Evangelistria Monastery or called by the locals the Holy Convent of the Annunciation of the Virgin is another must-see among the things to see in Skiathos.
We find it about five kilometers from the capital in a north-easterly direction immersed in a wonderful forest of oaks, pines and olive trees in the Agalianou area just below the highest peak of Skiathos, Mount Stavros at 450 meters above sea level. The route is a continuous joy for the eyes, beautiful landscapes surround this part of the island of Skiathos and you will be able to take memorable photographs.
The Monastery of Evangelistria was built in the 18th century at the behest of a group of monks belonging to the "Kollyvadon" movement who had to leave the sacred mountain of Mount Athos due to religious differences and their natural appeal to the ancient tradition of the Church.
Its founders were the monks Grigorios Karastamatis of Skiathos and the monk Nifon of Chios who completed the work in 1806 making it the fulcrum of the movement as well as a refuge to significantly help both materially and spiritually the pre-revolutionaries and the revolution itself of 1821. It should be emphasized that the first Greek flag was designed, woven and hoisted here in 1807 (the one with the white cross in the center on a blue background) to challenge the Turks who still dominated and occupied the island of Skiathos. Patriots Theodoros Kolokotronis Papathymios Vlachavas, Giannis Stathas, Andreas Miaoulis and many others swore right here "allegiance or death" (ελευθερία ή θάνατος you will find it written everywhere) to the cause of independence of Greece. It was also both before and during the revolution shelter for the wounded and combatants.
The Holy Temple is right in the center of the Monastery and is 20x8 meters in size. It is a cross-shaped Byzantine church with three naves and three domes. The floor is made with tiles and majolica from Malta. The iconostasis dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries carved in wood is something impressive enough to leave visitors speechless. At the beginning the Monastery of Evangelistrias housed a dozen monks dedicated not only to prayer but also to the production for their food sustenance, in fact, in addition to the cells and the dining room, there were an oil mill, cisterns, warehouses, and a stable. And yet a well-stocked library that has become the ecclesiastical museum with patriarchal bulls, ancient manuscripts, letters, seals and two chapels, one dedicated to San Giovanni and the one dedicated to San Dimitrio. It was also equipped with a hospital and a hostel to accommodate the persecuted and those in need of medical care during the revolution.
In the sacristy today you can see sacred cups, crosses in silver and wood and a written and completely handmade Gospel. In the oil mill there is the Folklore Museum where agricultural equipment is exhibited, the loom where the first Greek flag was woven, while in the kitchen the mighty ovens and the abacus where the Tsipouro was produced. The monks of the Evagnelistrias Monastery also produced and produce a famous wine the Alypiakos (means without pain) in honor of Abbot Alipio which according to Alexandros Papadiamantis was perfect for relieving the pains and sufferings of the world.
August 15th is the feast of the Monastery of Evangelistrias, the day where the Virgin Mary is celebrated with religious ceremonies where faithful from all over Greece come to pay homage to her. Participate if you will be for your holiday in Skiathos it will be an excellent opportunity to enter the local culture.