An ancient chapel has been discovered during restoration work that has been ongoing since 2015 at Panagia Soumela in Trapezounta, one of the most important and historical monasteries of Christianity.
According to reports, this great discovery emerged, as a secret tunnel was found in the northern part of the monastery under the roof, leading to a chapel.
In particular, the Director of Culture and Tourism of Trebizond, Ali Ayvazoglu, said that with the completion of the work scheduled for July or August 2018, “there will be some surprises for the visitors. They will now have access to the entire monastery and to the old library. At a point just discovered now, we also unveiled an unknown chapel.”
The chapel is on the right and above the northern roof and access is through a tunnel and a wooden staircase. On one wall, which is still intact, there are iconographic images painted that require maintenance work. The holy images are reported to depict Paradise and Hell, Life and Death.
Since the restoration work began, the services of the Ecumenical Patriarch have not been performed on the Feast of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary on August 15, which had resumed at the church in 2010.
Although the chapel is not in great condition, it is expected that repairs will be made to allow visitors in by Summer 2018.
