ΙΕΡΟΣ ΝΑΟΣ
ΚΟΙΜΗΣΕΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΘΕΟΤΟΚΟΥ
PANAGIA THASSOS
THE ECCLESIASTICAL HERITAGE EXHIBITION "PROKOPIOU KLEOS" AND THE HISTORICAL RELICS OF THE HOLY CHURCH
According to the testimonies of the elders, the religious and historical wealth of the Church of the Virgin Mary was undoubtedly greater than what currently exists. The rarity of the sacred relics created the need to document this precious material of the holy church, as many spoke of a mutilation of the often misunderstood Orthodox heritage.
It was a sacred duty to preserve and ensure the integrity of the sacred relics in the historic Church of the Virgin Mary. The late Metropolitan Prokopios Tsakoumakas of Philippi, Neapolis, and Thasos, who served for 43 years, continuously emphasized that the documentation and protection of the sacred relics of the church were essential for the preservation and restoration of the religious and cultural heritage of the region. For this reason, in the last years of his life, he repeatedly urged the various ecclesiastical committees to fulfill his vision and concern.
The ecclesiastical treasury “Prokopiou Kleos” of the Holy Metropolis of Philippi, Neapolis, and Thasos is housed at the entrance of the Holy Church. It includes a significant collection of portable sacred icons, silver vessels, ecclesiastical books, and holy gospels. These sacred relics come from the church and the holy chapels of the region and date from the 14th century to the early 20th century. They are undeniable evidence of the Orthodox faith and the artistic creation of post-Byzantine art. Upon the proposal of our Most Reverend Shepherd, Mr. Stefanos Tolios, and with the decision of the ecclesiastical council, the treasury was named after the late Metropolitan Prokopios Tsakoumakas of Philippi, Neapolis, and Thasos. The vision and deep concern of the late Metropolitan led to the establishment of this endeavor.
The ecclesiastical treasury “Prokopiou Kleos” was inaugurated on Sunday, September 4, 2022, by His All-Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople and New Rome, Bartholomew, during his first visit to the island of Thasos, on the occasion of the first official celebration of the Synaxis of the Saints of Thasos. He was accompanied by His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece, His Beatitude Metropolitan Epiphanius of Kyiv and All Ukraine, and many other Most Reverend Hierarchs.
PERMANENT EXHIBITS
THE HOLY ICON OF
THE PANAGIA PANTOVLEPOUSA
The miraculous icon, known as “Panagia Pantovleposa” (All-Seeing Virgin Mary), as inscribed on its golden label, depicts the Virgin Mary crowned and adorned with precious stones, holding Christ. Her sorrowful gaze gives the impression that she looks in all directions. According to historical testimonies, the icon is of Russian origin and style. It was brought to Thassos by Greek expatriates living in Russia and donated to the Holy Church of Panagia.
The silver covering of the icon bears the date 1814; however, it is certain that the painting itself is older. This sacred icon is the pride of the historic Holy Church of Thassos and serves as a refuge of comfort for the suffering and troubled faithful from throughout the Orthodox world, who come to venerate and seek the help of the Panagia. The icon is located at the entrance of the main church, on the right side prayer corner, serving as an important focal point of worship and devotion.
ALL SAINTS
& THE LIFE-GIVING SPRING
This description refers to an important ecclesiastical object located on the left side of the church’s central nave, opposite the bishop’s throne. It is a section of the old iconostasis, an exquisite wood-carved work of art, which includes the icons of All Saints and the Life-Giving Spring.
According to the tradition of the area’s older inhabitants, the iconographer who created this work did so through intense fasting and continuous prayer, reflecting his ascetic spirit and devotion.
This devotion, through spiritual preparation and deep faith, appears to have enriched and strengthened the spiritual value of the work, making it especially revered and honored by the faithful.
