The church of Ayios Gerassimos sits in the secluded Omala valley in the shadow of the imposing Mount Aenos, where much of the robola grapes are grown for the island's famous white wines. Although it is relatively recent in construction - and indeed is still being painted inside (not emulsion, but rather murals dripping with gold), it is well worth a stop on a trip which has some other destination as its focus.

If you are around on 16 August or 20 October, however, do NOT make any other plans! Its on these days that the preserved body of the saint himself (the patron saint of Kefalonia, some 400 years old) is paraded down the roads near the monastery with great fanfare, accompanied by brass band and all the church bigwigs.

The principal purpose of the procession is to give anyone who wants it the chance to prostrate themselves as the feet of the saint pass over them... and thereby cure themselves of their ailments... with madness being what the saint is supposed to be best at!

The spectacle is enhanced by the sense that the entire island has turned out for the event, and is accompanied by a large bazaar-come-flea-market, with many stalls arriving annually from North Africa