Patrick Comerford
Over the past week or so, I have been sifting through photographs of and postings about cathedrals, churches, chapels and monasteries throughout Greece, putting together this guide to the churches and church sites I have visited, similar to those I have compiled for churches in Milton Keynes and Buckinghamshire, Staffordshire and the Diocese of Lichfield, Oxford, Co Wexford, Co Limerick and Dublin.
I have been a frequent visitor to Greece for almost 40 years, since the late 1980s, when I first stayed in Rethymnon. In time, three churches have become, effectively, my parish churches in Crete: the Church of the Four Martyrs in Rethymnon, and the paired churches in Platanias and Tsesmes. As the list of Greek churches, cathedral, chapels and monasteries I have visited grows, I am surprised how many I have visited, and by this afternoon the number has grown to more than 130.
But I am also surprised by the number of churches I have visited in Greece but have never blogged about or have lost my photographs of.
I compiled a now-lost feature as a guide to the cathedrals and churches of Athens to mark the Athens Olympics in 2004. But over the past 22 years, all those notes and photographs seem to have been lost on old laptop, missing memory sticks, or on memory sticks that no longer seem to remember anything.
Gone too are photographs from my journeys throughout the Peloponnese and past visits to many islands on working trips and family holidays, including islands such as Halki, Ikaria, Kalolimnos, Kalymnos, Kephallonia, Kos, Patmos, Pserimos, Rhodes, Samos, Santorini and Zakynthos.
Missing are notes and photographs from many places in Athens and the Peloponnese, especially from Mystras, with its amazing hill-top Byzantines ruins and from islands such as Ithaka, Kephalonia –including churches that are part of the story of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, Kalymnos, Kos, Leros, Patmos, Pserimos, Rhodes, Samos, Symi and Zakynthos. The photographs from Patmos included the Monastery of Saint John and the cave where he wrote the Book of Revelation.
Lost too are photographs from those early visits to Crete from the 1980s, including churches in Vai, Ierapetra and Paliachora, and monasteries such as Gonia Monastery (Μονή Γωνιάς), or the Monastery of Panagia Hodegetria (Μονή της Οδηγήτριας) in Kolymbari, about 26 km outside Chania, with the Orthodox Academy of Crete and its Patristic library – it was the venue for the Pan-Orthodox Synod ten years ago in June 2016, and I may try to recover some of those memories in a posting in the days to come.
To make it easier to find those memories and postings, or to download my photographs of Greek churches, I have put together this guide in recent days. It does not include Greek Orthodox churches and cathedrals I have visited outside Greece; nor are all the churches in this guide Greek Orthodox – some are Anglican and Roman Catholic.
As I recover some more of those lost photographs and memories, or find more of these postings lost in poor labelling, I intend to update this guide and to provide a link in the toolbar at the top of this site.
Athens:
1, Agia Dynami Church, Athens (29 Spril 2024)
2, Church of Kapnikarea, Ermou Street (21 August 2017)
3, Saint Paul’s Church (Anglican), Philellenon Street, Athens (25 February 1997) and HERE (25 January 2026)
4, Church of Aghios Philippos (Apostle Philip), Monastiraki (21 August 2017)
Corfu:
Cathedrals:
5, The Cathedral of the Virgin Spiliotissas and Saint Vlassis and Saint Theodora, Corfu (5 September 2019) and HERE (1 August 2021)
