St Dionysios Church
The largest and most impressive church on Zakynthos is named after the island's patron saint and bedecked in impressive frescoes and giltwork. It was completed in 1948 yet miraculously escaped significant damage during the earthquakes of a few years later. Locals naturally saw this as a sign. Its namesake saint, Dionysios, was born on Zakynthos but spent much of his life on a monastery on Strofades, some 40 km off its coast, where he was first buried. He is considered the saint of forgiveness, after lying to save his brother's murderer from retribution. His body is displayed here in the church and a procession of his relics is held on August 23 and December 17. Many other items rescued from the original Strofades monastery, ranging from paintings to muskets, can also be seen in a small, well-explained Ecclesiastical Museum to the rear (open 9 am–1 pm and 6 pm–10 pm).
