A 27-year-old woman died in a car accident Thursday afternoon in the Dorida area of Fokida in Central Greece the crash occurred on the Itea-Nafpaktos national road when her vehicle veered off course and plunged off a cliff into the sea Passing drivers alerted police and the Fire Department which reached the submerged car by boat and recovered her body Authorities are investigating whether another person was in the car A post-mortem examination will be conducted while police are investigating the cause of the crash Enter your information below to receive our weekly newsletters with the latest insights opinion pieces and current events straight to your inbox His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America welcomed the Mayor of Nafpaktos to the Archdiocese Headquarters in New York City Get the Orthodox Observer delivered to your inbox Download VCF • Join our Mailing Lists • Donate The information contained on the website of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is for informational purposes only Certain individuals and institutions are presented for reference purposes only and may not be under the supervision or jurisdiction of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese The Holy Archdiocese does not exercise any administrative oversight or assignment authority over clergy that are not part of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Features The beautiful city of Nafpaktos is located near the western end of the Corinthian Gulf It is a city and hinterland with a rich and ancient history its settlements stretching from Classical Greece through Byzantine Venetian and Ottoman eras to modern Greece Its fortifications are mentioned by Thucydides the city gave its name to the famous naval battle of the same name Every year the modern city celebrates its connection to the battle with a re-enactment It was my pleasure to visit Nafpaktos at this time learning more about its history and culture We had found ourselves once again in this lovely provincial city the home not only of much rich history but the principal city whose hinterland was the former home of the Kyritsis’ and the Kokkinos’ clans will be struck by its quiet beauty and ease of familiarity One is obviously taken by the Venetian harbour – reflective of so many others across the Mediterranean from Chania to Kyrenia – looking out on to the calm waters of the Gulf and surrounded by its cobbled streets and the remains of many neoclassical buildings Its past is also revealed in both the ancient sanctuary of Asclepius and the grand Castro sitting above the city – whose history stretches from its days as the local Acropolis to its life as a major fortified castle Venetian and Ottoman rulers – visible day and night as the lost guardian of the city Most modern day visitors can’t but be in awe of the new Charilaos Trikoupis bridge named in honour of one of Greece’s more memorable 19th century political leaders whose great span covers the entrance to the Gulf between Nafpaktos and Patras to the south The bridge is a reminder of the importance of communication and the ease with which you achieve it today Whether we drive across the bridge or use our mobile phones to connect with friends on either side we can hardly appreciate the vital role of the sea and seafaring to the life of the region down to the recent past one of my partner Vicki’s relatives in our home in the lovely nearby village of Monastiraki tells me one night of how his seaside village was founded many years ago by the need of locals from surrounding mountain villages to cross the Gulf in search of customers for their primary produce Some of these villages – such as Vicki’s mother Helen’s home town of Klima – would be totally abandoned They would bring their goods by donkey and horse to the shore and cross in barges or cacique boats (later steel hulled and steam engine vessels) even up to the years immediately following the end of the Second World War when the ferries of Rio-Antirio replaced them Villages across the Gulf needed its waters to survive sustaining their lives and connecting them to the world including when the great fleets of empires past gathered in is waters The battle of Lepanto represents one of those major turning points in history Fought on 7 October 1571 where the Gulf opens into the Ionian Sea it was last major naval engagements involving rowed vessels and the first major naval defeat of the Ottoman Empire The battle saw the Ottoman fleet led by Admiral Ali Pasha defeated by the Holy League the Holy league had a major technical advantage in the quantity of guns and ammunition as well as the presence of Venetian galleass fighting ships – effectively fast moving The Holy League fleet was led by Don John of Austria but the largest contingent of ships were supplied by Venice along with two experienced naval commanders – Admirals Sebastiano Venier and Agostino Barbarigo Not only did most of the fighting vessels trace their design back to the ancient Greek triremes but thousands of Hellenes took part in the battle many dragooned into Ottoman service as slaves The ensuing battle was a triumph for the Holy League The intense fighting saw Spanish and Venetian soldiers in hand to hand combat with the Ottoman janissaries It was when the Ottoman Admiral was killed and his flagship captured that the morale of the remaining Ottoman fleet was broken In the end nearly 180 Ottoman vessels were sunk or captured and 35,000 enemy troops captured or killed Thousands of Christian slaves were also freed as a result of the battle The battle confirmed to the West that the Ottomans could be defeated with their overwhelmingly Hellenic populations were no longer threatened by Ottoman invasion Along with the defeat at the siege of Vienna fifty years earlier the Ottoman conquest of Europe was at an end and would eventually decline The celebration takes place in the little harbour itself its calm waters forming the stage for the re-enactment The story of the battle and its protagonists is told in a theatrical production a light-show and ending with a spectacular fireworks display The event is staged every year in early October We awaited for the celebration to begin at our harbour side restaurant table with an excellent view and were joined by family and friends – Jenny and Lakis Kyritsis Arthor Apos and Petros Psoumis – who had made the trip across the bridge from Patras to join us It was not long before the harbour side was pumping hundreds were crowded around the little harbour The harbour was bedecked with flags representing the Holy League The great streaming flag of the Lion of St Mark the symbol of Venice flew again over Nafpaktos alternating between eastern and western songs as coloured lights bathed the old stones of the harbour Actors dressed in costumes from the era rushed to their places at the harbour entrance as the beginning approached With trumpets and fanfare the spectacular event commenced with two theatrical representations of the warships of the era – one of the Holy League and the other Ottoman – began to move across the harbour from opposite sides the famed Spanish author of Don Quixote and a veteran of the battle made an appearance and crossed into the harbour Soon all was fire and light as the two ships engaged in mock battle representing the clash of the