The Naidrium of Agia Theodora in Vasta Megalopolis Arcadia is unique in its kind! It is a pilgrimage known nationwide. Small chapel of the village, on the border of Arcadia with Messinia, of the tenth century, which was built to honor the memory of the Martyr Theodora, a local Saint! Saint Theodora, who lived a glorious life, was slandered and after being forcibly brought here, she was executed by executioners! The last words of her prayer were: "May my body become a temple, my hair trees and my blood a river"!
The absurd, logically, these words of a faithful soul in defense of her honor, were accepted by heaven and the truth shone forth. Thus, in the temple built by the believers miraculously sprouted and there are 17 trees! And one may reasonably wonder how it is possible for them to be preserved, how, when strong winds blow, they do not topple over? precisely because of this unique feature, multitudes of people arrive, from the side of Messinia and Megalopolis, through Issari, to admire the monument and miracle of Faith.
It is an amazing image, that 17 large trees, with thick trunks, have grown on the roof of a hill, and that they have been standing there for years, in the rain and the wind, a miracle alive, incredible! Crowds of people flock throughout the year to see the great miracle of nature, of life, of God! Her memory is celebrated on the 11th of September.
Editor: Fotini Anastasopoulou