The monastery of Faneromeni is built on the green pine-covered hill located west of the city and from where the view of Ai Giannis, Gyra and the Castle is magnificent. With a centuries-old history, which probably dates back to the first apostolic times, it is one of the most important monuments of the place and the only monastery on the island that operates today. Tradition states that at the place where it is built, there was the Kallimarmaro Sanctuary of the goddess Artemis. The Disciples of the Apostle Paul who arrived first on the island gathered the inhabitants here and preached Christianity, creating the first "house of euphoria", while one of them, Sosion, was ordained the first bishop of Lefkada and founded the monastery. According to ecclesiastical sources, in the years of Constantine the Great, after the First Ecumenical Synod, five Fathers came with the bishop of Lefkada Agatharchos. Two of them settled in the monastery and the other three founded the Hermitage of the Holy Fathers outside the village of Alexandros. These Fathers built the first cells, enlarged the temple and organized monasticism in Lefkada. Another tradition says that the first icon of the Virgin that was commissioned in Constantinople was revealed "unmade" to the hieromonk and iconographer Kallistos, after his prayer. That is why she was also called Faneromeni. Another tradition says that the first icon of the Virgin that was commissioned in Constantinople was revealed "unmade" to the hieromonk and iconographer Kallistos, after his prayer. That is why she was also called Faneromeni. Another tradition says that the first icon of the Virgin that was commissioned in Constantinople was revealed "unmade" to the hieromonk and iconographer Kallistos, after his prayer. That is why she was also called Faneromeni.
The monastery took its current form during the Venetian occupation in 1734. The church was rebuilt in the 19th century, after two fires, and has features that reveal a strong influence of Zakynthos architecture. The icon of Panagia (1887) is a copy of the old miraculous icon of Faneromeni and was made on Mount Athos. Its iconostasis was made after 1886 and is the work of Efstathios Prosalenis the younger. His icons are the work of the brothers Christodoulos and Thomas Zografou from Chioniades in Epirus. Also, on the aprons of the iconostasis there are works by Leonidas Sideris, with representations from the New Testament. The monastery was recently renovated at the initiative of the Abbot. A new wing of cells, an abbot, a library and a chapel dedicated to Saint Siluanos the Athonite were built. Panagia Faneromeni, standing for centuries on the sacred rock, gathers many pilgrims. She is the patroness and protector of "all the land of Lefkadians" and her grace is celebrated with all the splendor on Monday of the Holy Spirit.
Editor: Niki Kalopaidis
