The hidden Tree Church of Ayios Paisios in the village of Ayia Varvara perk the area of Konitsa.
The Tree Church was built -with faith and love- inside a burned oak, following the footsteps of Ayios Paisios. When Ayios Paisios was young passed by this area, going to the neighboring village of Amarantos, to perform carpentry work and repairs in local houses.
The location of this tree is 22 km north of Konitsa, just a few meters after the junction of the village of Ayia Varvara, next to the provincial road to Amarantos.
Careless passers-by used the centuries-old tree lighting fires, or even have a barbecue. These actions led to a continuously worsen condition of the tree that was ready to collapse.
Locals of Ayia Varvara had the idea of initiating a project of saving the old tree by turning it into a pilgrimage site of Ayios Paisios. The weak blessed tree was shielded internally with stone from the area and turned into a Tree Church.
Some extraordinary features of this little church is the small bell hanging outside while inside there is room only for two people. There is a recess where the visitor can light a candle. Faithful passengers come to worship the pictures of Christ, Panayia and, Ayios Paisios.
Two years later, the burned tree has turned green again and is considered a jewel for the area.
In Greece, there are a few similar churches. Places of worship like this old tree arouse the interest of Greek and foreign visitors.
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