In America children celebrate Halloween in October. In Greece people celebrate Apokries. Apokries is considered the Carnival period before the 40 days of strict fast for the Lent of Easter. During Apokries, the people of Nisyros dress in costumes and masks, going door to door, almost like the American tradition of Trick or Treating.
During the second week of Apokries, known as Kreatini (Meat Week), meat may be eaten every day, even the traditional fast days of Wednesday and Friday.
The Thursday of the second week of carnival is known as Tsiknopempti (Tsikna Thursday). This is when the festivities begin. Traditionally, everyone must cook meat so that the smoke or tsikna fills the air and everybody knows it’s a feast-day.
The third week is called Tyrini (Cheese Week) - people can eat dairy products and fish but not meat.
On the last Sunday of Apokries, the Kamouzelous (masqueraders) gather for a parade with music and dancing , going door to door to scare the people of the village. Often, the men dressed like women and the women like men. They then have a big Xorosperida (Dinner Dance) which lasts until the Kampana (church bell) rings for the Esperino Kurion ton Deinamion (evening vespers for the Lord of Strength.)
Apokries ends on Kathari Deftera (Clean Monday), the first day of Lent. On this day, Nisyrians eat Fasolada (Bean Soup) to mark the first day of the Fast. Throughout Sarakosti (40 days of lent) they continue to maintain a vegetarian diet which consists of Pitia (chick pea pancakes), Kordes,(snail-like seafood) Petalides, (limpets) Axinious (sea urchins), Tiganites me Kanella & Meli (pancakes with cinnamon and home grown honey) Halvas (farina cake)
From the first week of Apokries and through the entire Sarakosti Nikokires (women of the home) would begin their spring cleaning to prepare the home for Lambri (brilliance of Easter)
Nisyros is a small island in the group of “Dodecannisa” (12 islands) which are located in the Aegean Sea.
Nisyros is located south of Kos and north of Tilos. The island is round in shape and has a diameter of 8 kilometers (5 miles) across. In the center of the island is the volcano. There are four major villages in Nisyros.
The capital is a port town known as Mandraki. There are approximately 708 permanent residents of this village. The plateia ( town square) of Mandraki is known as Ilikiomeni (the old woman) which is shaded by large trees. The Monastery of Panagia Spiliani (The Virgin Mary of the Cave) is built on a hill 35 meters high. Mandraki is home to the Paliokastro (Old Fortress), The Castle has a height of 150m. The castle was built by the Knights of Order of St.John (1315). It is still saved in a good condition. The island's Historical and Folk Museum is also in Mandraki. Panagia Potamitissa (The Virgin Mary of the River) is another house of worship. The Plateia Dimarhiou( Municipality Square) displays a beautiful hand made mosaic of pebbles at its doorway. On the road leading away from the capital are the Loutra (Thermal Springs) Many come from around Greece to this natural spa for treatment of ailments such as arthritis, and rheumatism. Chohlaki (Large Stones) is a popular beach in Mandraki.
To the east is the quaint fishing village of Pali. Here there are 192 inhabitants year- round. Pali is home to many beaches, such as Lies & Pachia Ammos. This seaside town has its own limani (port). The churches of Panagia Thermiani (The Virgin Mary of the Thermal Waters) and Agioi Apostoloi (The 12 Holy Apostles) are located in Pali. The Ippokrateion/Pantelidis Loutra are another famous landmark from ancient times.
The small mountainous town of Emporios is found 8 kms south east of the capital. Here there are also beautiful views of the volcano. On the road leading to the village is a small cave which acts as a natural sauna due to the volcanic heat. The monasteries belonging to the town of Emporios are H Gennisis tis Theotokou (The Birth of the Virgin Mary) and O Taxiarchis(The Archangel Michael). Panagia Kyra (Our Lady) is the beautiful monastery 8km to the southeast of Emporios.
To the south is Nikia, a picturesque village built on top of a
mountain. Only 48 people call this village home throughout the year. Nikia has views of the volcano on one side of the
village and the sea on the other. The village plateia is known
as the Porta (The Doorway). The Town's main church is
Ta Eisodia Tis Theotokou (The Presentation of the Virgin Mary) St. George is located at the northeast end of , the town that oversees the cemetery. About 1 km to the west of the Town is the monestary of St. John Theologos. A recently constructed church, Profitis Elias sits on the top of the mountain overlooking the Stathmo (the bus stop/ entryway to the village). At the stathmo, the former elementary school building houses the new seismological (volcano) museum. Avlaki is the tiny port of this village north of the town with a clear view of the island of Tilos.
Astypalia, Halki, Kalymnos, Karpathos, Kos, Leros, Nisyros, Patmos, Rhodes, Simi, Tilos, Kastelorizo, Lipsi
Written by: Tina Papamichael-Molos
This Month's Contributors:
Foti Papamichael, Nick Sfakianos, Nina Triantafillou, Maritsa Xanthos,
Sources: Nisyros To Nisi tou Hfaisteiou by Panagiotis Katsimatides
http://www.explorecrete.com/traditions/apokries-carnival.htm
http://www.nisyros.co.uk/map.htm
http://hellas.teipir.gr/prefectures/english/Dodekanisou/Nisiros.htm
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