Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's a saint

Miracle worker: Agios Riginos

Today's the day everyone on Skopelos goes "three cheers" for Agios Riginos. That's St Riginos, the island's patron saint, in case you're wondering.

It's a big day here, in fact, it's such a big day people get the day off. So what happens is that the devout and others who sort of go along with that kind of thing will gather at the monastery of Agios Riginos a little way out of town and then process in to town. Throughout the day other people will visit the monastery where it is possible to view Agios Riginos's relics.

Riginos lived in the 4th century. During his time on the island it was threatened by some sort of dragon/monster. Although Agios Riginos didn't do the St George dragon-slaying thing, while he was sorting matters out a huge chasm opened up and the monster was consumed. Result: everyone happy and pleased that Riginos was the man. If you need proof, the chasm is still there which means it must be true, mustn't it?

Now I know that some people will be sniggering a bit at this story and doing the old eye-rolling bit about susceptible dimwits who will go along with any old story. To some extent I sympathise, but truth be told we all need some sort of hero in our lives and Agios Riginos is very much the man for Skopelos. Who am I to argue?

If there are any songs about Agios Riginos I've yet to find them and songs about dragons etc well...it's all getting a bit odd. So instead I've plumped for Fontella Bass and Rescue Me which might have been what the inhabitants of Skopelos were singing when our brave saint showed up.