Panagia Theoskepasti

Panagia Theoskepasti in Andros is located in Chora of the noble island and is one of the most important churches of the Cyclades. During the week of the last greetings and specifically on the Saturday of this week, fifteen days before Easter, the whole island celebrates in Panagia Theoskepasti. The church is a symbol of orthodoxy and the patron of the whole island, but also of the sailors. It is a white-washed church, large and imposing, and hides a legend behind its construction. a legend that highlights its miraculous origins.

Panagia Theoskepasti in Andros – The legendary story

So, the legend behind the construction of Panagia Theoskepasti in Andros is very interesting. One night, many years ago, a ship was in danger, because of extreme weather conditions. Just as the sailors were beginning to accept their fate they spotted a blinding light in the distance. Trying to understand what was happening, they discerned the image of the Virgin Mary. With no other choice and hoping that she would protect them, they followed the bright light. The closer they got to the image, the calmer the sea became. Thus they managed to reach the land safely and with absolute devotion, they venerated the icon. After the prayers and the pilgrimage, the sailors decided to transfer the icon to a safer place, namely to the chapel of St. Athanasius. But to their surprise, when dawn broke, the icon of the Virgin Mary was missing. They then discovered that the icon had gone back to the cave and they decided to build a church there in her honor.

The God-given timber

Panagia Theoskepasti in Andros and the legend behind it don’t stop here. The sailors and the locals were unable to complete the construction of the church as they lacked wood for the roof. At the same time, a few kilometers away from the Aegean Sea, another ship loaded with timber was in danger of sinking. The captain of the ship, in order to save his crew, took the decision to throw the ship’s cargo overboard to lighten the load. Moments later, the sea began to wash away all the timber needed to complete the roof of the church. This is why the church was named Panagia Theoskepasti in Andros, as its construction and roof were completed miraculously.