The origins of a 300-year-old Meteora tradition

St George the mandilas in Kastraki is an old ruined skete, dedicated to the great Saint George, who slew the dragon. St George was a Greek who became an officer in the Roman army in the 4th century AD. His father was the Greek Gerondios from Cappadocia, Asia Minor, and his mother was the Greek Polychronia from Lyda. Lyda was a Greek city from the time of the conquest of Alexander the Great (333 BC), now in Israel. He became an officer in the Roman army in the Guard of Diocletian. He is venerated as a Christian martyr.

The Great Warrior Saint

In hagiography, Saint George is among the most venerated saints across various Christian denominations, including the Catholic Church (Western and Eastern Rites), Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, and Oriental Orthodox churches. He is famously known for the legend of Saint George and the Dragon and is recognized as one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers. His feast day is celebrated on April 23, and he is considered one of the most prominent military saints.

There are many different customs around Greece honoring Saint George’s memory. Still, the only one we know of involving colorful headscarves, climbing, and dancing on the cliffs’ very edge all at the same time, itt takes place on an old ruined skete of Meteora dedicated to Saint, built inside a cave some 40 meters above ground on the north side of a cliff next to the village of Kastaki. An old story about the origins of this local custom is told mainly in Kastraki village.

The accident beneath the skete of Saint George

In the early 17th century, the Meteora area was under Ottoman rule, like the rest of Thessaly and most of Greece. A Muslim landowner and his wife were cutting down trees near Saint George’s hermitage when a tragic accident occurred. While the man was chopping wood, a tree fell on him, resulting in severe injuries. When his wife realized what had happened, she rushed to his side, but there was little she could do to help.

The man lay there on the ground with his wife crying over him when people from the nearby village of Kastraki heard the hopeless screams for help of the injured man’s wife, and so they rushed there to check out what had happened.

Upon seeing the seriously wounded man lying on the ground, they immediately recognized that the Muslim man had little chance of survival. They could only advise his wife to turn to Saint George and pray for his help. With no other options available, she decided to follow the suggestion of her Christian neighbors. Consequently, she made an offer to the Saint, pleading for him to spare her husband’s life.

She offered her hijab, the Muslim scarf women wear

The Muslim woman offered Saint George her only valuable possession: her colorful headscarf called a mandila in Greek. To everyone’s amazement, the man showed significant improvement after just a few days. In the end, not only did he survive, but as the story goes, he could also walk upright again, completely healed.

So significant was the above event and the associated miracle in the minds of the locals that, in memory of all this, once every year, after the church service on the name day of the Saint, every April 23, young boys and girls climb up with ropes to offer colorful headscarves to honor Saint George’s miracle.

During the feast of Saint George in Kastraki

People participate in this tradition believing that “St George the Mandilas in Kastaki” will help them maintain good health throughout the year and have fortunate marriages. Interestingly, despite boys and girls climbing up there every year without any safety gear and using only ropes, there have never been any fatal accidents or serious injuries reported during this custom celebration. The locals in Meteora firmly believe that the Saint is always present, protecting all the ‘Mandilarades’ from harm.

“Mandilarades” in Greek are named all those who climb up each year to change the headscarves, called “mandiles” in Greek.

The place where one can find the old ruined skete of St George of Mandilas is very near Kastraki central square and easy to reach even from Kalmpaka, with lots of amazing hikes and trails starting from that same area.

If you wish to find all the hidden gems and learn more about the place’s history, like the story above, we strongly advise you to join the Hiking Meteora’s Caves tour.

Why Experience the St. George Mandilas Tradition

✅ Witness a Living Local Custom
This isn’t a tourist show — it’s an authentic annual ritual still practiced by the locals of Kalampaka.

✅ Dive into Deep-Rooted Orthodox Faith
The event blends spirituality, community, and personal devotion in a uniquely Greek way.

✅ Photograph One of Meteora’s Most Iconic Events
Colorful scarves fluttering against sheer rock cliffs make for stunning, meaningful imagery.

✅ Add Cultural Depth to Your Visit
Move beyond the monasteries and experience Meteora’s living religious culture and community pride.