Monasteries - Churches - Lakki Village Family Beach Hotel Aegiali Amorgos

St. Mary Hozoviotissa (Celebrates 21 November)

The most shining jewel and protector of Amorgos. The monastery is dedicated to her grace and built on the steepest rock of Mount Profitis Ilias, 300 meters above the sea, south of Chora.

It was founded in the 9th century and was later extended in the 11th century by Alexios Komnenos. After the liberation from the Ottomans, in 1829, the monastery founded the first Greek school at its own expense. The building has only one external wall since the rock is the inner wall. In its sacristy, there are relics dating back from the 10th century.

As for how the icon of the Virgin Mary came to be on Amorgos, the most popular version, the one that we have been told, is that the icon was found on the island of Amorgos. Told by Abbot Fr. Spyridon that the monks who were expelled from the monastery of Hoziva in Palestine took the icon with them and chose to build a new monastery in this area. That’s where the name of the icon comes from.

According to tradition, the “divine” choice of the spot was made by the Virgin Mary herself, who is said to have taken the pouch with the tools of the master builder and deposited them on the rock, which until then had been called “Diabolotopos” (Devil's place), thus indicating the location where he wished to build the monastery. Today, in a showcase in the church, we can see the chisel (large iron nail) of the master builder that was wedged in the rock for centuries and that which fell from it in 1952.

St. George Valsamitis

On the road between Chora and Kato Meria is a church dedicated to St. George "Valsamitis," formerly an autonomous monastery during the Byzantine times and after became a part of the monastery of Panagia Hozoviotissa. The church has been famous since the Turkish occupation because of the healing properties of the spring from which the holy water flows, even today. The temple's name comes from the wild mint of balsam, a plant that grows in the surrounding area. The old path that connects the area with Katapola begins at this point.

Monastery of Theologos - celebrates 08/05 and 26/09

On the slopes of Mount Krikelos, north-east of Amorgos, on the plateau of Theologos, dominates the homonymous monastery dedicated to the Evangelist John, which according to tradition, as built by a captain as a fulfillment of his vow. The church was probably built in the 7th to 9th century, as revealed by the type of building (a three-aisled basilica with a dome). The building material used for the temple construction is limestone in various sizes and was transported from the captain himself, probably from Milos or nearby Patmos.

St. Anargyroi Tholaria - celebrates 01/07 and 01/11

Built during the Second World War (1938-1940) on the ruins of an older church, which was demolished during the construction of the present church. From the treasures of Agioi Anargyroi, we admire the heirlooms with Byzantine exhibits, icons, valuables, wood carvings, and the carving of the church. Epitaph, the gold-encrusted amphorae, and the antique books and manuscripts.

Fotodotis Christos at Chora - celebrates 06/08

Behind the historical high school in Chora is the Monastery of Hozoviotissa dedicated to Christ the who gives light. The Church is surrounded by a complex of cells and storerooms, masterfully built by an anonymous craftsman. Inside the church, the exquisite and beautifully caged monuments are a source of religious awe, carved wooden altarpieces with historical icons, the sacred icon of the Great High Priest dating back to 1629, and the marble slab with the bicephalous on the floor. The Metochi is also the bishop's seat in Amorgos.

More churches worth visiting

St. Giannis Chrisostomos on the cape (celebrates 13/11).
Panagia Epanoxoriane at Aegiali (celebrates 15/08).
Church of St. Fanourios.