two grand navies Actors representing soldiers could be seen fighting as the ships clashed in combat Lights and fireworks erupted across the harbour and in the sky above as the battle reached its crescendo with Tchaikovsky’s 1812 overture doing the honours as the finale approached to the cheers of the crowd The whole event lasted over 2 thrill-packed hours There was nothing left but to continue our celebration with some local Mamos beer and ouzo If you visit Nafpaktos I can highly recommend the new historical museum at Nafpaktos Castle Recently given a major overhaul and opened by Greek Culture Minister Mendoni the displays – housed across two buildings – feature informative information boards and displays of archaeological and other historical artefacts stretching back from Ancient Greece through all the eras of the city and region to the modem day There are beautiful displays of Byzantine coins and architectural motifs amazing Venetian glazed pottery and medals celebrating other local Venetian victories over the Ottomans and much more I was struck by the display explaining the Jewish history of Nafpaktos which in the 17th century had three synagogues It was also informative to read how the castle ruins were home to refugees following the Asia Minor catastrophe And of course the castle is worth the long walk up its cobbled steps to the top for its spectacular views of Nafpakto and the great Gulf beyond The annual celebration of the victory of Lepanto at Nafpaktos continues a long European tradition In 1585 King James VI of Scotland wrote a thousand line epic poem entitled The Lepanto that was translated into many languages A week or so before the re-enactment we saw the great depictions of the battle in huge paintings on the walls of Venice Ali Pasha’s flagship banner hangs in Pisa One of the lesser appreciated legacies is that the name of Lepanto veteran – the Venetian Admiral Sebastiano Venier – would be given to an Axis transport that was torpedoed off the former Venetian outpost of Methone as it brought Allied prisoners across the Mediterranean in WW2 A few years ago I assisted in the installation of a commemorative plaque in recognition of this tragedy at Methone On behalf of the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece the Synodal Metropolitans Ierotheos of Nafpaktos and Agios Vlasios and Ignatios of Demetrias and Almyros today visited the ailing Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana They conveyed the love of Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece and the heartfelt wishes of the members of the Holy Synod and the entire Church for the restoration of his health Archbishop Anastasios expressed his deep gratitude to the Holy Synod and said that he is sincerely grateful to all those who are praying for his speedy recovery the Patriarchate of Jerusalem solemnly celebrated the Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women... Archbishop Elpidophoros of America celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Monastery of the Theotokos.. it was announced that two Roman Catholic institutions in Bavaria have decided to jointly.. A car once used by Pope Francis during his 2014 visit to Bethlehem is being transformed into a mobile.. the Monastery of Saint Vlash in Albania hosted a festal Divine Liturgy on the.. Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece presided over the festal Great Vespers at the historic.. (function() { window.mc4wp = window.mc4wp || { listeners: [] cb) { window.mc4wp.listeners.push( { event : evt callback: cb } ); } } }})(); © 2023 OrthodoxTimes.com - All rights reserved Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website These cookies do not store any personal information Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Soprano Sonia Theodoridou is headlining a special Good Friday event in the Corinthian Gulf town of Nafpaktos performing Stavros Kouyioumtzis’ “Hymns of Angels to Human Melodies,” a compilation of ecclesiastical hymns by celebrated Greek composers set to lyrics by the country’s top poets Nafpaktos is renowned for its take on the Good Friday “Epitaphios,” a procession of an ornately decorated bier symbolizing that which carried Jesus to his grave According to a custom that dates from the 1950s the processions of the town’s two main churches converge at the harbor where fires are lit on the battlements of the Venetian-built fortifications and fireworks light up the night sky Another part of the country where the Good Friday procession is particularly striking is the Saronic island of Hydra where the bier from the parish church of Kaminia is carried into the water by fishermen in a custom that was started by sponge divers in 1923 the island’s Catholic and Greek Orthodox communities will be marking the day together with their biers converging at Miaouli Square The Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the Metropolis of Athens in the presence of the body of the late Archbishop Anastasios The Divine Liturgy presided over by Metropolitan Ierotheos of Nafpaktos and Agios Vlasios Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece performed a Trisagion service for the repose of the soul The body of the late Primate will remain in the Cathedral of Athens where it will lie in repose until the morning of Monday The Holy Synod of Albania has declared a five-day mourning period following the passing of the late Archbishop Anastasios which convened in an extraordinary session yesterday elected Metropolitan Ioannis of Korçë as the Locum Tenens of the Archdiocesan Throne The body of the late Archbishop will be received at the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Tirana on Tuesday The funeral service will be held on Thursday Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania reposed in the Lord on Saturday, January 25 at Evangelismos Hospital in Athens due to multi-organ failure His passing followed a multi-day stay at Hygeia Hospital in Tirana Photos: Christos Bonis/Archdiocese of Athens/Eurokinissi Fireworks explode over the Venetian port after the procession of “Epitaphios” the bier that carries the body of Jesus Christ to his grave with the flower-adorned biers followed by the clergy and the faithful especially in places where bier processions from each parish converge into a central square The processions from the two main parishes Pilgrims wait for the procession of “Epitaphios” Altar boys take part in the procession of “Epitaphios” Municipality workers install a burning cross as a mixed choir sing before the procession of “Epitaphios” A municipality worker installs a burning cross before the procession of “Epitaphios” candles and fires illuminate the Venetian port before the procession of “Epitaphios” it was later hotly contested between the Ottoman Empire and the Venetians was fought in the nearby Gulf of Patras on Oct A coalition of Western states defeated the Ottoman fleet local fishermen put their own stamp on the Good Friday bier procession by lighting fires on the battlements of the Venetian-built fortifications each year it follows a similar script: While the processions from the two main parishes get underway fires are lit on the battlements at sunset and a chorus sings hymns choral work by a modern Greek composer was performed A large cross was erected in the port’s