Climbing the path of Ikosifinissa Paggeo Terms
The term & Paggaio is the large mountain that extends between the N. Kavalas and N. Serres. The highest peak is the "Eye", with altitude 1.956 m. In the Greek mythology the term was originally called "Karmanion"And later named"Pangaion"By Paggaio, son of the god Mars and Kritovoulos, who, unable to endure his remorse for incest who unwittingly committed with his daughter, committed suicide on this term.
In Paggaio mapped and labeled, by EOS. Kavala, many trails for nature lovers and hikers. The "Trail Ikosifinissa"Is the most beautiful and most Paggeo.
PATH EIKOSIFOINISSAS
The path length 12 km (11.989 m.) and features steps are :
From I. M. Lady Ikosifinissa, after 3,5 km dirt road you enter the forest that leads to the neck Kentiki, overlooking the village Nikisiani. continuing west, to 1.150 m. your path leads to the cave Askitotrypa. Walk in the woods with beeches, to the back Hold. Here there are benches for rest. The source "Beiko"Is this point 5 minutes. Subsequently, if you want to get up Trikorfo, where is 2or highest peak Paggeo (1.942 m.) you can go N. ascending the side, to the alpine zone of Mt.. To get to "shelter Hadjigeorgiou» (1.750 m.), the valley of Orpheus, follow the path to the A and then the water tank, in 10 minute encounter shelter.
For signaling pathway worked the EOS. Kavala.
IM. MARY EIKOSIFOINISSAS
The IM. Ikosifinissa road is Serres – Kavala, after Kormitsa Community, B. Mount Pangaiou and altitude 753 m. It is one of the largest pilgrimages of Macedonia and is the oldest active monastery in Greece and Europe.
Originally, the monastery was in Vigla, 50 m. east of today's monastery. There he founded a small monastic community Bishop Filippi, saver (5th c.). The Saint Germain (518 A.D), who until then ascetic in the Holy Land, the I. M. Forerunner, near the Jordan River, He came to Lookout after angel vision. When he got here he built a church on the site of old. According to tradition, because he wanted to make a picture of the Virgin Mary came to the forest to find the right wood. During the treatment of wood, it cracked. The Saint Germain thought to fly, but then a bright red light "Phenicia", i.e. such as purpura of Palms, bathed torn wood. Through the light appeared the Virgin with Christ saying to him, "My child hoped, I'm here "and currently inculcated on the wood image of the Virgin Mary. Since the image of the Virgin without hands, Keep in IM. Ikosifinissa.
From this miracle comes the name: "Figure Phoenician Women" or "Figure - Phoenician Women" or "Eikosifoinissa". Since then and for several centuries, the course of the monastery lost. Archaeological research showed that at the 11th century. rebuilt the Catholic monastery.
The 1472 Monastery reconstituted, when this was withdrawn, he resigned from his throne, Ecumenical Patriarch St.. Dionysus (15th), considered the 2th taker of. In the era of the monastery acquired great prosperity and glamor. The 1507 They lived in the monastery 172 monks, who had as a mission to strengthen the faith of Christians, as they crossed East Macedonia and Thrace, spreading Christianity. This action of 172 Monks angered the Turks, who in 25-08-1507 They entered the monastery and massacred them all, but to destroy the temple and buildings. The 1510, after the tragic incident of the massacre, the Ecumenical Patriarchate, with the permission of Sultan, He managed to operate the monastery again, with support 10 monks from Mount Athos. The 1854 fire destroyed part of the convent while 1864 a cholera epidemic decimated the monks. The 1902 -1910 Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Drama reorganized the monastery. The 1917, Bulgarians, after the Turks, They passed from the monastery and plundered their priceless treasures, such as the Library, which included 1300 volumes of books and manuscripts of great archaeological value. Today the sacred relics of the monastery are the National History Museum in Sofia. The 1943, during the Second World War, Again Bulgarian, They set on fire and completely burned the monastery.
CURRENT FORM OF IM.
