The Virgin Mary, one of the most beloved persons of the Christian faith, is worshipped throughout the length and breadth of the Greek seas, with magnificent churches and small chapels that adorn the islands of the territory. The feast of the Fifteenth of August finds many of them celebrating, organizing great festivals for Her grace, which attract in Her honor a multitude of holidaymakers. So, let’s see some of the Virgin Marys of the islands, who will soon wear their festive clothes.
→ Paros: 15th of August in Panagia Ekatontapyliani
The Lady of the Islands: Places of worship full of devotion and history
Panagia of Tinos
Panagia of Tinos is undoubtedly one of the most important cradles of the Christian faith, with its miracles becoming known all over the world. Built on the exact spot where the icon of the Virgin Mary was found by Agia Pelagia in 1823, where it stands, there used to be a church of Byzantine origin. It took just three years and marbles from nearby Delos to build this majestic temple, turning Tinos into a center of tourism focusing on religion.
Tinos, apart from the island of Megalochari, is also the birthplace of the famous sculptor Giannoulis Chalepas. Do not miss the opportunity after devotion to tour the unique Pyrgos, the largest village of the island, where you will find the house of the great artist and the school of marble craftsmanship that adorns the whole settlement with its masterpieces.
Panagia Ekatontapyliani, Paros
Panagia Ekatontapyliani, this emblematic church of orthodoxy, is the most important monument of Paros, which welcomes you as you approach the port of Parikia. The story of its construction has St. Helen before the trip to the Holy Land, visiting for pilgrimage, the previous church that was in its place and making a vow that with the discovery of the honest Stavros he would build there a new, more magnificent temple, which was done. The legend connects its name with Constantinople, since it wants its hundredth gate to remain sealed until the reconquest of the city by the Greeks.
The first thing that everyone admires in Parikia is the church of Panagia, but a walk in its harbor will leave you generally excited about the place. Traditional alleys overflowing with picturesqueness will become the ideal setting for walks from morning until sunset, worth gazing at the point opposite the famous “doors”, the two unique rocks in the sea.
Panagia Kastriani, Tzia
On the northeast side of the island of Kea, lies the patron saint of the place, the monastery of Panagia Kastriani. Legend has it that the Virgin Mary herself indicated through flashes to shepherds her location in Kastri, three centuries ago. At this point, next to the cliff, the first chapel was erected, in which the icon is located, while about two hundred years later, the second largest temple was built right above it.
the pilgrimage experience, in a place that will really leave you enchanted, move southeast to find the beach of Otzias, the most popular beach of the island. With a vast coastline in the shape of a circle, you will be thrilled by the combination of sandy beach with shallow blue waters, which offers you vegetation with tamarisk trees for natural shade or the choice of organization to enjoy your dives.
Panagia Portaitissa, Astypalea
Panagia Portaitissa, one of the most unique churches of the entire Dodecanese, with the beautiful bell tower and the masterpiece iconostasis, it began to be erected in the early 18th century by Saint Anthimos with a duration of about nine years. After its completion, the Saint after going to Mount Athos, transferred a copy of Panagia Portaitissa of the Holy Monastery of Iviron back to Astypalea. There, after all-night devotion and the contact of the two icons, the face of the Virgin Mary was imprinted on the wood, one of the miracles that took place in this place of worship.
After the pilgrimage to the Holy Church, do not forget to visit the ecclesiastical museum, which is housed in the monastery and admire ancient relics of Orthodoxy with collectible icons, while it is definitely worth a visit to the castle of Querini, the fortified bulwark against pirate attacks, at the foot of which the church is located.
Panagia Spiliani, Nisyros
Panagia Spiliani in Nisyros counts a history of more than seven centuries. A farmer by profession discovers an icon of the Virgin Mary and transfers it to the church of Panagia Potamitissa. In a short time, however, she disappears only to be found a little later on top of a rock, inside a cave. For this reason, the cave was converted by the locals into a church in order to accommodate it, thus building one of the most important monasteries of the Aegean Sea.
Do not move away from Mandraki, the capital of Nisyros, without touring Palaiokastro, the former Acropolis, which surrounded with its fortifications, the ancient city of the island.
Panagia Thalassini, Andros
Panagia Thalassini on the island of Andros, is built in the middle of the sea, on the top of a rock, at the entrance of Chora. According to tradition, sailors located the icon and transferred it to the church of Agios Athanasios, with it miraculously returning to the cave, where it was decided to build its temple, with the wood for the construction being miraculously found again.
from the chapel of Panagia, the second most famous attraction of the island is the lighthouse of Tourlitis. Emerging literally from the water, this masterpiece lighthouse has generously offered the light of its protection to sailors for over a hundred years.
Panagia Kanala, Kythnos
Panagia Kanala, located in the homonymous settlement of Kythnos, was presented to the fishermen of the area while they were fishing in the canal between Kythnos and Serifos, while later she showed in the same miraculous way the place where the construction of her temple should take place. The icon of the infant Virgin Mary was even transformed into the protector of the whole island.
After the pilgrimage, take the road that will take you in the central square of Dryopida. There you will have the opportunity to find yourself in the unique natural cave katafyki, the entrance to admire it is free, as is the short tour to its beautiful place. The above unique temples generously offer a spirit of devotion to every visitor. Do not miss the opportunity to experience it, along with the celebrations that their worship brings.
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