On Sunday, July 18, the residents of the community for professors of the Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) in Fourka, Halkidiki, celebrated the rescue of a historically important chapel from centuries of damage.

The chapel of Aghioi Theodoroi was built around the 15th century, on land of the Iviron Monastery,Mount Athos, next to a fountain and watering trough, in a verdant region very active in agriculture and the raising of livestock. On both weekdays and holidays it was also the meeting place and communication hub of the local population.

According to a dedicatory inscription, the church was destroyed during the 1821 Revolution and rebuilt in 1884.

“Five years ago the building started to collapse, we tried to protect it, but it became dangerous for pilgrims and hikers. Those of us living in the community took the initiative to raise funds and with the help of a contractor the church was restored “, said Nikos Karakostas, chairman of the Management Committee of the AUTh community in Fourka, Kassandra to the Athens and Macedonia News Agency.

As he explained, the Committee plans to install a photovoltaic system to illuminate the chapel of Aghioi Theodoroi at night, to highlight the fountain and the watering trough and also make better use of the greater area.