Panagia Prousiotisa

Μετάφραση Greek Version

Panagia Prousiotisa

The Cave Church of Panagia Prousiotissa is located opposite the village of Vardates, at the foot of the mountain Oiti. It is built on a steep cliff overlooking the valley of Lamia. In 1711 an icon of the Virgin Mary was found there in a miraculous manner, which led to the construction of a church. According to local tradition, the name Prousiotissa comes from Prusa in Asia Minor from where it was beleived the icon came. The church is surrounded by a monastery complex. In the church there are remarkable frescoes from 1711 and 1748.

It was recently renovated by railway workers and serves as a shrine for them. Railway workers took over the church under their protection after a train derailed. The train hung on the cliff above Panagia Prousiotissa and all the passengers were saved. Since then, trains when passing from there  the day of the feast, slow down and whistle in honor of the Virgin Mary.