A unique tiny church built in the trunk of a huge tree near the town of Konitsa becomes an icon of the conservation of nature and a celebration of mercy. The tree church of Saint Paisios is located 22 kilometres north of Konitsa, in the village of Agia Varvara in northwestern Greece.
There is a story famous in this area that Saint Paisios, one of the most beloved figures in the Orthodox Church, passed through the area in his youth, going to nearby villages to carry out carpentry work and repairs in local houses.
The story behind the construction of the church is burning by passers-by lit fires to warm themselves, or to prepare food. The condition of the tree worsened and there was a fear it might collapse.
But a local villager internally supported the tree with stone and turned it into a place of pilgrimage, the Dentrokklisia, in honour of Saint Paisios.
There is a small bell outside the church. Only holds two people can be contained inside the church. There is a recess where the visitor can light his candle, a candelabrum, an icon of Christ, an icon of the Virgin Mary and in the centre the icon of Saint Paisios.
The tree has turned green again and added a spiritual beauty to the area.
Saint Paisios is among the most revered and popular of all the saints in the Church. He is extremely popular around the Orthodox world, particularly in Greece, Cyprus, and Russia.
Born in Cappadocia, Turkey in 1924, Saint Paisios fled to Greece with his family as refugees after the population exchange between Turkey and Greece soon after his birth. He was renowned for his incredible prophesies, countless miracles, deep understanding of the love of God, and mysticism.
During his life, the saint made many famous predictions regarding world events and politics, including a future war between Turkey and Russia.
Saint Paisios passed away at the age of 69 in 1994. He was canonized in 2015 by the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
The church commemorates his feast day on July 12th. Every year, thousands of worshipers travel to Thessaloniki to pay their respects to Saint Paisios, whose tomb is located at the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian.