Ο ΝΑΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΠΑΝΑΓΙΑΣ ΤΗΣ ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΣΤΡΙΑΣ, ΑΣΦΕΝΔΙΟΥ
Ο Ιερός Ναός του Ευαγγελισμού της Θεοτόκου βρίσκεται στο κέντρο του ορεινού Ασφενδιού, στην ομώνυμη συνοικία, Ευαγγελίστρια. Γιορτάζει στις 25 Μαρτίου, εορτή του Ευαγγελισμού της Θεοτόκου.
Είναι ένα πολύ επιβλητικό οικοδόμημα, μονόκλιτο με τρούλο και ημικυκλική αψίδα (ιερό). Στα ανατολικά υπάρχει πρόσθετος εξωνάρθηκας με πατάρι και ξεχωριστή είσοδο.
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| η Ευαγγελίστρια το 2012, το 2015 και το 2019 |
Το πρόβλημα ήταν πως μνημονεύεται ως Ναός της "Υπεραγίας ημών Θεοτόκου Μελισσηνής"* και κατά πόσο ταυτίζεται με την Ευαγγελίστρια κι όχι με την Παναγία την Κυπαρισσιώτισσα. Ο Μανόλης Στ. Κιαπόκας στο "Ασφενδιού της Κω" μελέτησε το θέμα και με σειρά επιχειρημάτων κατέληξε στο συμπέρασμα ότι ο πρώτος ενοριακός Ναός του οικισμού των Καριωτών ήταν η Παναγία η Μελλισηνή, η σημερινή Ευαγγελίστρια. Αργότερα, κατά τα μέσα του 19ου αιώνα, στη θέση της χτίστηκε δεύτερο μεγαλύτερο κτίσμα, η Παναγία η Ευαγγελίστρια, από την οποία πήρε το όνομά της και η συνοικία.
Στις 22 Ιανουαρίου 1902, ο Μητροπολίτης Κώου Ιωακείμ Β', με επιστολή του προς τον Καϊμακάμη της Κω ζητάει άδεια για επισκευή και επέκταση του Ναού. Το ίδιο έτος, την παραμονή της γιορτής της, αργά το βράδυ, από απροσεξία του νεωκόρου που είχε μεθύσει προκλήθηκε πυρκαγιά στο τέμπλο και κάηκε σχεδόν ολόκληρο το εσωτερικό του. Τα επόμενα χρόνια άρχισε να χτίζεται ο σημερινός Ναός, του οποίου ο τρούλος ολοκληρώθηκε το 1910. Επάνω από την κεντρική θύρα εισόδου υπάρχει η επιγραφή: "ΩΚΟΔΟΜΗΘΗ ΤΩ 1910"
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| Όπως φαίνεται στην αναμνηστική επιγραφή πάνω από την κεντρική πόρτα (φωτο), τα επίσημα εγκαίνια του Ναού έγιναν το 1951: " ΙΕΡΟΣ ΝΑΟΣΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΣΤΡΙΑΣ ΜΕΓΕΘΥΝΘΕΙΣ ΑΠΟ ΠΡΟΫΠΑΡΧΟΝΤΟΣ ΝΑΫΔΡΙΟΥ ΑΝΑΛΩΜΑΣΙΝ ΑΥΤΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΣΥΝΔΡΟΜΑΙΣ ΚΑΙ ΚΟΠΟΙΣ ΤΩΝ ΕΥΣΕΒΩΝ ΑΣΦΕΝΔΙΑΝΩΝΚΑΘΙΕΡΩΘΗ ΤΗΝ 9ΗΝ ΔΕΚΕΜΒΡΙΟΥ 1951 ΤΕΛΕΤΑΡΧΟΥΝΤΟΣ ΤΟΥ ΠΑΝΙΕΡΩΤΑΤΟΥ ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛΙΤΟΥ ΚΩΟΥ ΚΥΡΙΟΥ ΕΜΜΑΝΟΥΗΛ". |
Το 1954 ο Ναός διέθεσε ένα από τα καλύτερα κτήματά του για την ίδρυση του Κεντρικού Σχολείου Ασφενδιού και στον γυναικωνίτη του φιλοξένησε επί δύο χρόνια τους μαθητές μιας τάξης μέχρι την αποπεράτωση του εκπαιδευτηρίου. Το σχολείο λειτούργησε για αρκετά χρόνια, έφτασε τους 380 μαθητές, αλλά έκλεισε το 1998 λόγω έλλειψης μαθητών επειδή οι κάτοικοι του χωριού μετακινήθηκαν στο Ζηπάρι και την Κω.
