Monastery of St. Anastasia the Defender
in the vicinity of Thessaloniki, Greece
Description:
The Monastery of St. Anastasia the Assigner is named after a woman who suffered a martyr’s death.
The name of the Rescuer is explained by the fact that Anastasia was given the power of healing, and her prayers helped suffering and unjustly condemned people. It is located near Thessaloniki.
According to historical sources, the relics of St. Anastasia were stolen, the inhabitants of the monastery are very mournful about this. Moreover, the kidnappers were found, but never revealed the secret where the relics are hidden. The monastery was built by the inhabitants of Thessaloniki and villages located nearby. A great contribution to the development of this place was made by the Byzantine Queen Theophania. The main shrine is part of the holy foot.
Unfortunately, many archives and documents, books and utensils were destroyed by the fire of 1821 during the Turkish raid. There are nine chapels around the monastery, there is a church school. December 22 honor the memory of St. Anastasia.
You can get from Thessaloniki by bus 87 to Suroti, and then by taxi. From the resort towns of the peninsula - by shuttle buses to the village of Vasilika, then by taxi.