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A mystical
destination for
Religious
Pilgrimages

Lesvos is an ideal and special religious destination blessed with historical and cultural wealth. A “must” destination for pilgrimages and for people searching to experience the Orthodox faith and traditions, the cultural and historical wealth this destination has to offer you through its art, marble sculptures, wood carvings, mosaics, hagiography and museography. For those with internal quests in search of “inner peace and beauty”.
On Lesvos, the places of religious interest, in addition to their religious significance for the faithful, are monuments of high aesthetic value, monuments associated with the history and the culture of the local communities, monuments that are in harmony with the sublime natural environment. The spirituality of each location, the participation in religious ceremonies, the personal connection with the priests, the elders or the members of the local parish are all unique elements which over the years will make you want to come back and repeat your journey over and over again.
Religious Sites of Lesvos:
Monastery of Taxiarchis Michail (Mantamados)
According to the legend, the monastery was raided by Saracen pirates who slaughtered the monks with the exception of one young novitiate monk who managed to hide in the roof of the church. From there, after the carnage, he saw the figure of Archangel (Taxiarchis) Michail fluttering above the dead bodies of the monks. He took wax and soil that was steeped in their blood and he shaped them to the form of the Archangel the way he had seen it. The church celebrates the Sunday of the myrrh-bearing women two weeks after Resurrection, with a great religious and commercial feast accompanied by the preparation of kisket, a traditional dish offered customarily to the pilgrims. A great percentage of the pilgrims come to the Agios on foot from kilometres away on the eve of the feast while some come riding, on their horses adorned to honour Taxiarchis.
Monastery of Agios Raphail
Built on the hill of Karies amid the olive trees, it is one of the most known devotion places. Today’s monastery was built in the 60s on the foundation of an older monastery which operated in two different periods of the Byzantine era and was completely destroyed by the Ottomans in 1463.
Leimonos Monastery – Agios Ignatios (Kalloni)
Towering and imposing, the Leimonos Monastery is the largest monastery of Lesvos. Since it was founded (1526) it became a place for hermitage and devotion but also a potent incubator for systematic education. Of note are the murals that decorate the interior of the monastery, dating back to the 16th-17th century.
Ipsilou Monastery – The monastery of Agios Ioannis Theologos
is built at the top of Mount Ordymnos on the way to Sigri. For exactly this reason it has been known since the 18th century as the Ipsilou Monastery. The fortress-like architecture with battle portholes and a fortified tower, at first glance gives the impression of a monastery that in the passing of centuries was often forced to defend itself and offer refuge to the people of the surrounding area during attacks.
Panagia of Agia Sion – Our Lady of Zion (Agiasos)
The church of the Dormition of the Mother of God, better known as ‘Panagia of Agiasos’, is one of most visited churches of the island thanks to the miraculous icon of Virgin Mary. However, being known mostly as a pilgrimage place does not do justice to its great historical value, as this is a church with Byzantine foundation and a history that starts from the period of iconoclasm. The erection of the present church started In 1815, a three-nave and triune basilica, impressive for its enormous dimensions (32.20 in length and 26.20 in width).
Panagia Glykofilousa (Petra)
On the northwest side of the island, in enchanting cosmopolitan Petra, is the church of Panagia Glykofilousa, built on a rock on its northern side of which 114 steps that lead to the church have been chiselled. Its excellent fort position invites us to look into its construction during the period of frequent raids in the post Byzantine period.
Panagia Gorgona (Skala Sykamias)
Skala Sykamias is a typical fishing village and the northernmost settlement of the island that faces the Asia Minor coast. There, one can enjoy one of the most beautiful sunsets and visit the charming chapel of Panagia Gorgona. Built on a strip of land that intrudes into the sea, Panagia Gorgona, protector of sailors, took its name from the characteristic mural of an unknown folk painter, depicting Virgin Mary with a mermaid tail in a touching amalgam of religion and tradition.
Church of Agios Therapontas (Mytilene)
The church of Agios Therapontas is one of the most recognizable monuments of the island. Its history, at least in today’s form, is just over one and a half centuries old while it was officially opened in 1935. On the same spot until 1850 there was a small church also dedicated to Agios Therapontas. The church served the needs of the patients and staff of the hospital known as the ‘hotel’ of Mytilini, which operated exactly opposite today’s church, where the building housing the Byzantine and Christian Museum stands.
Metropolitan Church of Agios Athanasios (Mytilene)
The church of Agios Athanasios, metropolitan at least since the beginning of the 18th century, is situated in the centre of the old settlement of Mytilini and it is visible from a great distance thanks to its impressive gothic bell tower, 33m tall.
Church of Agion Theodoron (Mytilene)
The church was founded in 1795 AD. Historically it belongs to the post Byzantine period. It is in the city of Mytilini, to the north and right side of the narrow street of Ermou. What draws the attention is the northern facade of the church where the arches of the narthex are positioned on bulky ridged columns while around its three gates the wall is made of large marble pieces.
