Sotiros Monastery Celebration

Sotiros Monastery in Skopelos

Skopelos Holy Saviour’s Monastery On August 6th, the Metamorphosis of the Sotiros is celebrated; in this particular monastery, the Divine Liturgy is held every Sunday (as opposed to the rest of the remaining monasteries). On the eve of the feast, on August 5, the Great Vespers are sung, and bread is offered. On August 6, the monks bless the grapes and share some with the worshipers. The Sotiros Monastery on  Skopelos is located on Mount Palouki.

Meaning of the Feast

The Orthodox Greek feast of the Transfiguration of the Saviour is celebrated on August 6 and is one of the most important feasts of the Christian faith. It commemorates the transfiguration of Jesus Christ on Mount Tabor when His divine nature was revealed before His disciples, Peter, James, and John. This feast is an important point in the theological tradition, as it shows the unity of Christ’s human and divine natures and foreshadows the glory of the Resurrection. In the Orthodox Church, this day is also associated with blessing the first fruits, especially grapes, as a symbol of thanksgiving and offering to God. The feast of the Transfiguration of the Saviour on 6 August is celebrated with great splendour throughout Greece, combining religious and cultural traditions. The celebrations begin with a solemn divine service in the churches dedicated to the Transfiguration, where the faithful gather to commemorate the event of Christ’s transfiguration. During the service, priests bless the first grapes of the year, which the faithful bring as an offering, in a symbolic gesture of thanksgiving for the harvest and the blessings of the year. In addition to being a religious holiday, the Transfiguration is an opportunity for the community to celebrate nature, tradition, and faith.

Which names are celebrated

The names celebrated on the day of the Transfiguration are Sotiris and Sotiria, derived from the name Soter, which means “saviour.” Also celebrated are the names Evphorfia and Morphula, which are associated with beauty and transformation. This feast is an opportunity for spiritual renewal and reflection, inviting the faithful to embrace inner transformation and the strengthening of their faith.