Vraona: The Picturesque Church of Saint George Near the Temple of Artemis

The Church of Saint George in Vraona-Markopoulo is nestled within an archaeological site, adjacent to the ancient temple of Artemis, and belongs to the parish of Saint Nicholas in Markopoulo. This sacred church was designated as a ‘prominent Byzantine monument’ in 1921 and dates back to the late 15th or early 16th century. It’s believed that a larger Christian church once stood at this location, evidenced by remnants of a semi-circular apse found outside its small nave and column fragments. The stone carvings on the rock indicate traces of earlier structures linked to the ancient temple. Around 1580, Saint Timothy, the founder of the Holy Monastery of Penteli and Bishop of Euripos, sought solitude here, repairing the church and using it as a hermitage along with a nearby cave. He also purchased the area known as ‘Paleos Vraonas,’ renovated the space, added new frescoes, and constructed new cells. Built on the northwest side of the sacred hill, part of the church is carved into the rock. It is a single-aisle type church from the post-Byzantine period, with a tiled roof and materials dating back to early Christian times. Its dome rests on blind apsidal walls, forming a cross shape. The windows are arrow-shaped and slotted horizontally. A ‘blind’ irregular apse exists on the eastern side, extending up to the tiles. To the west, there’s a domed narthex with a raised tiled roof, creating a double elevation with the dome. Restoration works were carried out in 1962 by the Archaeological Service, during which the frescoes were preserved. Due to moisture issues caused by its southern wall’s contact with the rock, significant damage has been inflicted on the masonry and painted decorations. Consequently, in 2006, wall reinforcement and roof restoration work were conducted, alongside conservation efforts for the frescoes. Entry to the site is only permitted during the opening hours of the archaeological site, and the church remains locked under the supervision of the archaeological service. It celebrates its patron saint day on April 23rd or the Monday after Easter with evening prayers and Divine Liturgy.