Church of Agios Andreas (Eresos)
A church created in the first half of the 5th century that witnesses the flourishing Christian community is that of Agios Andreas in Eressos. Even though the two-story basilica is in ruins, the mosaics that can be found in the central room are still amazing.
Religious Sites of LesvosWebsite
The Monastery of Pameggiston Taxiarchis in Mandamados
The Temple of St. Stephanos- Agios Stephanos-Mandamados
The Monastery of Saint Ignatios – Limonos Monastery
The Women’s Monastery of Panagia Myrsiniotissa in Kalloni
Panagia Gorgona in Skala Skamnia
Church of the Assumption of the Virgin in Petra
Saint Nikolaos in Petra
The Monastery of Ypsilos on route to Sigri
The Monastery of Perivoli on route to Antissa
Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Gavathas, Antissa
Early Christian Basilica of Saint Andrew Eressos
The Monastery Pithariou, Eresos
The Church of St. George in Anemotia
The Monastery of Damandri dedicated to the Dormition of the Virgin (Polichnitos)
Church of the Brisbane Dionysus in Agios Fokas Lesvos
Monastery of Taxiarches Limonos at Dafia
Church of St. John in Kerami
Church of the Transfiguration of Christ the Savior Christ in Papiana
Early Christian Basilica of the Ypsilometopo
Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Agiassos
The Monastery of Saint Raphael, Thermi Mytilini
The Church of St. Therapon in Mytilini
Monastery of Taxiarches (Catholic) at Kato Tritos
Temple of St. Athanasios, Mytilini
Panagia Trouloti, Pyrgoi Thermi
Panagia Kryfti (Hidden Panagia) in Melinda, Plomari
Saint Nikolaos in Plomari
Religious Sites of LesvosWebsite
The Monastery of Pameggiston Taxiarchis in Mandamadoshttp://vr.taxiarhismantamadou.gr/panorama.html
The Temple of St. Stephanos- Agios Stephanos-Mandamadoshttp://odysseus.culture.gr/h/2/gh251.jsp?obj_id=15681
The Monastery of Saint Ignatios – Limonos Monastery
The Women’s Monastery of Panagia Myrsiniotissa in Kalloni
Panagia Gorgona in Skala Skamnia
Church of the Assumption of the Virgin in Petrahttp://odysseus.culture.gr/h/2/eh251.jsp?obj_id=1706
Saint Nikolaos in Petra
The Monastery of Ypsilos on route to Sigrihttp://odysseus.culture.gr/h/2/eh251.jsp?obj_id=1843
The Monastery of Perivoli on route to Antissahttp://odysseus.culture.gr/h/2/eh251.jsp?obj_id=1842
Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Gavathas, Antissa http://www.ypai.gr/Ergo_3.csp
Early Christian Basilica of Saint Andrew Eressoshttp://odysseus.culture.gr/h/2/gh251.jsp?obj_id=1766
The Monastery Pithariou, Eresos
The Church of St. George in Anemotiahttp://odysseus.culture.gr/h/2/eh251.jsp?obj_id=1669
The Monastery of Damandri dedicated to the Dormition of the Virgin (Polichnitos)http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/2/eh251.jsp?obj_id=893
Church of the Brisbane Dionysus in Agios Fokas Lesvoshttp://odysseus.culture.gr/h/2/gh251.jsp?obj_id=20664
Monastery of Taxiarches Limonos at Dafiahttp://odysseus.culture.gr/h/2/gh251.jsp?obj_id=1840
Church of St. John in Keramihttp://odysseus.culture.gr/h/2/gh251.jsp?obj_id=1674
Church of the Transfiguration of Christ the Savior Christ in Papianahttp://odysseus.culture.gr/h/2/gh251.jsp?obj_id=1709
Early Christian Basilica of the Ypsilometopohttp://odysseus.culture.gr/h/2/gh251.jsp?obj_id=7783
Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Agiassoshttp://odysseus.culture.gr/h/2/gh251.jsp?obj_id=1702
The Monastery of Saint Raphael, Thermi Mytilinihttps://www.ieramoni-agiou-rafail.gr/en/the-monastery-w-11.html
The Church of St. Therapon in Mytilinihttp://odysseus.culture.gr/h/2/eh251.jsp?obj_id=1672
Monastery of Taxiarches (Catholic) at Kato Tritoshttp://odysseus.culture.gr/h/2/gh251.jsp?obj_id=5821
Temple of St. Athanasios, Mytilinihttp://odysseus.culture.gr/h/2/gh251.jsp?obj_id=1664
Panagia Trouloti, Pyrgoi Thermihttp://odysseus.culture.gr/h/1/gh151.jsp?obj_id=15701
Panagia Kryfti (Hidden Panagia) in Melinda, Plomari
Saint Nikolaos in Plomarihttp://www.agios.nikolaos.plomariou.gr/

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