Agia Paraskevi, Hersonissos

The small church of Saint Paraskevi, located in Limenas Hersonissou, was built in 1870 when a small chapel was carved in the rock. It was later enlarged in the 1930s to address a growing congregation. The church was damaged by fire in 1994 but has since been restored.
The church is located on a site continuously inhabited in ancient times as there have been found traces from the early Minoan period to the Roman period when Limenas Hersonissou was an important harbour. Remains of a Basilica from the early Christian period have also been found.
Saint Paraskevi was born in Rome in 140 AD to Greek parents and educated according to Christian teachings. She was named after the day she was born, Friday (Paraskevi in Greek). After her parents died she started teaching the Christian ways and was eventually arrested by the Roman Emperor Antonius Pius. She was put into a giant kettle of boiling oil and tar but acted as if the liquid was cool. Being accused by the emperor of using magic she told the emperor to check for himself and threw the boiling liquid at his face, blinding him. She then stepped out of the kettle and told the emperor that the Christian God could heal him and he recovered his sight. During Antonius Pius rule the Christians were no longer persecuted, but with a new emperor the saint was eventually captured and beheaded.

Entrance free





Local: Navarchou Nearchou, Limenas Chersonisou 700 14, Grécia

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