Hozoviotissa: One of oldest and most important monasteries in the Aegean
Hozoviotissa on Amorgos island in Greece is one of the oldest and most important monasteries of the Aegean, built in 1027 on the foot of a giant steep rock and renovated 1088, built by Alexius Comnenus I, it’s literally hanging on the cliff side 300 metres above the sea. The monastery was created in honour of Panagia (Virgin Mary) the patron saint of the island. The icon is carried around to all the villages on the island every year.
This amazing chapel combines mother nature and man’s creation, as the monastery symbolises a tribute to the Holy Mother. Built into the face of a cliff, it provides a breathtaking view of the crystal blue waters of the Aegean sea.
It’s the pride and joy of the island, with its pristine walls lined with portraits of monks and other leaders, the smell of incense and numerous little treasures. Today only four monks, who act as guardians of this architectural marvel are in residence and on weekdays welcome visitors with cool water, Amorgos raki (local spirit) and loukoumia (Greek sweets).
A low marble doorway leads to a staircase, that leads to the higher levels onto the chapel where treasures and icons are kept. Some of the holy treasure inside the monastery include the icon of Panagia Portaitissa, dated back to the 15th century, a work of the school of Cretan, also known as Theotokio or the Mother of God, and the Gennadio’s Prayer, going back to 1619. It’s filled with many artifacts, historical masterpieces, architecture and history.
The reason behind the construction of the monastery was the arrival of the icon of Panagia. According to the surviving written records the icon came from Hozova (hozovo) in Palestine, and the monastery translates to Virgin Mary of Hozova.
It’s believed that the icon reached the island in a boat which had run ashore, directly below the point on which the monastery stands today. Two locals found the icon and news quickly spread from island to island. When the news reached Constantinople in 1088, the Emperor ordered the construction of the monastery.
The monastery started to be built near the ocean where the icon had been found. Yet each day the builders came to work, whatever they had done the day prior was mysteriously knocked down by mother nature. This happened for a few days. Finally, the master builder lost his tool bag. It was found hanging off a nail on the cliff above. They all believed this was a miracle and a sign from Panagia to build the monastery up higher.
Grand and well preserved, it is considered the most impressive monastery in the Aegean not only for its unique construction on the sheer cliffside but for the manner in which its eight floors grip the rock for support.
The originality of its architecture is that even though the breadth of the façade is over 40 m, the west wall, where the entrance is, measures no more than 5 m. The building comprises over a hundred rooms, including the monks’ cells, refectories, kitchens, storerooms, cisterns, guest cells, a library and luggage storage.
Today only four monks are in residence, who on weekdays welcome visitors with cool water, Amorgos raki and Turkish delight. The view from the balcony next to the chapel is jaw dropping.
On 21 November, when the monastery of Hozoviotissa celebrates the Presentation of the Virgin Mary, it fills with people. With the Bishop of Thera, Amorgos and other Islands officiating, visitors climb up and down from the monastery, pay their respects to the Virgin and enjoy a festive dish of split-pea purée (fava). Next morning, following the service, the pilgrims are offered fasting dishes such as cod with potatoes and cod with garlic sauce. (The day falls within the 40-day pre-Christmas fast observed in the Orthodox Church.)
Read more here.
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons Copyright: Frank Manolas License: CC-BY-SA
Source: greekcitytimes.com
- 1) Four hospitals in Attica Region already organizing afternoon surgical procedures
- 2) PM: More than 80 hospitals and 156 health centres being upgraded in Greece
- 3) First afternoon surgeries in Greece kick off at Papageorgiou Hospital in Thessaloniki
- 4) Prime Minister: Radical change in Greek education and a brave reform for growth
16/03 13:01
Greek Deputy Foreign Μinister meets her Slovenian counterpart in Athens
16/03 12:56
Greek-Canadian Diaspora to welcome Greek Prime Minister to Toronto
16/03 11:28
Greek Migration Minister visits refugee hosting facilities in Kavala, Drama and Serres
15/03 21:50
Greek Minister announces conference on defence ecosystem in Athens from Lithuania
15/03 13:45
PM: More than 80 hospitals and 156 health centres being upgraded in Greece
15/03 12:55
Piraeus Port and Genoa Chambers of Commerce ink memorandum of cooperation
