Living traditions

Feast of Saint Minas in North Karpathos

Agios Minas, Karpathos

Field photographFeast of Saint Minas in North Karpathos — photograph 2.

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Introduction

An overnight November feast above the secluded beach of Saint Minas, where the church hall fills with diners and the celebration moves from chanting and mantinades to the ecstatic pano choros.

The feast of Saint Minas begins with the evening service on 10 November and continues on 11 November at the church overlooking Saint Minas beach. Food and drink are offered freely, and some visitors remain overnight in the church hall.

A church above the beach

The church of Saint Minas overlooks one of the secluded beaches of northern Karpathos. November weather usually keeps the main dinner and much of the celebration inside the church hall.

Black-and-white photograph from Feast of Saint Minas in North Karpathos, Agios Minas, Karpathos. — Feast of Saint Minas in North Karpathos — photograph 1.

Feast of Saint Minas in North Karpathos — photograph 1.

Feast of Saint Minas in North Karpathos — photograph 2.

Free food and drink for all

A local family traditionally provides the dinner, or the church covers the cost when no family is available. Offering food and drink without charge remains fundamental to the feast.

Feast of Saint Minas in North Karpathos — photograph 3.

Feast of Saint Minas in North Karpathos — photograph 4.

Dancing after the morning service

Some visitors sleep in the attics of the church hall. After the morning liturgy, communion bread, loukoumades and ouzo are served and, when the weather allows, the dancing continues outside.

Feast of Saint Minas in North Karpathos — photograph 5.

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