In the heart of Kremasti, a quaint, ancient parish church named St. Mary’s Catholic Church stands, established in 1960 on the ruins of an older edifice demolished two years prior. The northern entrance is dedicated to St. Sava and the southern to St. Spiridon.
The current structure in Rhodes replaced a cruciform sanctuary built in 1804, renowned for its baroque architectural flair. Its appeal was heightened by a miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary with child. This icon, the Kremasti family’s seventh heirloom, is now enshrined in the southeast corner of the church. Scholars speculate that the 19th-century building may have been erected over even older architectural remains, but details of its predecessor’s patronage remain a mystery.
The current church’s iconostasis reveals two distinct construction phases. The initial phase is preserved in the central aisle, originating from the earlier structure. The subsequent phase, crafted by Kiriakos Arau and Panagiotis Paporis from Kremasti, adorns the side aisles.
A similarly ornate element is the intricately carved bishop’s throne, which, along with the central aisle’s iconostasis, dates back to the 19th-century church.
The modern sanctuary is designed in a cruciform layout with three aisles, a dome inscribed with writings, and a spacious western gallery that includes a women’s section.
On the northwest side of the church stands a semi-circular, elevated portico, predominantly to the west. This area includes freshly restored small rooms and a tower with bells. In the heart of the complex lies a marble vessel filled with holy water. To the west of the arcade, visitors can observe a tribute to Metropolitan Spiridon Sinodinos, a key figure behind the church’s comprehensive renovation. Locals credit him with a significant contribution to the new design, now a site that attracts thousands of devotees from across Greece and the globe.
The church is adorned with a collection of exquisite and rare sacred objects. Among them is a venerated and miraculous icon of the Holy Virgin Mary, the Catholic, dating from the late 14th to early 15th century. Flanking the Mother of God are reverent archangels. It is believed to be an exact replica of the original icon that adorned the walls of the first local church built following the appearance of a saint here.
On November 25, 1935, an unforeseen blaze swept through a church, ravaging its structure entirely. That night, the bells tolled continuously without human intervention, baffling everyone. Townspeople gathered at the smoldering ruins the next day, only to be astonished. Amidst the ashes lay the venerated icon of the Virgin Mary, almost untouched by the flames, save for its scorched wooden frame.
For centuries, a revered icon has performed numerous miracles. Desperate and sick individuals have sought its aid, hoping for relief through faith and prayer. The Church of St. Mary the Catholic takes pride in a magnificent golden embroidery depicting a scene on purple velvet. The central figure is Christ’s body, with the Gospels at each corner. Presently, this precious artifact is prominently displayed in the church’s southern section, encased in glass and framed by an ornate, gilded wooden border.
The church is home to a collection of valuable relics, including miniature icons and various liturgical manuscripts, some of which are embellished with silver. A notable piece in the collection is a Gospel book published in Venice in 1745. Additionally, there are silver items used in worship, such as a thurible and candelabras.
As an active parish church, visitors are welcomed to light candles following the traditions of Orthodox Christianity. Prayers can be offered in front of holy images, particularly before the revered icon of the Virgin Mary, known as the Catholic Madonna.
When planning a trip to a religious landmark located 10 km from Rhodes City, in Kremasti, consider driving for convenience.