6, Achilleion Palace chapel, Gastouri (4 August 2021)
7, (former) Church of the Annunziata (Roman Catholic), Corfu (29 April 2020)
8, Church of Saint Eleftherios and Saint Anna, Corfu 6 September 2019) and HERE (3 August 2021)
9, (former) Saint George’s Church (Anglican garrison church), Corfu (7 August 2021)
10, Saint George, Aghios Georgios (29 April 2020)
11, Holy Trinity Church (Anglican church), Corfu (4 September 2019) and HERE (7 August 2021)
12, Church of the Panagia Kassopitra, Kassiopi (4 September 2019) and HERE (5 August 2021)
13, Church of Panagia Mandrakina, Corfu (6 September 2019) and HERE (29 April 2020)
14, Church of Saint Spyridon, Corfu (25 August 2019) and HERE (2 August 2021)
15, Church of Saint Spyridon, Palaiokastritsa (6 August 2021)
16, Vlacherna church and convent (3 September 2019) and HERE (29 April 2020)
Crete:
Aghios Nikolaos:
17, Saint Nicholas, Aghios Nikolaos (5 December 2022)
Argiroupolis:
18, Church of Aghia Dynami, Argiroupolis (8 July 2017)
Chania:
Cathedrals:
18, Cathedral of the Panaghia Trimartiri, Chania (19 June 2018)
19, Cathedral of the Assumption (Roman Catholic), Chania
20, Aghia Magdalini, Dagli Street, Chalepa (2 July 22017)
Élos:
21, Agios Ioannis Theologos, Élos (17 July 2016) and HERE (19 April 2020)
22, Aghios Nikolas, Élos (19 April 2020) and HERE (5 Deceember 2022)
Georgioupoli:
23, Analipsi Church, Georgioupoli (14 June 2018)
24, Saint Barbara, Georgioupoli (14 June 2018)
25, Chapel of the Prophet Elijah (16 June 2018)
26, Feriniki Chapel (16 June 2018)
27, Chapel of Aghios Nikolaos, Georgioupoli (9 July 2017) also HERE (20 June 2018) and HERE (5 December 2022)
Gramvousa:
28, Chapel of the Twelve Apostles, Gramvousa Bay (8 July 2016) and HERE (19 April 2020)
Hóra Sfakíon
29, Searching for the 100 churches and chapels of Hóra Sfakíon (17 June 2018)
Iraklion:
Cathedrals:
30, Saint Minas Cathedral, Iraklion (20 April 2025) and HERE (24 July 2017)
31, (former) Saint Mark’s Church (former cathedral), Eleftheriou Venizelou Square (25 May 2025)
32, Saint Titus Church (former cathedral) (18 May 2025)
Churches and chapels:
33, Saint Andreas Church, Nikolaos Plastiras Street (25 May 2025)
34, Saint Catherine of Sinai, Iraklion (8 May 2021) and HERE (3 September 2017)
35, Saint Dimitrios Church, Marineli Street (25 May 2025)
36, Saint Dimitrios Church, Ikarou street (25 May 2025)
37, Holy Cross Church (Roman Catholic), Iraklion (23 May 2026)
38, Church of Saint Matthew of the Sinaites, Iraklion (4 May 2025)
39, Saint Minas Church, Iraklion (20 April 2025)
40, Saint Peter’s Church (Saint Peter and Saint Paul), Iraklion (11 May 2025)
See also:
41, The Cretan School of Icons and its contribution to Western Art, public lecture (27 June 2009)
Kalamitsi Alexandrou:
42, Church of Aghia Triada, Kalamitsi Alexandrou (22 June 2018)
Kourtaliotiko Gorge:
43, Agia Kyriaki Chapel (not available yet)
Koutouloufári:
44, Aghios Vasilios, Koutouloufári (4 July 2010), also HERE (7 May 2021), HERE (22 April 2023) and HERE (24 April 2024)
Maroulas:
45, Church of Aghia Anna (4 September 2016)
46, The double Church of Aghios Nikolaos and Aghios Antonios (4 September 2016)
47, The Despotiko, summer residence of the Archbishop of Rethymnon (4 September 2016)
Panormos:
48, (former) Basilica of Aghia Sophia (3 July 2017) and HERE (25 April 2025)
49, Church of Saint Agathopodos, Panormos (25 April 2024)
50, Church of the Ascension and Saint George, Panormos (5 May 2021) and HERE (21 April 2025)
51, Graveyard chapel, Panormos (25 April 2024)
Piskopianó:
52, Church of the Transfiguration, Piskopianó (24 April 2024)
