Panagia Kounistra monastery, monastery on Skiathos island, Greece

Panagia Kounistra is a monastery in a pine forest in western Skiathos, 12 kilometers from the town. Its church, dedicated to the Entry of the Theotokos, was built after the icon's discovery and enlarged in 1726 into a domed basilica, then painted with frescoes in 1741.

The monastery was founded in the 17th century and was originally built with thick walls for defense against pirates who threatened the region at that time. The church gained the status of a sacred Stavropigiako monastery in 1806, and a monk named Dionyssios restored it in 1841 after a period of closure.

The monastery is tied to the island's devotion to the Virgin Mary and is celebrated each year on November 21. The tradition of carrying the icon in procession from town to the monastery shows how deeply this place is woven into local identity and spiritual life.

The narrow forest path to the monastery is shaded and cool, but visitors should approach with proper respect for the sacred setting. Women should wear long skirts and men should wear long trousers to maintain the respectful atmosphere and honor local customs.

The icon was found in 1655, according to a manuscript by the teacher Epiphanios or Stefanos Dimitriadis (1760–1827) kept at Mount Athos. The monk Symeon first saw a light in the dense forest that vanished each time he approached, and after prayer and fasting he found the icon hanging and swaying on a tall pine. A young priest from Kastro brought it down.