The participants dress in military uniforms, forming one or more companies that escort the religious procession, accompanied by drums, fifes and songs.

UNESCO: MEDIA SERVICES

The icon is the patron saint of all Kytherians and is on display in the monastery save for Easter, when there is a religious procession to transfer it to Chora.

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Iraqi and Iranian government officials attended the procession with senior religious figures and some members of the Iraqi parliament.

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