THE PATRON SAINT OF THE ISLANDS

After Holy Week and the Resurrection, the next biggest celebration of Christianity in our country is the Assumption of the Virgin Mary on August 15th.

Help, Holy Mary
Surely there is no Greek Orthodox Christian who in some very difficult moments of his life has not invoked the help of the Mother of Christ, Panagia. The worship and respect for the Virgin Mary is evident everywhere in our country, with the highlight being the Holy Mountain, a sanctuary dedicated to the Mother of Christ. In every monastery there is
a special icon of the Virgin Mary, 18 total icons of ecclesiastical art. The appeal of Theotokos, accompanied by another epithet. Most commonly: Gregorousa, Hodegetria, Gorgoypeikoos, Kacharitomeni, Glykofilousa, Vrefokratousa, Spiliotissa, Thalassini, Atheniotissa, Eleftherotria, Platytera, Megalospiliotissa, etc. In each city there are one or more
churches of the Virgin Mary. But where the presence of the Mother of Christ is particularly imposing and moving is on our islands. There is no There is no believer who has not lit a candle in a temple or a desert chapel, praying to the Virgin Mary.

Tinos, Paros, Amorgos, Kythnos, Corfu and Crete are some of the islands that attract many pilgrims on August 15th. In the temples of cities and in the chapels, dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

THNOS
One of the most important events in the modern history of Tinos was the discovery of the icon of the Virgin Mary in 1823 and the construction of the famous church of Evangelistria in 1823-1831. The icon of Megalochari is considered the work of the evangelist Luke. Particularly remarkable are the objects of ecclesiastical art that adorn the temple. Dedications of believers In the ground floor of the church is the church of EVRESEOS, dedicated to the Life-Giving Spring. Next to the entrance of the church is the mausoleum of the victims of the sinking of the cruiser “Elli”, on August 15, 1940. The premises of the building complex house, among others, the exhibition of icons and relics, the gallery and other
interesting exhibits. The heirlooms are hexaptera, gospel covers, pastoral staffs, encomiums, “vows”, vestments, etc. The island also has a long tradition of painting and marble sculpture. Some of the greatest sculptors and painters of modern Greece come from Tinos. In Tinos there are many hotels, many rooms to let, camping.

Useful phone numbers: Tourist police: 22830 22255
Evangelistria Foundation: 22830 22256

PAROS
The church of Panagia Ekatontapyliani or Katapoliani is one of the most important monuments of the early Christian era in our country. The architectural complex of the temple dates back to the middle of the 6th century. The name Ekatontapyliani is due to the imposing dimensions of the church. There is a baptistery under the nave of Panagia.
Saint Helen arrived at this cathedral of Paros on her return from the Holy Land. The ecclesiastical monument of the church includes important ecclesiastical relics.

Τηλ. Municipality of Paros: 22840 21200

MYKONOS
Mykonos may be famous for the nightlife it offers in its bars and yachts, but it doesn’t forget tradition. The Monastery of Our Lady of Turliani has a magnificent, carved wooden knob, made in Florence. The Museum of the Monastery exhibits a small folklore collection, a wood-carved epitaph, Byzantine and Renaissance icons.

NAXOS
The church of Panagia Vlacherniotissa with the icon of the Virgin Mary having been created by the Cretan painter Angelos who was a student of El Greco
– The church of Zoodochos Pigi (metropolis) with remarkable icons
– The chapel of Panagia Myrtidiotissa, at the port

KYTHNS
Kythnos is called the pearl of the western Cyclades with its picturesque alleys, the fragrant flower gardens, the traditional houses.
HOLY MOTHER OF CANALA. The settlement in the southeast of the island is particularly popular and beloved. The settlement took its name from the church of Panagia Kanala, which is
and the patroness of Kythnos. In this particular church, one of the most beautiful in the Cyclades, is kept the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary, which, according to tradition, was found by fishermen in a canal. To the right of the church is a beautiful beach.

AMORGOS
The Byzantine monastery of Panagia Chozoviotissa. A unique creation of the Aegean monastic architecture. It stands on an imposing cliff above the sea.
The monastery was founded by Emperor Alexios I Komnenos in 1088 when the icon of the Virgin Mary, which during the iconoclastic period was sent by a woman from Holobo in Palestine, miraculously arrived on the island. In the ossuary of the Monastery… from the icon of the Virgin Mary considered the work of the evangelist Luke are kept ecclesiastical
heirlooms. Tel: 22850 71274

SYROS
The capital of the Cyclades, Syros, is distinguished, among other things, for the two “churches” that exist on the island. For the Orthodox and the Catholic. The orthodox church is that of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary with the icon of the Virgin Mary, the work of Dominikos Theotokopoulos. The church of Evangelistria is a parish church of the Catholics, also the monastery of the Jesuits with the church of Panagia Carmelos, in Ano Syros. There are many hotels and rooms to let on the island
Tel: Ermoupolis 22810 82934_Ano Syros

MAN
Andros, with its great maritime tradition, has remarkable churches dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The churches are: the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, Panagia Palatiani with a remarkable wooden carved iconostasis,
Panagia Theoskepasti, who is also the patroness of the island, Panagia the Sea Virgin, on a rock, next to the sea. There are many hotels and apartments to let
Τηλ. Municipality: 22820 22275

EL
Also known as Tzia, Kea is an island with an intense relief, remarkable architectural elements, monasteries and churches. Specifically: the church of Panagia Chrysospiliotissa,
next to the building of the primary school. The church of Evangelismos (metropolis) and the church of Panagia of Rematiani.

PATMOS
The island of the Apocalypse.
The manifestation of respect and reverence for the person of the Most Holy Mother of our Lord Christ is made daily. We are given the opportunity to refer to the feast of the Assumption of our Lady – 15 August – and to get to know all the Virgin Mary’s of the island, which are many and each one has a special significance story. Our Lady of Salvation. The tradition of Patmos states that the Icon belongs to the seventy Icons of the Evangelist Luke. Its monks observe the custom of the epitaph of the Virgin Mary, a custom with Byzantine origins. The gold-embellished epitaph of the Virgin Mary wanders in a magnificent procession through all the alleys of the island while the bells ring melodiously. Panagia tou Grava is celebrated on 23 August and can be visited in the area of Laka. The Virgin Mary of Koumana is also celebrated on August 23. You will take the road to the northern part of the entrance to the port. The Assumption of Theotokos in Chora, next to the church of Agios Samson Xenodochos.