The Holy Trinity church in
Pyrgos village is home to the Museum of Icons and Ecclesiastical Relics.
After the 1956 earthquake, the church—once a tiny Catholic convent—was transformed into a museum. The church was rendered unusable by the earthquake, but its occupants, including the president of the Pyrgos Association at the time, were able to salvage priceless artifacts and preserve the structure. The collection was made public in 1997 along with Holy Metropolis of Thera and the Second Ephorate of Byzantine Antiquities.
Museum overview
The museum has had a permanent exhibit since it opened, operating daily from 10 am to 4 pm, from April to October. The exhibit showcases a vast array of Byzantine icons created by both Cretan and local hagiographers. Additionally, there are religious artifacts such as sacred vestments, sacred writings, wood carvings, metalwork, ceramics, and embroidery.
Most of the displays, which date from the 17th and 18th centuries, attest to the island's former era of affluence and Santorini's longstanding religious traditions.
Key artifacts
Panagia Vrefokratousa (Virgin and Child) is the first icon in the series. Next is the composition Theia Leitourgia (Mass). Finally, the visitor can view the icons of Aghios Ioannis, Aghios Georgios, Koimisi this Theotokou (Assumption of the Virgin Mary), which dates to the 17th century, Christ as the Great High Priest, from the Panagia church, and Aghios Iakovos, a Byzantine icon from the church of the same name. The Enthroned Virgin and Child, as well as the body of Christ, are among the oppressive images found in the Faneromeni chapel.
Woodcuts and other works
The museum has an extensive collection of works by Cretan and local icon painters, with the majority of the pieces dating from the 17th to the 18th centuries being woodcarvings, metalwork, ceramics, church-use embroidery, vestments, liturgical books, and other church-related things. The exquisite, finely embroidered sleeve garters that depict the scenario from the Presentation of the Virgin Mary and Hypapante, as well as the "podea," the ornamental element used on the underside of the Virgin Mary icon, are the main points of attention.
Religious relics
A pair of cuffs with golden embroidery that depicts the scenes of the Hypapante and the Eisodia are among the other holy artifacts in the museum. It further solidifies the collection's religious connotations with embroidery set beneath a silver-coated cross and an icon of Panagia.
Cultural and religious significance
The local community's religious piety is demonstrated by this museum, which also reflects the continuous attempts to preserve and celebrate religious heritage. With its numerous churches and chapels, Santorini is an island where religious piety is evident in the natural world.
The island is more beautiful than ever thanks to a domed cathedral that sits between each town and is covered in vivid colors. An essential part of Santorini's and Greece's overall religious and cultural legacy is the Museum of Icons and Ecclesiastical Relics.
Location & area
Location of Museum of Icons and Ecclesiastical Relics
Museum of Icons and Ecclesiastical Relics is located in
Pyrgos village
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