Tinos, Festival of the Monastery of the Sacred Heart

The Festival of the Sacré Coeur Monastery

Tinos, the island of the Virgin Mary and Catholic pilgrimages, hosts one of the most important Catholic monasteries in the Aegean: the Sacré-Cœur Monastery – Sacred Heart of Jesus, located in Exomvourgo. Every year, both devotees and locals participate in a unique festival that combines religious devotion, tradition, and communal celebration.

Exomvourgo: History and Significance

Exomvourgo, a prominent granite outcrop rising 540 meters above the island, dominates the heart of Tinos. Historically, it was the site of the island’s ancient acropolis and later a Venetian fortress. Today, three religious structures remain thanks to the devotion of the faithful: two Orthodox churches—St. Minas and St. Eleousa—and the Catholic complex of the Pilgrimage of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

The Monastery of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, founded in the 17th century by Jesuit monks within the fortress, is considered the largest pilgrimage site of the Greek Catholic Church. Its strategic and spiritual location makes it a centrepiece of faith on Tinos.

The Sacré Coeur Monastery

The monastery is a hub for spiritual life on the island, offering a pilgrims’ guesthouse and hosting a courtyard monument honouring fallen Catholics. Despite Tinos being predominantly Orthodox, the monastery remains a beacon of Catholic devotion and draws pilgrims from all over Greece and beyond.

Festival Traditions and Practices

The monastery’s festival is rich in local tradition:

• Churches on Tinos are whitewashed inside and out during celebrations of their patron saint.
• Village women clean the area, polish candlestands, and decorate the sanctuary with flowers.
• After Mass, treats are served in the courtyard.
• Festivals sometimes culminate in the main square with balo and syrto dances to violin music.
• Residents celebrating their name day open their homes, presenting beautifully decorated tables with white tablecloths and fine dinnerware.

These customs ensure that the festival is not just a religious celebration but also a vibrant cultural and social event.

Indicative Festival Program

• Friday, 19:00: Festive Archieratic Divine Liturgy at the monastery.
• Leading up to and during the festival:
  • Three-day preparation with liturgies and prayers.
  • Traditional dances and live music.
  • Sharing of local delicacies, wine, and sweets (“meal of love”).
  • Decoration and cleaning of the church and sanctuary.
  • Ceremonies at the monument for fallen Catholics, including wreath-laying.

Visitor Tip: Confirm exact times with the monastery before visiting, as small adjustments may occur.

Culinary Traditions

Local cuisine is an integral part of the festival:

• Savoury dishes: artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes in batter, froutalia, savore with molasses, fried fish with petimezi sauce, pork sausages, saltsisi, louza of Tinos.
• Cheeses: Graviera, Kopanisti.
• Sweets: amygdalota, xerotigana, karidota, pasteli, loukoumi, halva, thyme honey.
• Drinks: homemade raki and local wine.

The abundance of local food creates a festive, communal atmosphere, connecting visitors to the island’s gastronomic heritage.

Spiritual and Social Significance

The Sacred Heart of Jesus symbolises Christ’s love, drawing pilgrims to Tinos every summer. The festival unites faith, tradition, music, dance, and food, offering both spiritual and cultural enrichment.

For visitors, the Sacré Coeur Monastery festival is not only an opportunity to witness religious devotion but also to experience the warmth, hospitality, and traditions of Tinos at their liveliest.