And to speak more clearly, I believe I need to bury Hypatios tomorrow in my parish church, Saint Nicholas, which is why I seek your help. Perhaps it's because his death coincided with the death and Resurrection of the God-Man, or perhaps these strange events unsettled us all, so much so that in the end, I had to call the doctor back, who knows. However, it could also be something much simpler: I may just want to honor an innocent, naïve, harmless person and nothing more.

Since that year the feast of Saint George did not fall on a Monday, and the choirs were free, all four of them arrived together. Well! What can I say now! It is one thing to be tormented by a miserable off-key chanter, and another to experience the grandeur of a four-part choir. So why should I not confess that this was the most touching funeral service I have presided over? However, as expected, there were also opposing views: I remember that shortly after leaving the church, I heard a neighbor whispering to her sister, "Tell me, for your God," she said, "has our priest perhaps gone mad? He has buried so many householders; why did this poor soul deserve so much honor and so many choirs? I don’t understand these things. The world has truly gone to ruin, my Maria." And then we set off again towards Vourgara for the burial. It was a dull April afternoon. I will not forget the joyful "Day of Resurrection" from the chanters along with the dizzying fragrance of lemon blossoms that spilled out from the gardens.

BOOK COVER PHOTO
MARINA KARAGATSI
Hypatios Perdios, Mesaria, March 1977.
From the photographic album Paths in Andros of the '70s, Agra Publications, 2024.