Strophades Monastery

The Strophades or Strophadia group in the Ionian Sea, 27 miles from Zakynthos, comprises two islets, Stamphani and Arpyia. Stamphani is home to one of the largest and most renowned fortified monasteries in the Mediterranean, dedicated to the Virgin ‘Joy of All’ and Saint Dionysios. The monastery stands almost on the coast and is girded by a mighty fortification wall 25 metres high. Its katholikon, the holy church of the Divine Transfiguration, is ‘hidden’ inside the monastery tower. According to the textual sources, in the first half of the thirteenth century the emperor of Nicaea, Theodore I Laskaris, founded the Holy Monastery of Strophades in fulfilment of a wish of his daughter Irene. In 1568 the Zakynthian count Draganigos Sigouros was tonsured a monk ‘of the Monastery of Strophades’, taking the name Daniel, and later – when he was ordained archbishop – Dionysios. In 1570 he became abbot of the monastery. He departed this life in 1622 and was buried in the monastery. The holy relic of Saint Dionysios remained on the Strophades until 1717, when the monastery was attacked by Muslim pirates, who plundered it and slew many monks. Only two escaped to Zakynthos, bringing the relic there with them. In 2001 the monastery was home to 58 monks but over the years it was gradually deserted. Its last monk was Father Grigorios Kladis, who passed away in 2017. The monastery has suffered damage caused by several earthquakes, which fact in combination with its neglect and inadequate maintenance, as well as its enormous significance, made its protection and restoration imperative.

DONATION OF THE NON-PROFIT CIVIL COMPANY AEGEAS

• Preparation of additional studies for the restoration of the monstery.
• Supply and transport of materials and equipment.
• Installation of a system of solar panels.