Opposite the central settlement of Vragiana in Argithea, on the slope of the mountain Mirmitzala is the Monastery of the Metamorphosis of Sotiros (Transfiguration of Christ). It was founded on 11 July 1655 by the priest monk Parthenios, as mentioned in a small inscription over the entrance of the main church. The church is small, shaped as a cross, without a dome, and has a wooden carved screen of great values. The narthex was added in 1797.
The monastery played an important role in modern Greek history because many of the Greek fighters of 1821 (Karaiskakis, Katsantonis, Boukouvalas) found refuge there and used as their centre for supplies during the war. Also many families who couldn’t stand the Turkish oppression received permission to love near the monastery. That is how the settlement Gribiana was created. On 18 December 1862 traitors from Vragiana led 17 Turkish-Albanians from Arta to loot the monastery. It was then that the abbot Constantinos, the priest Athanasios Oikonomou and other six Christians were killed and precious religious vessels were stolen.
In 1952 the monastery was renovated but only in the present days and with the initiative of the Metropolitan Kyrillos three monks settled there and they undertook the care of the monastery.
Today there are 2 monks there.
Informations
Additional
Date:
1655
Season:
Post-Byzantine
Celebrates:
6th of August
Holy Metropolis:
Thessaliotida, Fanari and Pharsalos
Address:
Vragiana 43066
Access:
Car
Parking:
Free
Schedule:
Daily morning-evening
