Saint Athanasius

The church of Saint Athanasius is a small Orthodox chapel on Mykonos, sitting at coordinates that place it in the quieter inland or semi-rural reaches of the island, away from the concentrated tourist circuit of Mykonos Town. Like the vast majority of the island's estimated 400-plus churches and chapels, it follows the unmistakable Cycladic form: whitewashed cubic walls, a blue or deep-red dome, and a simple bell arch above the entrance. Mykonos has more churches per square kilometer than almost any other Greek island, many of them privately maintained by local families as expressions of devotion to a particular saint.

Saint Athanasius himself is one of the most significant figures in Orthodox Christian theology. Known historically as Athanasius of Alexandria, he was a 4th-century bishop and theologian who played a central role in defining the Nicene Creed and defending the doctrine of the Trinity against the Arian controversy. He is venerated across the Orthodox world, and churches bearing his name appear throughout Greece and the islands. His feast day falls on 18 January in the Orthodox calendar, which is when a chapel like this one would traditionally hold its nameday liturgy.

For visitors to Mykonos who want to step briefly out of the island's commercial rhythm, small chapels like Saint Athanasius offer something genuinely different: quiet, shade, and a sense of the island as it was before tourism became its primary economy.

What to Expect

The chapel of Saint Athanasius is a modest, single-nave structure in the Orthodox tradition. Inside, you can expect a low-ceilinged interior with stone or whitewashed walls, an iconostasis — the wooden or stone screen that separates the nave from the sanctuary — and at minimum one icon of the saint himself, typically depicted in his bishop's vestments holding a Gospel book. Votive candles in sand trays near the entrance are a standard feature, and a small oil lamp likely burns in front of the primary icon.

The exterior follows Cycladic vernacular architecture: the geometry is simple and the surfaces are thick with whitewash applied over centuries of maintenance. The surrounding grounds, if any, are likely a small paved or stone courtyard. Some Mykonos chapels of this type are locked outside of services and nameday celebrations; others remain open throughout the day for quiet prayer or a brief visit. Because no specific opening hours have been confirmed for this chapel, plan for the possibility that you may need to view it from the exterior.

The location at approximately 37.447°N, 25.328°E places the chapel in the central-to-southern part of Mykonos island. This area is characterized by low scrubland, dry stone walls, and occasional farmsteads — the landscape that defined Mykonos before the hotels arrived.

How to Get There

The chapel sits at a point accessible by car or scooter along the interior road network of Mykonos. The island's road system is compact, and most inland points are within 15–20 minutes of Mykonos Town or the New Port. If you are driving, use the GPS coordinates (37.4470752, 25.3281669) to navigate directly — road signage for small chapels is inconsistent across the island.

Mykonos does not have a comprehensive public bus network covering its inland chapel sites. The KTEL Mykonos buses primarily serve the main beaches and Mykonos Town. Taxis and ride-hailing apps available on the island are a practical alternative if you don't have a rental vehicle. Parking near small rural chapels on Mykonos is generally informal and easy — roadside space is usually available.

Accessibility inside small Orthodox chapels typically involves one or two steps at the entrance threshold. There is unlikely to be a ramp or adapted access.

Best Time to Visit

The nameday of Saint Athanasius — 18 January — is when this chapel is most alive. A local priest will conduct a liturgy, and any family with custodial ties to the chapel may be present. Outside of January, the chapel sees little formal activity.

For a casual visit, early morning and late afternoon are the most pleasant times on Mykonos from May through September, when midday temperatures regularly exceed 30°C and the meltemi wind — the strong northerly that defines Aegean summers — can be at its most forceful in the afternoon. Spring (April–May) and early autumn (September–October) offer mild temperatures, softer light, and far fewer visitors overall. If you are combining a chapel visit with exploration of the inland landscape, these shoulder months are significantly more comfortable than high summer.

July and August bring the island's peak crowds, but those crowds concentrate almost entirely on the beaches, the port, and Mykonos Town. Interior chapels see almost no tourist traffic even in peak season.

Tips for Visiting

• Dress appropriately before you arrive. Orthodox chapels in Greece expect covered shoulders and knees for entry. Carry a light scarf or layer if you are coming from the beach.
• Check whether the door is open. Small privately maintained chapels on Mykonos are sometimes locked between services. If the chapel is locked, the exterior and courtyard are still worth a moment.
• Don't move or handle the icons. Icons inside Orthodox churches are sacred objects, not decorative items. Observe without touching.
• If candles are available, you may light one. Votive candles are typically available at a small tray near the entrance, sometimes with a coin box alongside. This is a normal and welcome act of respect in Orthodox tradition, regardless of your own faith background.
• Bring water. The inland parts of Mykonos offer almost no shade or services outside of the villages. If you are visiting by scooter or on foot, carry your own water, particularly in summer.
• Combine with inland exploration. The area around this chapel's coordinates reflects the quieter, agricultural Mykonos that most visitors never see. The landscape of low hills, drystone walls, and occasional windmills in the distance is worth taking slowly.
• Silence is appropriate inside. Even if no service is taking place, treat the interior as an active place of worship. Keep voices low and phones on silent.
• Note the architecture closely. The thick whitewashed walls of Cycladic chapels serve a functional purpose — they insulate against both heat and cold. The construction technique is centuries old and still used in restoration work today.

About the Saint

Athanasius of Alexandria (c. 296–373 AD) is one of the most consequential figures in the history of Christian theology. Serving as Archbishop of Alexandria during an era of intense doctrinal dispute, he spent the majority of his career defending what became orthodox Christian teaching on the nature of Christ — specifically, the position enshrined in the Nicene Creed that Christ is fully divine and coequal with the Father, not a created being.

His opponents, followers of the Alexandrian theologian Arius, held a different view, and the controversy was fierce enough to fracture the early church and destabilize the Roman Empire under Constantine I. Athanasius was exiled from his see five times by successive emperors, giving rise to the phrase "Athanasius contra mundum" — Athanasius against the world — as a description of his steadfast resistance. He was eventually restored permanently and died in Alexandria after more than 45 years as its bishop.

In the Orthodox Church, he is venerated as one of the Fathers of the Church and a defender of the faith. His feast day on 18 January is observed throughout Greece, and chapels dedicated to him — including this one on Mykonos — hold liturgies on that date. The theological legacy he shaped remains foundational to both Orthodox and Catholic Christianity.