Ai Lias’ churches and traditional fairs in Corfu
Ai Lias
19 Jul 2022
/ 19:16
CORFU. A guide with all the churches and traditional fairs for the celebration of Prophet Elias.
Ai Lias is celebrated in the summer and his celebration is accompanied by mountain climbing and traditional fairs. Enimerosi contacted the Corfu Metropolitan Church in order to find out the number and location of the churches dedicated to Prophet Elias, as well as the traditional fairs that take place every year on 20 July.
Prophet Elias, or Saint of the mountains, is celebrated on 20 July and is associated with places on the tops of hills and mountains. That is why there is no hill or mountain top in Corfu without a church or a chapel dedicated to him:
Ai Lia’s chapel in Paleokastritsa
In Central Corfu there is, of course, the church in Ano Korakiana, which is linked to a strange story of antiquities smuggling. An important piece of ecclesiastical art had been stolen from the church and when the thieves were finally found, the work was never returned back to Corfu.
A church dedicated to Prophet Elias in the village of Kalafationes
There is also a small church in the mountain village of Agioi Deka near the Church of Pantocrator.
The location where it is built offers a panoramic view of the surrounding area.
In Southwest Corfu, in the Pavliana village, there is the chapel of Prophet Elias at the top of the Pavliana mountain.
The chapel in Pavliana is relatively newly built
The people of Paxos organise a traditional fair every year on 20 July in Lakka to honour the Saint.
Another big traditional fair takes place in Kounavades, a village near Magoulades that attracts people from all over the area. The festivities will last for two days, Tuesday 19 to Wednesday 20 July.
The Phaeaces Band will also participate
The Perithia Cultural Society is organising again this year the traditional fair of Ai Lias in Old Perithia in the church that exists there.
Ai Lias’ Church
In West Corfu, the Yiannades village holds a traditional fair every year for the Saint's celebration.
Last but not least, Spartilas is also taking part in the festivities with its beautiful chapel.
Prophet Elias, or Saint of the mountains, is celebrated on 20 July and is associated with places on the tops of hills and mountains. That is why there is no hill or mountain top in Corfu without a church or a chapel dedicated to him:
Ai Lia’s chapel in Paleokastritsa
In Central Corfu there is, of course, the church in Ano Korakiana, which is linked to a strange story of antiquities smuggling. An important piece of ecclesiastical art had been stolen from the church and when the thieves were finally found, the work was never returned back to Corfu.
A church dedicated to Prophet Elias in the village of Kalafationes
There is also a small church in the mountain village of Agioi Deka near the Church of Pantocrator.
The location where it is built offers a panoramic view of the surrounding area.
In Southwest Corfu, in the Pavliana village, there is the chapel of Prophet Elias at the top of the Pavliana mountain.
The chapel in Pavliana is relatively newly built
The people of Paxos organise a traditional fair every year on 20 July in Lakka to honour the Saint.
Another big traditional fair takes place in Kounavades, a village near Magoulades that attracts people from all over the area. The festivities will last for two days, Tuesday 19 to Wednesday 20 July.
The Phaeaces Band will also participate
The Perithia Cultural Society is organising again this year the traditional fair of Ai Lias in Old Perithia in the church that exists there.
Ai Lias’ Church
In West Corfu, the Yiannades village holds a traditional fair every year for the Saint's celebration.
Last but not least, Spartilas is also taking part in the festivities with its beautiful chapel.
