Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God

The Feast of the Assumption is one of the most important feasts of the Orthodox Christian faith. It is the “Easter of Summer,” a radiant celebration of faith and tradition. In every corner of Greece, people honor the Virgin Mary, this supreme embodiment of love and hope, with devotion as well as music and dance, keeping the thread of love alive. The Municipality of Chalki invites residents and visitors to the island to a two-day celebration of both reverence and joy. This year, however, the celebrations in Chalki hold greater significance and splendor, as the restoration of the historic church of Panagia Choriánis has been completed—a project of great importance for the preservation of the island’s cultural heritage.

It was carried out by the Dodecanese Ephorate of Antiquities of the Ministry of Culture, with funding from the Recovery Fund. The work included the conservation of frescoes, reinforcement of the load-bearing structure, restoration of the wood-carved iconostasis, and protection of the stonework. Respecting the original form and traditional materials, the project highlights the church’s historical and religious value, contributing to the cultural revitalization and strengthening of Chalki’s identity.

This year, after a three-year hiatus, the service will be held on Friday, August 14, followed by the traditional celebration in the church courtyard, while on Saturday, August 15, the festivities will move to the Port of Chalki. Alexandros Peroulis (lyra), Michalis Kostakis (lyra), Binis Zampetoulas (lute), Nikos Kanavakis (keyboards), and Theano Mitsou (vocals) will entertain our fellow citizens and guests.