Agios Gerassimos- kefalonia information guide

It is sometimes possible also to visit the 2 room cave, where Gerassimos lived by descending the 3 metre ladder in the old monastery. Please dress appropriately to visit the monastery,there are usually some wraps available outside to cover your legs, and remove your sunhats.We visted for the festival on the 20th October 2002, and the parade is well worth watching if you are on kefalonia on these dates.The orthodox priests looked splendid in their white and gold robes.

Saint Gerassimos was a monk from the Trikala region in the Corinth area who died in 1579. He was declared a saint in 1622.He was famed as a miracle worker particualrly for those with mental illness, and reorganising the monastery in the Omala region. The old part of the monastery existed before 1470 however, and was originally dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

Agios Gerassimos

In the plain of Omalos, Agios Gersassimos monastery is located near the village of fragata.

It is a very impressive building approached by a tree lined avenue and is well worth a visit.The ceiling and walls of the new monastery are decorated with beautiful biblical scenes, and gold leaf, and work is still very much in progress.

In a silver casket in the old part of the monastery are the relics of Saint Gerassimos - the patron saint of the island of Kefalonia ,whose feast days are the 16th August (to commemorate his death on the 15th) and 20th October.(The date of removal of his relics). On both these days The relics are carried upright in the silver casket, up the tree lined approach as far as the giant plane tree. It is still a major centre for pilgrims from all over Greece as we witnessed for ourselves when we visited At Greek Easter this year. The casket was opened and hundreds of vistors from Athens and Patras queued to kiss the cloth covering the saints feet, and writing names to be mentioned in the priests prayers.


	©www.Kefalonia-island.co.uk / Angie Cunningham