Panagia Makrini church

• Description

Panagia Makrini church was built around the middle of 9th century AD., probably during the period that saint Pavlos Latrinos was ascetic in Samos.  However, its history should begin at 8th century BC, perhaps earlier, since at the time when Saint Paul Latrinos was ascetic at the Pythagoras Cave at Kerkis mount, he urged new ascetics to settle and re-establish three Lavras (= small monasteries of the early Christian period) that existed at the northwest area of Kerki mount and were destroyed by Muslims Arabs raids.  According the Samian historian and writer Epaminonda Stamatiadi, thε three”lavras” was “Panagia Makrini“, “Agios Georgios” wich located a short distance from Drakei village and today constitutes the cemetery temple of the village and finally “Agios Charalampos” which located southwest of Kallithea village.

The church is celebrated in the name of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (15 August), it is a Byzantine temple, with size 4 meters long and 2 meters wide and is built in a cave of 15 meters height and area 25 m2. At the bottom of the cave there are troughs and jars that collect the holy water (the water from the stalactites).

It was probably built in the middle of the 9th century AD. while the outer dome construction was completed, at August 16 1765, as indicated by a relevant inscription.

The interior of the temple is decorated with frescoes of the 14th century that represent the Divine Liturgy, the Virgin Mary with Christ in her arms, Hierarchs, Christ in a masterful way, Saints, Archangels and other.

Ιt has been declared a historic listed monument since 1999 (ΦΕΚ 330/Β/8-4-1999)

• Features

• Foundation : middle of 9th century AD
• Celebration : 15 August
  
• Altitude :  Elevation ≈ 900 m
  
• Condition : good
  

• Getting there

• To get there by car, from Kambos Marathokampos, go west to Kallithea village , for 16 km, then (100 m before the parking of the village), follow the sign to Ag. Panteleimon & Panagia Makrini and continue to the dirt road for another 5 km, where you will meet the picturesque chapel of Agia Ekaterini, from there follow the sign to “Panagia Makrini” for another 1 km where you will left your car and will continues on foot for about 500 m uphill path, with white cross signs (see video below).

 

• Video

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