AFTERFEAST OF THE DORMITION OF THE THEOTOKOS

The "Apodosis" is a term which according to the tradition of our church means the completion of a great Christian celebration that began before eight days and has its roots in the Jewish religion. Nine days after the Dormition of the Theotokos, on August 23 our church celebrates the Apodosis (leavetaking) of the Dormition of the Theotokos. 

Many churches honor this day with great celebrations while in some parts of Greece they celebrate the names Maria, Marios, Panagiotis, Panagiota, and Despina. At Lipsi, the Panagia tou Harou (haros in Greek means death), is an icon unique in the Christian tradition, where the Theotokos holds the crucified Jesus. The icon is decorated with lilies in the spring, which wither and blossom again next August. In Komotini, 15 km. from the city, hundreds of people, Christians and Muslims, gather on August 23 to venerate the icon of the Virgin Mary and Child or the Glikofilousa, which is considered miraculous. Most pilgrims arrive on foot thus fulfilling their vow to the holy icon. 

Throughout Greece, the Afterfeast is the memorial service held nine days after someone's burial and it is the same memorial service which people believe should be held for the Virgin Mary.