In the beautiful Aegean island of Ikaria, you will find scattered chapels, churches and monasteries. We do not know exactly when Christianity spread as there are no written records.

According to local tradition, Christianity was spread in Ikaria in the early years of the new Faith.

This is based on the fact that St. Paul approached Samos and that Patmos is just a few miles away from the island and there was a maritime law stating that the sailors had to take the Gospel oath.

The most ancient ruins of a Christian temple on the island are reported to be those of the ancient Church of the Archangels in the Miliopos village.

There are of course other churches of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine years, some of them are: St. Irene Campos, St. George Koskina, St. Paul between Campos and Messaria, St. Zacharias Messaria, the holy Apostles of Akamatra, the Zoodotis Christ in Steli with wall paintings of the XV century, St. John the Baptist in Kossikia, probably built in the XVI century and Savior Christ between Daphne and Evdilos.

Ikaria generally followed the rules of Samos in terms of church administration. Ikaria was at times an independent diocese. Today, Samos is the head office of the Cathedral.

Ikaria has about 58 parishes.


"The House of the Virgin Mary", a church Nursing Home is located in St. Kiriko's while the presence of the Monasteries of the island, from which six ones are important are: the Annunciation of Lefkada, whose doors are always open to serve those in need, the Annunciation of Mavrianos, the Annunciation Mounte, the Zoodochou Pigis in Christos St. Kirikos, the Blessed Theoktisti in Pigi and St. Onoufrios Mavrato, which are all mentioned below separately.

•  Evaggelistrias Monastery
Built in the 17th century. Located on the west of Agios Kirikos near Xilosirtis. The church of St. Makarios is inside the monastery.

•  Evaggelistrias Monastery in Mounte
13th-century monastery with wall paintings and old icons. Located close to Christos Rachon in a magnificent green setting with stunning views.

•  Monastery of Osia Theoktisti
Located in the village of Pigi near Campos. The church is painted with the fresco technique following a monastic order.

•  Holy Monastery of Mavrianos
South of Nas, on the west coast of the island. The sea is right opposite with wonderful sunsets.

•  Agia Irini
The "metropolis" of Dolichi, the capital of the island during the Byzantine period.

•  Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi
In Christos, in Agios Kirikos area.

•  Iapapanti
Northeast of the Frantato village.

•  Monastery of St. Onoufrios Mavratos
Between the villages Oxe and Mavrato.

Part of the material in this section is based on Articles of Dora Mamata in "Voice of Youth" magazine.