Agios Giorgios anniversary in Limnos

Each year on April 23rd (Agios Giorgios), a festival featuring horse racing takes place in the village Kalliope.  The event is so big, it draws the attention of the entire island.  Hundreds of young people race their horses through the streets making their way up to the church Agios Giorgos. 

The winner receives a medal that proudly hangs around the horse’s neck.  The priest blesses the horse and its rider, then the two circle the church and finally, ride into the church and light a candle in honor of their village’s patron saint.