The monastery, dedicated to Ag. Agathi, is located about 2 km north of the lagoon of Aitoliko, on the southwestern foothills of an Arakynthos projection. It is the centre of the homonymous festival, one of the most famous in the area of Messolonghi. It is a five-day event, which takes place between 15-24 August at the monastery. It is closely linked with the historical events of the Greek Revolution, the liberation of Aitoliko from the Turks and is a tribute to the fallen fighters. As an established customary event, it has been registered since 2020 in the National Index of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
In 1824, with the outbreak of civil strife in the Peloponnese between the politicians and the soldiers, Mavrokordatos, who was in Aitoliko, summoned the chieftains of northwestern Greece to Ipsili Panagia, an inaccessible Byzantine monastery high up on the west side of Zygos, on 23 August, the day of the celebration of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. This monastery was located within the walls of ancient Lysimacheia, at an altitude of 600 m and a point with an excellent view, hence the name of the place. It was probably built in the 12th-13th centuries and is now completely ruined.
This meeting ended in agreement between the parties, who celebrated, dancing and singing on the way to Aitoliko. In commemoration of this event, after the liberation of Aitoliko in 1829, a ceremony and celebration was established at Ipsili Panagia. Later a new church, dedicated to Agia Agathi, was built at a lower location, with easier access, where events continued to take place. Originally it was held in honour of Ag. Agatha on 5 February, but from about the middle of the 19th century it was moved to the 23rd of August, the day celebrated at the older monastery of Ipsili Panagia. It was here that residents of Aitoliko had tried to take refuge after the Battle of Dolmas and the surrender of the town to the Turks.
The festival is held by the inhabitants, who are mostly fishermen, of Aitoliko and has many common elements with that of St. Simeon. It is associated with a historical place and includes overnight feasts around the countryside chapel of Agia Agathi and on the main street of Aitoliko. A parade at the bridge at the entrance of Aitoliko is performed, while the celebrants gather at the central square, at the church of Panagia Pazariotissa.
The rituals of the festival include elements of traditional dress and the weaponry of the Revolutionary years, which are now the work of skilled modern craftsmen, or, more rarely, family heirlooms. Among these, the workshop of Nikos Plakidas making the folk costumes and jewellery was also recognised in 2023 as an intangible cultural heritage item.
