About the monastery

The Monastery of the Holy Virgin Kassopitra is one of the important pilgrimage destinations. It is located in the fragrant district of Kanoni (Figareto) within an archaeological zone. The foundation of the monastery in 1530 was prompted by a miracle that took place in the fishing village of Kassiopi, on the northeastern part of the island. In the village church, in the presence of a large crowd, the Holy Virgin restored the sight of a young man named Stephen, who had been unjustly accused and blinded by a Venetian court ruling.

The first mention of the monastery appears in official written sources only in 1706.

We learn that in 1754 the church property was transferred to priest and notary Ioannis Cosmas Filios, a nobleman whose surname was recorded in the island's aristocrats' book, the Libro d'Oro. Later, his heirs in 1850 transferred the church to the reverend hieromonk Gennadios (George) for 20 Venetian talers a year. In 1856, he acquired full ownership by paying 400 talers. The hieromonk had a vision to establish a women’s monastery.

Three years later, his vision became a reality. He built a two-story monastery complex, enclosed the grounds, restored the church, and donated silver icons, candles, and a gilded reliquary containing the relics of Holy Martyrs. He also founded a women's brotherhood with three members. At the age of 54, Hieromonk Gennadios passed away.

His heir handed over the monastery and all its belongings to Maria Mavroyanni. Together with the sisters and the abbess, they put great effort into developing the monastery by the end of the 19th century.

In the first half of the 20th century, during the occupation, Metropolitan Alexandros (Demoglou) registered the monastery as a "part" of the neighboring and thriving Monastery of Saints Theodore of Stratia, ensuring it over fifty years of protection.

The last nun passed away in 1985. In 1991, the monastery regained its independence, and a decision was made to convert it into a male monastery. Today, the abbot is Archimandrite Polycarp Zervos, who, with the blessing of the Metropolitan of Corfu and the support of the Monastery Council, as well as the residents of Corfu and pilgrims, cares for the monastery and oversees maintenance and renovations of the church.

On the monastery grounds lies the tomb and cell of Saint Elder Gennadios. There is also an impressive reliquary with rare and valuable artifacts (books, vestments, icons, manuscripts, etc.), among which the iconostasis of the Last Supper (the work of Philotheos Skoufos from 1665) stands out. The monastery also features a museum of local life. There is a small guesthouse for visitors. Its publications include its history in a book titled "Pilgrimage to the Monastery of the Holy Virgin Kassopitra" by Hieromonk Dimitrios Kavadias.

The monastery consists of several buildings, the main one being the cathedral, a small single-nave church with a flat ceiling and a marble iconostasis crowned with a pediment. The primary relic of the monastery is the miraculous icon of the Holy Virgin Kassopitra, depicting the Holy Virgin restoring the sight of the blind young man. The monastery also houses many relics and fragments of saints' relics, including personal belongings of Saint Paisios the Athonite.

The monastery is a place of pilgrimage, attracting pilgrims from all over the world. People pray to the Holy Virgin Kassopitra for healing from eye diseases.

The feast day of the monastery is on May 8, commemorating the miracle of the Holy Virgin restoring Stephen's sight. Other special celebrations include November 21 (The Entry of the Virgin Mary into the Temple) and February 7 (the feast day of Saint Parthenios of Lampsacus). The monastery is open daily, with the Divine Liturgy held every Sunday and on major feast days.