The chapel is dedicated to both Agia Zoni and Saint George.
In a cave at the foothill of a cliff near Vouvas village in the South of Crete, close to Sfakia, stood the chapel of Saint George, while a small church dedicated to Agia Zoni (the Holy Girdle of the Virgin Mary) was built next to it. Unfortunately, both buildings fell into ruins sometime in the 18th century. However, a new chapel dedicated to both Agia Zoni and Saint George was then rebuilt on that site. The temple still exists today and is considered to possess miraculous powers.
According to tradition, Apostle Thomas was not present during the Virgin Mary’s Assumption. Arriving on the scene, he asked that the tombstone be lifted so that they could worship her. Virgin Mary, however, had been taken up into the heavens, leaving behind the Holy Girdle found in her tomb. Apostle Thomas took the Holy Girdle to be kept in Constantinople.
Later, the Girdle of the Virgin Mary was transferred by Konstantinos Romanos Porphyrogennetos, Roman Emperor from 905 to 959 A.D., to the church of the Virgin Mary in the region of Halkopratia, close to today’s Zeynep Sultan Camii, in Constantinople, on August 31st. To commemorate this event, a significant and unusual festival is held, featuring open-air cooking and free meals of meat and pilaf.
Today, the Holy Girdle is housed in the Vatopedi monastery on Mount Athos. It is considered the second most valuable relic of Orthodox Christianity after the Holy Cross.
The festival of Agia Zoni in Nomikiana, Sfakia, is one of the most authentic and lively religious celebrations in Crete. It is celebrated on August 31st, honouring the Deposition of the Holy Belt of the Virgin Mary. This feast marks the final day of the ecclesiastical year, combining deep faith with traditional Cretan hospitality.
Festival Program
The festival begins on the afternoon of August 30th with the Great Vespers, presided over by the Theological Bishop of Knossos, Methodios. The Holy Supplication follows this to the Virgin’s Belt. On the following day, August 31st, the morning Divine Liturgy takes place, followed by a free distribution of traditional boiled meat with pilaf, offered by local shepherds. The celebration concludes with a traditional Cretan feast, where locals and visitors dance and celebrate late into the night.
Tradition and Social Aspect
The festival of Agia Zoni in Nomikiana is not merely a religious ceremony. It is an opportunity for the local community to unite, honour tradition, and welcome visitors from across Crete. The free distribution of food and the active participation of everyone in the festivities enhance the sense of community and hospitality.
How to Get There
To visit Nomikiana, you can start from Chania and follow the road to Sfakia. The area is accessible by car, and the journey offers breathtaking views of the Cretan landscape.
The festival of Agia Zoni in Nomikiana is a unique opportunity to experience authentic Cretan tradition and hospitality. If you are in Crete at the end of August, it is well worth attending and taking part in this special celebration.