14/03 23:43
President of Hellenic Republic meets Prime Minister of Slovakia in Bratislava
14/03 22:58
American Express report highlights Global Travel Trends during 2024
14/03 22:52
Four hospitals in Attica Region already organizing afternoon surgical procedures
14/03 22:49
US Ambassador to Athens: More flights from the United States to Greece and Thessaloniki
14/03 22:43
Greek archaeologists discover ten ancient shipwrecks off Aegean island of Kasos
14/03 19:32
No new intubations for Covid-19 recorded in Greece for the first time
14/03 18:36
Extra road safety measures adopted for Greek pre-lent carnival and Clean Monday
14/03 14:48
14/03 12:54
Electric buses to be deployed on the streets of Athens and Thessaloniki by May
13/03 22:23
13/03 20:11
Prices of basic lenten products either lower or equal to last year's in Greece
13/03 19:15
US Ambassador to Athens: Greece secures NATO readiness via Alexandroupolis
13/03 17:19
13/03 12:26
Greece shows new costumes for revamped Olympic Flame-lighting ceremony
12/03 22:46
Epirotes Society of Philadelphia ‘Omonia’ organized 16th Annual ‘Tsipourovradia’
12/03 21:38
The President of the Hellenic Republic to visit Slovakia on March 13-15
12/03 20:29
First afternoon surgeries in Greece kick off at Papageorgiou Hospital in Thessaloniki
11/03 23:58
Greek Foreign Minister: We stand behind Montenegro's European perspective
11/03 23:47
Visa Express for Turkish citizens to commence on five Greek islands in March
11/03 19:40
11/03 18:49
Microsoft Data Center construction kicks off in Spata next to Athens Airport
11/03 17:53
Dodecanese Federation marked 76th Anniversary of Unification with Greece
09/03 22:23
08/03 14:27
Prime Minister: Radical change in Greek education and a brave reform for growth
08/03 14:24
Traffic restrictions expected in Athens mid-morning to evening on Friday due to protests
08/03 14:24
Applications to out-of-court settlement more than doubled in Greece in February
08/03 13:18
Metro station 'Maniatika' near Piraeus Port to be closed on Saturday and Sunday
07/03 14:12
Athens wins World Travel Award 2024 as the top city-break destination in Europe
06/03 22:51
WTTC data show Greece and Portugal lead league for growth in tourist arrivals
06/03 20:28
Greek Tourism Minister at ITB: 2024 will be another excellent year for sector
06/03 19:47
Greek Foreign Minister to meet UAE Minister of Industry and Technology on Friday
06/03 18:43
European Union actions of 274m euros to support cultural heritage in Greece
06/03 16:37
'Odontotos' rack railway temporarily stopped until landslides issue is resolved
06/03 14:40
Minister: Bringing about the return of Greeks abroad 'a moral duty'
05/03 14:28
Archdiocese of America Eparchial Synod to meet on March 14-17 in Florida
05/03 14:21
05/03 14:11
ITB BERLIN 2024 opens with excellent bookings after global rise in travel in 2023
05/03 12:24
Greek PM at Athens supermarket: Consumers 'can already see lower prices on the shelf'
04/03 22:02
Greek Health Minister: Afternoon surgeries at state hospitals to begin shortly
04/03 21:47
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Whitestone Community marks 49th Anniversary
04/03 20:27
Labor chief: Greece to train 500,000 workers in digital, green skills by 2025
04/03 19:44
Foreign Ministry to organize event on 'Women, Peace, and Security' on Friday
04/03 15:12
Athens Riviera | The summer experience with Athens as a background
29/02 22:54
Consumers to see price cuts up to 18.1% in 3,000 Greek supermarket products as of Friday
29/02 21:44
Greece and Germany set up Working Group on shipping cooperation
29/02 21:30
Wyndham Rewards’ Member Month offers 5 weeks of deals, discounts, and bonus points
29/02 21:03
Temple of Poseidon at Sounion near Athens to get new lighting system
29/02 21:02
29/02 20:47
Greece is represented by 60 firms at GULFOOD 2024 exhibition
29/02 19:58
Greek government gives 1+1 month extension for cash register-integrated POS terminals
29/02 19:49
Archangel Michael Church Dance Program shines at Folk Dance Festival in SF
29/02 15:39
'Renovate-rent' programme to be launched, Minister tells Greek Parliament
29/02 12:39
Rio-Antirrio ferry line in central Greece closed due to strong winds
28/02 21:34
Weather with heavy rain and storms in Greece as of Sunday night
28/02 17:31
CEO: The goal is for PPC to become a leading player in Southeast Europe
28/02 17:04
New Wyndham Hotels Market Managing Director of Central and Eastern Europe
28/02 12:21
Minister: Transactions with the Greek State will be further simplified in 2024
28/02 11:57
27/02 17:25
UN Tourism hails Saudi Arabia's historic milestone of 100 million tourists
27/02 15:00
Greek Prime Minister: Relations with Armenia can become even more productive
27/02 14:26
