Panagia Ekatontapiliani church, Byzantine church in Parikia, Greece.
Panagia Ekatontapiliani is a Byzantine church in Parikia on the Greek island of Paros, composed of a central nave and two side chapels arranged around a shared space. The complex also contains a separate baptistery with a cruciform font, positioned near the port where ferries arrive and depart.
The church was founded in 326 CE when Saint Helen visited the island during her pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Emperor Justinian's reign in the 6th century brought major reconstruction that shaped its present structure.
The church is a pilgrimage destination that draws visitors seeking connection to Mary, and the interior space encourages people to move slowly through its different chapels, each with its own purpose and feeling.
The complex opens daily to visitors and hosts regular services, with especially high attendance during religious holidays. Visit in the morning hours when crowds are lighter and natural light streams through the windows to illuminate the interior.
Local legend tells of 99 visible doors within the church, with a hidden hundredth door believed to open when the Hagia Sophia returns to Orthodox use. This story ties the site to broader Orthodox Christian hopes and traditions.
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