Agios Georgios

What is remarkable is that the iconostasis of this church bears the signatures of six pirates/smugglers who contributed financially to the construction – a fascinating detail that reflects the maritime history of the region.

The Church of Agios Georgios (Άγιος Γεώργιος) in Koufonissia is not just any little church – it is the religious and cultural heart of this small Cycladic island. The church was completed in 1870. Craftsmen from neighboring Santorini were hired for the construction. For the plaster layer, they used Theraic earth (θηραϊκή γη) – a volcanic material from Santorini that creates an exceptionally hard and durable surface.

The beautiful wooden iconostasis (the wall with icons behind the altar) was installed in 1890, along with the icon of Agios Georgios.

The church stands prominently in the center of Chora, the main town of Koufonissia (on Kato Koufonisi), halfway along the cobblestone road. The church is surrounded by mature pine trees that provide shade on the low stone wall where visitors can sit and observe village life.

Agios Georgios is the patron saint of Koufonissia. The official feast day is April 23, unless this falls during Great Lent (when no saints' days are celebrated), in which case the feast is moved to the Monday after Easter.

The church houses a reliquary of Agios Georgios that was donated to the church in 2000 by the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem.

The feast day of Agios Georgios is the most important day of the year for the islanders:

The icon of the saint is carried through the village in a solemn procession, accompanied by singing and hymns.

The Epitaph (Shroud of Christ) with fragments of the relics of Agios Georgios is carried around, thereby blessing the entire island. In the past, there was also a procession with fishing boats along the coastline.

After the service, a traditional party follows with free food and drinks for all guests.

Pascal Brackman