Agios Dionysios is the largest church in Zakynthos and celebrates December 17, the Feast Day of Agios Dionysios, the island’s Patron Saint and Protector.
This holy and miraculous church was slowly built in 1925 and was finally completed in 1948, only a few years before the devastating earthquake of 1953. It is one of the three buildings that did not have any damage at all by the earthquake, which is considered a miracle and blessing by the locals.
Agios Dionysios was born in Zakynthos in 1547. He was the son of an aristocratic family and was given a Christian upbringing from a young age. He was very well-educated and spoke Italian, ancient Greek, and Latin.
At the age of 20, after the death of both his parents, he donated his entire estate to his brother and decided to join a monastery a few miles off the coast of Zakynthos. After living there for a while, he was encouraged by his fellow monks to be ordained as a priest, of which he did and later became the Archbishop of Aegina, he spent the last years of his life at the Monastery of the Virgin Anaforitria in Zakynthos, where he passed away at the age of 75 on the 17th December 1622.
It was there at the Monastery Anafonitria that Agios Dionysios lied for the first time. He had hidden his brother’s murderer and then helped him escape the island and flee to Kefalonia.
This is why Agios Dionysios is considered a Saint of Forgiveness, as he forgave his brother’s murderer.
The church of Agios Dionysios is very impressive, with a spectacular wooden temple, marble columns, large chandeliers, icons, stained glass windows, red velvet seats, and gold-plated detail. The relics of Agios Dionysios are kept there.
The church overlooks the harbour and the bell tower – that of which resembles the bell tower of San Marco Church in Venice and exceeds 40 feet is the landmark of the city.
Agios Dionysios was often visited by people who wanted to confess or ask for advice.
According to his will, he was buried in the church of Agios Georgios in Strofades, where he was ordained a priest. Three years later, when he was exhumed, his body was found intact and remains intact till today, displayed in the church of Agios Dionysios, where lots of pilgrims go every year.
Two processions of the saint’s sacred relics are probably the most important events on the island. The first takes place on the 24th of August, which celebrates the day on which the relics were transported from the monastery in Strofades (it was there that St.Denis requested his remains be kept after his death). The second procession takes place on the 17th of December, the day he passed away.
Both celebrations last for three days: the first from the 23rd of August to the 26th and the second from the 16th of December to the 19th.
Xronia Polla!
December 17, Feast Day of Agios Dionysios
