‘Ekkinisi’ requests restoration of Zoodohou Pigis Church at Kastellani Messi Schools
Kastellani Messi
22 Mar 2022
/ 17:21
CORFU. The local party submitted a question to the Municipal Authority regarding the restoration of the Zoodohou Pigis Church, which was bequeathed by Prospero Marini to the Kastellani Messi School.
The Zoodohou Pigis Church (Chrysopigi), which was built in the 17th century by Prospero Marini, is located in the yard of the Kastellani Messi Junior High and High Schools.
Prospero Marini, on 24 October 1694, shortly before his death, ordered in his will the creation of a monastery and educational institution in Kastellani Messi, in the same place where he had built the Chrysopigi Church in 1688, leaving a huge fortune.
Since then, the monastery and the church had been an important religious and educational centre of not only the region but also the whole island. Prospero Marini's estates, along with all the other monastic estates, were confiscated in 1797 and finally the monastery, as an educational institution, was closed in 1800. Since then, the property has been housing administrative offices, educational institutions, courts, etc.
In 1976, a proposal was submitted to the Prefecture for the concession of the Monastery's area, with its buildings and estates, in order to create a school. The proposal was accepted and after repairing the buildings, the Kastellani Messi Junior High and High Schools have been operating since 1978 until today.
The church is currently in a terrible state!
We believe that the immediate maintenance and restoration of the Chrysopigi Church is essential for the following reasons:
a) Because it is dangerous for the pupils of the Kastellani Messi Junior High and High Schools, who are using the yard. Many sections of the walls, part of the bell tower and part of the roof have collapsed, while rodents and reptiles have appeared in the church's surrounding area. According to information received by Enimerosi, the Directors of the Junior High and High Schools have been sending letters to the Municipality for many years, but they have received no official reply.
b) Because there is a danger that an important religious and cultural monument of Corfu - the Chrysopigi Church - may collapse. The church's condition made it easy for burglars to gain access to its interior in 2009 and, thus, they stole icons and candles of great value and caused destruction. The Inspectorate of Antiquities has sent a team to the property and agreed that the immediate restoration of the church is necessary.
c) Out of respect for one of the most important modern painters of Corfu, Konstantinos (Ten) Florias, who lived and created in this property from 1936, when he returned from Paris, until 1969, when he passed away. His grave is behind the church and is in a terrible condition.
Representatives from the Kastellani Messi community, from the school's teachers and from the Corfu Art Gallery have been visiting both the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor Mr. Kalogeros for two years. Therefore, we believe that the Municipal Authority is aware of this issue. We also believe that the railings recently placed around the church are a sloppy way of dealing with this serious issue. We would like to know if the Municipal Authority has taken, or is planning to take, any action in the near future that will help save this particular building which is its responsibility.
Prospero Marini, on 24 October 1694, shortly before his death, ordered in his will the creation of a monastery and educational institution in Kastellani Messi, in the same place where he had built the Chrysopigi Church in 1688, leaving a huge fortune.
Since then, the monastery and the church had been an important religious and educational centre of not only the region but also the whole island. Prospero Marini's estates, along with all the other monastic estates, were confiscated in 1797 and finally the monastery, as an educational institution, was closed in 1800. Since then, the property has been housing administrative offices, educational institutions, courts, etc.
In 1976, a proposal was submitted to the Prefecture for the concession of the Monastery's area, with its buildings and estates, in order to create a school. The proposal was accepted and after repairing the buildings, the Kastellani Messi Junior High and High Schools have been operating since 1978 until today.
The church is currently in a terrible state!
We believe that the immediate maintenance and restoration of the Chrysopigi Church is essential for the following reasons:
a) Because it is dangerous for the pupils of the Kastellani Messi Junior High and High Schools, who are using the yard. Many sections of the walls, part of the bell tower and part of the roof have collapsed, while rodents and reptiles have appeared in the church's surrounding area. According to information received by Enimerosi, the Directors of the Junior High and High Schools have been sending letters to the Municipality for many years, but they have received no official reply.
b) Because there is a danger that an important religious and cultural monument of Corfu - the Chrysopigi Church - may collapse. The church's condition made it easy for burglars to gain access to its interior in 2009 and, thus, they stole icons and candles of great value and caused destruction. The Inspectorate of Antiquities has sent a team to the property and agreed that the immediate restoration of the church is necessary.
c) Out of respect for one of the most important modern painters of Corfu, Konstantinos (Ten) Florias, who lived and created in this property from 1936, when he returned from Paris, until 1969, when he passed away. His grave is behind the church and is in a terrible condition.
Representatives from the Kastellani Messi community, from the school's teachers and from the Corfu Art Gallery have been visiting both the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor Mr. Kalogeros for two years. Therefore, we believe that the Municipal Authority is aware of this issue. We also believe that the railings recently placed around the church are a sloppy way of dealing with this serious issue. We would like to know if the Municipal Authority has taken, or is planning to take, any action in the near future that will help save this particular building which is its responsibility.
