Agia Paraskevi

Agia Paraskevi is a small Orthodox church on Naxos dedicated to Saint Paraskevi, one of the most venerated female saints in the Greek Orthodox tradition. It sits at coordinates roughly 37.10°N, 25.48°E — in the central-eastern part of the island, inland from the coast. Like many of Naxos's scattered chapels, it is a simple, whitewashed structure that serves the surrounding community and provides a quiet stop for visitors interested in the island's living religious culture.

What to Expect

Agia Paraskevi follows the pattern of the hundreds of small Orthodox chapels that dot Naxos's landscape. Inside you will typically find an iconostasis — the wooden or stone screen that separates the nave from the altar — decorated with icons of Christ, the Virgin Mary, and the saint to whom the church is dedicated. The interior is modest in scale; a single nave is the norm for chapels of this type. Candle stands near the entrance allow visitors to light a candle, as is customary. The exterior is likely whitewashed with a blue or grey dome or bell tower, blending into the Cycladic surroundings.

Saint Paraskevi, whose name means "preparation" in Greek, is associated with healing and protection of sight. Her feast day falls on 26 July, and chapels bearing her name across Greece often hold a small liturgy and local celebration on that date. If you visit around that time, you may find the church open for a panigiri — the traditional saint's day gathering that combines religious observance with food and music.

How to Get There

The church's coordinates place it in the interior of Naxos, east of the mountainous spine of the island and not far from the central road network that connects Naxos Town (Chora) with the inland villages. From Naxos Town, head inland on the main road toward Halki and Filoti; the chapel is accessible from the central Naxos valley area. A car or scooter is the most practical way to reach it, as rural chapels of this kind are rarely served by public bus routes. Use the coordinates (37.1019022, 25.4789772) in Google Maps or a GPS app to navigate directly.

Tips for Visiting

• Dress modestly. Shoulders and knees should be covered before entering any Orthodox church. Carry a light scarf or sarong in your bag if you plan to visit chapels during a beach-and-sightseeing day.
• Check if it is open. Small rural chapels are often locked except during services or the saint's feast day. Peering through the gate or grill to see the iconostasis is perfectly acceptable when the door is closed.
• Visit on 26 July if possible. Saint Paraskevi's feast day is the most likely time to find the church open, lit with candles, and attended by locals.
• Be quiet and respectful. Even when no service is in progress, treat the space as an active place of worship, not a tourist sight.
• Combine with nearby inland villages. The central Naxos valley contains Halki, Filoti, and Apeiranthos — all within reasonable driving distance and worth pairing with a chapel visit.

What's Nearby

The inland region around this part of Naxos is among the most rewarding on the island for those who look beyond the beaches. The village of Halki, about 16 kilometres from Naxos Town, retains Venetian tower-houses and the 11th-century Panagia Protothronis church. Filoti, the largest village in the Naxos interior, sits on the slopes of Mount Zas — the highest peak in the Cyclades — and offers tavernas serving local food. Apeiranthos further northeast is known for its marble-paved lanes and small archaeological museum. Any of these make a natural base for exploring the surrounding countryside and its chapels.