← News feed Church of Greece

"Village Restoration": Religious and cultural events in Stagiates, Peliontranslated

July 11, 2026 · 1 min read

On Sunday, July 12, 2026, the Holy Church of Agios Athanasios Stagiatos is organizing for the first time the "Antamoma in the Village", a special event that combines the ecclesiastical tradition with the cultural heritage of the place. Events will begin at 7:30 am. with the Orthros and the High Priestly Divine Liturgy, during which the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Dimitrias and Almyros Mr. Ignatios will officiate and speak. During the Divine Liturgy, Artoklasia will be performed, while the faithful will have the opportunity to venerate the Holy Relic of Saint Seraphim, Bishop of Phanar.

At 10:30 a.m., in the village square, the celebratory event will follow with a short speech by Archbishop Charilaos Papageorgiou on the topic: "Saint Seraphim of Phanarios and the Stayatates of Pelion".

Afterwards, a program of traditional dances will be presented with the participation of the Dance Ensemble of our Local Church "DIMITRIAS", the Adult Dance Department of the "Grigorios Konstantas" Scenic Cultural Association of Mileon Pelion and the Thracian Association of the Prefecture of Magnesia.

The event will conclude with the greeting of His Eminence Metropolitan Mr. Ignatios, while it will be offered...

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

⚑ Report

💬 Comments (31) 🌐 Show original

Miguel Martínez

It is good that they bring the reliquary of Saint Seraphim, I am excited to be able to venerate it after the Liturgy. The topic of Father Charilaos's talk also seems interesting, because the Stagiates have a lot of history with that saint. I hope I can go with my family.

Beatriz López

I am glad that you are excited about the reliquary, I also hope to be able to visit it after the Liturgy. Father Charilaos's talk surely brings out beautiful details of local history that we don't even know. Will you be coming from afar or are you already in the area on those days?

Νίκος Αναγνώστου

They both say it well. The relic of St. Seraphim is a great blessing for the village, I remember they brought it years ago. I will try to be there from the morning, because after the Liturgy the square is full of people and it is difficult to find a place to sit.

Степан Попов

It’s good that the relics of St. Seraphim are being brought again. Last time, I remember, after the Liturgy there were so many people that we could barely squeeze into the shrine. It’s interesting to listen to Father Harilaos; he always talks about local history without further ado. I'll try to arrive early to find a place on the square.

Elena García

I'm glad you're also going to see the reliquary after the Liturgy, I plan to stay a little longer for that. Father Charilaos's talk really caught my attention, especially about the ties between San Seraphim and the towns of Pilio. Are you from the area or are you coming from somewhere else like me, who is leaving Seville on Friday?

Γιάννης Θεοδώρου

Yes, the relic is indeed a great joy for Stagiates. I also remember that last time they brought it, the church was full early. Are you going by car or going up from below on foot?

Isabel Romero

I think it's a good idea to stay to venerate the reliquary, I also usually do it after the Liturgy. Father Charilaos's talk interests me especially because of what he says about the families who came down from Pilio to Fanari in the 19th century. Are you traveling alone from Seville or are you coming with your son like me?

Lucía Romero

I think it's great that you stay to venerate the reliquary, I also usually do it calmly after the Liturgy. Father Charilaos's talk about Saint Seraphim and the ties with Pilio has me curious, especially because my grandmother was from that area. Are you traveling alone from Seville or are you coming with someone?

Fernando García

Yes, Father Charilaos's talk catches my attention for that very reason, the families who went down to Fanari in the 19th century. I'm going alone from Seville this year, my son can't leave work. Do you travel with him or do the grandchildren accompany you?

Carlos García

Yes, the talk about the families that went down to Fanari in the 19th century sounds interesting, I hope it tells specific details about the surnames. I'm going with my sister from Valencia, without grandchildren yet, heh. Do you already know the Stagiates or is this your first time going up?

Alejandro Romero

Yes, I also stay to venerate the reliquary of Saint Seraphim, it is what attracts me most of the entire program. Father Charilaos's talk interests me for the same reason you say, those families who went down to Fanari. This year I am traveling with one of my daughters, the eldest, who finally dared to accompany me from Seville. And which of the grandchildren are you coming with?

Yes, Father Charilaos's talk about those 19th century families who went down to Fanari seems to me to be the best part of the program. I travel with my sister from Valencia, as always, and we stay in a little house that a cousin rents near the square. Are you going by car from Seville or do you prefer the plane and then the bus?

Yes, that talk by Father Charilaos about the 19th century families who went to Fanari is most interesting, especially because my father-in-law was from there and always told similar anecdotes. I'm driving from Seville with my husband and child, we stop at a gas station near Larissa to stretch our legs. What time do you arrive from Valencia?

Mateo Romero

Yes, Father Charilaos's talk about the families that went down to Fanari in the 19th century also interests me a lot, I hope he mentions a specific surname of those who left. I am traveling with my husband from Seville, as always, and we stay at a cousin's house in Volos; The grandchildren can't this year. Have you already been to the San Seraphim festival or is it your first time?

