Agia Paraskevi

Agia Paraskevi is a small Orthodox church dedicated to Saint Paraskevi, located in the central interior of Naxos. Like many village chapels scattered across the island, it serves as a place of worship for the local community and represents the enduring tradition of Cycladic religious architecture.

What to Expect

This is a traditional Greek Orthodox chapel, typically whitewashed with simple stonework and modest proportions. Churches dedicated to Saint Paraskevi—patron saint of eyesight and protector against eye disease—are common throughout Greece, and Naxos has several bearing this name. The interior likely features typical Orthodox iconography, a small iconostasis, and oil lamps or candles lit by visitors and parishioners. These rural chapels are not museums; they're active places of faith, so you may find the door unlocked during daylight hours or encounter locals attending to the space.

How to Get There

The coordinates place Agia Paraskevi in the central-eastern part of Naxos, inland from the coast. The most reliable approach is by car or scooter from Naxos Town (Chora), heading east into the island's interior. The exact village or hamlet is not specified in available records, so navigation by GPS coordinates (36.9905355, 25.3955297) is recommended. Expect narrow rural roads and limited signage once you leave the main routes.

Tips for Visiting

• Dress modestly if you plan to enter—shoulders and knees covered, as with all Orthodox churches
• Bring a small offering or light a candle if the church is open; donations support maintenance
• Visit in the morning or late afternoon; many village churches are locked midday
• Respect silence if locals are praying or tending the space
• Be prepared for limited or no facilities nearby—this is countryside Naxos

The Saint and the Tradition

Saint Paraskevi is one of the most venerated saints in the Greek Orthodox calendar, celebrated on July 26th. Churches bearing her name often host local feast-day celebrations (panigyria) with liturgy, food, and music. If you're on Naxos in late July, check with locals whether this particular chapel holds a festival—these gatherings offer rare insight into island community life. Even outside feast days, village churches like Agia Paraskevi anchor Naxos's living religious culture, distinct from the island's better-known Byzantine monuments and archaeological sites.