Agios Ioannis

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High above Karitsa, some 200 metres below the summit of Elatias, in a most wonderful spot with rare panoramic views of Karitsa, of the Lakonian plain and of the sea, we find Agios Ioannis the Prodromos (Forerunner), the most favourite of all country chapels among Karitsiotes.
It is not known when Agios Ioannis was built though an inscription on a stone found on the roof of the chapel sanctuary states, “construction was funded by Ch. Malavazos in 1869”. Another inscription above the church entrance refers to 1899. It is most likely that both inscriptions refer to renovations rather than when the chapel was actually first built.
On 28 and 29 of August, on the eve of Agiou Ioannou and on the day itself, in memory of the beheading of Agios Ioannis the Prodromos, despite the church observing a strict fast without meat, fish, dairy products and olive oil, Karitsiotes hold their most significant, traditional and public festival of the year. Many Karitsiotes from other parts of Greece as well as from overseas are keen to be in the village for this two-day festival. On the morning of 29 August everyone from the village, and a great many from neighbouring villages, will trek their way up the slopes of Elatias for mass at Agios Ioannis and then come down to continue the festival in the village square during the afternoon, the evening and early hours of the following morning.