My Mykonos Dream

Chapter 8

Kristy's POV

"How does this one look?" I said coming out to show Eros my third dress I've tried on while making a mess of the closet in the process.
"Beautiful, just like all the others" he said with a sincere smile but I rolled my eyes thinking he wasn't taking this as seriously as I was.
"Eros!"
"Kristy mou, you look beautiful no matter what you wear! Church isn't as formal and proper as it once was" he walks over and cups my cheek with his one un-cast hand.

Since Eros is still recovering over the last few weeks, he has taken time off from work not being able to work efficiently with one broken hand. With more free time and all the events that have transpired recently, we both decided to go to church with Nafsika and Costas. My first time ever going to a church service and I was freaking out needless to say.

"So what church are we going to?" I asked walking slowly with Eros down the cobble paved streets with his father walking slowly behind us gripping Nafsika for added support.
"The Church of Panagia Paraportiani in Kastro" he answers me and I know Kastro is a small neighborhood in Chora.
"It means Our Lady of the Side Gate" Eros continues to explain. "The church is the oldest church on the island. First built in 1425 but over the years it's been added on to. There are now five sections of the church all joined together." He adds just as we approach the crowning glory as it towers in front of our eyes. What looks like an old ruin still standing, yet impressive seeing its brightly whitewashed walls, dome, and arches.

I follow behind Eros through the double doors. I've never attended a church service before and have only on rare occasion entered into one if someone I knew was getting married. But entering into this church was beyond any experience I have ever had before.

We're greeted by men at the doors and Eros and his family greet them and place some money in a basket they held. They return the favor by handing each of them a candle and Eros must've asked for one for me because they handed him another and he gave it to me.
I follow him to an area in the lobby of the church where there are multiple lit candles. I watch his family including Eros bring his fingers to his face as they use the flame of another candle to light theirs and place it with the others. Eros turns to me and must see my deer in headlights look and smiles.
"We light a candle to symbolize the Light of Christ. Then we kiss the icon and make a sign of the cross to show our respect and homage."