Holy Monastery of Panagia Faneromeni ... The Holy Monastery of Faneromeni in Lefkada is a historic monastery in Lefkada. It has been the religious centre of the island for centuries and is the oldest and largest monastery. Panagia Faneromeni is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, who is also the patron saint of the island. It is a male monastery with one abbot and four monks. The canonical (official) title of the monastery is "Holy Monastery of the Most Holy Theotokos of Lefkada". History The area where the monastery is located, 3 km west of the town of Lefkada near the settlement of Fruni, housed a calligraphic sanctuary to the goddess Artemis in ancient times. On his passage from Nicopolis to neighbouring Preveza, the Apostle Paul sent his three assistants Akyla, Sosion and Herodion to the island in 63 AD. The three invited the Lefkadians to this place and preached the teachings of Jesus. Later they built a place of worship in honour of the Virgin Mary, thus creating the first church on the island. The apostle Paul consecrated Sosion as the first bishop of Lefkada. In 332 AD, the then Bishop of Lefkada, Agatharchos, and two Fathers settled in the temple, expanded it and built the first cells, thus laying the foundation for monasticism on the island. In the 5th century AD, the icon of the Virgin Mary was brought to Constantinople. The venerable monk and hagiographer Kallistos undertook the making of the icon. The icon miraculously appears before him, "hand-drawn" on the wood, and he adds the colours, hence it is called Faneromeni. In the following years, the island was visited by many conquerors and the monastery was repeatedly attacked and destroyed. In 1734 AD, when the island was under Venetian rule, the main church was built in its present form. The same church was completely burnt down in 1886, only to be rebuilt and renovated. The iconostasis, built in 1887, is the work of Efstratios Prosalentis, while the icons were added later, in 1919, and are by the brothers Christodoulos and Thomas Zographos. The present icon of the Virgin Mary is a copy of the miraculous icon made by Hieromonk Benjamin Kontrakis on Mount Athos in 1887. The areas of the monastery      - The main church of the monastery, dedicated to the descent of the Holy Spirit.      - Reception and hospitality area for pilgrims.      - Archontariki: The monastery is a shelter for pilgrims and can accommodate up to 50 pilgrims.      - Chapel of Agios Silouanos the Athonite.      - Library: The monastery's library contains more than 2000 titles, including such important books as                  - Handwritten Gospel from the 15th century                  - Community triode from the 18th century                  - Handwritten Gospel from the 17th century                  - Menaion September 18th century                  - Holy Gospel of the 18th century                  - Divine and holy gospel of the 17th century The monastery is open from sunrise to sunset. In the summer season, closed 2-4 p.m.