From 1967 the I. M. Lady Ikosifinissa the form we see today and since then remains nunnery. The IM. It consists of the temple, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the Priory, the monks' cells, the hospice, the chapels of St.. Barbara with "holy water" and Zoodochos Pigi, the museum, the Bank, the iconography and weaving workshops and ancillary areas of the monastery.
The Catholic church is square, (20X20 m.) with beautiful frescoes belonging to the Moldavian monk, Matthew, known by his works on Mount Athos. woodcut, gilt iconostasis, which is made with hands, the image of the Virgin was built in 1803 by chian craftsmen.
The IM. It comprises two churches, a church cemetery, museum, hagiography and embroidery workshops. celebrated on 15 August the Assumption, at 14 September and Holy Cross 21 November to the Virgin Mary. Out and over the walls of the monastery, you will see the old windmill and the "pew of the Virgin Mary" with small shrine. At the square, before the monastery, there Monument in Memory of 172 monks who were slaughtered by the Turks (1507).
Access to the monastery is the coach who makes the route Kavala – Nikisiani or with your own vehicle along the road from Kavala to Philippi. For anyone who wants to stay overnight in the monastery there are many hostels, (about 200 beds) who are given after consultation with the nuns.
Nikisiani
The town is Nikisiani Municipal Unity Pangaiou, N. Kavala is located at an altitude 350 m. the NE outskirts of Mount Paggaio. Kavala from very old was known for its fine marble Nikisiani, "Aiax", considered one of the best in Europe.
HISTORY
Its ancient name was "Win" and possibly the conversion of the ancient name in Nikisiani, He had done during the Byzantine era and influence of the Slavic word -jani (-Iannis) (= place), so Nikisiani = place of "Victory". This view is supported also by the existence of an ancient settlement, just a few kilometers from the present town. The ancient city was founded by the Macedonians, according to the findings of the excavations found a Macedonian grave. After the battle of Philippi and the foundation of the Roman colony, the "Victory" was dependent administratively from Philippi, as revealed by the finding of a funerary Roman colonies.
SIGHTSEEING IN NIKISIANI
in Nikisiani, you can see the church of the Virgin Mary, who is also patron. Built in the last century, with beautiful murals and steeple. Other temples are Agia Marina, St. Anne and St. Paraskevi.
Famous chapel of St. George, where every year the Ascension (25 May), day protection of breeders, made events, with food and dancing.
Around there Nikisiani 3 monasteries, St. Demetrios, St. John and the Monastery of Axion Esti. The village has many traditional taverns, such as "Chestnut", "Cold waters", "Kostas" etc.. and many cafes. Taste the local delicacies such as sarmadakia, sauerkraut, sausage and local raki.
CUSTOM "nigger"
The custom of "nigger" is in Nikisiani and considered one of the most important in the Balkans. Relives the day of the Synaxis of John the Baptist(7 January). Represents the battle of life and death. Young people and children of the village, dressed in skins and girded with heavy bells (bag), out of the streets of the village and the deafening noise of bells, cast out evil spirits and bring the optimistic message of life. In the square eventually duel two niggers and one of them falls dead ,symbolizing the death of Dionysus by the Titans , that shortly resurrected by Zeus or symbolizes life death and resurrection. In this ancient pagan custom, showing the authenticity of origin of people, maintained without interruption from ancient times until today for folklore and traditional main reasons by the Cultural Association of Nikisiani.
The custom is purely Dionysian as the term Paggaio, in mythology, It was the residence of the god Dionysus, with the famous oracle of Dionysus.
USEFUL ADDRESSES
Serres Municipality, K. Karamanlis 1, Serres, tel. 2321083600,2321350100
Municipality of Kavala, Cyprus 10, astride, tel. 2510451300
pangaio, Nikisiani, tel. 2592350640
IM. Lady Ikosifinissa, til.2592061566, 2510516581
Cultural Association Nikisiani "ARAPIS"
EOS. Kavala, Kon / nou Palaeologos 4, astride,til.2513007492
