St George

The Day of Saint George is the most significant of the year, as he is the patron saint of Koufonissi. The people of Koufonissi hold him in deep reverence. They feel his protection and take great pride in honoring his Day, his Place, and his Name. The Orthodox Church commemorates Saint George on 23rd of April. If the day coincides with Lent, move it to Easter Monday. Already since the 1870 where the Church was built, the people of Koufonissi have celebrated this day with personal involvement. Initially, after the Divine Liturgy, they would carry the icon of Saint George in a procession to the edge of the village, accompanied by the faithful, singing hymns and praises to bless the homes. Afterwards, they would return to the church to complete the service.

A devoted villager, known as the “Panigiras” (Feast Host), would take on the responsibility of offering a meal to both residents and visitors of the island in honor of the Saint. Many volunteers joined this effort, also in devotion to Saint George. A dedicated outdoor kitchen, known as the Mangipeio—from the Byzantine word Mangipos, meaning “baker–cook”—was set up for this purpose. They cooked over wood-fired stoves. The meal was served in a communal dining area with long wooden benches where everyone sat together. The traditional menu included braised goat with pasta, tripe soup, salad, wine, and soft drinks. To this day, very little has changed.

By the early 1970 the number of believers who wished to undertake the St. George's meal had increased significantly. By joint decision of the residents of the, 1973, the St. George's meal is taken by a lottery draw among other volunteers. From the draw made at the end of the service for the following year, a substitute is drawn for the case of physical impossibility of the first one.

Το 1975 The common wish was for the procession of the icon to circle the village, passing by the small beach of Loutro so that the procession could be accompanied by the fishing boats and with a stop at the harbour for the sanctification of the fishing boats.

 Το 2000 came to Koufonissi, with honours and emotion, part of the relics of Saint George. Thus, in our times, the relics of St. George are placed in the Epitaph vessel with honour. There is a procession, accompanied by the faithful and His Eminence the Metropolitan of Thera, Amorgos and the Islands. The panegyrist holds the icon of Saint George. The relics of St. George placed in the vessel of the epitaph, decorated with flowers, are carried by four faithful. In honor of the Saint, a number of visitors from the neighboring islands and the rest of Greece are present, while visitors from other countries are also present. The procession crosses the village, while the whole route is strewn with rosemary. In the Loutro area it meets the fishing boats that accompany it to the harbour with horns, smoke and fireworks.

At the harbour there is a stop. The boats are tied up next to each other to receive the holy water. Then they start a frantic game with each other in the sea. The procession continues alongside the village and ends at the church. Two believers hold the vessel of the epitaph, with the relics, high at the entrance of the church and the rest pass underneath, expecting the blessing of the Saint. The Lunch is then served. The Panhagist is in charge and in charge. He is assisted in his efforts by a multitude of volunteers who have prepared at least a thousand rations over a number of days. They do not leave him until the place is delivered clean at the end of the Meal. The menu includes braised beef, French fries, tripe, meatballs, cheese, salad, soft drinks, wine and beer. Cooking is done in the mangium with wood fires except for the fries which are done in an electric fryer. The feast evolves into a feast in the village shops.