Kondariotissa

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Kondariotissa (Greek: Κονταριώτισσα; Slavic language: Кунтурјотиса - Kunturjotisa), also Kontariotissa, rarely Kountouriotissa (Κουντουριώτισσα) is a village, in Northern Greece. It is located in Pieria prefecture, south of the capital, Katerini. Its population is 1,981 (2001 est.).

The nearest interchange with GR-1 lies to the east. The main occupation of the people is cultivating tobacco. In it are the headquarters of the municipality of Dion, Macedonia (Dimos Diou). Until January 1, 1999, Dion was a non-municipal community.

One of the main places that worth visiting is the Byzantine church of the Virgin Mary (Naos Kimiseos Theotokou). There is also a new monastery called Osios Ephrem, built in 1983.

The settlement dates back to ancient times and was known as Pieris (Greek: Πιερίς) where the name Pieria originates from the ancient tribes of Pieris. The genus name Pieris also originates from the slopey area within this area. The name became known as Kondariotissa around the Medieval times.

The main economy for about 2,000 people are mainly tobacco. On July 1, 2002, a hailstorm devastated crops and farmlands which ruined a large part of its production. Today, most of its habitants are breeders.

1 Geography
2 Historical population
3 Tradition
4 External links
5 See also

[edit] Geography

Location:
- Longitude: 22.46 (22°27'46") E
- Latitude: 40.225 (40°13'36") N
Postal code: 601 00
Elevation: 60 m
Dialing code: +11+30-23510 (030-23510)

[edit] Historical population

Year	Population	Change
1981	1,390	-
1991	1,717	-
2001	1,981	-

[edit] Tradition

Kondariotissa has a small kindergarten school, a school, a church, town hall and a square (plateia). There is also an active Cultural Association, called "Pieres".

One of the main traditions is the burning of Jude, called Οβρηός (Ovrios). This tradition is not only in Macedonia but also in other areas of Greece.

The puppet of Jude while being burnt outside the church of Saint Thomas, Kondariotissa

The tradition is thought to have come from Greek refugees coming in Greece from Yenikoy in Minor Asia. Those refugees came into Kondariotissa following the Minor Asia Crisis, in 1923.

Ovrios tradition occurs each year, only on Good Friday, where the Passion of Christ is mourned from Christian Orthodox people outsiade the church. The stake is prepared by boys and youths, in the morning of the same day. A puppet dressed in old men's clothes is erected on a high pole, which recalls Judas and his betrayal at Jesus Christ. People set fire on the puppet and is burnt to nothing.

Following those, the Epitaph is displayed.