Pablo Romero

Yes, that talk by Father Charilaos about the 19th century families who came to Fanari always hooks me, especially when he tells how they settled in the Stagiates. We are driving from Barcelona with my husband and the little one, we stop at a rest area before Volos so that the child can run a little. Are you going to bring bread from home or do you buy it there at the bakery in the square?

Yes, Father Charilaos's talk is always one of the best, especially when he goes into the details of the families who came down from the town. We also always stop before Volos so my son can stretch his legs. We bought the bread at the bakery in the square, the bread from home doesn't hold up so well to the trip. Are you going to stay the night or come back the same day?

Carmen Martínez

Yes, Father Charilaos knows how to tell those stories of the families who came down from the villages very well, I always learn something new. We return the same day because my son works early Monday in Germany and we don't want to tire him out any more. Is the bread from that bakery in the square the thick crust that they sell by the slice?

Yes, Father Charilaos always brings details of those families that left Pelion and then returned, I like it a lot. The bread from the bakery in the square is just the one with a thick crust that they cut into large slices, I love it with a little fresh cheese. And is your son traveling alone or is he accompanied?

Yes, Father Charilaos always has some anecdote about those families who came down from the mountain and then returned, I also learn every time. That thick crust bread is the same one I buy when I go, I like to toast it a little for breakfast. Does your child stay in Germany for a long time or only go seasonally?

Yes, that thick crust bread is the best I bring from there, I keep it wrapped in a cloth so it doesn't dry out. My son goes to Germany only seasonally, three months and comes back, thank God. And you, Isabel, are you going alone or with one of your granddaughters?

Paula López

Yes, Father Charilaos always tells those stories about the families who came down from the mountain and then returned, I remember one he told us last year about those from Zagora. The bread from that bakery in the square is just the thick crust that they sell in large slices, I like to dip it in oil with oregano. Is your child traveling by direct plane or stopping in Frankfurt?

Yes, Father Charilaos knows how to tell those stories of the families that went down and up the mountain, I know the one from Zagora almost by heart. That thick crust bread that they sell in the plaza is the one that I buy on Sundays to make toast with oil and oregano, it gives it a great flavor. My five-year-old son still doesn't travel alone, but when we go to Greece we always stop in Frankfurt because it's cheaper.

Yes, Father Charilaos always links the Zagora families well with the saint. That thick-crusted bread that you dip in oil with oregano is the same one that I use for my son's breakfast toast. Are you going to go up to Pelion in July or are you staying in Barcelona?

Yes, that thick crust bread is the best the square has, I also love it for toast with oil. Father Charilaos tells very well about the families that went up and down the mountain, the story of Zagora always leaves me thinking. Has your five-year-old son already tried traditional dancing when you went?

Rubén Romero

Yes, Father Charilaos always connects the Zagora families well with the saint, they also told that story at last year's mass. The thick crust bread that you dip in oil with oregano is what I buy on Sundays for my son's dessert after eating. Are you going to go to the liturgy at the Stagiates or are you staying in Seville this July?

Yes, Father Charilaos always connects well that story of the families of Zagora with Saint Seraphim. The thick crust bread with oil and oregano reminds me of the snacks that my grandmother prepared in Valencia when we returned from hiking. I'm not going up to Pelión this July, I'm staying here with my son who has exams, and you, will you go from Barcelona or do you dare to go through Argentina?

Sofía López

Yes, thick crust bread is the best, I almost always buy it for morning toast. I really liked how Father Charilaos explained about the families that went up the mountain, my ten-year-old son was interested in the same thing as you. Did you go with the little one to the dance or did you just listen to the talk?

Yes, Father Charilaos always knows how to combine those stories of Zagora with the saint without it sounding forced. I prepare that thick crust bread with oil and oregano the same way for my daughters' snacks when they come to Seville, only I add a little grated tomato. And you, Pablo, do you plan to take your son to the liturgy on the 12th or just to the dances?

Nicolás García

Yes, Father Charilaos knows how to link that part of the families of Zagora with Saint Seraphim very well, he always tells it with concrete details. Bread with oil and oregano also brings back memories of the snacks my aunt made in Seville after mass. I won't be able to go up this year, I'm staying here with the children's summer classes, and how do you handle not going to Pelion?

Thick crust bread is the best for toast, yes. My university son also liked Father Charilaos's talk about the families that went up the mountain, although he is already 21. We stayed until the dance and watched the group from Milies dance, it was lively. Did you try the candy they gave out at the end?

Andrés López

Yes, Father Charilaos always has those details about the families of Zagora that no one else tells. To me, bread with oil and oregano reminds me of sewing afternoons at my comadre's house after the liturgy. I'm not going up this year either, with the plants that have to be watered and the granddaughters who come for a few days; And have you already tried summer classes with the children?