53, (former) Church of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary, Piskopianó (24 April 2024)
54, (former) Church of Saint Dimitrios (24 April 2024)
55, Graveyard chapel, Piskopianó (24 April 2024)
Rethymnon:
Cathedrals:
56, The Cathedral of the Presentation of the Virgin in the Temple, Mitropolis Square (29 March 2021), and also HERE (4 May 2021) and HERE (27 April 2025)
57, (former Venetian) Cathedral of Saint Nicholas, the Fortezza (8 October 2021)
58, Aghios Anargyron, Koumoundourou Street (29 April 2024)
59, Saint Anthony’s Church, Mitropolis Square (17 January 2026) and HERE (3 October 2021)
60, Saint Anthony of Padua Church (Roman Catholic), Mesolongíou Street (11 January 2018) and HERE (10 October 2021)
61, Saint Barbara’s Church, Aghia Barbara Street (11 June 2018), also HERE (6 Seprember 2021)
62, (former) Saint Catherine’s Church, the Fortezza (6 October 20221)
63, Saint Constantine and Saint Helena Church (28 September 2021) and HERE (27 April 2025)
64, (former) Corpus Christi Chapel, beside the Nerantze Mosque (6 July 2012) and HERE (9 October 2021)
65, Church of the Four Martyrs, Tessaron Martiron Square (3 May 2021) and HERE (27 Apri;l2025)
66, (former) Saint Francis Church, now the The Archaeological Museum of Rethymnon, Ethnikís Antistaseos Street (4 October 2021) and HERE (27 April 2025)
67, Saint George’s Church, Aghios Gheorghíou Street (1 O
68, Saint George’s Church, Egeou Street (23 April 22024)
69, (former) Saint Lazarus Church, Patelárou Street (8 July 2012)
70, (former) Santa Maria Church, Ethnikis Antistaseos (Nerantze Mosque), Rethymnon (27 April 2025)
71, Saint Mary Magdalene Church, Nea Magnesia (22 July 2017)
72, Mikri Panaghia (Church of Our Lady of the Angels), Nikifórou Foká Street (30 September 2019), and HERE (8 July 2012)
73, Saint Nektarios Church, Ioannou Melissinou street, Rethymnon (27 September 2021)
74, Saint Nektarios Church, Tsemes (19 April 2023)
75, Saint Nicholas Church, Priskosoridi street and Emmanouil Kefalogianni avenue (6 December 2023)
76, (former) Church of Aghia Sophia, Koronaíou Street, Rethymnon (6 July 2012)
77, (former) Church of Saint Theodore or Aghios Theodoros Trachinás, the Fortezza (7 October 2021)
78, Aghia Triada (Church of the Holy Trinity), Platanias (5 October 2021) and HERE (19 April 2023)
See also:
79, The former Episcopal Palace, the Fortezza, Rethymnon (8 October 2021)
80, The Bishop’s Palace, Mousoúrou Street, and the Diocesan Church Museum, Rethymnon (8 July 2012)
81, ‘The Bishop’s House’, Rethymnon (1 October 2021)
82, Greek roadside shrines (4 July 2016)
Spinalonga:
83, The Church of Saint Panteleímon (4 October 2010)
Kastellórizo:
84, Cathedral of Saint Constantine and Saint Helena, Kastellórizo (6 November 2011)
85, Church of Saint George of the Well, Kastellórizo (6 November 2011)
Santorini:
86, Saint Anastasis Church and the churches of Santorini (30 March 2014), also HERE (9 June 2017), HERE (4 September 2017) and HERE (30 November 2017)
Thessaloniki:
Cathedrals:
87, Cathedral of Saint Gregory Palamas (26 July 2021) and HERE (18 April 2020)
88, Roman Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Frangon Street (18 April 2020)
Churches and chapels:
89, Church of Óssios Davíd (18 April 2020)
90, Church of Aghios Dimitrios (27 July 2021), also HERE (26 October 2020) and also HERE (18 April 2020)
91, Church of the Prophítis Ilías (18 April 2020)
92, Church of Saint Menas (18 April 2020)
93, Church of the Panagia Acheiropoietos (7 April 2018), also HERE (28 July 2021) and HERE (18 April 2020)
