The Evangelistria Monastery on the Greek island of Skiathos holds the story of Modern Greece in the walls, hallways and courtyards.
This historical monastery was first founded in 1794 by a group of monks from Mount Athos and played a crucial role in the 1821 revolution which brought independence to Greece.
Since the monks from Mount Athos did not accept the traditional rites when they founded the monastery, later in 1807 some of the most important leaders of the revolution, including Theodoros Kolokotronis and Andreas Miaoulis took what is referred to as the “Oath of Freedom,” on a newly designed Greek flag, a white cross on a sky-blue background, which was woven on a loom at the site.
Because of this one event, there is an enormous difference between this monastery and Mount Athos; women are allowed to enter Evangelistria.
The Catholicon of the monastery is a Byzantine-style cross-in-square three-aisled church, with three domes, and stands at the centre of the complex. The iconostasis is wood carved and bears icons dating from the 17th and 18th centuries.
Evangelistria monastery hosts loom on which first Greek flag was created
The museum houses ecclesiastical artifacts and presents information on the history of the Monastery such as priests’ vestments, rare books and manuscripts from the 17th century, gospels from the 18th century, silver and wooden crosses and Byzantine icons. The loom on which the first Greek flag was created can also be seen.
Source: Greek Reporter