PANAGIA PYRGOTISSA

The main church of the village is dedicated to " Panagia Pyrgotissa " (Blessed Virgin Mary of Pyrgos). The church, which is located at the entrance of the village, started being built around 1886 with very strong foundations that were three metres deep below the earth's surface. About forty labourers were working then without getting paid and with just one meal per day as their reward, which was also an offer by the village's women. They carried stones from the mountain across all day long. This was done sometimes by hand and sometimes using donkeys, just so as to fulfil the solemn promise to the Blessed Virgin Mary of Pyrgos.

Externally, the church is made of stone and has apses. On the outside it is decorated with various designs and representations of angels. The church was completed in 1902, having the architectural form of a single-aisle Basilica. It has a capacity of 200 persons. Internally, the church has a few faded frescoes of the Saints Spyridon, Nicolas, Theodoros, Antonios, Iakovos, and the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Certainly, the presence of the old, wooden icon screen in the church is essential -since it separates the High Altar from the main temple -just like the presence of the Psalters, the Cherubim, and the wooden stools for the faithful. In 1949 the women's loft of the church was renovated, with all the expenses paid by the villagers, offering an enjoyable view and being of an amphitheatre-like type, so that the women would be able to observe the mass.

The Virgin Mary of Pyrgos celebrates on the 15 th of August, when a great fair takes place in the Community. Various vendors gather there so as to sell their goods, as also do the traditional doughnut makers who offer the known traditional "loukkoumades" (kind of fried doughnut with honey) as well as the renowned "shiamishi" (kind of fritter with honey). There is also a musical evening with the known traditional songs and dances.

PANAGIA NEROFOROUSA

The inhabitants of Pyrgos call it " Panagia I Neroforousa " or "Panagia ton Eisodion" (Blessed Virgin Mary" the Water-bearing" or "of the Harvest"). It is located about 150 meters west of the village's main church, the " Panagia Pyrgotissa" . It was constructed during the era of the Venetian Rule, around the end of the 13 th and the beginning of the 14 th century. A small and austere, stone-made, little church of the Basilica style. From information that we have gathered, the hagiographic icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary is extant and preserved. The hagiography is dated about 550 years old. This icons is kept in the main church of the village and it is carried to the little church during the day that " Panagia I Neroforousa " or "Panagia ton Eisodion" celebrates on the 21 st of October. During Her day a liturgy takes place, known to all the faithful, as well as a prayer for rain. It is from this that She took the Name " Panagia Neroforousa " (Water-bearing).

Internally, this church is flat with a very old, wooden icon screen, that was constructed in 1856. Across from the High Altar and up above, there is a fresco with a representation of the Twelve Apostles while they receive the Holy Communion. A bit higher up there is the hagiography called " Panagia Platytera ". Entering through the north gate, right across it, there is a hagiography with a representation of the " Agio Mantilio " (Holy Veronica). (When Christ was carrying His cross while ascending Golgotha, Saint Veronica used this handkerchief to wipe Christ's wounds and tears). At the back end of the church there is a room, the so called "katichoumeno". The "katichoumeno" is an extension of the church, although it is separated from the rest of the temple by a large apse. This is the area where the Christians who hadn't been baptised yet were standing whenever they came to church.

THE "AGIA MARINA' COUNTRY CHURCH

About 1500 metres south of the village of Pyrgos, in a tract of land sized 33 "skales" (plural, 1 "skala" = 14400 sq. ft.) and in the midst of 300 carob-trees, stands the small, stone-made country church of Saint Marina. The only extant parts were the remains of the chancel of the small church. In 1951 the inhabitants of the community started fund-raisers and tended for its restoration, aiming to re-erect the country church. Internally, it is a small, flat church with a simple, wooden icon screen. It has a capacity of 30 to 40 persons. There are four portable icons. To the right there is the icon of Christ and a bit further the icon of Saint john the Baptist. On the left there is the icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary and right next to it the icon of Saint John the Theologian. The silver (after a donation) icon of Saint Marina is kept in the main church of the village (" Panagia Pyrgotissa "). It is placed upon a special kneeling-desk right next to the kneeling desk of the Virgin Mary's Assumption. During the Saint's day on the 17 th of July, the silver icon of Saint Marina is carried to the small country church for its procession. It is worth mentioning that on the 17 th of July, when the celebration of Saint Marina takes place, a great fair takes place in the small church. Hundreds of believers come to it on that day so as to receive their solemn promise and adore Saint Marina.