Feasts of The Holy Church
The Church of the Annunciation is for Tenos the natural location fOT the celebration of all religious and national holidays of its inhabitants. Religious services and the celebration of great historical events are appropriately held here. The celebration of the important Christian holidays, such as Christmas, Easter, Services of the Akathist and of the Passions of Our Lord, are celebrated here. The worshippers' and pilgrims' faces reflect great emotion from contrition 10 greatness, similar to our forefathers oflhe great Byzantine Ages. People from afar and pilgrims from many countries come to worship and spend theiT holidays on the Island of Tenos. Following are the most inspiring Feast Days of the Church:
January 30 . Anniversary of the Finding of the Holy Icon
The religious fervor of believers is at its height on this day. The entire population of the island, swelled by many thousands of pilgrims and visitors who disregard the winter storms of the Aegean Sea, offer thanks to the Great Mother and protectress of the Christians, She Who revealed He Holy Icon for the salvation of all believers.
In the afternoon of the eve of the Anniversary, the Holy Icon is transported with great pomp and honor to the Lower Church and placed by the point where it lay buried for many long centuries. A special Service is then held, dedicated to the Finding of the Holy Icon.
On January 30, An Official Hierarchal Liturgy is celebrated in the Marble Palace of the Holy Virgin and at 2:00 p.m., with Church bells ringing throughout the countryside, accompanied by many thousands of believers, the Holy Icon is carried through the gaily decorated streets of the Town. It is carried in a gold and silver canopy supported by Church wardens, local authorities and representatives of the populace.
After a short prayer at the Quay, the Holy Icon is returned to her Marble Palace, where a prayer of memoriam is said for the builders of the Church, whose tombs are situated at the cast side of the edifice. Prayers are also said in memory of all those who sacrificed themselves and their fortunes for the construction of the Church. After vespers, the president of the Church Committee delivers the Panegyric of the day, a report of the activities of the Holy Foundation during the past year and those planned for the following year.
In the evening, schoolchildren holding multicolored lighted lamps, follow the Church musicians through the streets of Tenos, singing various hymns commemorating the Finding of the Holy Icon.
March 25 - The Annunciation of Our Lady
This Feast Day has double meaning for the Greeks, for they celebrate simultaneously the Annunciation of Our Lady by the Archangel Gabriel and the Anniversary of the Greek Revolution against the Ottoman Empire, which resulted in the liberation of our Nation. The atmosphere within the Megalochari is of a historic/religious flavor and the populace is joined by Government Officials in their celebration of this great Feast Day of the Church and National Holiday.
Until the year 1920, large numbers of pilgrims from Asia Minor flocked to the Island of Tenos to participate in the celebrations. There occurred an exchange of populations and Greeks were expelled from the shores of Asia Minor and the flow of pilgrims from that area ceased. However, in spite of the bad climactic conditions, many thousands of people find their way to Tenos to adore Her Holy Icon.
On the eve of the celebration, vespers are celebrated by many Bishops. The Church is left open all night, permitting the people to remain for an all-night prayer vigil. Continuous prayers are offered to the Holy Virgin. Many miracles happen every year during these all night long prayers.
On the day of the Feast, a Hierarchical Liturgy is celebrated, after which the Holy Icon is carried in a procession up to quay of the Town.
July 23 - Anniversary of the Vision of St. Pelaghia
This day is consecrated by the people of Tenos to the memory of $1. Pelaghia, the pious nun who experienced the great privilege of being visited in her poor cell by Our Lady and was the first person privileged to annunciate the finding of the Holy Icon.
Early in the morning on July 23rd every year, accompanied by the nuns of the Monastery and by many of the faithful, the Holy Icon is transported to the Monastery where St. Pelaghia lived and a festive Mass is celebrated there. In the afternoon a Requiem is held in the cell of St. Pelaghia, where the visitor can see her humble belongings, her ascetic bed and adore her holy head.
Later in the afternoon, in a procession consisting of the Clergy and thousands of faithful worshippers, the Holy Icon is returned to Her Church.