Εκεί αναγράφονται τα ονόματα όσων Κώων χάθηκαν στη μάχη του Ρίμινι (Σεπτέμβριος 1944).
- Στέργιος Παπαποστόλου
- Δημήτριος Χατζηαντωνίου
- Αντώνιος Χατζηαντωνίου
- Παναγιώτης Χαρτοφίλης
- Μιχαήλ (Η.) Κασίου
- Αντώνιος Χατζηγιαννίκας
Ακολουθεί παρέλαση των μαθητών και οι λοιπές εορταστικές εκδηλώσεις.
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| το 2012 και το 2020 |
Ιερά Μητρόπολις Κώου και Νισύρου Παρελθόν και παρόν-Ανδρέα Ιωσήφ Χατζημιχαήλ (χορηγός εκδόσεως Δήμος Κω, 2016)
"Εκκλησία Κω Δωδεκανήσου"-Τόμος Πρώτος, βιβλίον Δεύτερον, Αθήνα 1969-Εμμανουήλ Ι. Καρπάθιου
THE CHURCH OF PANAGIA EVANGELISTRIA, ASFENDIOU
The Church of the Annunciation of the Theotokos is located in the center of the mountainous village of Asfendiou, in the neighborhood of Evangelistria. It celebrates on March 25, the Feast of the Annunciation.
It is an imposing structure, a single-aisle church with a dome and a semicircular apse (sanctuary). On the eastern side, there is an additional exonarthex with an upper gallery and a separate entrance.
The present church, according to Metropolitan Emmanuel Karpathios in “The Church of Kos” (Vol. B, p.71), is mentioned in 1804 as the “third building,” meaning that two earlier churches dedicated to the Virgin Mary pre-existed on the same site. At that time, it functioned as a parish church along with two others: Panagia Kouvouklí and Asomatos.
A question arises regarding its earlier name, as it is referred to as the Church of “Our Most Holy Theotokos Melissiní,” and whether this corresponds to the Evangelistria or to Panagia Kyparissiótissa. Research by Manolis St. Kiapokas concludes that the original parish church of the settlement of Kariotai was Panagia Melissiní, identified with today’s Evangelistria. Later, in the mid-19th century, a larger church was built on the same site, from which the neighborhood also took its name.
Regarding the epithet “Melissiní,” the historian Konstantinos Paparrigopoulos mentions that Nikephoros Melissenos, husband of Eudokia (sister of Emperor Alexios I Komnenos), lived in Kos, where he owned extensive estates and even proclaimed himself emperor in 1080. It is possible that descendants of this family retained land in the area, where the church was later built.
The church appears in the ecclesiastical archives shortly after 1850 and seems to have functioned as a parish church until the early 20th century. A local tradition states that during its construction, a worker was killed by a falling stone, which led to the name “Panagia Fonissa” (the “Killing Virgin”).
On January 22, 1902, Metropolitan Ioakeim II requested permission from the Ottoman authorities to repair and expand the church. That same year, on the eve of the feast, a fire—caused by the negligence of an intoxicated sexton—destroyed almost the entire interior, including the iconostasis. Reconstruction followed, and the current church was gradually built, with the dome completed in 1910, as indicated by the inscription above the main entrance.
The official inauguration took place in 1951, as recorded on a commemorative inscription above the entrance.
Works for beautification continued over the years with contributions from the local community:
The iconostasis was constructed in 1931 at the expense of the hieromonk Innocentios Chorafiou, while several important icons were created by the icon painter Antonios Karafyllakis from Kalymnos.
The bell tower was built in 1937, and in 2008 an electric bell-ringing system was installed.
A significant relic of the church is the icon of Panagia Philostorgos, an exceptional work dating from the late 15th to early 16th century, which is no longer kept in the church for security reasons.
In 1954, the church donated one of its best properties for the establishment of the Central School of Asfendiou. For two years, students were even hosted in the church’s gallery until the school building was completed. The school later reached 380 students but closed in 1998 due to population decline, as residents moved to Zipari and Kos town.
The Evangelistria is considered the cathedral church of Asfendiou, and its priest served as the archiepiscopal representative of the village for 60 years. It was also the site of the official celebration of the Dodecanese’s union with Greece on March 7, 1948.
Today, the church remains a focal point for local celebrations: authorities, clergy, teachers, students, and residents gather there for the doxology, followed by wreath-laying ceremonies and parades.
Directly opposite the church stands the well-preserved Sofou olive mill, offering an excellent vantage point for photographs. From various locations in Zia and on Mount Dikeos, the dome of the Evangelistria rises prominently, dominating the landscape.
