Paros Panagia Ekatontapiliani

Paros Panagia Ekatontapiliani: The church of Panagia Ekatontapiliani in Paros, Cyclades

The Monastery of Panagia Ekatontapiliani in Paros Greece, Cyclades: The church of Panagia Ekatontapiliani is located few metres from the port of Parikia, the capital of Paros. This is one of the best-preserved Paleochristian monuments in Greece and in fact it is the biggest in size. According to the legend, the original church was constructed by Saint Constantine, first Emperor of Constantinople, after the offering of his mother, Saint Helene.

During her journey to the Holy Land to search for the Holy Cross, a storm brought Saint Helene in Paros, where she promised to the Virgin to build a church if her quest were successful. This church was built by her son Constantine after her death and it was dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin.

The original church was constructed in the 4th century A.D. and was a three-aisled basilica. In the 6th century A.D. the Byzantine Emperor Justinian made reformations to the church and added a dome. More reformations were performed through centuries and today the church is a complex of Paleochristian, Byzantine and post-Byzantine elements. Considering that the first Christians used to build their churches with parts of the ancient temples, this church also has marble parts from antiquities located in Paros.

The name Ekatontapiliani means "the church with the Hundred Doors". According to tradition, the church has 99 doors and a secret door will open when the church of Hagia Sofia in Constantinople will be Orthodox again. The entire complex of Ekatontapiliani comprises the main church of Virgin Mary with the internal chapels of Agios Anargiros, Agios Philippos and Osia Theoktisti (who loved and died in this monastery in the 9th century A.D.). Outside the main church, there are the chapels of Agios Nikolaos, Agia Theodosia and Agios Dimitrios. In the yard of the monastery, there is also a baptistery and the cells of the monks.

The Monastery of Panagia Ekatontapiliani celebrates on August 15th in a large religious festival. It is considered the protector of Paros and its icon is believed to be miracle-working.

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