Starting on December 6th, the feast day of Saint Nicholas, the island is decorated with Nativity scenes, Santa Claus with gifts for young and old, and New Year’s themes.
On Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve,in the afternoon, children go from house to house singing carols.
On New Year’s Day, residents who wish to take part—usually around 50 people—gather and sing carols from house to house, accompanied by violin and lute. Homeowners offer them rakomelo, raki, or whatever else they have to share.
On the day of Epiphany,the Divine Liturgy continues at the harbor. The priest throws the Cross into the sea to bless the waters, and any willing believers dive in to retrieve it and return it to his hands. After the service, the Cross is placed on a metal tray decorated with flowers. Those who dived into the sea carry it from house to house for veneration, receiving blessings and thanks from the homeowners.
Association of
Tourist
Businesses of
Koufonisia
Phone: 697 052 4341
