Tinos Evangelistria Church

Location: Town

Also known as the church of Panagia Megalochari, Evangelistria Church is the greatest pilgrimage site not only in Tinos, but also in the entire country. Despite being actually dedicated to the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, it holds its greatest celebration on the 15th of August, the feast day of the Dormition of the Mother of God, as this date coincides with the torpedoing of Elli, the first act of World War II in Greece.

Brief history

Evangelistria church is located on a hill overlooking Chora, the capital of Tinos. According to tradition, it was built following the visions of Saint Pelagia, a local nun from the Kechrovouni Monastery. Excavations carried out at the indicated place on the 30th of January, 1823, revealed an icon depicting the Virgin Mary praying. As the Greek War of Independence against the Turks had just started, this was considered a good sign and many Greek leaders, such as Kolokotronis, Miaoulis and Markiyiannis, came to Tinos to pray.

This icon is considered miraculous and is now exhibited inside the church. Dating from the 7th century AD, it is a fine sample of early Christian iconography. Pilgrims leave their offerings on the icon, usually asking for good health, and today it is adorned with so many offerings that one can hardly see it. Visitors who wish to get a better glimpse of the icon can find a copy in the chapel on the ground floor. At the same time, many pilgrims choose to cover the distance from the port to the church on their knees, keeping a solemn vow to the Virgin Mary. Thus, since the path is very rough and their knees can get injured, a long red carpet has been laid from the entrance of the church to the port, specifically for this reason.

Description of the temple

Evangelistria Church is actually a complex of buildings erected on the site of an ancient temple of Dionysus and an early Byzantine church dedicated to Saint John. This imposing monument —the first remarkable architectural feat of the newly-founded Greek State— dominates the Town of Tinos and massive quantities of white marble were required for its construction. It is a three-aisled domed basilica designed and decorated by great artists from Smyrna. The three transepts are separated by arcades with imposing marble columns, while the ornately carved altarpiece, whose lower part has been gilded, is truly striking. The magnificent facade, with its two superimposed rows of arches and its neoclassic decorations, is flanked by a beautiful bell tower and two impressive flights of stairs that lead to the main entrance.

Right beneath the Church of Panagia Megalochari, there is also a chapel dedicated to the Life-Giving Spring. This chapel consists of three domed galleries running parallel to one another, the first of which corresponds to the exact location where the icon was discovered. In the middle gallery, which is mainly used for baptisms, visitors can see the ruins of the pre-existing chapel of Saint John, while the third gallery also serves as a baptistry.

Other buildings and museums

The complex also comprises a number of ancillary buildings, including offices, confessionals, guesthouses and a chapel where the faithful can light a candle in honor of the Virgin Mary. Moreover, around the church courtyard, one can find an Exhibition of Ecclesiastical Relics, displaying old Tinian icons and wood-carved religious items. Other things to see within the premises of the church include a small mausoleum dedicated to the victims of the torpedoing of Elli, an Art Gallery with works of renowned Greek and foreign painters, as well as a museum exhibiting works by the great Tinian sculptor Antonios Sohos.

Celebrations

Evangelistria Church celebrates four times a year: on January 30th, the date when the icon was found; on March 25th, the day of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary; on July 23rd, when, according to tradition, Saint Pelagia had the vision that led to the discovery of the icon; and on August 15th, the day of the Dormition of the Mother of God, which is the greatest feast celebrated in every part of Greece. Pilgrims and officials flock to the island, while the Hellenic Navy sends a ship in honor of the feast. A mass is performed in the morning, followed by a procession of the icon around Chora.