Inside a Greek Orthodox church

Hello dear friends,
Today I am bringing you some pictures from a Greek orthodox church. This church is built in the popular, naif style, often encountered in the Greek countryside.
This is the church of St. Paraskevi on the island of Thassos, in the Northern Aegean. It was built in 1843.

As is the tradition in Greek Orthodox churches, you can see the "Templon" with the door leading to the altar at the center. To the left is the icon of Virgin Mary and further to the left, the icon of the Saint honoured in that church.

To the right of the main ("Beautiful") gate, Jesus Christ, and further to the right, St. John the Baptist.

Above the gates, God's eye beaming and watching over us.

We visited the church in July 2010, the eve of the Saint's day. The priest, his wife, daughter and son in law were hard at work setting everything ready for the Sain't day, polishing the glass lights and laying the newly cleaned carpets.

The frescoes, among them that of Adam and Eve, have been uncovered during the current restoration work taking place in the church.

Apart from the frescoes and the icons set in the Templon, people often bring icons as offerings to the church, as a prayer or a thank you, or to be blessed for 40 days, and then be taken back to their homes. I particularly liked this icon of Virgin Mary and Christ. They both look so serene.

"Appropriate to your calling, O Champion Paraskevi,

you worshipped with the readiness your name bears. 

For an abode you obtained faith, which is your namesake. 

Wherefore, you pour forth healing and intercede for our souls".

We have the best memories from that short summer vacation, that will keep us pleasant company in the winter.

I wish you all a happy and blessed new week,