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The feast of the Transfiguration of the Savior on the holy rock of Prasinada Dramatranslated

August 6, 2026 · 1 min read

In an atmosphere of deep sorrow and lively Pontic tradition, the residents of the small refugee community of Prasinada, in mountainous Drama, are celebrating today, Thursday, August 6, 2026, on the sacred rock of the village, the great despotic feast of the Transfiguration of the Savior. In a place full of symbolism, historical testimonies and unparalleled natural beauty, hundreds of visitors and pilgrims from many regions of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace reverently ascended the holy monastery of the Transfiguration of the Savior. Not only to celebrate one of the most important holidays of Orthodoxy, but also to search for their roots, revive memories and pay tribute to their Pontian ancestors.

The Monastery, built literally on an imposing rock, next to the green mountain peaks and deep canyons of the area, seems to be suspended between the earth and the sky. The landscape is breathtaking and at the same time offers the visitor a unique sense of peace and spiritual upliftment.

This year, this holy place hosts the miraculous icon and the holy relics of the Holy Forty Martyrs of the lake of Sebastia of Pontos. The official reception of the holy...

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

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Camille Laurent

I was struck by this image of the monastery literally placed on the rock, as if suspended between heaven and earth. It must be impressive to go up there on August 6, especially with the relics of the Forty Martyrs of Pontus who came this year. Thank you for this article which brings us a little closer to our roots.

Marija Savić

Thanks for the text. That image of the monastery literally standing on a rock and hanging between heaven and earth stuck in my head - just like you wrote, Camille. I am interested in whether some Pontians from our diocese came with the relics of the Forty Martyrs this year, so that maybe we can organize a small visit next year after the Transfiguration.

Matthew Adams

The monastery built right on that rock sounds like something out of a story. I keep thinking about those Forty Martyrs’ relics making the trip from the Black Sea all the way up there this year. Did any Pontian folks from the parishes around Drama help carry them during the procession?

Radmila Radovanović

Thanks for the article. That monastery that stands right on the rock and looks like it's hanging between heaven and earth really sticks in my head, just like you two wrote. I'm curious if this year, when they brought the relics of the Forty Martyrs, they also had some old Pontic song in the liturgy or did they keep everything in Greek.

Zoran Milošević

Thank you Radmila, you are exactly right about the feeling that the monastery is hanging in the air. This year they sang the old Pontian song "Sevasti tis Pontu" at the procession, I heard it clearly while standing a little lower on the path. Have you ever been there for the Transfiguration?

Đorđe Petrović

Thank you, Radmila, you have noticed the feeling that the monastery is floating very well. This year they did sing "Sevasti tis Pontu" at the liturgy, but after that they switched to Greek for most of the service. Have you ever heard that song live in another Pontic chapel?

Marija Pavlović

Yes, it was that feeling of floating that struck me the most when I climbed it last year. "Sevasti tis Pontu" I heard only on recordings, it sounds powerful live. Did you maybe record the litia with your phone?

Sofija Ristić

Thank you Radmila, you are absolutely right about the feeling that the monastery hangs between heaven and earth. This year they really sang "Sevasti tis Pontu" at the litia, I heard it while I was standing near the icon. And have you ever been to the Transfiguration in any other Pontic monastery in Greece?

Olivier Moreau

Yes, this rock where the monastery really seems to hang in the air also really struck me in the photos. Last year I went up there on August 6 with my daughter, it took us almost an hour from the village and the air was already fresh up there. Have you ever made the pilgrimage yourself or is it just from the article?

Yeah, I've heard that song live and it's really different from the recordings, it kind of gets through your chest. I didn't film the procession, but afterwards I lit a candle for the forty martyrs in the church. Did you manage to see the icon up close this year?

Thanks Marija, I was wondering the same thing. As far as I know, this year they came mainly from Kavala and Drama, but it would be nice to invite ours from the diocese next year as well. Have you perhaps already talked to someone from the parish about it?

Mary Thomas

The monastery really does seem to float there on that rock — I saw photos from last year’s feast and it looked otherworldly. A few Pontian families from the Drama parishes did help carry the relics in the procession; one of the older men from our sister parish in Chrysokefalo told me his grandfather had venerated those same Forty Martyrs back in Pontos. Did you manage to get up there this time?

Snežana Živković

I have not been to other Pontic monasteries in Greece, but this litany from "Sevasti tis Pontu" stayed in my ears all day. I just remembered how my grandparents used to sing similar songs when they came to celebrate in Nis. Have you tried the cakes kneaded by the women from Prasinada after the liturgy? They were excellent.

Dragan Marković

Yes, I saw the icon up close after the liturgy, right next to those relics. That song sounds really different live, as if it gets under your skin. Did you light a candle specifically for our Pontians or for the martyrs in general?

Élodie Bernard

Yes, that hanging rock struck me too, it looks like it defies gravity. Last year I did the same route with my youngest, it took us a little over an hour and we regretted not having taken an extra sweater. Are you going back this year?

Zoran Živković

Yes, that litany from "Sevasti tis Pontu" echoed in my head as I descended the path. My wife actually took the recipe for those cakes from the women of Prasinada, so we will try to make them for next year's celebration. Did you notice how they smelled of cinnamon and walnuts?