An especially important event for Kythera is the so called “Gira” (procession) of the icon of Panagia Myrtidiotissa which started on the afternoon of Easter Monday. Leaving the church of Estavromenos (Crucified Christ) in Chora, the procession visits almost all the villages of Kythera . This is a very impressive event, with pilgrims carrying the icon and many more accompanying it on foot. 15 days later the icon is returned to its place at the Monastery of Myrtidia. This is one of the island’s oldest traditions dating back to 1750.