ST NECTARIOS CHURCH, GREECE

One of the most visited sites on the Greek island of Aegina is the church of Agios Nektarios (Saint Nectarios) adjacent to the monastery of Agia Triada (The Holy Trinity).

Agios Nektarios of Aegina (1846-1920), is one of the most widely known Greek Orthodox Saints. He was officially recognised as a saint by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople in 1961. Each month, thousands of people visit the tomb of Agios Nektarios, to pray to him, or ask for his blessings, which always seem to be answered. His Feast Day is celebrated by the Orthodox Church on 9th November. There are services in the church and there is a special procession in the morning, where the remains of Agios Nektarios are carried through the streets of Aegina Town. The translation of his relics is on the 3rd of September.

You can visit the immense church, which is one of the largest in the Balkans daily and entry is free. The church is still not finished, with work continuing. The mausoleum of Agios Nektarios is inside the church. After you visit the church you can climb the stairs to the monastery of the Holy Trinity. 14 Nuns are living in the monastery. Recently, the monastery has been expanded with the addition of a large guesthouse. The hill on which the monastery is built is named Xantos, from the word "xagnadema" (look out point), inviting you to survey the surrounding landscape.

This post is part of the Scenic Weekends meme,
and also part of the Spiritual Sundays meme,
and also part of the inSPIREd Sunday meme.