monastery of chozoviotissa

Monastery of Chozoviotissa Amorgos

The Monastery of Chozoviotissa of Amorgos is considered to be the top attraction that you must visit! It is characterized as a "jewel" of the Aegean and it is undoubtedly believed the most important religious monument on the island! It was built in the ninth century (812 – 813 AD) and renovated in 1088 AD by Byzantine Emperor Alexios A. Komninos. The monastic structure appears to be carved into the steep rock face, and the surrounding landscape ensures that it is visible only from the sea. It is also a fact that the Amorgians consider it as the protector of their island.

Monastery of Chozoviotissa

The building is forty meters long and five meters wide and consists of eight different levels-floors. The entrance staircase is literally joined to the rock-face and will lead you to the fourth floor. The Monastery has fifteen (15) monastic cells, among a total of seventy-two (72) different rooms.

monastery of chozoviotissa view

The monks' cells, the kitchens, the ovens, the warehouses, the cisterns, and the wells, are placed "wedged" in the natural rock that is transformed into a functional building of folk architecture.

Monks of the Monastery

Today, Monastery of Chozoviotissa is home to three monks, while the small arched chapel contains, among other things, a living testimony to the local oral tradition that has the icon arriving on the island from Hozova (or Chozovo) in Palestine: the two inscribed icons of Panagia Hozoviotissa or ΧΩΖΗΒΙΤΙCΑΣ, and the chisel of its head craftsman, real evidence of the narrative “about the exact position Panagia (Virgin Mary) ordered for her temple to be built”.

monastery of chozoviotissa sea view

Chozoviotissa Monastery history

The name “Hozoviotissa” was created by the linguistic corruption of “Hozovitissa” or “Kozivitissa”, which comes from the place name “Hoziva” or “Koziva” in the Holy Lands, in the Wadi Qilt area of Jericho.

In the times of the Iconomachy, in the 8th and 9th century, monks tried to save the icon by placing it in a boat, and it miraculously arrived by sea at the beach of Ag Anna.

After that, it is decided to build the Holy Monastery, without first taking into account the difficulties and adversities that existed, such as the very inaccessible, steep, rocky, and quite dangerous construction site. The point was chosen because of its resemblance to the corresponding one in Hoziva, Palestine, while initially, the construction of the Holy Monastery began lower at a distance of about 260 meters from its current location. However, all of the exhausting work that took place during the day would be destroyed by unknown forces during the night.

Under these circumstances, the builder asked the Virgin Mary to give him a sign for what he wanted the Holy Monastery to be built. The next day all the tools were found - along with the chisel with the wicker zeppelin - nailed to the spot where the bell tower is today! (Currently, the tools are stored inside the Monastery chapel).

Thus we reach 1088 AD during the reign of Alexios A. Komninos, whereby his order the Holy Royal Stavropegian Monastery of Ag. Ioannis Theologos on the island of Patmos and at the same time the successful renovation and completion of the Holy Monastery in its current form.

In fact, the Holy Monasteries of Patmos and Amorgos to be considered since then as sisters, "securing" their status.

The Holy Monastery of Hozoviotissa was transferred to the Hellenic Church, and specifically to the Holy Metropolis of Thira, Amorgos, and islands.

Chozoviotissa Monastery Celebration

Panagia Hozoviotissa of Amorgos celebrates on November 21th on the day of the Assumption of the Virgin, annually. Crowds of people visit it from the surrounding islands, while all year round it receives visitors from all over the world, culminating in the summer months.

How to get to the Monastery Hozioviotissa in Amorgos

The distance between Chora village. and Monastery Chozoviotissa is just 2 kilometers. You can reach the Holy Monastery on foot downhill (about twenty minutes) starting at the edge of Chora village, to the right of Kalogerikos spot. When you reach the tarmac road, follow the signs to the Monastery until you reach the gate.

Alternatively, park your car or motorcycle outside the gates and climb the 300 or so paved steps up to the Holy Monastery. The fantastic view of the endless blue under the Holy Monastery will compensate you!

Inside the Monastery, you will be treated to loukoumi, traditional “psimeni” raki from Amorgos, and Greek coffee, while a few further steps will bring you to the chapel and the holy icon of the Virgin Mary! Don’t miss the chance to meet the Archimandrite Mr. Spyridon Denaxas.

As a guest, you will sign in the guestbook and get souvenirs upon your departure. It is also a great idea to admire the view from the open balcony outside the chapel – feast your eyes on the “Big Blue” stretching out before you and merging with the horizon!

Chozoviotissa Monastery Hours – Tel

Hozoviotissa's Opening Hours are: 8:00- 13:00 and 17:00 – 19:00, (It closes in the middle of the day, from 14:00 to 17:00).

Telephone number: +302285071274.

Voitheia sas!

Updated: 10/04/2022

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Monastery of Chozoviotissa - Map
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