The Monastery of the Incorporeal Archangel Michael is located outside the mountainous village of Vakeri in the Municipality of Karya, at an altitude of 750 meters. The monastery, although it is broken up and in ruins, has been declared a historic monument (Government Gazette 32/B/23-1-1998). It was founded (or renovated) in the 16th century by the Konidaris family and was at its height during the period of the Venetian occupation (18th century). The Monastery owned a number of Metochias such as the Monastery of Agios Ioannis the Theologian Vournika (1797), the Monastery of Agios Kirikos Athanios, the Church of the Three Hierarchs of Lefkada (1750), the Hermitage Church of Agios Ioannis the Forerunner Vagenas and half of the Church of Agios Georgiou Vathia.
On the site there was a large monastic complex with 19 cells, guest houses, warehouses, stables, an olive press. Ms., which today are in ruins. The temple was small, single-roomed, with a sable wooden roof, complemented by small low cells. Its interior was covered by frescoes (end of the 16th - beginning of the 17th) with the most important being the Virgin Mary Platytera and the Ascension of Jesus (in the niche of the sanctuary), the Great Humiliation (in the altar), the Sacrifice of Abraham, the Vision of Saint Peter as well as of the En Chonais Miracle of the Archangel Michael. The Monastery solemnly celebrates on September 6, the day of the Miracle of the Archangel Michael in En Chonais.
Editor: Niki Kalopaidis