Lefkada Churches: Discover the many beautiful churches of the island of Lefkada Greece
Lefkada Greece has a real wealth of churches and monasteries.
Church
of Panagia Hodeghetria
The church of Panagia Hodeghetria is one of the oldest Byzantine churches of the island.
It is situated in the village of Apolpaina, 2 km south of the town
of Lefkada.
It was the main church of a monastery and is dated to the 15th century.
It is said that Helen Palaeologhina lived there.
She was the sister of John VIII Paleologos and mother in law of the last duke of Lefkada, Leonardos II Tokkos.
The
Agios Ioannis Antzoussis church
The church is located 3 km west of the island’s capital. It is the oldest church of Lefkada. The church that can be seen today was built by the Franks on a rock, in the location of an older church. It is said that the Apostle Paul, while on his way to Rome, stopped here to spread Christianity.
The
Church of the Representation of Virgin Mary
The Church is situated in the town of Lefkada. It was built in 1720 during the Venetian rule.
It was renovated in the 18th century and the interiors’ hagiographies are dated to the 19th century.
The Monastery of Panagia Faneromeni
It is the most significant religious monument of Lefkada.
It is situated 2km east of the island’s capital near the village
of Frynio, on a high location with many pine trees and offers an
incredible view over the beach of Ahios Ioannis-Frini.
The interior’s frescoes are dated to the 15th century and are probably connected to Helen Palaeologhina.
The east wall was covered with a monumental representation of the Ascension which is today kept in the Byzantine Museum of Athens.
More information from the website of the Greek Ministry of Culture:
:: click
here
The Church
of Christou Pandokratora
The church is situated in the town of Lefkada. It was built in 1684 by the Venetians after their victory against the Turkish army, in their first attempt to conquer the island.
The church belonged once to the Valaoritis family and the church’s garden houses the grave of the Greek poet Aristotelis Valaoritis. The interiors are well decorated and have an Episcopal throne, a wood carved icon and some hieroglyphics drawn by Sp.Vendouras and D.Kallivokas.
It is said that the monastery has been built on the location of an ancient sanctuary.
It is also said that the Apostle Paul came here to teach Christianity.
The monastery houses the relics of St Arsenios Kappadokis.
The Monastery was built in 1634 but was burned several times. Today,
one can admire the screen created by the well-known artist Efstathios
Prosalendis and the notable icon of the Virgin with its valuable offerings.