entrance with wire and adorned with lanterns the processions departed from the port for their respective parishes around 10 p.m A city official said attendance was significantly higher this year with many visitors coming to watch the procession in addition to a significant portion of Nafpaktos’ 25,000 residents The procession of “Epitaphios,” the bier that carries the body of Jesus Christ to his grave Pilgrims wait for the procession of “Epitaphios,” the bier that carries the body of Jesus Christ to his grave Altar boys take part in the procession of “Epitaphios,” the bier that carries the body of Jesus Christ to his grave known as “Epitaphios,” the bier that carries the body of Jesus Christ to his grave Municipality workers install a burning cross as a mixed choir sing before the procession of “Epitaphios,” the bier that carries the body of Jesus Christ to his grave A municipality worker installs a burning cross before the procession of “Epitaphios,” the bier that carries the body of Jesus Christ to his grave candles and fires illuminate the Venetian port before the procession of “Epitaphios,” the bier that carries the body of Jesus Christ to his grave Greece as an outdoor recreation destination this EU-funded project built a network of new cycling The project facilitates some simple recreational activities by improving the aesthetics and accessibility of the surrounding landscape while taking care to protect the natural environment To make the new network of trails more attractive to tourists the project developed a series of digital applications To encourage citizens to get outside and exercise The 107 km of trails showcase the area’s pristine mountainous environment and unique cultural sites The first two focused on creating the routes themselves the project created trails in the municipality of Nafpaktia This included 15.6 km of trails through the communities of Ano Hora this network was expanded into western Nafpaktia to include 91.3 km of trails through such communities as Gavrolimni To promote the new trail network to citizens and tourists during the third phase the project launched the Digital Routes in History initiative This is a series of digital applications that provide users with a range of navigation and touring aids and information on the area’s history and culture and augmented reality to guide travellers along the path and past monuments and sites of historic and cultural importance Another application provides users with a 3D interactive map of the cycling routes the new trail network not only succeeds at introducing cyclists and climbers to Nafpaktia’s outstanding landscapes it also educates them about the area’s history and unique culture Total investment for the project “Create cycling hiking and mountaineering routes in Nafpaktos” is EUR 257 256 with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 205 805 through the “Western Greece” Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period The investment falls under the priority “Environment protection and resource efficiency” ΕΝΔΙΑΜΕΣΗ ΔΙΑΧΕΙΡΙΣΤΙΚΗ ΑΡΧΗ ΠΕΡΙΦΕΡΕΙΑΣ ΔΥΤΙΚΗΣ ΕΛΛΑΔΑΣ Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew met Metropolitan Ierotheos of Nafpaktos and Agios Vlasios Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos and Saint Vlassios © Metropolis of Nafpaktos and Saint Vlassios who has undertaken to inform the faithful on the part of the Holy Synod in order to avoid misunderstandings made this statement to “SKAI” should be celebrated not formally but essentially “When they tried to arrest Jesus Christ cut off the ear of a servant named Malchus ‘Put your sword back in its place,’ Jesus said to him ‘for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.’ So we do not need rough men but confessors It’s one thing to confess one’s faith it’s another to pretend to be the rough man,” he said He explained that the Standing Holy Synod had already decided that the Epitaphios procession would take place inside the church behind closed doors something that had always been the case in the ancient church Believers are urged not to come to the church and stay at home while taking advantage of modern means in order to participate in the services The church has done its duty with great pain.” “In order to be able to receive the Holy Communion there are conditions for participating in the Eucharist,” the Metropolitan pointed out The Holy Communion is allowed outside the church only to the seriously ill or the dying,” added the Metropolitan of Nafpaktos “The church urges the faithful to stay at home but in order to deal with the very serious issue of the virus The Holy Synod has sent its decisions to the Metropolitans and now they are responsible for implementing Synod’s decisions It is clear what the Synod decided,” clarified Metropolitan Ierotheos “Dostoevsky has shown that disbelief and atheism are not the opposite the complete atheist stands on the penultimate step to the most perfect faith We must not persecute the church but the virus,” he said as a guest of Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos in order to preside over the worship events for the feast of Saint Paraskevi of Nafpaktos The Metropolitan spoke to the congregation out of his heart thanked the Metropolitan of Naupaktos for the invitation narrated touching stories from the Greeks of Constantinople to the priests and associates and in the end he offered a trisagion service at the grave of the unforgettable Metropolitan Nicodemus of Nafpaktos things will have changed,” he said while stressing that “the Holy Synod address the matter with responsibility.” The Metropolitan noted that the proposal put forward by the minister of Education and Religion Affairs regarding the operation of the churches was welcomed is an unprecedented situation,” but stressed that “there is no problem” since “it is not imposed for ideological reasons but for the protection of the public health.” one prays for the whole world,” he said explaining that “prayer is not affected on the basis of the place where it is recited.” Finally, regarding the decision made by the Holy Synod to openly celebrate the Resurrection on May 26 he explained that “every Sunday from Easter until then the Church has thought to take advantage of it.” “I wish we shall not find ourselves grieving for yet more victims until then,” he concluded The hierarch strongly criticized anyone who questions Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece and the functioning of the Holy Synod as a constituted ecclesiastical body “I believe that the services and the Divine Liturgies should be celebrated during the Holy Week and on Easter Sunday because this period is the ‘heart’ of the ecclesiastical life and no one can offend that ‘heart’ Only those who do not attend church and do not receive the Holy Communion cannot understand this need of the overwhelming majority of the people,” he characteristically states He further stresses that he cannot understand why the government is in the process of instituting a kind of “holiday” on the clergy or determining when or whether to perform a Divine Liturgy or prohibiting the Divine Liturgy in the Monasteries He also refers to the rhetoric and practice of some Metropolitans pointing out that “another kind of coronavirus also hurts me the so-called ‘ecclesiastical