Pyrovassia (fire travel) in Greece

Pyrovassia, or firefightingPyrovassia, or firewalking, is a holiday celebrated from 21 to 23 May by the Anastenarians, a small people living in northern Greece. Despite the fact that fire walking is associated with pagan rituals, Greek Pyrovassia is a Christian holiday. The Greek Orthodox Church has long declared firemen pagans, but they still sincerely believe that during the feast they are patronized by Saints Constantine and Helena.

The three-day holiday begins with the fact that the inhabitants of small towns and villages simultaneously pray, repent of sins, cry, dance and thereby enter themselves into a trance. Gathering in the central square, where by that time a fire had burned and coals were smoldering, they feel divine grace, feel that fire is their best friend. Slowly walking barefoot on the coals, they demonstrate the feet, which do not have any burn marks. Their faces express only joy, and it is clear that walking on hot coals for them is not a difficult test to which they decide in the glory of the Lord, but joy, ecstasy and pleasure.

Firewalkers hold an icon depicting St. Helena and St. Constantine over their heads: local legend speaks of the miraculous salvation of these icons in 1250 by local residents from a burning church set on fire by enemies. Since then, as the Anastenarians believe, grateful saints awarded the descendants of the brave villagers the ability to walk on fire without being burned.

The Greeks rejoice, repent of their sins, weep, dance and thereby enter themselves into a trance, and then, feeling divine grace, walk barefoot on burning coals, on their faces - joy, ecstasy and pleasure.

Perhaps, they do not realize that ancient traditions have long been transformed into a method of psychophysical healing. After all, according to the assurances of people who have undergone such extreme training as fire walking, a person releases energy that hung in the past. Man moves forward, accumulating new forces and purifying his structure. The main thing is not to stop... And only fire to help!