The Kasiots stand out for their deep religious feeling — seen not only in the way they take part in the feasts, but also in the multitude of churches found in every corner of the island.
Among them stand out the grand churches of the larger villages, built on a magnificent scale in the second half of the 19th century — when the Kasiot merchant fleet dominated the Aegean and was among the most important in the Mediterranean.
The great village churches
Agios Spyridon · Fry
The island's patron saint. Notable are the four semicylindrical vaults that roof it and the fine iconography inside. Its feast is on 12 December.
Panagia · Emporios
Built on the ruins of an early Christian church, from which columns and the baptistery survive.
Agia Marina · Agia Marina
The eponymous church in the largest village. Its festival, on 17 July, is one of the most important religious and social events of the summer.
Agios Dimitrios · Arvanitochori
Patron of Arvanitochori, with its towering, elegant bell tower.
Dormition of the Virgin · Panagia
Adorned with a masterful carved wooden iconostasis. Its festival, on 15 August, is a landmark for all the island's residents — the biggest on Kasos.
Legends & monasteries
The six churches of Panagia
Quite unique is the cluster of six churches in the village of Panagia. According to legend, they were built to exorcise six “spirits” (fairies) that once appeared in the area, and were dedicated to six different saints: Agios Nikolaos, Agios Ioannis, Agia Varvara, the Beheading of St John the Baptist, Megas Antonios and Agios Charalambos.
Agios Georgios · Chadies
One of the most historic monasteries of Kasos, 12 km south of Fry. According to tradition, the first church was built in 1690 where the donkey carrying the saint's icon stopped; the present building dates to 1902. It stands out for the deep devotion of the Kasiots, who consider him their protector — countless are the accounts of his miraculous interventions.
Agios Mamas Monastery · Poli
South of Poli (4 km, 7 km from Fry), it stands out for its pebbled floor, carved wooden iconostasis and stunning views of the Libyan Sea. A guesthouse operates beside the church, and its festival takes place on 2 September.
Panagia tis Mairis · Agia Marina
Formerly known as Panagia tou Mastronikola, a historic little church built shortly before 1821. It is linked to the dramatic events of the 1824 Holocaust, as it served as a refuge for women and children — the gashes on the icons bear witness to the battles fought there. Today it is a place of historical memory and devotion.
Panagia i Potamitissa
It lies beside the bed of the Skylas seasonal stream and is a cave shaped into a church. According to tradition, this happened at the wish of the Virgin herself, who instructed the shepherd who found her icon not to build up the cave's entrance all the way — for a reason that remains a mystery to this day.
In all, the land of Kasos hosts 102 churches, monasteries and chapels — many in spots with magical sea views. Dawn at Agia Kyriaki is a sight of rare beauty, while before Agios Mamas stretches the vastness of the Libyan Sea.
Every little church, a token of devotion from people with hearts full of gratitude.