Agios Mamas

Opposite the beach, at the corner of the street, there is a small church dedicated to Saint Mama by a captain. The reason for the construction of the chapel was an incident where the captain’s boat, loaded with must, was swept away by a sudden storm between Spetses and Costas, on the eve of the Saint’s feast. The captain thanked the Saint for being saved and decided to build the chapel in his honor, using must instead of water during construction.

Every September 1st, the eve of the feast of the Saint, a vespers is held in the little church. In front of the church, on the beach, many children gather who have made boats, some wooden and others plastic, decorated with flags and flowers. When sampling, they light candles on their boats and let them drift out to sea. The current takes the flaming boats and drives them out into the open, while the coachmen of the island bring their horses in carts to be sanctified, together with all the common animals of the island. Saint Mamas is considered the protector of domestic animals and especially small children.