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The most important event on the small island of Heraklia is the feast of Ai-Giannis Prodromos, which takes place on the 29th of August in a grotto with stalactites and stalagmites, where you have to crawl to enter through a very small opening! The vista of the geological formations in their incredible shapes and sizes is well worth the trouble. The road to the cave is extremely rough, but the spot is absolutely beautiful.
On the day of the religious service, dozens of kids climb to the stalagmites to place hundreds of wax candles, creating a spectacular light that highlights the unique colors of the rocks. At the time of the service, the priest and the faithful gather around a small sanctuary and sing the psalms that praise the Saint. In the evening, a festival with musical instruments coming from the surrounding islands takes place in Chora, where the participants celebrate until the morning hours.
Photo: Ilias Provopoulos
