The Holy Monastery of Panagia Archaggeliotissa is situated at the north east of Xanthi in an altitude of 160 metres high. At its present shape, the Monastery was rebuilt around 1840 by the Metropolitan Bishop of Xanthi Eugene (1831-1848)

The Holy Monastery of Panagia Archaggeliotissa is situated at the north east of Xanthi in an altitude of 160 metres high. At its present shape, the Monastery was rebuilt around 1840 by the Metropolitan Bishop of Xanthi Eugene (1831-1848)

The expenses were covered by the money the residents that gathered with donations. The economic support by the tobacco merchants of Xanthi was of great importance. In 1913m during the first Bulgarian occupation, the relics of the Monastery were taken and transferred to Sofia . Today, the Monastery is only for men and at its left wing the Ecclesiastic Museum of the Metropolis of Xanthi is hosted.

The Holy Monastery of Panagia Kalamous is situated at the North of Xanthi in an altitude of  170 metres high. Its name, according to the tradition, came from the finding of a miracle icon of Panagia in a reed bed at the banks of river Kosynthos.

The Monastery was probably founded in the 11^th century. Indirect sources for its historical presence during the period from 11^th to 15^th century are the functional hand written artifacts that are in Sofia. After the middle of 15^th century, the Monastery met with prosperity and at the 16^th century it is seemed that at that place a bibliographical laboratory was hosted. Since the 17^th century a code having a possessive note, dated back in 1645. At the 18^th and 19^th centuries the Monastery raises its possessings. After the significant destructions that were made by the earthquakes in 1829, its rebuilt started, which will be finished at the era of Metropolitan Bishop of Xanthi Ioakim Sgouros. From that era only the south wing is preserved. Its relics were taken from the Bulgarians in 1913 and are presently in Sofia. After the Minor Asia destruction its possessings was given to the refuges that didn’t have any land. From the saved relics, the household icon of Panagia “Kalamiotissa”, masterpiece of probably around the 15^th century and the icon of “Koinisis tiw Theotokou”, also made around the 15^th century, are the sole who present interest. It is a nunnery.

The Holy Monastery of Agia Irini is situated at north-east on the skirts of the town.

It was founded in 1972 as a nunnery by the Metropolitan Bishop of Xanthi Antonios. Its owner is considered to be the Archimandrite Antonios Dalatsis. At the place of the Monastery the Missionary Centre “Agia Irini” is functioning, in which orphan children from Palestine are hosted. In 27^th June 1994 the Presidential Decree of its founding was published. The catholic honours the memory of Agia martyr saint Irinis (5^th May) and was founded in 1982. At the Monastery seven churches and chapels are servicing.

Extract from the book “Xanthi- The town of thousands of colours” 2008, chapt. The churches in Xanthi, GIORGOS TSIGARAS.

The church of Pamegiston Tachiarches Kavaki is a simple three-sloped, triune, wooden roof basilica. The narthex is a posterior addition. At its present form, was rebuilt in 1835. It is probable that a part of the church (east wall) to belong in middle-Byzantine period. The valuable wooden carved temple, manufactured probably just after 1835, bears a simple flora and fauna decoration. Of great interest is the sewed icon of Archaggelos Michael, probable masterpiece by the Constantinople sewer Aikaterini Mpoulli, dedicated in 1839, according to the relevant sign, by Xanthian lord Sgourof.  

The reference in 1934 for pilgrim at Agios Georfios, is the first one until today known information for the existence of the present Agios Georgios in Xanthi.

The monument was re built in 1835 and is just in a three-aisled basilica order having women’s quarters and a narthex, in which it is probable that the grave of Xatziathanasios Papa-Michalis is laid, and probable owner of the Church. At the yard there is a tomb sculpture having neoclassic- academic elements. At the base of the monument there is a dedicatory sign, from which one can tell that it was dedicated to Stavros Davidovits on the memory of her wife Efthalia that died in 1866 at Kiev, by cholera.

Agios Vlasios Church was founded in 11^th April 1838. From the simple wooden temple of the church, the icons of Jesus Pantokratoras, masterpiece by “ek Trikallon” monk of Mount Athos icon painter Nikiforos, presents special interest, that bears the date back to 1812.

Other icons of the church are attributing to the same artist, such as the one of Timios Prodromos, Agios Vlasios, Theotokos and Agios Dimitrios. Beyond their artistic significance, these icons present special interest for the local history as well, since on their signs one can see the names of the Xanthian sponsors. The two embossed marbled candle bases, one of which bears dedicative sign and date on 1757.

The first, until today, known source concerning the Timios Prodromos Metropolitan Church is dated back at the end of 16^th century, while a second one in 1602. For the rest of the time there are no sources until 1809, when in an epistle by the Metropolitan Bishop of Xanthi Serafim to the Monastery of Vatopedi dated in 18^th May of the same year, it is reported that the temple was destroyed by a fire. It is unknown whether it was re-constructed, but it must be demolished again by the earthquakes in 1829. The present Church was re-built in 1839, as one can tell from the two embossed signs that are placed on the exterior on the east and south walls. It was re-constructed due to the efforts of Metropolitan Bishop Eugene, while its tomb sign that is placed on the south wall refers to this Metropolitan. The church is on a three-sloped basilica style (the central nave is dedicated to the birth of Timios Prodromos, the north to the Evaggelismos of Theotokos and the south to the new saint-martyr Agio Ioanni, from Ioannina. From the icons of the contemporary temple the ones of the Birth of Timios Prodromos, masterpiece by the mink of Mount Athos icon painter Isaaf (1842) and the one of the meeting of Dodeka Apostoloi (Twelve Apostles) dedicated to the primate of the town Grigorios Matsinis, in 1857.

Akathistos Ymnos Church is a three-sloped basilica that was re-constructed in 1861 on the foundations of the older and smaller temple.

Of a significant importance not only for worship but also artistically, is the icon of “Vreofokratousa Theotokos”, which can dated back to the 16^th century, having paintings of the 18^th century. From the icons of the temple, the ones of Christ, Theotokos, Timios Prodromos and Agia Triada are mentioned, masterpieces by the Constantinople painter Nikolaos from Chaskoi (1863)

12 Apostoloi Church is situated on the Xatzistavros’ area and was founded and developed at the end of 19^th century. The elderly of Xanthi appreciating its development along with the Bulgarian settlement fans of Eksarchia, they decided, on 20^th September 1897, after the initiation of Ioakim Sgouros, the construction of a magnificent Church. Due to the delays of Ottoman rulers, the Church started to be built in 1907 on a land that the daughters of Stavros Xatzistavros, Polixani P. Kougioumtzoglou and Evaggelini K. Mpika. At last the Church was finished on 5 December 1954, since it was servicing for a long time. The Church has ecclecistic style, having not only neoclassic elements but also Byzantine. At its yard there two tombs by Stavros Xatzistavros or Chekimoglou Tzamicha (23^rd July 1889)