Saint Nikolaos, Rhodes (marasi)

The Holy Church of Saint Nikolaos of the city of Rhodes is located southeast of the medieval city, in the homonymous area of Agios Nikolaos, very close to the commercial port of the island, on Canada Street. During Ottoman rule, it was one of the residential cores outside the castle walls where Greeks lived, the “marasi” (district) of Saint Nikolaos. The church, according to an inscription was built in 1759 and it belongs to the architectural type of the cruciform basilica with additions in the 18th century, while its neoclassical porch and belfry are 20th century buildings. Today it has been renovated and illustrated mainly with hagiographies chronicling the life of Saint Nikolaos as well as depictions of new saints bearing the same name. In fact, a chapel dedicated to Saint Luke the physician has been built on the north side of the church. The temple celebrates on December 6 and also on June 12. On the eve of the feast of Saint Nikolaos a grand vespers is held and on the day of the feast a Divine Liturgy with the presence of the Metropolitan, which is followed by a litany of the icon and the holy relics of the Saint. It is an important pilgrimage for believers who come from all over the island to honor the memory of Saint Nikolaos, as the Saint occupies a special place in the lives of the islanders, since he has been established as the patron saint of sailors.