Church of the Life-Giving Spring (Zoodochou Pigis) in Kastoria

The Church of the Life-Giving Spring (Zoodochou Pigis), also known as Panagia Evraida, is one of the most cherished and significant post-Byzantine churches in Kastoria. It is located on Evraïdos Street, and its name is linked to local tradition, according to which it was founded by a wealthy Jewish woman from the city after a visionary appearance of the Virgin Mary. The church is a single-aisled basilica, distinguished by its magnificent 18th-century carved and gilded wooden iconostasis, as well as its many remarkable portable icons and frescoes from the same period.

The most significant icon in the church is that of the Virgin Portaitissa, a faithful replica of the famous icon from the Iviron Monastery on Mount Athos, dated to 1753. This icon, placed in a special shrine, bears a dedicatory inscription mentioning the donors and the date of its creation. Additionally, the church features notable depictions, such as the verses of the Akathist Hymn, painted on the wooden parapet of the women's gallery.

The Church of the Life-Giving Spring - Panagia Evraïda is both a place of worship and an important cultural heritage site, blending spiritual tradition with the artistic value of the post-Byzantine period. Its history and artwork make it one of the most fascinating churches in Kastoria, highlighting the city's deep connection to the religious and artistic traditions of the wider region.