church Panagia - Chrysokellarias Moni - Vasilitsi - Messinia

This church dedicated to Panagia - Chrysokellarias Moni (the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin ) is a short distance from Vasilitsi.

The land on which it stands also served as a monastery until a few decades ago . It has a rich history and many notable people have passed through it over the centuries, including the Greek revolutionary leader and national hero of 1821, Theodore Kolokotronis.

The view is beautiful and a natural spring of cold water flows from the cliff that has quenched the thirst of shepherds, animals and passers-by since its creation.

Chrysokellaria was originally built in the 17th century, destroyed by Ibrahim. The church is a Basilica, rebuilt in 1864 and is dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, but celebrates the Holy Trinity. Nunnery (1 nun, named Pagratia).

Tradition says that the reredos was made many years ago from the wood of a half-decayed sailing boat, which washed up on the sea coast of Koroni, and that the monks built both the temple and the icon of the church.

Willem Vandenameele