Not far from the village of Mesa Gonia, in the foothills of Prophet Elias, is the Byzantine church of the Episcopate of Thera, founded at the end of the 11th century by the Emperor Alexios I Comnenos.
It is an inscribed-cross, four-columned church with dome. Preserved in the interior are wall paintings of excellent quality and a wooden, carved templon (iconostasis), decorated in the technique of mastic wax.  The church has survived the invasions of Venetians, Francs, Russians and Turks and still remains as an inspiration to the islanders. Panagia Episkopi was built in 1115, but had to withstand not only invasions and fires, but the tremendous earthquake of 1956. Any damages incurred by all these elements were quickly repaired by the faithful. The church is not only known for its ecclesiastical architecture. It is also admired for its remarkable Byzantine paintings and hagiography. A number of important icons can be seen in the church, although it bears to mention that 26 of the finest works were stolen in 1982 and never to be found. |
. Today the church gathers large crowds on August Fifteenth, the day of its festival.
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