The Asia Minor tradition of the Malliari Petra will be revived once again at Karavolas by the Deputy Mayoralty of Volunteerism of the Municipality of Heraklion and the Kaminia Cultural Association on May 29, 2025 at 19:00, under the traffic lights at the junction of Minos and Sofoklis Venizelou streets.

The Deputy Mayoralty of Volunteerism invites everyone, young and old, to come and take part in the Malliari, have fun, learn, and celebrate this historic custom together. The event will feature treats for all and music by DJ Themis Markakis.

Speaking about the Asia Minor custom, the Deputy Mayor of Volunteerism, Filareti Dafermou-Chronaki, said:
“Forty days after Easter, on the day of Ascension, a cycle ends and a new one begins – that of summer. The Asia Minor Greeks would take their first swim of the season on Ascension Day, as they believed the waters on that day were sanctified and renewing.
They would push the waves 40 times with their palms before diving in, and women would collect water from 40 waves to use for healing purposes. The malliari petra, a mossy stone they looked for while wading knee-deep in the water, was considered a symbol of prosperity and good luck. Each household would keep its own stone for the year and then return it to the sea the following year.”