Wyndham: New growth cycle in Greece for the largest hotel chain franchise in the world
27/02 13:15
Price cuts of up to 15% in important product categories in Greece after March 1
27/02 12:46
Athens taxi drivers' protest rally in progress from Athinon avenue to Messogion
26/02 18:30
Annual Summit of Women Political Leaders (WPL) to be held in Athens in April
26/02 18:27
Culture Ministry: Schwartz Mansion in Ampelakia near Larisa to get new lighting
26/02 17:25
Greek president organizes reception for diplomats at Presidential Mansion
26/02 16:33
Trapped rack-railway passengers returned safely to Diakopto in Peloponnese
26/02 16:21
Public transport, ferry and taxi strikes in Athens on Wednesday
25/02 12:30
Greek island of Ikaria among the Blue Zones for Health Eating and Longevity
24/02 20:39
Greek PM meets Qatar Emir: Focus on bilateral cooperation and investments
24/02 18:25
Prescription cannabis for medicinal use legally available in Greece for the first time
24/02 17:19
MInister: The aim is to make fishing and fish-farming a key pillar of the economy
23/02 23:36
Greek Prime Minister arrives in Doha to be received by Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi
23/02 23:26
The Festival of Greek Dances takes place in the Metropolis of San Francisco
23/02 21:32
Revealing "70 Years of Friendship: Greece's photo journey through the Korean War"
23/02 17:15
16 Greek firms showcase at international fashion exhibitions in London
23/02 14:09
Flights to and from Heraklion airport in Crete resume on Saturday
22/02 18:15
Bill for non-state, non-profit universities being tabled in Greek Parliament on Thursday
22/02 18:13
Temporary residence for displaced Ukrainians extended in Greece to March 2025
22/02 18:10
American Hellenic Institute Golden Jubilee celebration Includes concert on April 12
22/02 18:09
Tourism Minister stresses importance of strong relationship of Greece with Serbia
22/02 17:58
Education protest rally ends and traffic resumes in Athens city center
21/02 19:47
Twistic and WeavAIR startups clinch the UN Tourism Hospitality Challenge
21/02 18:34
21/02 18:13
Traffic in Athens returning to normal after tractors depart from the Greek capital
21/02 13:01
Greek Tourism Minister in Belgrade for International Exhibition
21/02 00:55
Resilience through diversity and investments the aim of UN Tourism visit to Jamaica
20/02 23:38
Rally concludes with farmer tractors leaving Athens on Wednesday morning
20/02 20:43
Greek Prime Minister on official visit to India as of Wednesday
20/02 16:51
Minister: Greece wants to become India's gateway to the European Union
19/02 21:19
DEFEA Conference to be held at Stavros Niarchos Foundation in Athens on May 15
19/02 19:06
Traffic restrictions for farmers' rally in central Athens on Tuesday
19/02 18:11
Greece wins top tourist destination award at Grand Travel Awards in Sweden
19/02 14:23
Health Minister: Option of afternoon surgeries at public hospitals start in Greece
Greek-Canadian Diaspora to welcome Greek Prime Minister to Toronto
Greek Migration Minister visits refugee hosting facilities in Kavala, Drama and Serres
Greek Deputy Foreign Μinister meets her Slovenian counterpart in Athens
American Express report highlights Global Travel Trends during 2024
PM: More than 80 hospitals and 156 health centres being upgraded in Greece
Greek Minister announces conference on defence ecosystem in Athens from Lithuania
US Ambassador to Athens: More flights from the United States to Greece and Thessaloniki
President of Hellenic Republic meets Prime Minister of Slovakia in Bratislava
Four hospitals in Attica Region already organizing afternoon surgical procedures
Piraeus Port and Genoa Chambers of Commerce ink memorandum of cooperation
Epirotes Society of Philadelphia ‘Omonia’ organized 16th Annual ‘Tsipourovradia’
Greek Prime Minister to meet Bulgarian counterpart at Maximos Mansion
IOBE forecasts 2.4% growth and 10.5% unemployment in Greece during 2024
Greek retail sector turnover exceeds last year's figures with €4 billion in December
3-year stay and work permits approved for 30,000 undocumented migrants in Greece
Impressive statue of Hercules unearthed in Philippi of Northern Greece
Education protest rally ends and traffic resumes in Athens city center
Development Minister: Supermarket food prices will start dropping in Greece in March
Saint Thomas Hellenic School organizes Parent Teacher Organization Fundraiser
Golden Visa bonus for foreigners buying luxury homes at Ellinikon in Athens
Athens International Airport makes spectacular debut on Athens Stock Exchange
Greek tax service AADE launches updated website new section on expatriates
CEO: The goal is for PPC to become a leading player in Southeast Europe
Construction of Greece-Cyprus-Israel interconnection cable commences