coronavirus’ I notice that some Metropolitans act as if there is no Holy Synod They make announcements before the Holy Synod makes a decision and immediately after the decision of the Synod has been announced there is common sense and someone manages the evolution of things He also declares annoyed by the orchestrated attack on Divine Liturgy and the Holy Communion He emphasizes that it must be understood that the Divine Liturgy and the Holy Communion of the Body and Blood of Christ constitute the identity of the Church and the center of every culture is religion In our homeland the center of our culture is still the Church with all its tradition This tradition cannot be undermined in order to create a colorless Hierotheos of Nafpaktos concelebrated the Archieratical Divine Liturgy Metropolitan Meliton of Philadelphia of the Ecumenical Throne presided over the worship events martyrdom and miracles of Saint Paraskevi following the publication of the book on Saint Paraskevi which was released by the parish of the saint Metropolitan Meliton conveyed the blessing of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to all the faithful of the local Church and especially to the Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos Metropoplitan Hierotheos spoke to the faithful about the Metropolitan of Philadelphia in the central square of Nafpaktos Metropolitan of Nafpaktos said that Metropolitan Meliton was a very important member of the Ecumenical Throne because he had been serving as Chief Secretary for 21 years and then he was a member of various Synodal Committees Metropolitan Hierotheos thanked Metropolitan Meliton for his visit He also thanked the Metropolitan Polycarpius of Spain and Portugal Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos received a warm welcome from Patriarch Ilia II and the Hierarchs of the Patriarchate of Georgia During the meeting the two sides referred to developments in the Orthodox world as well as to the key elements of spiritual life The Primate of the Church of Georgia and the Metropolitan of the Church of Greece also discussed the importance of Asceticism in the modern world it should be noted that according to the Patriarchate of Georgia the Metropolitan of Nafpaktos is visiting Georgia for the third time although the reason for his visit has not been mentioned Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos / © Pantelis Fikaris The spokesman of the Church of Greece on the issues of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic commented on the new Joint Ministerial Decision of 6-4-2020 saying that “we proposed the way in which it would be done and the Government accepted it,” “…because we are also very careful about this issue” [of the pandemic] He also stated that this is a decision that “concerns not only the Church of Greece but also all places of religious worship of any kind and of any legal and canonical and religious status in general Metropolitan Hierotheos recommended to the priests to act with responsibility regarding the observance of government orders and to avoid the festive bells that will invite people to the Church Matt Keeley is a Newsweek editor based in Seattle. His focus is reporting on trends and internet culture. He has covered internet history and popular culture extensively. Matt joined Newsweek in 2019 from Hornet Stories and had previously worked at Westwood One. He is a graduate of Pacific Lutheran University. You can get in touch with Matt by emailing m.keeley@newsweek.com either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content a dog waits patiently for his master to come home every day his master won't be coming home—he was killed a year and a half ago The unnamed white dog waits every day by a roadside shrine in Nafpaktos collided with a cement mixer on November 9 Haris' death surprised the community as his brother had died nearby only a few years before The community erected a roadside shrine at the site of the accident about seven-and-a-half miles from his home Various Nafpaktos residents have tried giving the dog a new home but he always returns to his master's monument They've since given up and set up a little shelter with a blanket for him some are calling him the "Hachiko of Nefpaktia," after the famous real-life dog from Japan The two were inseparable—people claimed Ueno treated the dog like his own son Every day Hachiko would walk to Shibuya Station when Ueno was due back home from work Sadly Ueno died of a cerebral hemorrhage in 1925 But that didn't stop the loyal companion from waiting for his master Hachiko would walk to the station and wait for Ueno mounted and put on permanent display in the National Museum of Nature and Science A bronze statue of Hachiko was erected at Shibuya Station in 1934 There have been other tales of dogs loyal beyond death: Last year, a woman in China died on a road in Inner Mongolia. For months afterward, her dog kept wandering the street she perished on an Italian factory worker took home an injured dog he found by the roadside After he nursing the pup back to health the dog starting following his owner to the bus station every day Even after the factory was bombed and his owner killed a Skye terrier known as Greyfriars Bobby guarded his owner's gravesite in Scotland for 14 years a statue of was erected at the corner of Edinburgh's Candlemaker Row and George IV Bridge Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground Newsletters in your inbox See all We take you along wonderful routes through greenery and beautiful beaches mountains and seas are in constant dialogue and travelers have the opportunity to enjoy their harmonious coexistence in numerous destinations One of the places that celebrates this classic Greek combination is Nafpaktos and its surrounding area We recently visited it on a “full” trip and suggest you do the same After a brief search on Avis.gr we found the ideal vehicle for our journey: spacious enough for four people with their luggage a particularly important parameter in times of expensive fuels We picked up the car at the scheduled time at the Avis station and after the company’s staff explained everything we needed to know about it The construction of the Corinth-Patras motorway has made the once difficult journey to western Greece very easy The first truly memorable moment is crossing the Rio-Antirrio bridge the largest of Greece’s bridges and the world’s largest multi-span cable-stayed bridge the experience of driving from the Peloponnese to Central Greece on four wheels is always a pleasant driving experience Nafpaktos is a small city but with a great history as the city was called during the Frankish rule where we relaxed over a coffee in the sun with views of the high walls and fishing boats you can opt for a regenerating weekend with plenty of strolls and leisurely coffee and drinks at the harbor You can also go for a more “active” excursion with outings near or far from the city The closest walk is to the castle of Nafpaktos It provides a breathtaking view of the coasts of the Peloponnese while simultaneously being one of the finest examples of fortification architecture in Greece We get in the car for just a few minutes and pass on foot through the stone entrance of the castle a wonderful ‘balcony’ with an awesome view a small path leads to the small