The Holy Virgin’s Church

In Kato Koufonisi, very close to the old settlement, there are traces of a Byzantine church. The 1651 the inhabitants decide to build a new church dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The project was risky as the area was under the rule of the Turkish Muslims who forbade Christian events. Consequently, the inhabitants built the chapel by digging deep into the earth so that it would be visible from the sea without provoking the control of the Turks.

In the decade of 1970 Dimitris Nomikos granted 60 cm of land around the chapel to create a water catcher for the rainwater, avoiding flooding the yard and the church.The effort was undertaken by priest Stathis and Michalis and Maria Mavrou. They dug 3 meters around the surface of the courtyard with gasmash and shovel, thus displaying the chapel and creating enough space for the worshippers. To the question posed by Dimitris Nomikos to Papa Stathis, '...why did you disobey me', he received the answer '...that's what Panagia asked me...that's what I did...'.Then Manolis Mavros (Manoleas) paved the courtyard with reinforced concrete. 1990 Dimitris Nomikos donated another piece of land to create a semi-outdoor space and toilets. The church was maintained and a bell tower was erected by the master craftsman Vangelis Pasaris.

Every year on August 15th The Assumption of the Holy Virgin Mary is celebrated in the chapel in Kato Koufonissi.On the morning of August 15th, the boats from Pano Koufonissi transport the faithful to the celebration in Kato Koufonissi, free of charge. It is the only day of the year when the small ferry 'Skopelitis', which serves the line of the Small Cyclades, deviates from its course to moor at the small pier outside the church of Panagia.Initially, after the divine service, cheese and figs offered by the Koufonisians were distributed to the attendees. Later the families gathered and distributed cheese, olives, meatballs, fruit, sweets, water and refreshments.After the end of the feast, the boats transported the attendees to Koufonissi, playing with each other, creating a pleasant atmosphere.