Many still walk from all over the island to give offerings to the icon. After the service the icon is paraded around with great pomp. The festival also attracts many merchants and there is a great deal of celebration in the night spots of the town. It is quite a party and the musicians keep it going until dawn. The center of night activity revolves around the many cafeneons that surround the church and some others in the upper village.
Men drink ouzo and eat special meze dishes that are cooked by the cafe proprietors.
The village is at a high enough altitude to be cool in the hot summer months and once you get a feel for life there you will never miss the beach. On the road to Agiasou from Mytilini there is a tiny settlement called Karini which should not be missed. There are several cafeneons and a very nice restaurant next to an amazing spring that pours from the ground into a large pool and then is channeled into a fast moving stream that flows down the mountain to the fields and villages below. The area is shaded and cool, with ducks swimming in the spring water. You can walk down the steps and cool your feet in the torrent.