Events calendar Rhodos

The summer panigyria do not stop at the end of August but continue for part of the autumn. Thus, on September 2, a great celebration is held in the monastery of Agios Mammas, on the heights of Fri, on the island of Kassos. In Astipalaia, the patron saint of the island, Saint Anthimos, is celebrated on September 3: an icon of the saint is shown in procession through the streets of Chora. On September 17, all the Sofias are celebrated in Karpathos. Many Karpathian women were given this name in baptism, hence the importance of the local panigyria in honor of the saint.

On July 19, a very special tradition continues year after year in the port of Kastellorizo: dressed people throw themselves into the water to commemorate the return of the inhabitants to the island after their evacuation during the war of national independence. The story goes that the pope, who remained alone on the island for the duration of this evacuation, threw himself - with joy! - in the waters of the port when he saw the inhabitants return. It is the occasion for great celebrations and rituals where all generations meet in the water of the port.

July 23, 1944, marked the date of the deportation of the Jewish community of Rhodes and Kos to Athens and then to Auschwitz. For three days, this tragic event is commemorated, with only 10% of the community leaving alive. In Rhodes, a memorial ceremony is held on the Jewish Martyrs' Square, followed by a procession in the former Jewish quarter to the synagogue where a religious service is held. Round tables and projections are also organized.