The Virgin Mary the Megalochari is well-known in the Orthodox world.
In this guide, we will also suggest two less popular religious destinations.
The most important religious destinations of Tinos
Panagia Megalohari
The imposing temple of Panagia of Tinos was founded in 1823. It was built at the site where it was found, the miraculous, according to the Christian tradition, icon of the Annunciation, according to the vision of St. Pelagia. The church is celebrated on March 25 (Annunciation of the Virgin Mary), but it is the most popular destination of the 15th of August (Assumption of the Virgin Mary). On the 30th of January (the Three Hierarchs), the anniversary of the finding of the Holy Image of Megalocharis is celebrated. On this day, the “Fanarakia” custom (fanarakia means little lanterns) is held every year. The afternoon of the same day follows the procession of the image in the country of Tinos. The island of Tinos is indissolubly tied to the Temple of the Megalochari.
In the place of the Sacred Church of Evangelistria, there existed a Byzantine church of St. John the Baptist, while in antiquity there was an ancient temple dedicated to Dionysus.
Close to the entrance of the Temple, there is the Mausoleum of “Elli”. It is the cruiser that was torpedoed at the port of Tinos in 1940. The mausoleum holds the bones of the first victims of World War II, part of the torpedo as well as objects of the ship.
Monastery and celebration of Saint Pelagia
The women’s Monastery of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary or the “Lady of the Angels” in Kechrovouni, Tinos, is an ancient monastery. No one can accurately determine when it was built. It is said that three pious sisters, from the village of Tripotamos, they watched every night a strange light on the site of Kechrovouni, where there were three churches, the Holy Trinity, the Holy Prodromos and the Pammegiston Taxiarhes. This light considered it a heavenly call. They came here and built a small cell next to each chapel.
St. Pelagia lived in the monastery from a young age. She grew up near her aunt and her secular name was Lucia. She faithfully served her solitary call and deeply loved her poor and sick sisters, whom she also maintained by begging in the villages around the monastery. Tradition says that the Virgin Mary visited her twice in her sleep. On Tuesday, July 23, 1822, she visited her while praying in her cell and indicating her where her Holy Icon lay, ordering her to take care of her finding. The Holy Icon of the Megalochari was found on January 30, 1823. St. Pelagia slept at the age of 80, on April 28, 1834.
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On July 23, the island celebrates the vision of St. Pelagia. From the morning, the icon of Virgin Mary of the Megalochari is ritually transferred to the temple of Agia Pelagia in the Monastery and is performed divine service. Then, there are treats from the nuns and then in the afternoon after the evening divine service, begins a sacred procession with the people follows on foot now to the city…
Catholic Archbishopric of Xinara and Museum
Τhe village of Xinara is built on the hillside of Exomvourgo. During medieval times, it was the center of the craft and trade of the island and the Catholic Archdiocese of Tinos is located there.
The church of Panagia of Rosario with the building of the archdiocese decorates the village. It houses the archive of the Tinos Catholic Diocese and the Museum of Ecclesiastical Heirlooms.
The island of Tinos has hundreds of churches and monasteries big or small…
Every village has one… or more…
You can also see our choices to visit places about Culture, Beaches and Hiking by clicking the links.
Visit our new website rentacaranoi.gr and see the routes we have prepared with the interactive maps (1st, 2nd, and 3rd route) that make up the one-day tour and visit them with our rental vehicles.
See also our travel guides for the Museums, Beaches, Villages, Food, and the Town of Tinos…