Event· Sifnos· Greece — Cyclades
Chrysopigi Panigyri, Ascension Day (Sifnos)
36° 56.2′ N · 24° 44.8′ E
Sifnos's biggest festival, for its patron Panagia Chrysopigi. The miracle icon travels by ferry to the rock monastery on the eve of Ascension Day and is greeted by crowds, a Coast Guard band and an all-night vigil and feast.
Practical
Municipality: on the afternoon before Ascension, the icon goes in procession to Agios Georgios in Kamares. The clergy then board the ferry, which adds Chrysopigi to its route from Piraeus that day (passengers don't disembark). Great Vespers, a shared dinner of chickpeas and braised meat, and a vigil follow. On Ascension Day the icon goes by fishing boat to Seralia below Kastro, then in procession through the villages to Agios Spyridon in Apollonia. Ascension is a moveable feast (May or June), so check the date. Expect crowded anchorages at Apokofto and Faros. Other summer feasts include Taxiarchis at Vathy (July 12 and September 5), Profitis Ilias (July 19) and Agios Symeon (August 31).
Best for
Experiencing Sifnos's great religious feast
Season
Eve of Ascension (May or June)
Nearby
- Chrysopigi Monastery (Sifnos)Right here
- Apokofto Beach (Sifnos)0.2 NM away
- Apokofto Taverna (Sifnos)0.2 NM away
- Chrysopigi Taverna (Apokofto, Sifnos)0.2 NM away
- Way Cup Roastery (Chrysopigi, Sifnos)0.2 NM away
- Fasolou Beach (Sifnos)0.4 NM away
- Faros Bay (Sifnos)0.5 NM away
- Flaros Taverna (Faros, Sifnos)0.5 NM away