Panagia Evaghelistria Tinos

The important Panagia Evaghelistria, we find it above the hill at the Chora, capital of Tinos.The pilgrimage of the Madonna is the best known and most frequented destination of Hellenism and of Christian communities from all over the world.Every year thousands of faithful come to Tinos from all over the world to receive the Blessing and the graces that the Sacred Icon dispenses to its devotees walking on their knees from the port to the church on a red carpet put up to protect the rough path the journey in signof respect and sacrifice.

Panagia Megalochari as well as being the patroness of Tinos, is recognized as the protector of Greece (Megalochari means with all graces) even though she is precisely dedicated to the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary.

The history of the ChurchTradition says that it was built following the dreams of a humble local nun of the Kechrovouni Monastery Sister Pelagia exactly on the spot where the icon was found.For three weeks in July on Sunday Our Lady appeared to the nun and asked her to dig in the land of Antonios Doxara in order to bring to light her image.Saint Pelagia (she was later sanctified) together with the prioress consulted the Metropolitan Gabriel who in turn invited the entire population to contribute to the research.In early September 1822 excavations began and to the surprise and a touch of disappointment the remains of the previous early Christian church dedicated to San Giovanni Battisti were found which had been built on top of an ancient temple in honor of the god Dionysos but of theno trace icon.The discouraged inhabitants abandoned the enterprise accusing the nun of having invented everything but Pelagia did not lose heart and with the help of a better organization, on 30 January 1823 finally the icon of the Madonna in prayer came to light by the hand ofDemetrius Vlassis.The find went viral throughout Greece and is considered a sacred message of Greek Orthodox Christianity.Historians date the icon to the 7th century AD.and therefore belonging to the Byzantine period.It was finished in 1880.

It is a splendid building completely in white marble in three parts, on the left the section dedicated to women while on the right and in the center to men.On the ground floor the Chapel of the Apocalypse begun immediately after the discovery in 1823, where the entire monastery was built above.From the central door on the left the iconostasis carved in wood with the lower part in gold and the upper part decorated in plaster.The Presbyter is three steps higher up between three niches, the central one behind the Holy Table, the eastern one in honor of Jesus' Ascension and the western one to the Dormition of the Madonna.Next to the copy of the sacred icon, a fountain of blessed water and two rooms where baptisms are usually celebrated.A magnificent bell tower rises next to the basilica and numerous stairs lead to the entrance of the church.Impossible not to perceive the sacredness of this place where peace is solemn.

Celebrations are organized three times a year, on January 30th the date on which the icon was found, on March 25th the day of the Annunciation of the Virgin and on August 15th the day of the Assumption of the Virgin.If you have the opportunity to travel on these dates and you will be in Tinos, do not miss them, they are a clear testimony of how much traditions are still rooted in the islands as well as discovering a part of wonderful Greece.

How to get to the Panagia EvangelistriaVery easy, being in the capital, wherever you decide to stay, the direction is towards the Chora.A stop to be included among the things to see in Tinos to admire an architectural masterpiece, visit the lively town and why not ask for divine help which never hurts.