TSAMBIKA MONASTERY RHODES

The Monastery of Panagia Tsambika (The Lambent Virgin) in Rhodes, Greece: The Monastery of Panagia Tsambika is located about 25 km south of Rhodes Town, between Kolymbia and Archangelos. The old monastery of Tsambika is built on top of a steep hill with gorgeous view to the sea and the surrounding area, while the new monastery, which is functional today, is found on the road that connects Archangelos to Rhodes Town.

It is not known when the old monastery was founded, but we know that it was reconstructed in 1770 by a monk. Some resources mention that an altar to goddess Artemis stood on the same site in antiquity and sacrifices of animals used to take place there.

This monastery was built according to the Dodecanesian architecture with thick white-washed walls and hollow roof tiles. The floor of the temple and the yard are covered with mosaics of pebbles and shells. Some icons date from the 19th century, while the iconostasis is even older.

The name of the monastery comes from the word "tsamba", which means spark in the local dialect. In fact, tradition says that a local shepherd found an icon of Virgin Mary on top of the cliff, where the old monastery was later built, following a vigil light. The icon of Panagia Tsambika is considered miracle-working, particularly for childless women, which is why many women offer child dolls to the icon of Panagia. This monastery is considered a protector of the island and in fact many locals are named Tsambikos (men) and Tsambika (women).

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL WHO CELEBRATE IT THIS WEEK!

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