The entrance of the churches are made of marble with an inscription on it; a stone-paved courtyard is at the south of almost every church and is used for religious ceremonies as well as cultural and social events.
Most of the churches of Sifnos are private, built by the seamen in order to secure their salvation.
Here are some of the many churches and monasteries of Sifnos.
| The
church of Panagia Angeloktisti |
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This is one of the most beautiful churches of Sifnos, located in the village of Katavati, just outside the capital, Apollonia.
Panagia Angeloktisti means “the church of the Virgin, built by an Angel”, and it is a three-aisled cross-in-square church with a conic dome.
The floor of the church is decorated with pebble mosaics and the walls are covered with beautiful paintings made by a local folk artist.
| The
monastery of Chrissopigi |
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On the road leading to the village of Platis Yialos is the holy rock of Chrissopigi (golden fountain), a famous breathtaking site of Sifnos.
On the top of this rock which forms a small peninsula stands the monastery of Chrissopigi, connected to the rest of the island by a small bridge.
The monastery houses the miraculous icon of Panagia Chrissopigi to whom more than 35 miracles are attributed and who is the patron saint of Sifnos since 1964.
The main church is a barrel-vaulted basilica without any aisle with inside walls
forming a semi-circular arc.
The main church is a barrel-vaulted basilica without any aisle with the inside walls forming a semi-circular arc. The floor is made of marble and has an inscription with the date 1818.
The church has a wonderful carved wood icon screen.
| The
monastery of Prophitis Ilias Ypsilos |
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This monastery, as its name shows (Ypsilos means High), is built in the highest peak of Sifnos, in the village of Katavati. |
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for the accommodation of visitors.
Outside the walls, a church dedicated to Agios Elissaeos and is dated to 1749.
| The
monastery of Agios Ioannis Theologos
Mougos |
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Located just outside Apollonia, this monastery is literally called “the monastery of Saint John the Divine, the Mute”.
The catholicon of the monastery is one of the most important post-Byzantine buildings of Sifnos.
It is a basilica with a round dome and without any aisle; on the entrance of the church, the Gozzadino family crest can be seen.
It was built in the beginning of the 16th century and has a beautiful carved wooden templon dating from the 17th century.
The icons inside the church are works of a Cretan artist; the superb icon of Saint John dates from the 15th century and the icon-stand and the Episcopal throne are dating from the 18th century.
| The
church of Agios Konstantinos |
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This church is standing on the main square of the village of Artemonas.
It is a unique three-aisle basilica with a tile roof.
Inside this beautiful church is the icon of the Virgin with Child a work of art of Cretan type, dating from the late 16th century.
A wonderful marble icon screen has also been preserved.
| The
monastery of Panagia tou Vounou |
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Located on a hillside between Apollonia and Platis Yialos, the monastery of Panagia tou Vounou (Our Lady of the Mountain) offers a fantastic panoramic view.
It was founded in 1813 by the monk Gerasimos Avranopoulos.
The main church was built in the 19th century with Doric columns |
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The left aisle is dedicated to Agios Konstantinos and Helena, the middle aisle is dedicated to the Presentation of the Virgin and the right aisle is dedicated to Agios Nicholas, with wall paintings made by a Sifnian artist.
The church has a beautiful carved wood icon screen and in the abbot’s quarters some vestments and ecclesiastical vessels can be seen.
A stone-paved courtyard stands to the east of the monastery where, during the months of summer, artists from all over the world come to feed their inspiration on the marvellous view surrounding the monastery.
| The
monastery of Panagia tis Vrysis or
Kyravrysiani |
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One kilometre outside the village of Exambela is the monastery of Panagia tis Vrysis, Our Lady of the Fountain.
It is the most historic monastery of Sifnos, built in 1642 and converted later in a monastery, still functioning today and which played an important role in the social life of the inhabitants of Sifnos.
The main church is in cross-in-square and has a dome resting on an octagonal drum; the cells and the outbuildings are gathered around the main church (the catholicon).
Inside the church is a wonderful carved wood templon decorated by superb icons; other beautiful icons, from the late 17th century and early 18th century hang on the walls of the church and are magnificent examples of the Cretan style.
In the monastery one can visit a Museum of Ecclesiastical Art and Tradition which exposes various religious artefacts such as old manuscripts, holy vessels, embroidered vestments, parchments and more.
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