Agios Ioannis Spiliotis Church

As its name indicates, the little church of Agios Ioannis is located at the entrance to the Spilaio [Cave] of Antiparos. It has lent its name to the entire location, which is named ‘vounali tou Agiou Ioanni’ [hillock of Ai Giannis] or ‘Agiogiannitiko vouno’ [Ai Giannian hill]. It connects internally with the smaller and older (350 years old) chapel of Zoodohos Pigi.

The chapel of Agios Ioannis was renovated in 1714 by the Antipariot Neofytos Mavrommatis—the Metropolitan of Nafpaktos and Arta —who, according to information passed down, also pieced together the icon of the Saint, which had been broken into two, having recognized the Saint as the venerable old man who had appeared to him in a dream and had cured him of a very grave illness.

On the eve of and day of Agios Ioannis—on 7 and 8 May, respectively—a celebration is held with local delicacies and tsikoudia.

Source: www.antiparos.gr