Panagia Kounistra Monastery and its Miracle Legend

Panagia Kounistra Monastery, also known as Panagia Eikonistria Monastery is another picturesque monastery on Skiathos, tucked away in the middle of a pine forest on the southwestern side of the island.

According to legend, one night in 1650, a monk, who led an ascetic life and was named Symeon, was surprised to see a twinkling light in the forest. Upon approaching it, the light receded, only to reappear and disappear again several times, so that he was unable to see what it was.
After fasting and meditating for some days, he finally saw that it was a small icon of the Virgin Mary swaying in a tall pine tree.

Knowing he had witnessed a miracle, he hastened to report the incident to the priest Frangoulis in Kastro, where the villagers lived. The next day, the excited inhabitants followed Symeon back to where the mysterious light had been shining. Legend has it that the light grew brighter and brighter, the closer the people got.
When all saw the icon hanging from the tree, the youngest priest, John, climbed up to retrieve it, placing it in the chapel where Symeon served. It would later be placed in the Three Hierarches church of Skiathos town for safe keeping. Panagia Kounistra Monastery was built in honour of this miraculous event, and dedicated to the Virgin Mary, as the island’s patron saint and protector.

She has since been celebrated annually, on November 21st. On November 20th, the faithful carry the icon from the Three Hierarches church in Skiathos town to the monastery, taking the bus to bus stop no.18, and following the road on the right towards Aselinos Beach for 2 km.
Known today as Panagia Eikounistria or Kounistra, the name was given to the monastery from the Greek: Panagia, pan- + hágia, meaning “All Holy Virgin Mary” and kounao, meaning “swaying movement”.

The small monastery has a unique and peaceful atmosphere, and is set in a beautifully maintained flowering garden with a little gift shop.

Inside the church, you can marvel at the wooden iconostasis, frescoes and icons as beautiful works of art dating back to the 18th and 19th century. Enjoy being welcomed by Mrs. Argyro, the caretaker of over 30 years, whose warm smile, and offer of a coffee and a sweet will make your visit a special delight.

Photos: Giannis Pantazopoulos

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