Monasteries and Churches of Lesvos

Many of the old Monasteries of Lesvos are still in use. Some have become destinations for pilgrimages while others carry on the spiritual tradions of long ago. Leimonos Monastery, (pictured) built in 1523 is a large cluster of buildings between Kaloni and Filia. It is an important spiritual center on the island with a museum, a library and social services. Overnight stays are possible. They have a festival here celebrating Ag. Ignatious on the second weekend of October.

A modern day phenomenon is the developing Monastery of Agiou Raphael in Thermi. People come from all over Greece to the shrine of the Newly Sanctified Martyrs of Raphael, the Father Superior of the destroyed monastery, of Nikolas, the deacon, and the young Irene, all three of whom died as martyrs at the hands of the Turks in 1463. A miracle was responsible for the discovery of the bodies of the saints, by Angelos Rallis, who donated the land for the monastery. This monastery is constantly visited year-round by pilgrims searching for a miracle. The complex has rooms for overnight stays. There is a celebration here on the Tuesday after Easter.

In Agiassos the Virgin Mary is venerated and everything revolves around the miracle working icon of the Blessed Virgin Vrefokratousa and the Church of the Panagia. During a two week period leading up to the 15th of August, which is the Holy Day of the Virgin Mary, pilgrims begin flocking to the town not only from Lesvos but all over Greece, slowly building up to a carnival-like atmosphere, peaking on the eve of the feast day.

There is another festival on September 14th commemorating the day when the Holy cross which Mytelinians brought back from Jerusalem after it was consecrated on Golgotha. Agathon's Cross was made with wood from the True Cross and is kept in the museum of the church.

In Mandamados at the Church of Taxiarches, the miracle working saint of the island is woshipped. The carved icon was made by a monk using mud and the blood of his fallen comrades after being miraculously saved by Saracen pirates. The church celebrates on the third Sunday after easter with a festival that includes the slaughtering of a concecrated bull whose meat is shared among the worshippers. Another religious celebration is held here on the third Sunday after Easter.


Ypsilou Monastery is built on the crater of a dormant volcano. This monastery was built in 1101. It houses some remarkable gold embroided stoles and bible covers from 1588. It is located on the road to Sigri right past the turnoff to Eresos. From it's heights you can see the coast of Asia Minor ans all of the western portion of the island.


The Perivoli Monastery sits in a beautiful green valley between Vatoussa and Antissa. It is serene and the caretaker is happy to show you around. Perivoli means garden. The monastery has some very important wall paintings from the sixteenth century though the church itself was built in the 1300's. There are picnic tables in the grove of trees outside the outer walls of the monastery.


The monastery of Pithari, founded in the seventeenth century is also close to Eressos. Surrounded by a grove of oak and sycamore trees in a dramatic gorge, it's an enjoyable walk there but you can also get there by car. The monastery is dedicated to the Taxiarchis (archangels) whose panagiri day is November 8th. There is a disciplinary center for the clergy there.


The tiny church of Saint Andrew sits on a quiet shaded road next to the cathedral of Saint Andrew and the ruins of the ancient basilica of the same name. The saint himself, whose body lay in repose for many years until returned to his native Crete in the nineteenth century, died in a shipwreck off the coast of Eressos. The church is also next to the archeological museum.

Other interesting holy places are Myrsiniotissa, Pythariou, Panagia Petras and the many churches which celebrate on the name days of their patron saints.