HOLY ICON & SACRED RELIC OF
SAINT CHARALAMBOS
Within the Holy Church is preserved an old icon of Saint Charalambos from the year 1814, along with a sacred relic of the Saint. The icon is placed in a carved wooden icon stand (proskynitari) on the left “grigitiko” side of the church, while the reliquary is incorporated into the same icon stand. The relationship of the faithful inhabitants with Saint Charalambos is deep and devoted. Saint Charalambos has been considered the protector and guardian of the community since the time of the plague, 110 years ago, and the residents hold great respect and love for him. They often turn to him for help and support, especially during times of hardship and trials.
The faithful honor Saint Charalambos with religious celebrations at the chapel named after him in Chrissi Ammoudia, including the procession of the holy icon from the Church of the Virgin Mary to the chapel of the Saint. They also celebrate his feast day with traditional festivities, thereby expressing their gratitude and devotion. The presence of the icon and relic of the Saint in the church serves as a point of reference for the community of Panagia, strengthening their spiritual connection with the Saint.
THE HOLY ICON OF
THE DORMITION OF THE THEOTOKOS
The icon of the sleeping Virgin Mary, which is carried in procession every August 15th during the major feast of the village and Thassos, is distinguished by its silver-plated section, while the other figures in the same icon remain unplated. The inscription “1758, August 27” indicates the date of the icon’s creation or dedication.
SILVER CANDLESTICKS
FROM MOUNT ATHOS
Two silver candlesticks placed in front of the beautiful gate, richly decorated. They bear the date 1807 and include the name of the donor.
ICONOSTASIS OF THE
HOLY CHURCH
The iconostasis of the Church is an exquisite piece of wood-carved art, richly decorated. It incorporates several elements inspired by the Western iconographic themes of Roman Catholic theology.
On the right side of the iconostasis, there is an inscription by the artist:
"By the hand of Apostolos A. Athanasopoulos from Volos, from Saint George, 24 August 1881."
BYZANTINE BANNER,
RED AND WHITE IN COLOR
There is a tradition that this item was brought by refugees who fled from Constantinople after its fall in 1453. According to sources, the item was preserved by the King of England, Richard the Lionheart. Today, this historic relic is located in the left aisle of the Holy Church, secured within a wooden display case.
THE HOLY ICON OF THE ENTHRONED VIRGIN MARY HOLDING THE CHILD, TOGETHER WITH SAINT GEORGE – A RARE 17TH-CENTURY ICONOGRAPHY
THE HOLY ICON OF THE ANNUNCIATION OF THE THEOTOKOS FOLLOWING THE SPIRIT OF THE 15TH CENTURY CRETAN SCHOOL.
THE HOLY ICON OF CHRIST AS THE GREAT HIGH PRIEST OF THE PALAIOLOGIAN SCHOOL
THE HOLY ICON OF THE SYNAXIS OF THE HOLY ARCHANGELS, ESTABLISHED IN THE 9TH CENTURY AFTER THE ICONOCLASM.
THE HOLY ICON OF CHRIST ENTHRONED WITH SAINT JOHN THE THEOLOGIAN AND BELOVED DISCIPLE, INFLUENCED BY NORTHERN GREEK ICONOGRAPHY OF THE 17TH CENTURY.
THE HOLY ICON OF THE SAINTS OF THASSOS
The holy icon of the Saints of Thassos is now enthroned in the Holy Church of the Panagia (Virgin Mary), placed in a specially designated veneration stand. It is a work of praise and thanksgiving to the Holy God. The icon was created by the distinguished iconographer Georgios Yariskanis, with the generous sponsorship of the family of Konstantinos Lovoulos, in memory of his father, Ioannis Lovoulos, a theologian.
The first official celebration took place in September 2022, marked by the visit of His All-Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople and New Rome, Bartholomew.
Also present were His Beatitude the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Ieronymos, His Beatitude Metropolitan Epiphanius of Kyiv, and many hierarchs from the Mother Church in Constantinople as well as from the Church of Greece.
The arrival of the holy icon took place at the port of Limenas, Thassos, on September 3, 2022, by a Coast Guard vessel and was received with honors by the clergy, local authorities, the military, security forces, and the people of the island.
The reception was conducted by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. The icon was then transported in a motorcade to the Holy Church of the Panagia. There, after the enthronement of the icon, the first official Doxology was celebrated, presided over by His All-Holiness.