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 Location |
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Andros is the second largest island of the Cyclades, after Naxos. It is the northernmost island, located off the coast of Athens, with an area of 380 square km. It is fairly green with high mountains, deep valleys and four rivers that cross the landscape.
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 Population |
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Andros has a population of 9000 people.
Primary occupations consist of shipping, farming and tourism
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 History |
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According to mythology, Andros is the grandson of Apollo and was a general under the Cretan King Rhadamanthus. For serving the King well, he was given this island.
In the early years, the Carians, Phoenicians and Cretans had inhabited this island. It joined the Athenian League for protection, but Athens demanded too high a price for tributes, so Andros later changed sides to the Spartans.
During the Byzantine period, Andros became a part of the Empire. It was a prosperous society who traded silk with Athens and European businessmen, who came to the island to perform their transactions. Most of the inhabitants used the floors of their houses to cultivate silkworms.
After the fall of the Byzantine Empire by the Crusaders in 1204, the island was conquered by the Venetians, who ruled until the Turks seized it in 1566.
Andros remained self-governing although the Turks ruled until the War of Independence in 1821. Andros was then liberated in 1830
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 Religion |
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This topic is not island-specific. It applies to the nation of Greece.
Orthodox Christianity is the recognized dominant religion of Greece and it is legally protected by the state. This has caused legal discrimination against non-Orthodox Churches, and although the constitution of 1975 removed the power of most of the old laws against Protestants, problems still exist today. There is a lot of fear towards anything outside of the Orthodox Church, especially on the islands. However, repeated rulings of the European Court of Justice in favour of religious minorities in cases of discrimination have led to a relative increase of the freedoms that these religious minorities now enjoy.
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 Saints |
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The Patron Saint of Andros is St. Panteleimon. The Monastery of Panachrantou, located in the mountains south of Andros Town/Chora, is home to St. Panteleimon's skull, which is believed to have healing powers.
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 Prayer |
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Please pray
* For the Spirit of God to bring revival to the island of Andros.
* For Christian to commit to living & working in this island.
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 Miscellaneous |
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* Pidima tis Grias (Lady's Leap) (beach) - Legend has it that a lady lived in the upper castle and betrayed the inhabitants to the Turks. After they were slaughtered, she leaped off the rock to kill herself.
* Andros is re-known for its excellent sweets, pastries
* Sarzia Springs - natural mineral water springs (famous for healing properties)
* Gavrio - main port and location of Tower of St Peter (Agios Petros)
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 Celebrations |
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The island hosts sailing races yearly on the last weekend of August. The Musical society presents a dance festival every June. Many other festivals take place throughout the summer - in St Peter June 29, Makrotandalo July 17, Ammoloho August 6, 15, 23, Vitali August 15, and in Gavrio September 17. Also, the famous Carnival of Gavrio takes place the last few days of the Carnival festivities
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 Resources |
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www.greektravel.com
www.in2greece.com
www.cycladestravel.com
www.andros-island.com
www.united-hellas.com
http://www.dilos.com/region/cyclad/andros.html
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