Agios Dionysios

The church dedicated to the patron saint of Zakynthos, Agios Dionysios, is located in the heart of the island.

It preserves the relics of the saint and hosts a museum dedicated in the presentation of samples of the Christian church.

The church of Agios (Saint) Dionysios is located in Zakynthos Town, a few steps from the port. Dedicated to Agios Dionysios, the patron saint of the island, it is the largest church on the island and a place that bears great cultural significance for the locals. The first temple to honor the saint was built in the 18th century but it was destroyed by an earthquake in 1893. 

The church dedicated to the patron saint of Zakynthos, Agios Dionysios, is located in the heart of the island.

It preserves the relics of the saint and hosts a museum dedicated in the presentation of samples of the Christian church.

The church of Agios (Saint) Dionysios is located in Zakynthos Town, a few steps from the port. Dedicated to Agios Dionysios, the patron saint of the island, it is the largest church on the island and a place that bears great cultural significance for the locals. The first temple to honor the saint was built in the 18th century but it was destroyed by an earthquake in 1893. 

The construction works for the church in its current form began in 1925 and lasted 23 years. It remained intact during the destructive earthquake of 1953 due to its strong structure and the locals considered it a miracle.

St.Denis was born in Zakynthos in 1547 and was the son of an aristocratic family. From a young age he was given a christian upbringin. He was very well educated and spoke Italian as well as Ancient Greek and Latin. At the age of 20, after the death of both his parents he donated his entire estate to his brother and decided to join a monastery a few miles off the coast of Zakynthos. After living there for a while he was encourage by his fellow monks to be ordained as a priest, that of which he did and later became the Archbishop of Aigina, he spent the last years of his life at the Monastery of the Virgin Anaforitria in Zakynthos where he passed away at the age of 75 on the 17th December 1622. It was there at the Monastery Anafonitria that St.Denis lied for the first time, by hiding his brothers murderer and then helping him escape the island and flee to Kefalonia.

The church is a three-aisled basilica and Corinthian columns support its roof. Outside the church, the 40-meter tall bell tower that is the signature landmark of the port will catch your attention. Experts have noticed similarities in the structure of this church and the Basilica of Saint Mark in Venice.
The church is part of the building complex of the monastery of Agios Dionysios, along with cells and the building that houses the church’s museum.

There are two processions of the sacred relics of the Saint which are probably the most important events on the island. The first takes place on the 24th August which celebrates the day on which the relics where transported from the monastery in Strofades (it was there that St.Denis requested his remains to be kept after his death) and the second procession takes place on the 17th December, the day on which he passed away. Both celebrations last for three days, the first being from the 23rd of August to the 26th, and the second being from the 16th December to the 19th. You will see locals of all ages honouring the Saint by worship his relics and celebrating during this festival, the festival itself attracts thousands of pilgrims who flock to the island in order to pay their respects.

The construction works for the church in its current form began in 1925 and lasted 23 years. It remained intact during the destructive earthquake of 1953 due to its strong structure and the locals considered it a miracle.

St.Denis was born in Zakynthos in 1547 and was the son of an aristocratic family. From a young age he was given a christian upbringin. He was very well educated and spoke Italian as well as Ancient Greek and Latin. At the age of 20, after the death of both his parents he donated his entire estate to his brother and decided to join a monastery a few miles off the coast of Zakynthos. After living there for a while he was encourage by his fellow monks to be ordained as a priest, that of which he did and later became the Archbishop of Aigina, he spent the last years of his life at the Monastery of the Virgin Anaforitria in Zakynthos where he passed away at the age of 75 on the 17th December 1622. It was there at the Monastery Anafonitria that St.Denis lied for the first time, by hiding his brothers murderer and then helping him escape the island and flee to Kefalonia.

The church is a three-aisled basilica and Corinthian columns support its roof. Outside the church, the 40-meter tall bell tower that is the signature landmark of the port will catch your attention. Experts have noticed similarities in the structure of this church and the Basilica of Saint Mark in Venice.
The church is part of the building complex of the monastery of Agios Dionysios, along with cells and the building that houses the church’s museum.

There are two processions of the sacred relics of the Saint which are probably the most important events on the island. The first takes place on the 24th August which celebrates the day on which the relics where transported from the monastery in Strofades (it was there that St.Denis requested his remains to be kept after his death) and the second procession takes place on the 17th December, the day on which he passed away. Both celebrations last for three days, the first being from the 23rd of August to the 26th, and the second being from the 16th December to the 19th. You will see locals of all ages honouring the Saint by worship his relics and celebrating during this festival, the festival itself attracts thousands of pilgrims who flock to the island in order to pay their respects.