Panigiria in Sifnos: Τhe 2027 Calendar
A centuries old tradition of the island are the festivals or “panigiria”, that run from May to September. They are held on the eve of the day a church or monastery celebrates its saint, and they draw crowds who chant, pray, cook, eat and drink until late at night in the churchyards.
The host is the panigiras: the islander who has the honour of keeping the church’s icon in his home for a whole year and who returns it on the day of the festival. The panigiria aren’t organised by the churches or the local authorities but by the residents themselves, who take on the preparation and the cost.
After the liturgy, the worshippers sit around the “tables of love” (trapezes tis agapis) and enjoy revithada chickpea stew (one of Sifnos’s traditional dishes), olives, pasta in red sauce (kokkinisto) and, during fasting periods, salt cod. Red wine flows in honour of the host. Dancing and singing go on until the early hours. The next morning, after the liturgy, the next panigiras takes the sacred icon home.
Sifnos panigiri calendar
Dates usually show the evening of the festival, which is the eve of the feast day. The exception is the morning panigiri of Agia Marina.
- Chrisopigi: In May or June, on the day of Ascension. The island celebrates its patron saint for three days. In 2027, the Ascension day is on June 10th.
- Elisseos: On June 13th in the little church under Agios Nilias
- Taxiarchis: On 12th July in Vathi and at the church of Agios Silvestros (on the way to Cheronisos).
- Agia Marina: On July 17th in Flabouro.
- Profitis Ilias: On July 19th there are many churches that celebrate on the island. The most famous is the Profitis Ilias t’Apsilou church or Agios Nilias.
- Agios Panteleimonas: On July 26th in Cheronisos.
- Panagia: On 14th August in the monasteries of “Panagias to toso nero”, Platanisa and “Panagia tou Iliou”
- Agios Yiannis: On August 28th in Choni, Mavro Chorio, Siderou and in Faros (morning feast).
- Agios Simeon: On August 31st on the mountain above Kamares and in the church of Pantokratoras (on the way to Platys Gialos).
- Taxiarchis: On September 5th in Vathi.
- Agios Sozon: On September 6th
- Birthday of Holy Mary: On September 8th in the monastery of Vrisi in Exabela.
- Holy cross: On September 13th in Faros and in Choni.
- Agios Nikitas: On September 14th in Seladi.
The festivals that stand out
Chrysopigi
This is the island’s big celebration. Panagia Chrysopigi, patron saint of Sifnos, is celebrated on Ascension Day and the island honours her for three days. Because Ascension moves each year with Easter, check the date before booking your stay.
Profitis Ilias
The July 19th panigiri at Profitis Ilias t’ Apsilou, on the top of the island’s highest mountain, is one of the best known. There are many churches of Profitis Ilias on Sifnos, and all celebrate in the same month.
15 August
On 14 August, the eve of the Virgin’s feast, panigiria take place in three spots: Toso Nero, Platanissa and Panagia tou Ilios. It’s the best chance to see how different neighbourhoods celebrate the same church feast.
Tips for visitors
Getting there: Many chapels are remote and the party ends late. Plan your journey back before you go.
What to wear: Modest clothing, since you’re in a churchyard, and comfortable shoes for dirt roads.