church of Prophet Elias that despite the castle being built in the Ancient Greek Era there are very few elements from that period Its current appearance is the result of the Venetian and Ottoman eras Nafpaktos can serve as an ideal base for car excursions One option is Ano Chora and generally the surrounding area of mountainous Nafpaktia a region that combines wonderful nature and greenery with a “quiet” tourism development Another option is to continue westward and visit the unique ecosystem of the Messolonghi lagoon we chose a less touristy route: the dam and lake of Mornos which cover the water needs of the capital The perimeter road around the lake is 70 km long starting from Lidoriki approximately 80 km away from Nafpaktos We drove with small detours through mountain villages what stood out on the lakeside road was the site of the ancient acropolis of Kallion and the eponymous spring was one of the oldest settlements in Roumeli and the residents moved higher up and built anew we see the stone houses of the submerged village mysteriously emerging from the waters We dedicated the next day -initially- to the sea Just 10 kilometers from Nafpaktos is Monastiraki with an excellent view of the Corinthian Gulf and the opposite shores of the Peloponnese with its own “blue lagoon.” It is a small enclosed lagoon separated from the Corinthian Gulf by a strip of land where a beach with white pebbles and gravel forms Its name comes from the color of its water and the more adventurous of the group dive into the sea It is certain that there is much more crowd here in the summer we chose not to pass through the Rio-Antirrio bridge again but instead to follow the more demanding (but also more interesting) route through Central Greece The route from Nafpaktos to Livadia is among the most beautiful in Greece with the shores of the Corinthian Gulf on our right where beautiful beaches form at many points After a short coffee break in the aristocratic town of Galaxidi we took the northern road that would take us to Livadia a fox shot out in front of us and fortunately After a stroll at the Krya Springs and dining in the city of Livadia and we were still on the provincial road network A sudden storm made our journey all the more challenging with its excellent motion and navigation assist systems We felt justified both in our choice of destination and our car of choice. As some long weekends and gradually Easter approach, we will be frequently visiting Avis.gr as the offers and opportunities for car rental are constantly being updated inspiring us to take many more such wonderful trips Sea or mountains? Nafpaktos combines both and is ideal for two-day getaways Road trip to Nafpaktos an amazing driving experience Author Roderick Beaton Talks About ‘The Greeks’ “the Church of Greece has treated the issue of the pandemic very calmly and very seriously from the very first moment,” but added that “while it suspended almost all its activities it could not completely free itself from its identity.” Metropolitan Ierotheos of Nafpaktos © Pantelis Fikaris if a priest told him that he had a request to offer the Holy Communion to somebody the Metropolitan would respond: “I would urge him to comply with the instructions of the Holy Synod.” He also called on state authorities not to be too strict with church attendance He stressed: “Holy Communion is not an individual right but a gift from God and we should all remain calm and have consideration.” “The Divine Liturgy will take place and the priest and the deacon will receive the Holy Communion but I think that the priest will not open the door to go out in order to offer the Holy Communion If someone is seriously ill and is about to die soon then one can receive the Holy Communion.” we will do what they have instructed us to do I don’t know if they have other reasons,” the Metropolitan of Nafpaktos stressed He commented on the statements made by the government spokesman that the churches would be opened gradually and that the request expressed in the letter by Archbishop Ieronymos would not be met and added that after his continuous interventions yesterday in the media he felt a disappointment isn’t it a divine organization that has a tradition of 20 centuries?” Archbidhop Ierotheos pointed out He also wondered “What is this power and what are the limits of power?” and he explained that he was saying this because he was aware that the decision sent by the commission of experts to the Prime Minister was “based on what the Archbishop is saying without raising the issue of faith.” Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker The day when one collects one’s new car is a memorable event As we stood before our new Citroën C3 Aircross for the very first time our high expectations were exceeded The vehicle seemed as spacious and dynamic in appearance as it looked stylish French finesse was apparent in every detail of its interior and exterior sitting in our new car’s cabin felt like we were seated in the comforts of our home in western Greece’s Etoloakarnania region is an ideal choice for driving enthusiasts The trip represented a first opportunity for us to confirm that our new car is not just attractive, but also convenient and high-performing. To begin with, it must be pointed out that storage capacity is not a concern when travelling with the Citroën C3 Aircross is one of the biggest of the vehicle’s category ensuring sufficient space even when travelling as a family There is no need to squeeze assorted items here and there The comfort, speed and formidable character of the Citroën C3 Aircross assured a very pleasant journey We also became acquainted with our new car’s features along the way These include 12 driver assistance systems among them the HeadUpDisplay colour screen 5 connectivity technologies enabling the driver to make the most of the new 9-inch touch screen and the Citroën Connect Nav system These features enabled us to view the bridge and sea as if in a convertible Nafpaktos is a lovely destination in itself good food and a variety of cultural events we decided to enjoy a stroll at the Venetian Port A naval battle of major historic importance inflicted a major defeat on the fleet of the Ottoman Empire writer of the iconic novel “Don Quixote” who took part in this battle and was wounded has been honoured with a statue in the Greek town The location’s extensive history was evident as we walked along the narrow alleys and roads leading to the town’s castle Some effort is needed to reach its elevated grounds The area’s Hiliadou beach is large and sandy if you manage to visit early in the summer season We spent several relaxed hours under the sun and in the water and then took off for the next part of our journey Nafpaktos’ gorgeous mountain area, whose road network can be challenging, was one reason we decided to cover the area travelling in our Citroën C3 Aircross. The word “escape” tends to be overused in travel articles it is a fully valid term in the case of Nafpaktos as well as along uphill and downhill stretches we were in awe of the endless forests with beech villages seen in the distance seemed as if they were clinging onto the mountain slopes Vigilance is important when driving in this region an experience that confirmed just how perfectly the car’s break system works a wonderful village