Crowds in Corfu Town for St.Spyridon procession
St. Spyridon
11 Aug 2019
/ 08:57
CORFU. St. Spyridon΄s procession on 11 August is the island΄s big summer celebration. (Photos: St. Katapodis)
Large numbers of believers from Greece, Russia and other countries crowded the streets to observe the religious celebration - many of whom are also combining their holidays the 15 August celebration.
The Government was represented this year by the Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni and the new President of the National Tourism Organisation Angela Gerekou was also present.
The annual procession is held in remembrance of St. Spyridon's miracle in 1716 which, according to tradition, saved the island from the Ottoman Turks who had laid siege to Corfu Town for 40 days. Following the cataclysmic downpour attributed to St. Spyridon the Ottoman hordes fled, never to return.
Corfu became a bastion for the whole of Europe and Marshall Schulenburg, who defended the island, was honoured for life by the Venetian Senate who also declared on 19 March 1717 that there should be an annual procession with the Holy Relics of St. Spyridon on 11 August.
The procession set off from the Church of St. Spyridon and followed the following route: Philharmonikis, Michail Theotoki, Evg. Voulgareos, Capodistriou, Ag. Polytechnio, Palace of St. Michael and St. George, Eleftherias, Nik. Theotoki and St. Spyridon Square before ending back at the church.
The traditional parade with Philharmonic Bands accompanied the procession.
The Government was represented this year by the Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni and the new President of the National Tourism Organisation Angela Gerekou was also present.
The annual procession is held in remembrance of St. Spyridon's miracle in 1716 which, according to tradition, saved the island from the Ottoman Turks who had laid siege to Corfu Town for 40 days. Following the cataclysmic downpour attributed to St. Spyridon the Ottoman hordes fled, never to return.
Corfu became a bastion for the whole of Europe and Marshall Schulenburg, who defended the island, was honoured for life by the Venetian Senate who also declared on 19 March 1717 that there should be an annual procession with the Holy Relics of St. Spyridon on 11 August.
The procession set off from the Church of St. Spyridon and followed the following route: Philharmonikis, Michail Theotoki, Evg. Voulgareos, Capodistriou, Ag. Polytechnio, Palace of St. Michael and St. George, Eleftherias, Nik. Theotoki and St. Spyridon Square before ending back at the church.
The traditional parade with Philharmonic Bands accompanied the procession.
