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In 1717, the monks, of the monastery of Strofades, moved the Saints relic and placed it inside the [[metochi]] <ref> a building that belongs to a religious institution. </ref> of Kalliteros in order to protect him from various destructive invasions by pirates in the area. At a later date, a church was built in his honour in the Ammos area. Later, in 1764, this church was rebuilt and in 1854 a steeple added to the church. In 1893, this church was destroyed by a major earthquake and a temporary church constructed until 1925 where there took place a foundation ceremony to rebuild a earthquake-resistant church; fully completed by 1948.<ref> The Church was designed by [[Anastasios Orlandos]]. </ref>
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[[Image:Dionysioszakynthos.jpg|right|thumb|St. Dionysius of Zakynthos]]Our father among the [[saint]]s '''Dionysius of Zakynthos''' was born in 1547 on the island of Zakynthos in the Ionian Sea. He was educated by [[priest]]s and became fluent in Greek, Italian, and Latin. He excelled in theology and received [[ordination]] as the priest Daniel in 1570; he later became [[hieromonk]] of Zakynthos and Strofades. In 1577 he was raised to [[Archbishop]] of Aegina. After a year at Aegina he returned to Zakynthos, where he was appointed bishop and president but lived as a hermit in the 13th century [[Holy Monastery of the Transfiguration of Christ]] in the Strofades. In [[December 17]], 1622 he fell asleep in the Lord. He had asked to be buried in this monastery and his grave is still to be found in the chapel of St George; a dependant of the monastery.
It has been found that his body remains intact and emits a mixed fragrance of flowers and frankincense. Therefore he is [[veneration|venerated]], and his sainthood has been proclaimed by the [[Patriarch of Constantinople]]. His [[feast day]] is celebrated on December 17, and on [[August 24]], the Church celebrates the transfer of his holy [[relics]].
* St. [[Spyridon of Trimythous|Spyridon of Trimythous the Wonderworker]] from Corfu
* St. [[Gerasimos of Cephalonia|Gerasimos]] from Cephalonia
=="Housing of the Relic"==
In 1717, the monks, of the monastery of Strofades, moved the Saints relic and placed it inside the metochi <ref> A building that belongs to a religious institution. </ref> of Kalliteros in order to protect him from various destructive invasions by pirates in the area. At a later date, a church was built in his honour in the Ammos area and shortly converted into a monastery. Later, in 1764, the church of the monastery was rebuilt and in 1854 a steeple added to the church. In 1893, all this was destroyed by a major earthquake and a temporary church constructed to house the Saint until in 1925 there took place a foundation ceremony to rebuild an earthquake-resistant church; fully completed by 1948.<ref> The Church was designed by [[Anastasios Orlandos]]. </ref> In 1953, when the next major earthquake hit the island, the church remained untouchable and was used as a refugee for the homeless. Three years later, a new monastery was built to replace the ruins and has since been called "The Holy Monastery of Strofades and Saint Dionysios".
=="The Larnaka"==
Among the works of art inside the church of the ''Holy Monastery of Strofades and Saint Dionysios'', stands the silver-sculptured "Larnaka" (grave) of the Saint. It was designed by a priest named Nikolaos Kantounis and depicts the dormition of Dionysios who is surrounded by many priests. It was made in 1829 by George Diamantis Bafas and is placed in a separate room to the church to the right of the Sacred Gate.
During the invasion of the pirates in 1717, both hands of the Saint were cut off by the pirates, however, due to a miracle did not manage to destroy his Holy Body. All of his relics are still kept in the larnaka.
==Notes==