built around the slopes as well as a superb view of the green mountain tops Definitely stop for a coffee at the village square It features approximately ten public taps in the village and on its outskirts – alongside creeks We trekked to the superb Kakavos gorge and then returned to the village as we had worked up an appetite We thoroughly enjoyed our time at Nafpaktos’ mountain area This road trip was wonderful, overall. We fully recommend a visit to Nafpaktos and the town’s mountain area. If, in this article, our destination did not get as much praise as it deserves, there is a reason, this being the thrill of acquiring and driving a brand new Citroën C3 Aircross Mini waterfalls, arched bridges, wondrous greenery: Greece’s best rivers for rafting An authentic mountainous destination of ravishing beauty in Greece Nafpaktos is a city that oozes atmosphere and charm all year round but it truly comes alive during the festive Christmas season The streets are adorned with bright garlands the balconies and shops are decked out in their finest holiday decorations and even the Venetian harbour is transformed by sparkling lights that stretch from end to end Whether you’re strolling through the picturesque streets or soaking up the jolly atmosphere at the harbour this is a destination that should not be missed during the holiday season If you’re still trying to figure out what to do for New Year’s Located just 2.5 hours away from Athens by car Nafpaktos is a quaint town nestled between the mountains and the sea While you can take the Athens-Patras route to get there you may want to consider making a longer but more scenic journey via the Athens-Lamia road you can stop for a coffee break in Arachova and pass through the town of Itea before reaching Nafpaktos Whether you choose the shorter or longer route your destination is well worth the trip for a memorable New Year’s celebration If you’re planning a visit to Nafpaktos you’ll want to make sure you spend some time exploring the stunning Venetian harbour that lies at the heart of the city with the waves lapping at your feet and the old mansions looming above you’ll be mesmerized by the magic of this delightful town Stroll through the cobbled alley of Stenopazaro where you’ll find a plethora of shops and bars housed on the ground floors of traditional old houses all bathed in the warm glow of twinkling lights And for a bird’s-eye view of the sparkling decorations Not only is this a great spot to take in the sunset but it’s also the perfect place to get a panoramic view of the entire town After starting your day with a reviving coffee at the harbour you’ll be ready to set out and explore all that Nafpaktos and its surrounding area have to offer One highlight of your trip is sure to be the castle which sits atop a hill surrounded by dense pine forests you’ll have a spectacular vista that stretches out to the coast of Achaia and the Rio bridge follow a winding path that leads past the small gate and the chapel of Profitis Ilias which was built on a Byzantine basilica and features early Christian mosaics in its courtyard If you’re feeling up to the challenge which were used to collect water in case of a siege The castle of Nafpaktos is a true architectural masterpiece Built during three distinct periods – in antiquity the Venetian era and the Turkish occupation – the castle is a testament to the enduring strength and resilience of the town’s inhabitants it remains one of the best-preserved examples of fortress architecture in all of Greece Whether you’re interested in history or architecture or simply want to take in the lovely views from the castle’s vantage point it’s a must-see destination for anyone visiting Nafpaktos After a day of exploring Nafpaktos and its surroundings you’ll probably be ready for a tasty snack to refuel If you’re in the mood for something light head to Stenopazaro and stop in at “Ev-inos” for a glass of tsipouro and juicy fried meats (2634028266) and sauce at “Apiko,” ((2634306927) located just next door make your way down to Psani beach and visit “Ahinos Seafood Restaurant,” where you’ll find a wide range of dishes including octopus fried or grilled to perfection (6955099369) If you don’t want to miss out on the stunning views of the harbour as you eat be sure to check out “Kouzina Loi,” which is housed in a beautiful old mansion and offers some of the best food plus views in town (2634038411) make your way back to the harbour where you’ll find a host of bars to choose from you’ll find the atmospheric “Centro Porto” and the more youth-centred “A.M.” both offering a range of drinks and music If you’re in the mood for something sweet head over to the pastry shop “Nafpaktion” on Georg or try the delicious ice cream at “Andrea Gelato” in Stenopazaro there’s something for everyone in Nafpaktos when it comes to finding the perfect spot for an evening drink it’s worth venturing outside of Nafpaktos to explore the mountainous side of the region a charming village nestled among the fir trees at an altitude of 1,060 meters The journey to Ano Chora is an experience in itself as you’ll be surrounded by a stunning display of cedars you’ll want to make a stop at the scenic Reresi bridge Whether you’re looking to take in the wonderful views or just relax in the peaceful surroundings Ano Chora is a destination that should not be missed If you’re planning a trip to Ano Chora this charming village is filled with the refreshing scent of fir trees and boasts a host of activities to enjoy.As you wander through the steep stop at one of the tavernas for a delicious meal of grilled ribs Some recommendations include “Patouchas” (2634041392) and “Platani” (2634041002) take a leisurely walk to the old watermill or the chapel of Agios Georgios don’t miss the chance to hike to the Tsoirna waterfall where you can take in the beauty of the tall fir trees along the way be sure to also visit the charming little village of Elatos If you’re planning a trip to Nafpaktos and looking for the perfect place to stay, there are a few hotels that stand out for their style, comfort, and amenities. The Nafs Hotel offers rooms with breathtaking views of either the Corinthian Gulf or the town Alternatively, you might consider the Battaglia di Lepanto a boutique hotel housed in a renovated stone building that features sophisticated decor and a distinctive cafe For a more romantic and sophisticated experience, the Amarillys Hotel is a great choice this hotel boasts stunning views of the Venetian harbour and offers rooms with romantic touches and a refined ambience Road trip to the Fokida region’s south: Mythical Delphi, superb beaches, classy Galaxidi The best restaurants in Arachova, Greece A water paradise in Greece created by a disaster A 100-year-old Greek grandmother (Yiayia) was applauded for dancing an amazing Tsamiko filled with heart and soul at a Pascha Panygiri (festival) in Nafpaktos on Sunday, greekcitytimes.com reports Yiayia stole the show and hearts of the crowd receiving the warmest applause at Skala in Nafpaktos she danced with her walking stick then she put it down and danced in the front of the line Nafplio at the epicenter of world yachting with the 10th Mediterranean Yacht Show Samaria Gorge “War Zone” – “Others Decide, We Pay the Price” Top distinctions for Greece and Santorini at the