The church of the Virgin Mary of Charos is located at the northeastern end of the island, on a windswept plateau, among orchards and vineyards. The Byzantine monument, which belongs to the transitional cross-in-square architectural type, houses the miraculous icon of the Virgin of Charos. It is a Russian work, probably of the 18th century, depicting a half-length Virgin Mary holding the Cross with the dead Christ upon it.
The icon of Virgin Mary of Charos is considered miraculous, due to a miraculous sign that takes place every year since 1943. That year, in the midst of the Occupation, a young girl made an offering of lilies to the Virgin. The flowers, placed on the icon, remained there and dried. In July of the same year, however, they began to bud and finally bloomed on 23 August, on the celebration of the Afterfeast of the Dormition of Virgin Mary, otherwise known as the Novena of the Virgin. The same thing happens every year to this day. The blooming lilies are placed fresh on the icon on the day of the Annunciation (March 25). They slowly dry out and begin to bloom again a few days before the feast of the Virgin on 23 August.
On the eve of the feast, 22 August, the icon is carried in procession from the parish church of Saint John the Theologian, built with funds provided by the Lipsiot Fraternity of America in 1931. The procession covers a distance of 1800 meters to reach the church of the Virgin Mary. After the festive vespers, celebrated in the monastery of the Virgin of Charos, by the Most Reverend and Patriarchal Exarch of the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian of Patmos, a feast is held in the coastal restaurants, which lasts until dawn.
Means of access:
Car, Pedestrian
Disabled access:
Yes
Opening hours:
Free
Entry fees:
Free
