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 Location |
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Paros is the third largest of the Cyclades, a group of well-known touristic islands, which were once said to ‘circle’ the island of Delos, birthplace of the god Apollo.
Well-placed approximately 5 hours (95 miles) from Athens, this island is mainly arid and mountainous with a mild climate, sandy beaches and attractive villages and countryside.
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 Population |
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Paros has 7,900 inhabitants.
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 History |
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Paros has been inhabited since prehistoric times and colonised by many civilisations including the Minoans, Macedonians, Romans, Venetians and Turks. Commercially it flourished from early times due to the abundance of marble quarried on the island and subsequently used for the construction of temples and other works of art.
1100BC Mycenaeeans
8C BC Ionians
Persian wars Parians supported Persians
1536 Pirate Barbarossa took Paros then the Turks
Catholics set up missions, little success in converting locals
1770 Russians fortified Paros against Turks
War of independence heroine Manto Mavroyenous led guerrilla attacks against the Turks.
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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 Virgin Mary is worshipped on the island and an icon of the virgin is worshipped for it's healing powers
Ag Giorgios Ag Andonis Ag Minas Ag Theoktisi Ag Nikoloas
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 Prayer |
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Specifically against the idolatry of Virgin Mary. Idolatry is a Strong Spiritual stronghold.
To evangelise Buddhists and remove Buddhist centre quite active with foreign community and some Greek ladies.
Spiritual strongholds around temples and worship of Apollon, temple of Asklepeieon temple to the God of healing, temple to Pythion Apollon, and Dellion Apollon
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 Miscellaneous |
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Paros is considered to be a charming island with sandy beaches and night-life that pulls in thousands of Greek and foreign tourists in the summer months. In the island’s capital, Parikia, the waterfront seems to be the main hub of activity, especially at night, and is lined with restaurants, bars, nigthtclubs, shops and hotels.
The picturesque town of Naoussa, dominated by a tall Orthodox church, similarly attracts thousands of tourists to its pretty streets and waterfront facilities.
There are also several quieter communities such as the southern coastal village of Aliki and the inland chora village of Lefkes which was the island capital in the days when pirates still ruled the seas!
Paros Marble used for Solomon’s temple and Venus de Milo and Napoleon’s tomb
Ekatontapyliani church 6 century built by Ignatius and founded by Justinian
Butterfly valley June July
trips to caves in Anti Paros spectacular stalagmites and stalactites.
Catholic services in English twice a month
Saints: The Virgin Mary is worshipped on the island and an icon of the virgin is worshipped for it’s healing powers
Ag Giorgios Ag Andonis Ag Minas Ag Theoktisi Ag Nikoloas
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 Celebrations |
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15 Aug is a huge celebration here because of the church Ekatopilia in Parikia. 2nd largest festival in Greece for the Virgin Mary,
23 April Ag Giorgios at Ag Giorg. Monastry and Agkairia
21 May Ag Konstantinos at Paroikia
40 days after Easter Ascension day at Piso Livadi, fish wine and dancing
50 days after Easter Pentecost at Lefkes
9 Nov Ag Theoktisi at Paroikia
24 June John the Baptist in Prodromos
1 July Lefkes Monastry Holy Spirit
23 Aug Naoussa victory over the Turks
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 Resources |
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www.greektravel.com
www.in2greece.com
Books: The Blue Guide
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