An especially important event for Kythera is the so called “Gira” (procession) of the icon of Panagia Myrtidiotissa which starts 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.