Saint Donatos the Wonderworker is the Patron Saint of Paramythia. He lived during the reign of Emperor Theodosius the Great and was Bishop of the city of Euroea, which was one of the 12 cities of Epirus and was built on the site where the village of Choika is today. It is reported by the ecclesiastical historian of late antiquity Sozomen, that Saint Donatos performed many miracles, such as the successful battle with a dragon, the purification of the waters of a well, the rescue of the daughter of Emperor Theodosius, as well as the resurrection of the dead. He reposed in 387.
1. The Metropolitan Church of Saint Donatos in Paramythia
The Metropolitan Church of Saint Donatos in Paramythia is the epicenter of the veneration of Saint Donatos for Orthodox Christians. It is the church that preserves a portion of the Sacred Relics of Saint Donatos the Wonderworker, which, through the actions of His Eminence Metropolitan Titus of Paramythia and His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, were transferred on September 29, 2000 from the Church of Our Lady of Murano in Venice and were deposited with much reverence and splendor in the magnificent Metropolitan Church and seat of the Metropolis of Paramythia, where Saint Donatos is the patron saint. It is an imposing church, the construction of which was completed in the early 1970s.
The Metropolitan Church of Saint Donatos in Paramythia is the epicenter of the veneration of Saint Donatos for Orthodox Christians. It is the church that preserves a portion of the Sacred Relics of Saint Donatos the Wonderworker, which, through the actions of His Eminence Metropolitan Titus of Paramythia and His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, were transferred on September 29, 2000 from the Church of Our Lady of Murano in Venice and were deposited with much reverence and splendor in the magnificent Metropolitan Church and seat of the Metropolis of Paramythia, where Saint Donatos is the patron saint. It is an imposing church, the construction of which was completed in the early 1970s.
2. Church of Saint Donatos in the homonymous settlement of Paramythia (Sametia)
Dimensions 6.5x9 meters, built on the ruins of the older church which in 1454 the Sacred Relics of Saint Spyridon and Saint Theodora were kept, as an intermediate station from Constantinople to Kerkyra and before they were transferred to the Church of the Panagia in Paramythia.
Dimensions 6.5x9 meters, built on the ruins of the older church which in 1454 the Sacred Relics of Saint Spyridon and Saint Theodora were kept, as an intermediate station from Constantinople to Kerkyra and before they were transferred to the Church of the Panagia in Paramythia.
3. Church in the Castle of Saint Donatos in Paramythia
In the Castle of Paramythia, there was until 1605 the Church of Saint Donatos, whose name was given to the Castle of Paramythia. The church was built by Emperor Justinian.
In the Castle of Paramythia, there was until 1605 the Church of Saint Donatos, whose name was given to the Castle of Paramythia. The church was built by Emperor Justinian.
4. Church of Saint Donatos in Iroiko of Souli
The Chapel of Saint Donatos in Pigadia was turned into a cistern during the Turkish occupation with Ali Pasha. A baker in the 1820s named Nastos Tokas settled in the area with his family and restored the chapel which exists to this day.
The Chapel of Saint Donatos in Pigadia was turned into a cistern during the Turkish occupation with Ali Pasha. A baker in the 1820s named Nastos Tokas settled in the area with his family and restored the chapel which exists to this day.
5. Church of Saint Donatos in Grika, Paramythia
The church of Grika has dimensions of 16.5x9 meters. It is also built on the ruins of an older church. 3 icons from the older church, painted on elm leaf by the iconographer Nikolaos N.K., are still preserved today. It was renovated in 1868 by the then Metropolitan of Paramythia, Titus Mattheakis.
The church of Grika has dimensions of 16.5x9 meters. It is also built on the ruins of an older church. 3 icons from the older church, painted on elm leaf by the iconographer Nikolaos N.K., are still preserved today. It was renovated in 1868 by the then Metropolitan of Paramythia, Titus Mattheakis.
6. Church of Saint Donatos in Ano Pagrati, Paramythia
The church is built in the idyllic area of the mountainous old Pagrati, Paramythia. Surrounded by greenery, it receives many believers on the feast of the Saint.
The church is built in the idyllic area of the mountainous old Pagrati, Paramythia. Surrounded by greenery, it receives many believers on the feast of the Saint.
7. Church of Saint Donatos on the Acheron River
The Church of Saint Donatos in Glyki is undated. It is historical as it was originally the tomb of Saint Donatos. The Acheron also features prominently in Greek mythology, where it is often depicted as the entrance to the Greek Underworld where souls must be ferried across by Charon.
The Church of Saint Donatos in Glyki is undated. It is historical as it was originally the tomb of Saint Donatos. The Acheron also features prominently in Greek mythology, where it is often depicted as the entrance to the Greek Underworld where souls must be ferried across by Charon.
8. Castle of Saint Donatos of Zervochori, Paramythia
The Castle of Saint Donatos of Zervochori is situated at the foot of the mounts of Paramythia, south of the small village of Asfaka, in the area that during the ancient period was the territory of Elea.
Its establishment, assumed in the 3rd century BC, is related to the supervision and control of the area from the “Thesprotian Koinon” and the policy of King Pyrrhus in order to strengthen the defense of his extensive kingdom.
The fortified area occupied the top of the hill and had a rhomboid ground plan. Its southern and eastern sides were protected by a strong polygonal wall, while the northern side was steep and unwalled. Access to the ancient settlement was via the main gate in the northeast, which was protected by a tower. Inside the citadel the land was formed into successive terraces by strong retaining walls.