Φωτογραφίες: Sophia Karagianni
Σχετική ανάρτηση: ΑΠΑΓΧΟΝΙΣΜΟΙ ΚΩΩΝ ΑΠΟ ΓΕΡΜΑΝΙΚΑ ΣΤΡΑΤΕΥΜΑΤΑ ΣΤΗΝ ΚΩ, ΣΤΗΝ ΠΛΑΤΕΙΑ ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΙΑΣ ΤΟ 1943 ΚΑΙ ΣΤΗΝ ΠΛΑΤΕΙΑ ΠΛΑΤΑΝΟΥ ΤΟ 1945 ΚΑΙ ΑΠΩΛΕΙΕΣ ΣΤΟ ΡΙΜΙΝΙ ΤΟ 1944
Ακολουθεί η μετάφραση του κειμένου στ' αγγλικά:
THE CHURCH OF PANAGIA EVANGELISTRIA, ASFENDIOU
The Church of the Annunciation of the Theotokos is located in the center of the mountainous village of Asfendiou, in the neighborhood of Evangelistria. It celebrates on March 25, the Feast of the Annunciation.
It is an imposing structure, a single-aisle church with a dome and a semicircular apse (sanctuary). On the eastern side, there is an additional exonarthex with an upper gallery and a separate entrance.
The present church, according to Metropolitan Emmanuel Karpathios in “The Church of Kos” (Vol. B, p.71), is mentioned in 1804 as the “third building,” meaning that two earlier churches dedicated to the Virgin Mary pre-existed on the same site. At that time, it functioned as a parish church along with two others: Panagia Kouvouklí and Asomatos.
A question arises regarding its earlier name, as it is referred to as the Church of “Our Most Holy Theotokos Melissiní,” and whether this corresponds to the Evangelistria or to Panagia Kyparissiótissa. Research by Manolis St. Kiapokas concludes that the original parish church of the settlement of Kariotai was Panagia Melissiní, identified with today’s Evangelistria. Later, in the mid-19th century, a larger church was built on the same site, from which the neighborhood also took its name.
Regarding the epithet “Melissiní,” the historian Konstantinos Paparrigopoulos mentions that Nikephoros Melissenos, husband of Eudokia (sister of Emperor Alexios I Komnenos), lived in Kos, where he owned extensive estates and even proclaimed himself emperor in 1080. It is possible that descendants of this family retained land in the area, where the church was later built.
The church appears in the ecclesiastical archives shortly after 1850 and seems to have functioned as a parish church until the early 20th century. A local tradition states that during its construction, a worker was killed by a falling stone, which led to the name “Panagia Fonissa” (the “Killing Virgin”).
On January 22, 1902, Metropolitan Ioakeim II requested permission from the Ottoman authorities to repair and expand the church. That same year, on the eve of the feast, a fire—caused by the negligence of an intoxicated sexton—destroyed almost the entire interior, including the iconostasis. Reconstruction followed, and the current church was gradually built, with the dome completed in 1910, as indicated by the inscription above the main entrance.
The official inauguration took place in 1951, as recorded on a commemorative inscription above the entrance.
Works for beautification continued over the years with contributions from the local community:
- In 1914, the floor was paved.
- In 1914 and 1917, the four Evangelists were painted by Timotheos Kourounis from Kalymnos.
- In 1919, the courtyard was arranged.
- In 1924, the women’s gallery (gynaikonitis) and woodwork were completed.
The iconostasis was constructed in 1931 at the expense of the hieromonk Innocentios Chorafiou, while several important icons were created by the icon painter Antonios Karafyllakis from Kalymnos.
The bell tower was built in 1937, and in 2008 an electric bell-ringing system was installed.
A significant relic of the church is the icon of Panagia Philostorgos, an exceptional work dating from the late 15th to early 16th century, which is no longer kept in the church for security reasons.
In 1954, the church donated one of its best properties for the establishment of the Central School of Asfendiou. For two years, students were even hosted in the church’s gallery until the school building was completed. The school later reached 380 students but closed in 1998 due to population decline, as residents moved to Zipari and Kos town.
The Evangelistria is considered the cathedral church of Asfendiou, and its priest served as the archiepiscopal representative of the village for 60 years. It was also the site of the official celebration of the Dodecanese’s union with Greece on March 7, 1948.
Today, the church remains a focal point for local celebrations: authorities, clergy, teachers, students, and residents gather there for the doxology, followed by wreath-laying ceremonies and parades.
Directly opposite the church stands the well-preserved Sofou olive mill, offering an excellent vantage point for photographs. From various locations in Zia and on Mount Dikeos, the dome of the Evangelistria rises prominently, dominating the landscape.
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