 |
 |
The Chapel of St. Nicholas
This chapel which measures 19x15 meters is situated to the north of the altar
of the main temple. It is the oldest temple not only of the whole complex of
Ekatontapiliani but of the whole island, since the old sections were built in
the beginning of the 4th century. Many archaeologists believe though that this
small temple is where St. Helen prayed on her way to Palestine to find
the Holy Cross.
Originally when this temple was dedicated to the Virgin Mary it was a crude basilica
with a wooden roof. This is how it was maintained until the Justinian epoch.
It was then that the temple took its present shape, when the wooden roof was
taken down from this small temple and a yellowish-greenish limestone vault and
dome were built in its place. That is why the chapel we are in now is unique
in style; even today up to the height of the gynaeceum there is a crude basilica
and above that there is a cross-shaped
basilica with a dome.
Two series of ancient columns,
Doric style, which start from the west wall and reach the icononstassis divide
the rectangular area of the temple into three, the middle of which is very spacious.
The marble iconostassis of
this chapel is well preserved. The bollards and the covering being older than
its epistle, are rich in sculptured decoration, and probably done in the 15th
century. There are three icons in this iconostassis:
One is of "Eleousa", the
work of the priest Dimitrios, a very important hagiographer of the 18th
century. The second is of "Christ the Omnipotent" done in the 17th century,
and the third is of "St. Nicholas" which is more recent. In this chapel
we also notice that there is a synthronon which
is smaller than the one in the main temple with only five steps in the conch
of the altar.
There is a tomb in the canter of the chapel. Its marble tiles are richly decorated
with vine - shoots of a vineyard and a two - headed eagle.
The Chapel of St. Anargiron
To the south of the altar of the big temple is the chapel of St. Anargiron which
is 8.5x4 meters The altar of this chapel belongs to the diaconate of the altar
of the main temple. Exactly above, there is a place which connects the southern
section with the gynaeceum. This place was called "Mitatorion". According to
one version, the imperial temples had such places for the recreation of the emperor
during the long service of those days. According to another, this hall was used
by the Bishop to change vestments.
The Archaeological Committee hasn’t dealt with this chapel yet.
The Chapel of St. Philip.
This chapel (8x2,5 meters) is to the south of the chapel of St. Anargiron and
connects with it. It has a separate ceiling and its roof is shaped like an arch.
The Archaeological Committee hasn’t dealt with this chapel either.
The Chapel of Osia Theoktisti
- A few words about her life.
In the northern wall of the temple is the small
chapel of Osia Theoktisti.
There is an enclosed tomb in it which is supposedly Osia’s.
From the prayer book written by Simon the Translator, we learn about her
life. It is recounted that Osia Theoktisti lived during the 9th century and came
from Mithimna in Lesbos. She became a nun from her childhood and joined a convent
in Lesbos. On one of their raids of Lesbos, pirates took Theoktisti with other
young women. On their way to the coast of Africa their ship anchored at Naousa.
They let their captives land to get over their sea - sickness. The young nun
managed to escape from her guards and got lost in the woods, which in those days
covered most of the island. She wandered for many days and wound up in the temple
of Ekatontapiliani. At that time the island was deserted because people couldn’t
bear the frequent pirate raids. She lived in the temple for 35 years eating wild
plants and drinking Holy Water, which exists until today under the Holy Table
of the main temple.
At one point, some hunters from Evia came to Paros to hunt in the woods of
the island. One of the hunter’s dog discovered Osia who asked for a cloak,
and then appeared before the hunter and narrated her life and requested that
he bring her Holy Communion on his next journey, because she understood that
her end was nearing. The hunter returned to Paros the next year and brought her
Holy Communion and when he went to wish her farewell before leaving the island,
he found her dead. He buried her where the present chapel and tomb is. Tradition
has it that after seven years some hunters from Ikaria came to Paros, took Osia’s
relics back with them. They left only one bone which is to be found in a chest
near the chapel.
Paros celebrates her memory on the 9th of November.
The Chapel of St. Theodosia.
The chapel of St. Theodosia is situated outside the main temple and in contact
with its southern wall. This chapel was renovated in the 17th century as the
writing above the gate indicates.
The Chapel of St. Dimitrios.
The chapel of St. Dimitrios is situated outside the temple and more specifically
from the eastern side of the cells at a height from the facade of the main temple
and near the southern gate of the Ekatontapiliani complex. It was built in the
17th century as is written on the lintel above the gate of the chapel. It has
been renovated recently.