American Leisure Lifestyle Awards 2025 TripAdvisor Awards 2025 | Elafonisi Beach World's Best Beach - 9th in Crete, Sani Beach Award ATM'25 - Tourism | The fight against food waste at the forefront of sustainable development easyJet holidays | Fam trips to Santorini, Skiathos and Rhodes Chania: The next actions of the “Tourism Partnership” Navarino Challenge returns on May 9-11, 2025 Three Greek beaches among the world’s 50 best – Triumph for the Ionian The “Typhoon” that saves the Greek coasts from garbage EOT at the “Arabian Travel Market” | Interest from Gulf countries, India, and Australia CERT to manage Vasilitsa Ski Resort – Investment of over 20 million euros Is American tourism in Europe “slowing down”? What do professionals see for 2025 and 2026 This is Athens & Partners | The 7 partners renew their collaboration - the joint actions FedHATTA: Dynamic presence of Greek travel agencies at the international Dubai exhibition ATM 2025 Ryanair announces new offer for Prime members on June flights Thomas Ellerbeck | “Rhodes can become a model of sustainable tourism internationally” The Times | The perfect time to experience the authentic side of Santorini Chania: The Alternative Tourism Festival returns to the Venetian Port Angela Gerekou: "Tourism is a force for good and Greece can play a leading role" New flights to Greece in 2025 from 4 airlines Crete welcomes Reveil 12 – Festival of Sounds and Ecology Greek tourism - 3rd quarter | 97% of arrivals in Athens and Thessaloniki Modernization aid for the marinas of Symi and Messolonghi HOTREC Assembly: Focus on challenges and reforms in European tourism AEGEAN 2025: Passenger growth and fleet expansion with an eye on the international market FedHATTA Cooperation with Shaanxi Province, China Greek academic in finalists of European Sustainable Energy Awards 2025 Thessaloniki museums join forces to promote the city GNTO introduces “Sustainable Greece” to British Agents Strategic meeting for cruises in Santorini A message of friendship and cooperation at the friendly Greek-Turkish football match in Chios Municipality of Xiromero | Diving tourism: Request for sinking of a decommissioned warship The first La Quinta by Wyndham in Batumi, Georgia Double racing event in Megalopolis on May 11: Festival Enduro and Theater Run 2025 Explora Journeys: Start of the summer season with the luxurious EXPLORA I from Piraeus Strong start in 2025 for Aegean and SKY Express Xanthi Tastes: A Gastronomy Festival with a Cultural Flavor Rhodes: These are the five-star hotels with the highest revenue – Which ones “fill up” first Greek Tourism/Webhotelier: The Winners and Losers in Online Bookings for 2025 GNTO | Promotion of Santorini in target markets Unprecedented blackout in Spain, Portugal, France Greece can play a leading role in the global sports tourism scene Rhodes | Event for the protection of biodiversity Attica, the …Caribbean of the Germans Agios Nikolaos | Cruise season kicks off with arrival of luxury Silver Spirit Operational Plan: “Cretan Food Culture 2026-2030” Destination Management and Promotion Organization in Thessaloniki Kefalonia: The authentic character of the island through the “Travel Reimagined” project Hoteliers vs. Booking.com: The European uprising has begun Tourism | Greece 4th choice for Europeans' holidays in 2025 - what the ETC survey shows New high-standard heated swimming pool in Chania, aimed at sports tourism Greeks Traveled (A Lot!) in 2024 – Where They Went, How Much They Spent Greek-American Dean Spanos brings the NFL to Greece – Opportunities for promotion in the USA Lesvos: The season begins with birdwatching tourists MSC Cruises: Strengthens its presence in Greece with 6 cruise ships New Luxury Arrival in Crete | JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa Opens on June 2 "Peloponnese Trails" inaugurated today: New network of trails for sustainable tourism Knossos: 125 years since the excavations of Arthur Evans The Spanish TV show “Viajeros Cuatro” in Corfu Wyndham - Soliteight | 40 Super 8 hotels in Spain and Portugal Airbnb: Final price now displayed in accommodation searches Investments in the beaches of the Attica Riviera The Municipality of Chania at the “From Crete to Side” Festival in Turkey Region of Central Macedonia: Tourism Promotion Activities in Poland and the Middle East Region of Crete | Connecting Minoan Palatial Centers with Archaeological Sites Biodiversity protection plan is in full swing in Elafonisi Record participation in the ATHENA International Olive Oil Competition | Chania 8 - 10 May Communities at the heart of tourism development Booking.com | No to limiting tourists, yes to infrastructure investments Thessaloniki’s dynamic presence at the World Tourism Summit in Hong Kong easyJet | Summer 2026 sales open Cruise | Turkey doubles its share, new opportunities for Greek ports Aid for the upgrade of the tourist shelter of Astakos and the Marina of Alimos Preparing the settlement of Kionia for the tourist season: An example to follow The action of the region of Crete "Let's go for... Greens" concludes this weekend “Art is our Language”: Campaign for the 70th Anniversary of the Athens Epidaurus Festival Tourism | Nostalgia drives Brits’ travel choices ΕΟΤ China | B2B meetings with Chengdu's t.os - Flights to Athens in June State-of-the-art conference center at Theartemis Palace Hotel in Rethymno Zagori: Collaboration with Impact Hub Athens for sustainable tourism and innovation Cooperation Memorandum between Development Athens and Piraeus University on Tourism Kos: New advertising campaigns with Jet2 and National Geographic Traveller UK Five cruise ships in Souda by Saturday Imbros Trail Run & Hike 2025: A sporting tribute to the History of Sfakia Cultural Days and Sea Routes in Piraeus Religious Tourism | The University of Palermo comes to Panagia Nafpaktiotissa Audio Walk in the Sitia Geopark: A Different Exploration Experience in Crete AEGEAN “takes off” Larnaca with a new direct flight to Rome Juneyao Airlines: More direct flights from Shanghai to Athens in 2025 Alltours: Familiarization trip to Greece for 250 travel agents Nations Cup Beach Volleyball is coming to TUI Magic Life Candia Maris on May 16-18 Navarino Challenge returns on May 9-11, 2025 Traditional Easter in Naxos: Unique Customs and Local Cuisine Annual revenue of over 43,000 euros for Airbnb in Mykonos and Santorini Destination Management and Promotion Organization established in Heraklion  Lyft steps up European presence with FreeNow acquisition Jet2: Four new Greek destinations from Luton in summer 2026 Athens is the new hotspot in Europe for hotel investments - the 8th most attractive city in 2025 Significant increase of over 18% in direct bookings at Greek hotels for Easter What the Israeli Ambassador discussed at the Chania Chamber ATM'25 - Tourism | The fight against food waste at the forefront of sustainable development PM at 1st Greece-Saudi Arabia High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council on Monday Greece's Permanent Delegation to UNESCO organizing concert on January 16 Athens to host the European Film Awards in 2027 German tourism: Advance bookings are the new "last-minute" What to expect at this year’s ITB Berlin Exhibition from March 4-6 North Macedonia: Increase in foreign tourists in 2024 The 20 "loudest" luxury hotel