94, Church of Panaghía Chalkéon (29 July 2021) and HERE (18 April 2020)
95, Church of Panagia Deksia (31 July 2021) also HERE (18 April 2020)
96, Church of Aghios Panteleimon (18 April 2020)
97, The Rotunda Church, Aghios Georgios (25 July 2021) and HERE (18 April 2020)
98, Church of the Saviour or the Church of the Transfiguration (9 April 2018), also HERE (30 July 2021) and HERE (18 April 2020)
99, Church of Aghia Sophia (18 April 2020)
Monasteries in Greece:
Crete:
100, Monastery of Saint Anastasia, Tsesmes (30 June 2021) and HERE (4 July 2016)
101, Arkadi Monastery (5 July 2012), also HERE (11 July 2017) and HERE (1 May 2021)
102, Moni Arsanios (Saint George), Pagalohori (29 June 2021) and HERE (3 July 2016)
103, (former) Saint Barbara’s Monastery (Kara Musa Pasha Mosque), Rethymnon (1 July 2021) also and HERE (24 August 2014)
104, Capuchin Friary, Chania ()
105, Panagia Chalevi, near Chromonastiri (2 Seotember 2013)
106, Chryssoskalítíssa (the Golden Step) (19 June 2023) and HERE (30 May 2024))
107, Agia Irini, near Rethymnon (10 October 2013), also HERE (25 August 2014) and HERE (27 June 2021)
108, Gonia Monastery (Panagia Hodegetria), Kolymvari (not available yet)
109, Saint George, Karydi (21 June 2018)
110, Saint John the Theologian, Preveli (28 August 2014) and HERE (28 June 2021)
111,The monastic Church of Saint Paisios, Damnoni (19 September 2021) and HERE (7 November 2021)
112,The monastic Chapel of Saint Savvas, Preveli (not avilable yet)
113, Aghios Panteleimon, Adele (3 July 2016)
114, Agia Triada Tsangarolon, Chania (31 May 2024)
Meteora:
115, All Saints or Varlaam (27 August 2019) and HERE (6 October 2019)
116, Great Meteoron (27 August 2019) and HERE (6 October 2019)
117, Holy Trinity (27 August 2019) and HERE (6 October 2019)
118, Rousanou or Saint Barbara (27 August 2019) and HERE (6 October 2019)
119, Saint Nicholas Anapafsas, near Kastraki (27 August 2019) and HERE (6 October 2019)
The katholikon or main church in the Monastery of Vatopedi on Mount Athos (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)Mount Athos:
120, Mount Athos on the Chalkidiki peninsula (19 June 2004), also HERE (2 September 2018), and HERE (24 April 2020)
121, Dionysiou (2 September 2018), also HERE (24 April 2020)
122, Docheiariou (2 September 2018), also HERE (24 April 2020)
123, Esphigmenou (2 September 2018) also HERE (24 April 2020)
124, Gregoriou (2 September 2018), also HERE (24 April 2020)
125, Saint Panteleimon (2 September 2018) also HERE (24 April 2020)
126, Saint Paul (2 September 2018), also HERE (24 April 2020)
127, Simonopetra (2 September 2018), also HERE (24 April 2020)
128, Vatopedi (19 June 2004), also HERE (24 April 2020) and HERE (1 April 2021)
129, Xenophontos (2 September 2018) also HERE (24 April 2020)
130, Xeropotamou (2 September 2018) also HERE (24 April 2020)
131, Zographou or Saint George the Zograf Monastery also HERE (24 April 2020)
132, The Skete of Mount Athos, including Kelli Ayiou Modestou, Skiti Monoxilites, and Metochi Chourmitsis (2 September 2018), also HERE (24 April 2020)
Thessaloniki:
133, The Monastery of Vlatádon, Thessaloniki (9 April 2020), also HERE (18 April 2020), and HERE (29 April 2021)
See Also:
134, The offices of Mount Athos, Egnatia Street, Thessaloniki (2 September 2018) and HERE (18 April 2020)
135, The Greek word εκκλησία (ekklesia), Church (13 August 2025)
136, The Greek words ναός (naos) and ἱερός (ieros), Church (19 September 2021)
137, The Greek words μοναστήριον (monastērion), ‘a monastery,’ (21 August 2025)
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