After the destruction of Epirus by the Romans in 167 BC, within the fortress an extensive and luxurious residence was constructed, while in modern times in the middle of the lower terrace a small chapel was built, dedicated to Saint Donatos. Ancient building material from the superstructure of a significant Hellenistic building was incorporated in its walls.
The Castle of Saint Donatos of Zervochori is situated at the foot of the mounts of Paramythia, south of the small village of Asfaka, in the area that during the ancient period was the territory of Elea.
Its establishment, assumed in the 3rd century BC, is related to the supervision and control of the area from the “Thesprotian Koinon” and the policy of King Pyrrhus in order to strengthen the defense of his extensive kingdom.
The fortified area occupied the top of the hill and had a rhomboid ground plan. Its southern and eastern sides were protected by a strong polygonal wall, while the northern side was steep and unwalled. Access to the ancient settlement was via the main gate in the northeast, which was protected by a tower. Inside the citadel the land was formed into successive terraces by strong retaining walls.
After the destruction of Epirus by the Romans in 167 BC, within the fortress an extensive and luxurious residence was constructed, while in modern times in the middle of the lower terrace a small chapel was built, dedicated to Saint Donatos. Ancient building material from the superstructure of a significant Hellenistic building was incorporated in its walls.
9. Chapel of Saint Donatos in Kerkyra
This chapel is hidden in a landscape with intense vegetation, between Kritika and Vitalades. It has been renovated in the recent past and does not display any particular characteristics, although the sanctuary probably betrays an old phase. The oldest reference to it so far comes from 1494 and places it "in Lakiadon", which allows us to spatially locate this destroyed settlement. In the following centuries it is recorded as belonging to the Barony of Darmer. It is noteworthy that in this church the people of Lefkimmi hid, so as not to fall into the hands of the Nazis, ten American airmen in 1943, members of the crew of a B-17 bomber that crashed in the area of the Lefkimmi salt flats.
This chapel is hidden in a landscape with intense vegetation, between Kritika and Vitalades. It has been renovated in the recent past and does not display any particular characteristics, although the sanctuary probably betrays an old phase. The oldest reference to it so far comes from 1494 and places it "in Lakiadon", which allows us to spatially locate this destroyed settlement. In the following centuries it is recorded as belonging to the Barony of Darmer. It is noteworthy that in this church the people of Lefkimmi hid, so as not to fall into the hands of the Nazis, ten American airmen in 1943, members of the crew of a B-17 bomber that crashed in the area of the Lefkimmi salt flats.
10. Church of Saint Donatos in Lefkada
On the plateau of Egklouvi, in central Lefkada, in a location of particular natural beauty and historical interest, which is located at an altitude of 900 meters and is traditionally used for the cultivation of the well-known variety of lentils, is the small but old church of Saint Donatos, which was renovated in 1980.
On the plateau of Egklouvi, in central Lefkada, in a location of particular natural beauty and historical interest, which is located at an altitude of 900 meters and is traditionally used for the cultivation of the well-known variety of lentils, is the small but old church of Saint Donatos, which was renovated in 1980.
11. The Byzantine ruined Chapel of Saint Donatos in Kastoria
A chapel on Mount Sarakina in Korisos was dedicated to Saint Donatos and was located – now in ruins – near its highest peak (altitude 1,386 m). This mountain peak takes its name from the patron saint of the said church and is called “Ai-Donatos” or “Aidonakos” (linguistic corruption). The mentioned chapel was built during the Byzantine period with limestone from the area. Its area is approximately 20 sq m. Over the years, its roof collapsed, its icons were destroyed and its name was forgotten by the residents of Korisos. The shepherds of Sarakina called it Paleoklisi and that is how it is marked on the maps of the area. Around the year 1960, two pious residents of Korisos, Chrysostomos Tsiopras and Argyris Tzahalis, partially restored it and dedicated it to Panagia Evangelistria. However, again, due to the difficult access of its area, it was abandoned by the parishioners of Korissos, its roof fell and today it is again in ruins.
A chapel on Mount Sarakina in Korisos was dedicated to Saint Donatos and was located – now in ruins – near its highest peak (altitude 1,386 m). This mountain peak takes its name from the patron saint of the said church and is called “Ai-Donatos” or “Aidonakos” (linguistic corruption). The mentioned chapel was built during the Byzantine period with limestone from the area. Its area is approximately 20 sq m. Over the years, its roof collapsed, its icons were destroyed and its name was forgotten by the residents of Korisos. The shepherds of Sarakina called it Paleoklisi and that is how it is marked on the maps of the area. Around the year 1960, two pious residents of Korisos, Chrysostomos Tsiopras and Argyris Tzahalis, partially restored it and dedicated it to Panagia Evangelistria. However, again, due to the difficult access of its area, it was abandoned by the parishioners of Korissos, its roof fell and today it is again in ruins.
12. The Church of Saint Donato in Murano, Italy
Murano, located in the Venetian Lagoon, in northern Italy, is in a sense an island. There is the Church of Saint Donato where the Sacred Relic of Saint Donatos is kept, which was transferred there by the Crusaders when they stole it from the Castle of Cassiopeia in Keryra, where it was transferred by the Paramythians to escape the descent of the barbarians. The church is imposing with mosaics and the relic of our Saint is in a structure made of wood and marble.
Murano, located in the Venetian Lagoon, in northern Italy, is in a sense an island. There is the Church of Saint Donato where the Sacred Relic of Saint Donatos is kept, which was transferred there by the Crusaders when they stole it from the Castle of Cassiopeia in Keryra, where it was transferred by the Paramythians to escape the descent of the barbarians. The church is imposing with mosaics and the relic of our Saint is in a structure made of wood and marble.
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
