A historic sanctuary, the Church of Fanourios, is nestled within the ancient boundaries of Rhodes' Old Town. This quaint church stands near the ruins of an early millennium chapel, which succumbed to destruction between the 12th and 14th centuries. Today, it’s a global pilgrimage destination where believers gather, seeking Fanourios’s aid for their troubles and to retrieve what’s been lost.
Originating in the 15th century, the original martyr’s shrine lay outside the Medieval City’s borders and suffered destruction during the knight’s era. It was once dedicated to either Archangel Michael or Gabriel, with only its foundation surviving today. Post-WWII, in 1946, the current church within the Old Town was inaugurated. This era saw various island temples restored to the Orthodox community, their initial proprietors. Under Ottoman rule, it became the mosque «Peyal el Din Medjid,» a name occasionally found in historical records.
During the Ottoman rule of Rhodes around the 15th to 16th centuries, a project to reconstruct the fortress wall—previously destroyed by invaders—was underway. Workers were sent to collect large stones from the semi-derelict homes of the townspeople for this purpose. Amidst their task, they stumbled upon an elegant yet partially collapsed church. Inside, they found numerous icons, but the images and inscriptions on them were nearly indecipherable due to the long period of neglect within the ruins.
Upon his arrival at the site of devastation, Metropolitan Nil of Rhodes managed to decipher the name on a distinctive icon apart from the others. It featured a youthful figure clad in Roman military attire, holding a cross in his left hand and a lit candle in the right. Surrounding the image of Saint Fanourios, the artist depicted a series of twelve scenes narrating the saint’s life and trials through various acts of martyrdom.
Sources vary on the exact timing of the discovery of a significant saint’s icon. Records suggest it was unearthed either around the year 1500 or during 1366–1369. Additionally, there is debate over the location of this find, with some documents indicating it was on the island of Rhodes, while others point to Cyprus. However, it is clear that by 1481, devotion to Saint Phanourios had spread throughout the Aegean islands.
Constructed with a free-standing cross design, the Church of Fanourios in Rhodes features an appended western vestibule. Its walls reveal a palimpsest of fresco layers spanning centuries. Near the altar, the earliest paintings date back to the early 13th century. A comprehensive second layer, applied around 1335–1336, echoes themes of its predecessor and adorns most surfaces, including the vestibule. The final layer likely dates to the mid-15th century, adding to the historical tapestry of the church’s interior.
Experts believe that different abbots or managers commissioned the creation of these artworks. It is thought that local patrons or affluent individuals from Rhodes funded the first layer, crafted by a skilled artist who may have been trained in the Nicaean Empire’s art school in Asia Minor. Above the arches on either side of the gate, the second layer depicts the Second Coming, likely added by the artist’s initiative to include heavenly scenes. The frescoes of the final layer are well-preserved, with any damage having been restored during conservation efforts led by the Italian archaeological service during the occupation. Despite the loss of many paintings, the remaining fragments give us insight into the iconographic art of Rhodes between the 13th and 16th centuries.
During the Latin occupation of Crete, efforts were made to convert the islanders to Catholicism. Local clergy were coerced by archbishops to worship their deity. Those opposing sought Fanourios’s intercession for deliverance from the invaders. The saint appeared in dreams to the archbishops, warning of punishment if they didn’t release the priests. Initially defying Fanourios, the archbishops suffered blindness and paralysis. Once priests were freed, their health was miraculously restored by the saint.
This church functions as a local parish and is structured similarly to other regional temples.
Located on St. Fanourios Street, near the southern border of the Rhodes fortress, it’s easily accessible during a stroll through the Old Town, making it a simple addition to your sightseeing.
