Thousands of faithful from around the large island of Crete and mainland Greece will again gather this week at the Panagia Harakiani Monastery.
The monastery, one of the most important pilgrimage sites on Crete, is located at the Bali site in Rethymno prefecture, holds an annual three-day celebration on the occasion of the Great Feast Day of the Dormition of the Theotokos – beginning today and ending on Thursday, Aug. 15.
The Great Feast Day at the monastery witnesses a tradition whereby the faithful set up tents and other temporary lodgings throughout the 15-day fast until August 15, known on Crete as the “Lesser Easter”.