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RELIGIOUS FAIRS in CYPRUS
Religious Fairs (Panigria)
Many colourful fairs are held in villages, reviving traditional village life, when saint's name-days are celebrated around the main churches. Local products and sweets are sold at stalls especially set up for the occasion. A procession of the Saint's icon around the church takes place during the previous evening's church service.
Epiphany
January 6
Epiphany is one of the most important religious celebrations of the year. Following a special Mass at the Cathedral of each town, a religious procession takes place down to the sea, at around 10h30, leading to a ceremonial baptism of the Holy Cross into the sea. During the ceremony the Bishop throws the Holy Cross into the sea. During the ceremony the Bishop throws the Holy Cross into the sea and young men dive into the water to retrieve the cross and return it to the priest.
Religious celebrations in all seaside towns:
- Lemesos (Limassol): Aya Napa church - Lemesos old port
- Larnaka: Agios Lazaros church - Larnaka marina
- Pafos: Theoskepasti church - Pafos harbour
- Polis: Agios Andreas church - Latsi fishing shelter
- Agia Napa: Agia Napa church - Agia Napa harbour
Saint Neofytos' Day
January 25
Religious fair at Agios Neofytos Monastery, Pafos District
Presentation of Jesus to the Temple
February 2
Religious fair at Chrysorrogiatissa Monastery, Pafos District
Saint Lazarus' Day
April 19
A special mass is held in memory of St Lazarus, the Patron Saint and first Bishop of Larnaka, followed by an impressive procession of the saint's icon with music and the clergy dressed in all their splendour, going from Agios Lazarus church along the palm-lined sea front promenade and other main streets of Larnaka.
Organised by St Lazarus church and the Larnaka Municipality.
Tel: 24 657745 or 24 629333
Saint George's Day
April 23
Religious fair at Agios Georgios Alamanos Convent (Lemesos District) and Paralimni village
Greek Orthodox Easter
April 25 - 28
Easter the biggest Greek Orthodox religious feast is celebrated in Cyprus with great solemnity. Evening services take place throughout the Holy Week.
- Good Friday - April 25
A procession of decorated Sepulchres takes place in all parishes at around 20.30
- Easter Saturday - April 26
At midnight an open-air mass takes in every church
- Easter Sunday - April 27
On Easter Sunday and Monday afternoons traditional games are organised in towns and villages:
- Lefkosia (Nicosia) District: Kourdali and Spilia villages
- Lemesos (Limassol) District: Lemesos town, Agios Tychonas, Pano Polemidia, Sykopetra (Tel: 99 254453), Kellaki (Tel: 99 604792), Pissouri (Tel: 25 222292), Episkopi (Tel: 25 934015), Anogyra and Agros villages
- Larnaka District: Pervolia village
- Pafos District: Pafos town, Geroskipou, Tala, Kathikas, Tsada, Chlorakas, Kissonerga, Stroumbi and Neo Chorio villages
- Famagusta District: Agia Napa, Frenaros, Paralimni, Deryneia and Achna villages
 
Saint Irene's Day
May 4 - 5
Religious fair at Pervolia village, Larnaka District
Tel: 24 423330
Saints Constantine and Helena's Day
May 21
Religious fair at Tsada village, Pafos District
Pentecost - Kataklysmos (Flood Festival)
June 14 - 16
Kataklysmos is a religious and popular feast celebrated only in Cyprus. Kataklysmos, which means flood, is found in the book of Genesis and in the Greek myth of Deukalion. In both cases it refers to the destruction by flood of almost all living creatures in order to give brth to a new and moral generation. The ceremonies last for a few days and take place in all seaside towns. Celebrations include various games, folk dances, swimming competitions and boat races.
Festivities in all seaside towns:
- Larnaka: 13 - 18/06/08 (music, dance, poetry, theatre, competitions) at the Larnaka Palm Trees Promenade organised by the Larnaka Municipality.
Tel: 24 657745
- Lemesos (Limassol): 14 - 16/06/08 at the Seafront Promenade (west of the Municipal Gardens), organised by the Lemesos Municipality.
- Agia Napa: 14 - 16/06/08 at Agia Napa harbour, organised by the Agia Napa Municipality.
Tel: 23 816300
- Paralimni: 15/06/08 at Fig Tree Bay, organised by Paralimni Municipality.
Tel: 23 819300
- Pafos: 16 - 18/06/08 at Castle square, Kato Pafos, organised by the Pafos Municipality.
Tel: 26 932014
- Polis: 14 - 16/06/08 at Latsi fishing shelter, organised by the Polis Municipality.
Tel: 26 321321
Saint Leontios' Day
June 18
Religious fair at Pervolia village, Larnaka District
Tel: 24 423330
Saints Peter and Paul's Day
June 29
Religious fair at Avgorou village, Ammochostos (Famagusta) District
Saint Marina's Day
July 17
Religious fair at Xylotymbou village, Ammochostos District
Saint Paraskevi's Day
July 26
Religious fair at Geroskipou village (Pafos District) and Leivadia village (Larnaka District)
Transfiguration of Jesus Christ the Saviour
August 6
Religious fair at Sotira village, Ammochostos District
Dormition of Virgin Mary (Assumption Day)
August 15
Religious fairs at Kykko and Chrysorrogiatissa monasteries, Agia Napa, Chrysospiliotissa church at Deftera village (Lefkosia), Liopetri village (Ammochostos) and Kiti village (Larnaka)
Exaltation of the Holy Cross
September 14
Religious fair at Omodos and Lefkara villages
Saint Foka's Day
September 22
Religious fair at Athienou village, Larnaka District
Saint Neofytos' Day
September 28
Religious fair at Agios Neofytos Monastery, Pafos District
Saint John Lampadistis' Day
October 4
Religious fair at Kalopanagiotis village, Lefkosia District
Saint Ermogenis' Day
October 5
Religious fair at Agios Ermogenis church, Lemesos District
Saint Kendeas' Day
October 6
Religious fair at Agios Kendeas church, Avgorou village
Saint Luke's Day
October 17 - 18
Religious fairs at Kolossi, Kouklia and Aradippou villages
Saint George Kontos' Day
November 3
Religious fair at Agios Georgios Kontos church, in Larnaka town
Archangels Michael and Gabriel's Day
November 7 - 8
Religious fair at Archangelos Michael Church at Kaimakli, Lefkosia
Presentation of Virgin Mary to the Temple
November 20 - 21
Religious fair at Pallouriotissa old church in Lefkosia and Agros village
Saint Andrew's Day
November 30
Religious fair at Polis
Saint Modestos' Day
December 16
Religious fair at Deryneia village, Ammochostos (Famagusta) Distric
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