Thessaloniki Church of Panagouda

Location: Egnatia

The Church of Panagia Gorgoepikoos or Panagouda is a continuation of a Byzantine monastic church. Throughout the Turkish occupation, the area around the church was the center of the Greek community in Thessaloniki. During the Byzantine period, the Turkish occupation and before 1789, Panagouda was a monastic church, a glebe, or a monastery connected to Mount Athos.

The church is dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin Mary and was built in 1818 to replace an older church. This is mentioned in a document of 1789, which was burnt by the fire of 1817, among other items of value. In 1900, a 14th-century gold-embroidered silk epitaph depicting the dead body of Jesus Christ surrounded by angels was found. The Transmission and Communion of the Holy Gifts, from Jesus to the Apostles, are depicted on the right and left sides. It is usually referred to as "The Epitaph of Thessaloniki" by archaeologists and art conservators, and its historical background as a Palaeologian masterpiece has been extensively studied. The famous epitaph is kept in the Museum of Byzantine Culture in Thessaloniki.

Architecturally, Panagouda is a three-aisled, timber-framed basilica with a designated space for females. Inside, the iconostasis is among the most impressive features. The figures, colors and compositions are of the so-called Western, Renaissance and Russian styles, appearing with cheerful faces and shiny presentation. The icons date back to the 19th century. The protagonist, the icon of Panagia Gorgoipikoos, dates back to the 16th century and has a silver coating. This large icon of the Virgin Mary is now housed on the left side of the church.