The Greek Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni, visited the island of Halki in a festive atmosphere to inaugurate two major cultural heritage projects: the fully restored Church of Panagia Choriani and the island’s new Archaeological Museum.
The visit formed part of the Minister’s tour of the Dodecanese islands for the delivery of cultural projects completed by the Ministry of Culture with funding from Greece’s Recovery and Resilience Fund.
Upon her arrival, Minister Mendoni was welcomed by Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Symi, accompanied by Bishop Antonios of Rodostolos, and others.
At the historic Church of Panagia Choriani, a service of blessing and rededication was celebrated by Metropolitan Chrysostomos. In a symbolic gesture, the Metropolitan invited the Minister to relight the perpetual lamp on the Holy Altar, marking the church’s full return to liturgical life following its restoration.
Metropolitan Chrysostomos expressed his gratitude to the Minister, South Aegean Regional Governor Giorgos Hatzimarkos, and all those who contributed to the project’s completion. He also highlighted the long history of Panagia Choriani and its important spiritual role in the life of the people of Halki.
For her part, Minister Mendoni emphasized that the protection and promotion of the cultural heritage of Greece’s islands remain a priority for the state. She noted that the new Archaeological Museum of Halki is the 31st museum delivered to the public since 2019, describing museums as “arks of memory” that preserve the history and identity of every community.
Located within the medieval settlement of Chorio beneath the Palaiokastro fortress, the Church of Panagia Choriani is believed to date from the 17th century and is a characteristic example of post-Byzantine ecclesiastical architecture in the Dodecanese. Restoration works included structural reinforcement, architectural conservation, preservation of wall paintings, the carved wooden iconostasis and sanctuary screen, as well as the restoration of five important portable icons.
Later in the day, the Minister inaugurated the new Archaeological Museum of Halki in the settlement of Emborio. The museum is housed in a building donated by the late benefactor and former Olympiacos football player Savvas Theodoridis and now serves as the permanent home of the island’s archaeological collection.
