The flora of Thessaloniki

[Margaret Lark]

A recent post from Andonis mentioned his being from the south of Greece, which leads me to believe that perhaps someone on this list knows the answer to a question that has been occupying my mind of late: Does anyone know what kinds of flowers grow around Thessaloniki?

I am beginning to work with ecclesiastical needlework, and have been asked to embroider a cloth for an icon stand by the priest of a Greek parish whose patron is St. Demetrios. I have lots of designs to choose from, but thought it would be really nice for the Saint to see flowers he knew and loved in Thessaloniki, in the parish he prays for that's so far away from there.

Thank you in advance for any help you can give me.

[Yolanda]

Christ is risen!
I like these icons, to share with you, but too late? Maybe you forgot the post :(, i wish you can see.

Icons:
http://www.akathistofthanksgiving.com/wonderworking_icons_of_the_most_holy_theotokos/theotokostheunfadingrose.bmp
http://www.istok.net/church-product/icon-theotokos-the-unfading-flower.html
http://www.istok.net/church-product/icon-theotokos-the-sweet-flower.html
http://iconstudio.jordanville.org/images/Icons%20of%20the%20Mother%20of%20God/Theotokos-Unwithering-Flower.jpg

Stroy:
1.The Unfading Flower of the Most Holy Theotokos:
http://www.akathistofthanksgiving.com/wonderworking_icons_of_the_most_holy_theotokos/index.album/b-ithe-unfading-flower?i=50&s=1
The time of the appearance of this icon in Russia is unknown. Its name, 'The Unfading Flower," is related with hymns dedicated 10 the Mother of God, The original miracle-working icon shows the Most Holy Theotokos with the Pre-Eteraal Infant on Her right arm, holding in Her left hand a flower of the lily symbolizing "the unfading flower of virginity of the Most Pure and All-Immaculate Virgin Mary. Sometimes roses and other flowers are painted instead of the lily. As a rule, miraculous icons of this iconographic type were locally revered and were popular over the area from the Perm Gubernia in the Urals to the Poltava Gubernia in the Ukraine, They have healed a great number of sick people-Feast day: April 3/16.

2.Unwithering Flower of Panagia:
http://www.fhc.org/ypsosis/holycrossmonastery/en/elder_sub6.html
12. Below and round about the peak of Athos, in the summer, studding some rugged spots, an unwithering flower of Panagia comes up; it maintains its whiteness and its strong fragrance for as many years as may pass. The virgin, the Mistress of Her garden, chose the Holy Mountain exactly for this reason, from amongst all the beautiful and wondrous places on earth: in order that this garden of Hers may be cultivated the unwithering blossom of the spiritual virginity of the monks.

Other:
Eikos 7 (The Akathist Hymn to the Most Holy Virgin Mother of God):
Rejoice, Flower of incorruption. Rejoice, Crown of self-restraint.