The town of Bartholomio is one of the larger towns in the part of the Peloponnese immediately surrounding Ionian Village. It has a population of approximately 5,000 people. At the center of Bartholomio is a church dedicated to the Kimisis tis Theotokou, or the Dormition of the Virgin Mary. As one of the larger churches in the area, every year on August 15th, in celebration of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary and the Feast Day of the church, people from the surrounding villages come for Vespers, which includes a parade throughout all of Bartholomio, complete with a marching band and local political leaders, creating a lively and cherished tradition.
