Episcope of Scopelos

Today, November 19, 2018 our hostess, Alexandra Dimitriades, walked us to this site. We found out that her brother lives on this historic site, and that it belongs to her family. Years ago, her Uncle purchased it to save and preserve it. She gave us a guided tour of the grounds and the chapel, it has been a sacred place since possibly 6th-7th Century AD. Here is information written by her brother, Apostolos.

The existing church of Panagia Episkopi was built in the end of the 16th century and the beginning of the 17th century on the ruins of an old Byzantine Basilica. The North Wall of the existing church is the same as the one of the previous Byzantine Basilica.

The Iconostas (wooden temple construction supporting the main icons) which separate the public area of the church to the one reserved for the priests is form the 17th century.

In the 19th century a monk called Barlaam renovated the little church and the rooms that were built near so that he could live there.

In 1838 Episkopi became private by the order of Royal decrees since Ecclesiastical property could not be run for religious purposes and be the private residence of one single priest.

So the monk Barlaam was the first private owner of Episkopi. It remained into the hands of his inheritors until it fell into the ruins and was abandoned.

In 1949 my uncle bought it and restored it to its present condition.

The Episcope according to Alex, meant a view of the area or the harbor of this island, Skopelos, in the Aegean sea. The Episcope complex is a Venetian building with its single-aisled Basilica inside, but it remained half-finished due to the invasion of pirate Barbarossa (in 1538). Wikipedia

We were so fortunate to be shown this historic site by Alexandra and we truly appreciate her taking the time to introduce us to the Episkopi. -Mona

I had a nice time today going to the Episcope of Skopelos. It was amazing to see a structure (the wall) so old and the chapel was very beautiful. The history is also very interesting and I am glad that Alexandra shared that information with us. We had a very nice time at the Episcope today. -Angelina 💒