Tinos Catholic Shrine of Panagia Vryssiotissa

Location: Agios Romanos

The Catholic Church of Panagia Vryssiotissa is located about 2.5 km from Agios Romanos Beach. As the legend goes, the church was built in the 17th century, after the Virgin Mary appeared in the dream of a Catholic nun guiding her to the location of a buried icon. Eventually, the priest of the village ventured out to the sight indicated by the Virgin and, with the help of some workers, unearthed the miraculous icon.

The church would be erected where the icon was found, with many offerings from the nearby catholic villages. The origin of the church’s name is ambiguous, with some believing it comes from the natural source that lies just outside it (vryssi loosely translates to "spring"). Others claim that it is a distortion of the word evresi (finding), an allusion to the discovery of the icon of the Virgin Mary.

While it started as a small chapel of the parish of Tarabados, the Church of Panagia Vryssiotissa quickly acquired major importance for the local Catholic communities. Today, it stands as the largest pilgrimage of the Catholic Church of Tinos. It sees countless visitors, especially on August 15th, when a night-long liturgy is carried out. On that day, the miraculous icon, which is usually housed in the parish church of Tarabados, is transported back to Panagia Vryssiotissa. A celebration is also held on the first Sunday of May.

Panagia Vryssiotissa presents an imposing exterior, with whitewashed walls and an impressive bell tower overlooking its marble courtyard. Inside, it is elegantly decorated, with stone features, wonderful statues, and inscriptions in Greek and Latin. Some lovely icons can be seen here as well, including a recreation of the icon of the Virgin Mary. The church’s idyllic location places it amongst lush trees and verdant hills, while visitors can also enjoy a gorgeous panoramic view of the sea.