Church of Profitis Ilias in Samarina

The Church of Prophet Elias (Profitis Ilias) in Samarina, Grevena, is an impressive three-aisled wooden-roof basilica, whose construction likely dates back to around 1800. The church features a spacious narthex on the western side and two entrances: one at the northwestern corner of the main church and one on the western wall of the narthex. At the northeastern end of the church is the single-chamber chapel of Agios Cosmas and Agios Damianos, dated to 1877, where it is believed that Agios Cosmas of Aetolia preached, giving the monument particular historical and spiritual significance.

The church is built with rough-hewn stones, and its original gabled roof was covered with slate tiles, which are now preserved only in the apse. According to a founding inscription, the chapel was painted in 1828 by the Samarina priest Christos, who, along with his brother Antonios, also decorated the Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos in 1829. The church’s wood-carved and gilded iconostasis includes earlier icons, such as the Despotic icon of Christ (1772), as well as significant icons of Prophet Elias (1820) and Christ (1822), signed by priest Christos.

Although the church once had painted decoration on the wooden ceilings, today, only fragments remain in the sanctuary. The Church of Prophet Elias remains an important religious and architectural monument, blending the history, art, and spiritual heritage of Samarina.