Sunday evening (last night), after our daytime visit to Delphi, Tom and I headed back down into the village of Arahova.  At 7:30pm, we climbed the steep roads to the St. George Church where the festivities would begin.  This is the first of a 4-day celebration honouring the patron saint of the village, St. George.

Hundreds were dressed in traditional Greek costume, while there were thousands of us who trailed along behind them.  All ages were wearing their traditional dress.   

The procession didn't start until the Orthodox priests came out of church carrying sacred items (not sure what they were) and a large silver picture of St. George slaying the dragon.  The picture was edged with tiny red and white roses.  

The procession was led by a band, followed by men carrying a banner.  Then came the men, women and children in traditional dress, then the sacred picture of St. George carried on the shoulders of 4 men.  The priests came after the picture, carrying their religious symbols, and finally, the rest of us, thousands of us. 

The tradition is that the priests, and we, all stop in front of any home or business that had candles and incense burning in the window.  The priests would bless the place and the people in it, and then we'd all move on to the next home.  In all, the procession lasted 2 1/2 hours, beginning and ending at the church.  Tom and I were most impressed with the solemnity of the procession.  People talked quietly and respectfully.  Even the young people and children were respectful.  It was very moving to be welcomed and to participate in the celebration.