Σπήλαιο Αγιάσματος Αποστόλου Παύλου

Cave of Saint Paul the Apostle

Useful Information

Location:	Nea Fokea 630 77, Greece (40.1332248, 23.4006621)
Open:	All year daily. [2024]
Fee:	free. [2024]
Classification:	Cave Church
Light:	LED
Dimension:
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Cave of Saint Paul the Apostle, Nea Fokea 630 77, Greece, Tel: +30-.
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History

Description

Σπήλαιο Αγιάσματος Αποστόλου Παύλου (Cave of Saint Paul the Apostle) is a weird Greek Orthodox cave church, located in a small fishing village named Nea Fokea. According to legend, the Apostle Paul, during his missionary journeys, took refuge in this cave and preached the Gospel to the locals. Actually this is quite doubtful, as this is not a natural cave and most likely did not exist 2,000 years ago. Its unclear when this tunnel was dug, and for what purpose. Probably the reason was to find water, and it was successful as the "holy" well was found.

The cave starts with a front wall with a wooden door and a roof. It protects the entrance to the tunnel. There is a small antechamber, which is high enough to stand upright, which contains icons, candles and crosses, and a staircase leading down about 1.5 m. At this level a long, rectangular tunnel is reached, halfway down the ceiling lowers and its necessary to crawl, obviously a good way to produce humble behaviour. Finally, a small chamber is reached, which is said to be the place where Apostle Paul was praying, so it is dubbed the prayer room. It has an altar which is full of icons. It has a small spring with water which is said to have healing properties. Some visitors report they tried it and was quite good, however, we are not convinced that the water is actually safe, after all, it's a spring in the middle of a village. According to local lore, there are multiple tunnels leading to the cell, but they are closed because tourists get lost in them.

According to Christian tradition from the first century, Apostle Paul went to Ierissos to preach about Christianity. He was chased by some local people and having nowhere to hide, he prayed to God for salvation. Then miraculously, a gap in the rock opened in front of him, and he found himself inside this rock in Cassandra. From these two pits, which still exist and are dedicated to the Apostle Paul as a chapel, springs Holy Water.

Apostle Paul, persecuted by pagans in Cassandra, finds refuge in this cave where he secretly preached and baptized Christians in the natural reservoir of Holy Water.