Religious Tourism belongs to the category of alternative tourism. Greek society is characterized by its faith in God, Christ and Orthodoxy. Religious tourism takes place throughout the year and is one of the oldest forms of tourism (perhaps the first). From ancient times the believers moved en masse to perform religious rites in places of worship to honor their gods and to ask for their help and offer them important gifts and sacrifices in their honor. Religious tourism is a global tourism product with great economic benefits for local communities that have exploited places of religious and pilgrimage interest.
The 4 most important internationally are: the Hagia Sophia in the City, the Vatican, Jerusalem with the Holy Land and MEKA.
In Greece the 4 most important are Mount Athos, Meteora, Panagia of Tinos and Agios Spyridonas in Corfu and many more.
In Thesprotia are the following:
THE HOLY MONASTERY OF GIROMERI, Holy Monastery of the Assumption of the Virgin Giromeri is the exact one (20 km from Igoumenitsa). It was founded at the beginning of the 14th century (1310 – 1320) by Osios Nilos the Erichiotis and is one of the most important monasteries in Epirus. It served as the seat of the Patriarchal Exarchate and Diocese of the province of Filiates. A secret school and a priestly school operated inside the monastery. The katholikon is a four-column cruciform church with a dome. Renovated in 1568, it is decorated with very important, Byzantine hagiographies – frescoes of the 16th century, unique in Epirus. The magnificent wood-carved iconostasis was built in 1824 and gilded in 1829. The monastery’s collection preserves a historical treasure from handwritten icons, antique books, utensils, vestments and other handmade items of folk art. The most important are the reliquaries that contain parts of the relics of many Saints. The monastery today is staffed with a new fraternity and operates as a male convent. Abbot P. Methodius deserves congratulations for the religious and spiritual work he performs but also for the promotion of religious tourism. It has made the Monastery of Giromeri famous all over the world and attracts a large number of Greek and foreign pilgrims culminating in the three days of the Fifteenth of August, the feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and also on January 2 in memory of the founder of Saint Nile.
AGIOS DONATOS Bishop of Evria, patron saint of Thesprotia and the Holy Metropolis of Paramythia, Filiates, Giromeri and Parga.
The New Martyr Agios Georgios from Ioannina lived for a while in Thesprotia, who is also the patron saint of the Sarakatsani people in his honor.
Agia Paraskevi, who first taught Christianity in the area and testified about it, and in her honor, a nunnery has been founded near Kanalaki, where her tomb is also preserved.
Saint Cosmas of Aetolia, the most prominent teacher of the enslaved Greeks during the Ottoman Empire, held many Christian gatherings in Thesprotia, with a larger one in Margariti and many other New Martyr Saints.
Holy Monastery of Agios Georgios Kamitsiani (20 km from Filiates) the initial year of its construction is unknown. It was renovated in 1758 by the monk Paisios. The hagiographies in the most elegant katholikon and the wood-carved iconostasis date from 1789. It celebrates on April 23, the feast of St. George.
Holy Monastery of Panagia Paramythia (also known as the Great Church) built in the 13th century. The relics of Saint Spyridon and Saint Theodora were kept in this monastery for a while on their way from Constantinople to Corfu. Its most important heirloom is the gold embroidered epitaph of 1587.
Holy Monastery of Agios Minas Kokkinolithari (the Meteor of Epirus). Monument of nature and our religious tradition. It is located on the road to Filiates Keramitsa. Its foundation and history are lost in the depths of the centuries and are covered by legends. It is dedicated to Agios Minas the Miracle Worker, it was a part of I.M. Giromeriou according to a document of 1667, celebrates November 11 and is open all year round.
I. M. Rayou (10 km from Igoumenitsa). Dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and was founded during the Byzantine Empire by the abbot Nathaniel later bishop of Bursa. It was a rich monastery with a great offer to the enslaved race. It was looted many times and much of it was destroyed by fire in the 20th century. ‘It has been repaired and can be visited every day.
JM Paganion in Kallithea Paramythias was built in 1652 by the monk Joachim.
Holy Monastery of Agios Athanasios, Perdika. It was built in 1811 on the current site, according to tradition the reason was to find the image
of Agios Athanasios in an olive tree next to the sanctuary of the church. It is open all year round and celebrates May 2.
I.M. Agia Paraskevi Kougkiou. It is located in the famous Souli above the village of Samoniva. It is renovated and can be visited, it was built by the famous monk and captain Samuel in 1793 and it was blown up in 1803 by him in the holocaust of Souli to prevent slaves of Ali Pasha. Every year there is a representation of the well-known feasts of Souli on the last Sunday of May.
Holy Monastery of Agios Athanasios Vavourios Filiates. Built in the 17th century, it was set on fire by the Germans during World War II and is now completely renovated with remarkable paintings, it celebrates on January 17.
Holy Transfiguration of the Savior in Plakoti. Built in the 13th century during the Byzantine period, it has a rare architectural type with a six-sided dome, it celebrates on the 6th of August.
In Thesprotia the pilgrims are mainly Greeks but in recent years we have an increase in religious tourism from Orthodox countries of Eastern Europe and Russia who have as their destination Saint Spyridon in Corfu and Saint Nicholas in Bari, Italy. Some also visit the monasteries of Thesprotia. There is room for an increase in religious tourism with the condition that all local bodies cooperate and implement the proposals of P. Methodius Abbot of Giromeri Monastery who is an expert in the field of religious tourism.
For communication :
ZIGOS CHRISTOS
Mob: 6932029995
e-mail: info@holiday-zigos.gr
