CHURCHES & MONASTERIES IN SANTORINI
Santorini, like any Cycladic island is characterized, apart from other stuff, by the whitewashed churches and chapels with blue domes, which exceed 250 in number. There is a wide range of churches from Byzantine, Orthodox Catholic, but Orthodox and Catholic monasteries, too. The oldest church on the island is at the top of Mesa Vouno called Agios Stefanos ˙ it was built between the 4th and 5th century A.D. on the ruins of a basilica dedicated to the Archangel Michael and serves as proof that Christianity arrived there in the early 5th century.
The most impressive religious Cycladic structure is the Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral located within the town of Fira, which was built in 1827 but had to be rebuilt after the earthquake of 1956 and is dedicated to John the Baptist. In the church there are beautiful murals that have been painted by a local artist, Christoforos Assimis. An important monument of the Byzantine period, Panagia Episkopi is located in Episkopi Gonia or Mesa Gonia village and it was built in the 11th century by the Byzantine Emperor Alexios Komninos A’ and is dedicated to the "Assumption of the Virgin" and houses the image of the Virgin Mary. In 1915 a disastrous fire broke out and only pictures were saved, which according to legend, Virgin Mary protected. Later,the earthquake of 1956 also created a lot of damage to the church, but the believers gradually restored it.
Naturally, on the island there are many churches dedicated to St. Nikolaos, the patron saint of sailors. There's even a monastery called Saint Nikolaos and is located between Firostefani and Imerovigli, which is dedicated to St. Panteleimon, Zoodohos Pigi and Saint Nikolaos and the image of the last survives to the present day.
One of the oldest monasteries is that of the Prophet Elias built in 1771 by two monks and is located on the hill slope on a height of 550 meters between Pyrgos and Kamari. In 1956 a part of the monastery was destroyed by the earthquake. To get there, start walking in a straight path from the square of Pyrgos. There you can visit a museum of ecclesiastical objects, relics of saints kept in silver boxes, old books and paintings, Byzantine documents and manuscripts, wooden statues and artwork. The museum also presents displays about shoemaking, printing, candle and wine making.
If you find yourself in Perissa, visit the Byzantine church of Saint Irini, particularly on August 29th or September 14th, because then festivals are held for the patron saint of the island. Besides, the Crusaders named the island Santorini with a variant of the church of Agia Irini. In Greece it is tradition to organize “panigiria” (religoious festivals) in churches in the days celebrated the patron saint. In summer, the most famous festival is on July 20th in honor of the Prophet Elias, as it is his name day, and on August 15th the one in honour of Panagia Episkopi. Many believers from all over Greece come to honor the saints, and also many tourists often participate in the festivities by learning traditional dances, listening to songs and trying local delicacies, such as fava peas, walnut all honey desserts, Santorinean wine.
