PANAGHIA CHURCH

The island's most beautiful and imposing church (εκκλησία της Παναγίας) is dedicated to the Virgin. It overlooks Chora and the Aegean Sea from a hill. The church and its path are recognizable among a thousand and will surely remain etched in your memories. The present church dates back to the last century, but was part of a larger convent of which virtually nothing remains today. It is said to have been built on the foundations of an ancient temple dedicated to Artemis or Poseidon, depending on the version. Some of the marble elements of the first sanctuaries can still be seen today in the church, with its beautiful simplicity and starry dome. Of particular note is the bishop's throne, or cathedra, in engraved marble. And don't miss the icon of the Miraculous Virgin, encircled in silver. The story goes that it was stolen by a certain Tzanoum Hodja in 1715, when this pirate pillaged the island and the church before setting sail again. Some time later, the Virgin Mary appeared to Hodja in his sleep and begged him to bring her back to Folegandros. Disturbed by this dream, the pirate threw the icon into the sea in the port of Chios. According to legend, the icon drifted for years and years until it reached the coast of Ios, the island next to Folegandros. There, a captain found it and recognized it: the miraculous icon could return to its homeland. In 1857, it was returned to the church. Since then, it has been the object of veneration by the island's inhabitants. At Easter, it is carried in procession through every village.