CHURCH NATIVITY OF THEOTOKOS

The church dedicated to the Nativity of Theotokos (Virgin Mary) is located at the village’s centre. It is the community’s most important church. The church is also known as the church of Panayia (Virgin Mary) Chryseleousis. The church’s construction began in the beginning of the 20th century and was completed, according to the inscription, in the 1920s.

The church is made of stone, in specific, a kind of stone particular to the area. According to oral tradition, the church was built from stones that the Christians carried from the area of Kamila. At the centre of the church, an impressive dome ends at the east side of the church forming a semicircular arch. The church’s roof, except the dome, is covered with tiles. At the end of the 20th century the whole of the roof was repaired, that is, old tiles were replaced with new ones of the same type.

Internally, the church is decorated by a woodcut iconostasis made by Costas Kaouranis at the beginning of the 21st century. This woodcut iconostasis replaced the old one, which was made out of stone and thus was not decorated in any way. The iconostasis is slightly elevated, that is, it is not built on the same level as the rest of the temple. The main feature of the iconostasis is its icons, which are all made in the same style. The icons that were part of the stone iconostasis are kept at the church’s sanctuary.

The church has a women’s loft, which is common in orthodox churches. Steps lead to the loft which used to lead to the belfry. The church can hold up to 200 people, which is quite satisfying for the village’s needs.

CHAPEL SAINT GEORGE'S

South-west of the village is a deserted small chapel dedicated to Saint George.

Internally, there is only a vigil candle as well as an icon placed on a stone.

CHAPEL SAINTS REGINOU & ORESTI

The chapel of Saints Riginos and Orestis stands on the north end of the village.

The chapel was rebuilt rather recently, specifically at the end of the 20th century. Internally the chapel is decorated with a simple iconostasis with portable icons. According to R. Gunnis, in 1935, there was a deserted church inside a cave. On the wall of this deserted church, as Gunnis adds, there was a fig tree which “Kitchener in 1882” wanted to cut down so the island’s charting would be facilitated. In the end, villagers “persuaded” him not to cut the fig tree and “built a special platform on it”.

According to tradition, Saints Riginos and Orestis visited the island to indoctrinate Christianity. The Idolater habitats of the island arrested the two Saints and after torturing them, they beheaded them. Christians who were present at this martyrdom secretly collected the holy relics and buried them at the island.

Saint Riginos’ tomb is in Fasoula, next to the Saints Riginos and Orestis Chapel. His grave’s exact location was revealed to a priest when the Saint appeared to him through a dream.

What is important to note is the fact that the place where the Christians decided to bury the Saint was probably a lord’s tomb. This is concluded by paintings, which can be distinguished even today on the tomb. One of them depicts a hunter in the woods. According to Gunnis, this sarcophagus “definitely belongs to the 5th century”.

What needs to be mentioned is that R. Gunnis consider the abovementioned tomb as belonging to Archbishop Riginos and not Saint Riginos. However, his claim does not seem valid since Archbishop Riginos’s Episcopal see was in Konstantia at the east side of the island thus, it would be impossible for him to be buried in Fasoula.

The Saint’s relic is connected to a series of miracles. His tomb is under the auspices of the Department of Antiquities. According to Oral Tradition, the Saint had protected the village when it was in danger. This is why he is the patron Saint of the village of Fasoula. His holly relic was transferred to the monastery of Saint Prodromos in Skopelos.

Every year on the 20th august, that is, the celebration of Saint Riginos, the greatest feast takes place in Fasoula at the chapel’s precinct. The rest of the year, the chapel celebrates only baptisms.

CHAPEL AYIA MARINA(Saint Marina)

Ayia Marina (Saint Marina) Chapel

The Ayia Marina chapel lies at the north side of the village. It is built out of stone and the roof is covered with tiles. An old icon of Saint John is kept in the church. The icon is believed to belong to the 18th century.

The first school of the village was housed in the Ayia Marina chapel. In specific, according to villagers the chapel used to function as a school from the 40’s to the 60’s.

Ayia Marina’s chapel celebrates Mass two to three times a year.

CHAPEL AGIOU DIMITRIOS (Saint Dimitrios)

Ayios Dimitrios’s chapel was built in the end of the 20th century. The chapel was built under an inhabitant’s care, Ionannis Spanias. Ioannis Spanias used to go around the village collecting money for the chapel’s construction.

The village’s inhabitants eagerly contributed to this cause, and not only was the chapel quickly constructed but also an iconostasis was placed in the chapel.

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