THE monastery of Hosios (Venerable) Loukas in central Greece, one of the most important Byzantine monuments inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Listwas ravaged by flames on Wednesday August 23, 2023.
The site is home to one of the best preserved mosaic collections of the Macedonian Renaissance of Byzantium.
Forest fires yesterday completely burned the courtyard of the historic monastery. THE the flames even reached the interior of the monastery and set fire to one of the oldest buildings.
Firefighters tried to prevent the forest fire from reaching the interior of the monastery, as the destruction would then be irreparable.
Alongside the firefighters, Metropolitan Georgios of Thebes, Levadia and Avlidaparticipated in efforts to extinguish the forest fire.
Fortunately, the pilgrims and monks were evacuated on time.
Subsequently, the Greek Minister of CultureMrs. Lina Mendoni, visited the Monastery and met the Metropolitan.
“I would like to thank all those who helped and contributed, the Minister of Culture, the firefighters and all those responsible, the regional governor, the regional deputy governors and all those who helped,” said the Metropolitan, moved by the efforts which they all deployed. to put out fires.
“The building that burned was an old building being renovated. Unfortunately it is now burnt and I think it will collapse. What happened is a great disaster, many olive trees were also burned,” he added.
“I am very moved because I had planted more than 1,200 (trees) and almost all of them were burned, both the old ones and the trees that the fathers had planted 100 years ago. The monastery will no longer be like before,” he stressed.
Finally, Metropolitan Georgios said: “Thank God the monks are well, we are all well. I am happy that this sacred place was saved because I care about it, having lived there for many years.
Photos: EUROKINISSI
