Monastery of Saint Paraskevi (Vikos)
{{Infobox monastery
| name = Monastery of Saint Paraskevi
| image = Monastery of Saint Paraskevi - rooftops.JPG
| alt = Rooftops of the Monastery of Saint Paraskevi
| caption =
| full =
| other_names = Μονή Αγίας Παρασκευής
| order = Patriarchate of Constantinople
| established = 1413–1414
| disestablished =
| mother =
| dedication =
| diocese = Ioannina
| churches =
| founder = Michael Therianos
| abbot =
| prior =
| people =
| coord = {{coord|39|53|00|N|20|45|00|E|type:landmark_region:GR|display=inline,title}}
| oscoor =
| remains =
| public_access = yes
| other_info = Being in the Metropolitanate of Ioannina, this monastery comes under the spiritual jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, rather than that of the Church of Greece.[http://www.patriarchate.org/patriarchate/hierarchy-of-the-throne/metropolitans-new-lands/theoklitos-of-ioannina Metropolitans of the New Lands] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100718041722/http://www.patriarchate.org/patriarchate/hierarchy-of-the-throne/metropolitans-new-lands/theoklitos-of-ioannina |date=2010-07-18 }}
}}
{{Commons category|Monastery of Saint Paraskevi}}
The Monastery of Saint Paraskevi is an abandoned monastery situated on the edge of Vikos Gorge, in the region of Zagori (Ioannina regional unit), northwestern Greece. The monastery founded at 1413–1414, consists of a small stone-built chapel, the oldest preserved in Zagori, and offers panoramic views to the gorge.
Foundation and description
The monastery, named after Saint Paraskevi ({{langx|el|Αγία Παρασκευή}} Aghia Paraskevi), was founded at 1413–1414. According to an inscription over its gate, the foundation took place when the local ruler of Epirus was Despot Carlo I Tocco. It was built by the inhabitants of the nearby village of Vitsa and with the personal expense of a local lord, the voevoda Michael Therianos. Tradition mentions that Therianos built the monastery as an act of thanksgiving for his daughter's savior suffering from an incurable illness.{{cite book |author1=Miller Korina |author2=Armstrong Kate |author3=Clark Michael Stamatios |author4=Deliso Chris | title=Greece | publisher=Lonely Planet | year=2010 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=2oOeiyMEEf4C&dq=therianos%2Bvoevodas&pg=PA344 | isbn= 978-1-74179-228-7| page = 344}}
The church is a small basilica, with only a nave and a wooden roof, surrounded by the monks' cells. The frescoes of the temple partially date to 15th century.{{cite web | title=Prefecture of Ioannina, Epirus-Greece | url=http://www.nomioan.gr/%5Cdocs%5CTourism%5Cpresentation%20En.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061128060635/http://www.nomioan.gr/\docs\Tourism\presentation%20En.pdf | url-status=dead | archive-date=November 28, 2006 | accessdate=2010-07-20 | work=Prefectural Committee of Tourist Promotion | page=14 }} On the northern wall, there is a donor portrait of Therianos, his wife and children. The depictions are indicative of the dressing code of that time. The outfits of the benefactors are luxurious with rich embroidered cloths, broad braids and fringes. His daughter, Theodora, is wearing a white kerchief on her head, which is wrapped around her neck. The wall paintings on the south wall are dated from the relevant inscription around 1689.
Surroundings
The monastery is built at the edge of a rough rock that stands over the Vikos Gorge. The closest village, Monodendri, is a 15-minute walk away. From the terrace of the chapel, which has been appropriately designed, visitors can safely watch over the gorge.{{cite book |last1=Paschos |first1=P. |last2=Nikolaou |first2=E. |last3=Papanikos |first3=D. |title=Explore the landscape, the rocks and the nature of Vikos-Aoos and surrounding area. Find out its history and civilisation. |publisher=Greek Institute of Geology & Mineral Exploration |year=2004 |url=http://old.igme.gr/03_vikos_english_s.pdf |isbn=978-960-98903-5-9 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721081355/http://old.igme.gr/03_vikos_english_s.pdf |archivedate=2011-07-21 }}
A number of caves are located in the middle of the rough side of Vikos north and east of the monastery, where hermits and persecuted Christians sought refuge during Ottoman times.{{cite book | author=Jackson Jack | title=The world's great adventure treks | publisher=New Holland Publishers | year=2003 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=yG5BtE7Hx9kC&dq=Vikos-Aoos+National+Park&pg=PA117 | page = 113 | isbn=978-1-84330-261-2}} Moreover, for the same reason, a number of small dwellings were built around 1816.{{cite web | title=Municipality of Central Zagori: Monodendri, sightseeing|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608154232/http://hellas.teipir.gr/DimosKentrikouZagoriou/english/MONODENDRI/Aksiotheata.htm|archivedate=2011-06-08|work=Technological Institute of Piraeus|url=http://hellas.teipir.gr/DimosKentrikouZagoriou/english/MONODENDRI/Aksiotheata.htm}}
References
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{{Zagori region}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Paraskevi, Monastery Of Saint (Vikos)}}
Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1414
Category:Byzantine church buildings in Epirus (region)
Category:Christian monasteries established in the 1410s
Category:1413 establishments in Europe
Category:1414 establishments in Europe
Category:Buildings and structures in Ioannina (regional unit)