Living traditions
Agios Minas, Karpathos
Field photographFeast of Saint Minas in North Karpathos — photograph 2.
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Introduction
An overnight November feast above the secluded beach of Saint Minas, where the church hall fills with diners and the celebration moves from chanting and mantinades to the ecstatic pano choros.
The feast of Saint Minas begins with the evening service on 10 November and continues on 11 November at the church overlooking Saint Minas beach. Food and drink are offered freely, and some visitors remain overnight in the church hall.
The church of Saint Minas overlooks one of the secluded beaches of northern Karpathos. November weather usually keeps the main dinner and much of the celebration inside the church hall.
A local family traditionally provides the dinner, or the church covers the cost when no family is available. Offering food and drink without charge remains fundamental to the feast.
Some visitors sleep in the attics of the church hall. After the morning liturgy, communion bread, loukoumades and ouzo are served and, when the weather allows, the dancing continues outside.
