Whether you are vacationing in Nea Fokea or nearby, here you can visit an interesting and very ancient landmark - the cave church of Saint Paul, where holy and miraculous water still springs today.

Located on the eastern borders of the village Nea Fokea, in the heart of beautiful Kassandra. According to legend, Saint Paul found refuge here during his travels when he visited this area to preach Christianity. The church is carved into the rock, and from it springs holy water that believers carry as a blessing.

Where is the church of Saint Paul in Nea Fokea located?

Not far from the fortress, opposite the picturesque fishing marina, on the other side of the street, this place cannot be overlooked. The first thing you will notice is the large stone arch at the entrance to the courtyard, and within the courtyard, there is a small stone church. In front of the courtyard, there is also parking, so if needed, you can park your car there.
Location on the map

Access to the church is open to pilgrims, who can pass through a portico about 10 meters long, all the way to a rectangular space where, according to tradition, Saint Paul slept. Heavy old wooden doors lead down stone steps to an underground, narrow corridor. This corridor, about 10 meters long, is carved into the rock and ends in a crawling space, which then leads to a small underground prayer room with icons.

Historical significance

The significance of this place lies not only in its architecture, but also in its rich history.

It is believed that this room was originally an ancient Macedonian tomb that was converted into a church during the Byzantine period. In the corner of the hallway, there is a reservoir where holy water is collected.

This room was once adorned with frescoes, monograms, and other depictions, but today only small fragments of these frescoes are preserved in the corners of the room. The walls are covered with a thick layer of soot, formed from candles that believers lit, as this crypt undoubtedly served as a refuge for believers during persecutions.

In the room, there is a marble column (pillar) that connects to the Holy altar of the church.

Throughout Halkidiki, traces and deeply rooted beliefs from the Apostolic period of early Christianity, especially of the Apostle Paul, can be found. As previously mentioned, the monastery of Saint Lydia is named after the first woman who embraced Christianity from Apostle Paul. The Apostle, on his pilgrimage, founded one of the first Christian communities in Europe in the ancient city of Philippi. There, as mentioned earlier, Saint Lydia, the first Christian woman on European soil, was baptized.

Today, Philippi is considered an important archaeological site, with preserved remains of Roman and Byzantine buildings, including a theater, forum, and churches.

Tradition and customs

According to folk tradition, this location has an interesting story dating back to the 1st century AD. When Saint Paul was persecuted by the inhabitants of Jerisoss, he prayed to God for help, and miraculously, a hole opened in the ground that led him to this cave in Kassandra. In both openings that still exist today, also dedicated to Saint Paul, holy water flows.

In another version, the apostle, persecuted by pagans from Kassandra, fled to this cave where he secretly preached and baptized new Christians in the reservoir called Agiasmas. In the context of churches and holy places, “agiasma” usually signifies water that is sanctified or has religious significance, often used for baptisms or as blessed water for ritual purposes.

Celebrating Saint Paul in Nea Fokea

Saint Paul is considered the patron saint of Nea Fokea, and every year, on June 28th, a festival is held here that gathers numerous believers from the surrounding area.

After the arrival and settlement of Greek refugees from Fokea in Asia Minor in 1924, the festival gained even more significance as many Greeks came to see the dances such as balo, karsilama, and Aptalic games of their compatriots from Asia Minor.

If you find yourself in the charming fishing village of Nea Fokea, you can take a stroll and visit this unique cave church.

If you are planning a vacation, check out more details about Nea Fokea HERE.

If you like the place, take a look at our offer on the website HERE.

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