arrivals in Greece in 2025 Athens Municipality Festival 2025 | The city's biggest celebration, with more than 200 events Tri-city winter luncheon unites upstate New York Philoptochos chapters ELSTAT: Hospitality enterprises' turnover grows 28.6% in Greece during Q1 Alonissos tops the list of Greek destinations without mass tourism Direct connection of Chania airport to Israel to be strengthened easyJet holidays | Fam trips to Santorini, Skiathos and Rhodes Greek tourism sets new records in 2024: 36 million visitors and €22 billion revenue Navarino Challenge returns on May 9-11, 2025 Chania: The next actions of the “Tourism Partnership” Increase in visitor numbers and revenues to museums and archaeological sites in 2024 Passenger traffic in Q1 | +9.1% at CAA airports, +6.5% in all Greek Tourism 2024: Record Performance at a Glance Ryanair: New Brussels – Volos connection in summer 2025 Samaria Gorge “War Zone” – “Others Decide, We Pay the Price” Global air passenger traffic hits record high in 2024 with 5.85 billion airline seats Greeks Traveled (A Lot!) in 2024 – Where They Went, How Much They Spent The UK historian and author of the book 'The Greeks - A Global History' reveals his lifelong love for Greece We met him in Nafpaktos after his presentation of his book “The Greeks – A Global History” Beaton is an English retired academic and ever-active author who served as Professor of Modern Greek and Byzantine History and Literature at the “Koraes” Chair at King’s College London from 1988 to 2018 he has penned books featuring characters from Lord Byron to George Seferis (including translations of his poetry) He loves the Greece of the Zagori villages back when they still had Sarakatsani shepherds and the five-day festivities of the Carnival in Karpathos where he arrived following an invitation from the Nafpaktian Brotherhood Society that organises various educational and cultural activities relayed by the Brotherhood’s scientific advisors (Spyridoula Dimitriou former employee of the Ephorate of Antiquities) You can’t quite fathom the honour for a foreigner to be celebrated in such a manner by the University of Patras with an honorary doctorate I was also deeply thrilled to present my book “The Greeks – A Global History” in Patras and Nafpaktos We’re talking about three events that all gathered crowds and despite being different types of ceremonies shared a common thread of emotion – naturally Hearing gracious speeches from my younger colleagues and academics at the University of Patras who could’ve imagined that a 16-year-old kid who disembarked at the port of Patras One of my first encounters with Greece was there during the first year of the Junta in 1967 I experienced the holidays in Greece with enthusiasm for the place and its people coinciding with the commencement of my Ancient Greek lessons at school in Great Britain That’s where the connection between the place and the ancient language began for me The field that has now made me an honorary doctor at the University of Patras It was a balmy summer on the island of Mykonos the kind of day where the breeze carries a hint of adventure awaiting the small boat that would ferry us to Delos sat a forgotten jukebox—a relic from another era—its music arresting us all in sheer wonder mingling with the sea and the chattering crowd on the dock etched into my mind the raw beauty of the Modern Greek language as we grappled with a segment of the Odyssey featuring Nausicaa—Homer can be a beast to decipher—it was that very image that came to my rescue The language that seemed so obstinate on paper sprang to life echoing the shouts of the sailors and fishermen back on the docks of Mykonos The experiences on the dock breathed life into Homer’s words Homer lent a profound depth to those memories as a foreigner and someone honored by the Greeks I’ll say this: Modern Greek history and literature have long been overshadowed by the ancients Take the Greek War of Independence in 1821—it achieved what the ancient Greeks never did: a unified Greek state And consider that the ancient Greek civilization crumbled after endless civil wars amongst city-states yet something the ancients could never quite manifest into reality Yet few know of Greece’s heroic triumph over Mussolini’s Italians or the brave resistance against the German Nazis that delayed their planned onslaught into Russia during World War II framed by context—the epic of Albania but you’re spot on: any foreigner is more likely to have seen the movie about Leonidas’s 300 or played the video game It was probably overshadowed by the Orthodox Church Because all that remains of Byzantium is the empire’s religion and the church Consider that Byzantium was also a secular empire extending their reach in ways not dissimilar to Alexander’s empire When Western Europe was ensnared in the so-called “Dark Ages,” Byzantium was basking in its zenith it’s not remembered as it should be—yet Byzantium is a chapter of Greek history that took a different shape in the Middle Ages I believe the real catastrophe for Byzantium and Constantinople wasn’t in 1453 with Mehmed II they razed Europe’s mightiest bastion against Islam The second fall of Constantinople was a dire consequence of the first Met. Hierotheos Vlachos © 1999-2016 Православие.Ru При перепечатке ссылкана Православие.Ru обязательна Контактная информация The TimesChristendom’s victory over the Ottoman Empire at Lepanto 450 years ago was celebrated in Greece at the weekend with religious services stirring orchestral music and a military parade regarded as a turning point in Islam’s western expansion at the mouth of the Gulf of Patras on October 7 Not conventionally thought of as a Greek victory the commemoration coincides with a growing chorus of scholars and officials calling for the recovery of the country’s role in the conflict and the significance of the victory for its history Tensions between Greece and its arch-rival Turkey have worsened over issues such Giannis Kapsalis will be at Nafpaktos House this October for two appearances only alongside talented klarino soloist Makis Tsikos The sound of Epirotic and other traditional folk songs will fill Nafpaktos House as Melbourne’s Greeks enjoy two concerts by singer Giannis Kapsalis The performances  on October 29 and 31  are a great way to close the 28 October celebrations was born and raised in Ioannina into a musical family He developed a love for the genre after listening to his grandfather took up vocal lessons and was taught Byzantine music His first experience with the stage and a live audience was at the age of 12 when he sang Pio Kali I Monaxia by Giannis Parios at a panigyri in his village has been part of the folk music scene since he the age of 17 He carved out his own path in the industry and has collaborated with greats like Giota Griva and Themis Adamantidis Along with  Kapsalis the audience will also enjoy the talented klarino soloist Tsikos was born in Canada and arrived in Greece at the age of eight but inspired by his father he left it to play the klarino He has collaborated with Chara Verra and plays in various panigyria READ MORE: The Top-10 of Greek cheeses * Information for this article was drawn from A Greek Folk Journey, Travel Culture & Gastronomy by Terina Armenakis. There are updates via A Greek Folk Journey Instagram link.