Celebration of Panagia (Vingin Mary): The reason that a lot of visitors come to Tinos is the Monastery of Panagia that celebrates on the 15^th of August. A lot of people from every corner of Greece and not only, visit the island to fulfill a vow or just worship Virgin Mary’s grace. You’ll see a lot of people approaching the monastery on their knees because Virgin Mary has done a miracle to them. The island is full of visitors and the festival of Virgin Mary is the biggest one of the island, so if you visit Tinos these days, it would be better if you had booked your tickets and accommodation earlier.

Custom of Love: This special and full of love custom takes place in the village Ktikados on Easter Monday. After the ceremony a litany of the Virgin Mary’s icon takes place all around the village. When people return to the church, they are gathered all together in a room, where there is a big table that locals name it Joint Altar. Women of the village decorate this table in a festive way and prepare a lot of traditional dishes. When everybody is seated, the priest chants “Christ is Risen” and refers to the dead. A similar custom takes place in the village Isternia on Thomas Sunday and is called Rodaria. The difference is that here, when people are gathered on the table and before they start eating, they trade-off “Rodaries”, which are flower bouquets along with a greeting cards.

Custom of Klidonas: Tinos is one more place in Greece that this particular custom that combines the folk divination with the lightning of a great fire on the 24^th of June, on St. John’s day. For more information take a look below:
www.wondergreece.gr/v1/el/Arthra/_Eortes_Festival_/8314-To_ethimo_toy_Klidona
Except from the previous customs and festivals, during the whole year a lot of festivals take place in the island villages, mostly religious ones. In every festival a special traditional dish is served, while many times outside the church, some sort of “battle” goes on among the locals, because they all want to take foreign visitors home to treat them.