Cathedral of Saint Thomas at Agios Thomas
The area of Agios Thomas at Monofatsi province can easily be described as a religious park, as it hosted 38 churches in the past. The most spectacular of all still stands still in the center of the village. It is a Byzantine church dedicated to Saint Thomas, a three-aisled basilica with a narthex in front, built on the site of an early Christian church. The narthex is divided into three parts and is as high as the central aisle. There is a dome at the intersection of the narthex and the central aisle that was added in the 15th century, while externally the bell tower of the 19th century is imposing.
The church once was adorned with frescoes, but unfortunately today only a few fragmentary traces survive in the southern aisle, but also a representation of the Virgin holding the Infant in the narthex.
It is noteworthy to mention the custom of zosimo that takes place at every church of Agios Thomas, mostly on the cathedral of Saint Thomas. Every 2-3 year, the women of the village of Agios Thomas spin ropes and immerse it in beeswax for 7 times. Then they put the rope around the temple in order to keep evil spirit away. This is a custom that has its roots in ancient Times and takes place in spring.
