curious, and the last tourists before the season officially shuts down. Some seek a cure or a miracle; others use the occasion as a family outing to enjoy the festivities.
A matter of identity, beyond faith
Most Kefalonians have a peculiar relationship with their patron saint, sometimes contradictory to their everyday religious beliefs. It is a relationship that borders on familiarity and possession!
And tradition, of course.
And identity.
Besides, it is hard to find a family in Kefalonia without a member named Gerasimos.
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| St. Gerasimos Church, Kefalonia |
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| The Litany at Omala Valley, Kefalonia |
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| Marching bands head the procession at St. Gerasimos Litany (Omala, Kefalonia) |
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| Marching bands head the procession at St. Gerasimos Litany (Omala, Kefalonia) |
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| Marching bands head the procession at St. Gerasimos Litany (Omala, Kefalonia) |
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| The Convent grounds at St. Gerasimos, Kefalonia |
What a lovely blog! I will put it into my favourites! Jonna in Sweden
ReplyDeleteThank you Jonna.
ReplyDeleteGood morning from Las Vegas! I joined the Dimitratos Family FB Group and posted a comment for you just now. Will visit kefalonia September (see www.BillFravel.com/Kefalonia2013). We will be at the Ionion Arts/CultureScience center. Left you some info re: my Dimitratos family; looking for more Dimitratos information for my Heritage Journey! Thanks ....Marilyn Demos (Dimitratos) Fravel
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