Corfu, November 24 – The new book by the honorary president of the Corfu Reading Society, Mr. Ioannis S. Pierris, titled “Saint Catherine of Karofyllatos,” was presented with great success on Monday, November 24, in the packed event hall of the Reading Society. The event featured prominent speakers who shed light on the book’s historical and cultural significance.
The Presentation and Speakers
The presentation, which drew a large crowd, included speeches from distinguished academics and experts:
- Panagiota Tzivara, Associate Professor of Modern Greek History, Democritus University of Thrace.
- Manolis Drakakis, Associate Professor of Archival Science, Ionian University.
- Konstantinos Christopoulos, Archaeologist, head of the Banknote Museum of the Ionian Bank, and co-editor of the publication.
A video recording of the event has been uploaded to the Reading Society’s YouTube channel, allowing those who could not attend to experience the insightful discussions. The link to the video is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5Kx3CkxheA
About the Book: “Saint Catherine of Karofyllatos”
The Corfu Reading Society is pleased to announce its new publication, “Saint Catherine of Karofyllatos,” authored by its honorary president, Mr. Ioannis Pierris. This book delves into the history of the urban monastery of Saint Catherine over three centuries, simultaneously illuminating aspects of Corfu’s urban history.
The complex of Saint Catherine was constructed by the Cretan clergyman Nikodimos Karofyllatos, a significant figure in Cretan scholarship, who arrived in Corfu as a refugee in 1672 after the fall of Rethymno to the Ottomans. The magnificent church, primarily frescoed by the Cretan iconographer and hieromonk Stefanos Tzankarolos, served as a center of Orthodox faith, and the monastery developed an educational character.
Historical Trajectory of the Monastery
After 1798, the monastery shared the fate of many similar institutions. It was confiscated by the French Republicans, later came under the jurisdiction of the Local Council, and since 1887, has been owned by the Municipality of Corfu, now the Municipality of Central Corfu and Diapontia Islands. The church continued to function regularly, while priests serving in neighboring parishes occasionally resided in the monastery’s cells.
The last priest to reside in the monastery’s cells and maintain the church and the entire complex for most of the 20th century was the blessed Archimandrite Chrysanthos Politis, Protosyncellus of the Holy Metropolis of Corfu and Paxoi. He was a revered clerical figure still remembered by older Corfiots. After his passing in 1982, the monastery was taken over by the then Municipality of Corfu.
Restoration and Future Prospects
Unfortunately, despite various discussions over time, the monastery of Saint Catherine gradually fell into disrepair and eventually collapsed. Through the initiative of Ioannis Pierris in 2006, the precious iconographic decoration was salvaged, removed from the church, and stored at the Ephorate of Antiquities of Corfu, where it underwent conservation. After various challenges, the study and restoration project of the monastery were carried out through the Public Investment Program of the Ionian Islands Region, in collaboration with the Municipality of Central Corfu and D.N. and the services of the Ministry of Culture.
Now, the holy church of Saint Catherine, as well as the rest of the building complex, is expected to regain its place in the life of Corfu and be utilized in the best possible way, with respect for both the sanctity of the space and its history.
Publication Contributors and Acknowledgments
The publication of the book involved a dedicated team:
- Scientific editing: Tzoia Provata, Konstantinos Christopoulos.
- Philological and typographic editing: Socrates Poulis.
- Publication coordination: Dimitris Zymaris.
- Photography: Kostas Tsiringakis.
Special thanks are extended for their invaluable assistance in the book’s publication to Nella Pantazi, Spyros Karydis, Panagiota Tzivara, Manolis Drakakis, Eleni Metallinou, Spyros Gaoutsis, Theophilos Tzikas, Leonidas Kollas, Gerasimos Dimoulas, Eleni Gousti-Stamboglou, and Kostas Thymis.
Gratitude is also expressed to His Eminence Metropolitan Nektarios of Corfu, Paxoi, and Diapontia Islands, and to the Mayor of Central Corfu and Diapontia Islands, Mr. Stefanos Poulimenos, for the photography permits, as well as to everyone who contributed, each in their own way, to the restoration of this significant monument.
Finally, heartfelt thanks are extended to Ms. Ina Agathou, who sponsored the publication. The Corfu Reading Society, as a small token of its appreciation and gratitude, dedicates this book to the memory of its Great Benefactor, Nikos Agathos.
Source: https://corfutvnews.gr/kerkyra-me-megali-epitychia-i-parousiasi-tou-vivliou-tou-i-pierri/
