Church of Saint Kirykos

At the western end of the capital stands the Holy Church of Saint Kirykos, dedicated to Ikaria’s patron, the youngest saint of the Orthodox Church, who was martyred at just three years old together with his mother Julitta in the 4th century AD. The church was built between 1902–1911 to plans by Belgian architect Eugene Dypre and is a three-aisled cross-in-square basilica with an impressive blue dome visible from afar as ships approach the harbor. The carved wooden iconostasis was created by A. Vlachogenis, and the icons on marble slabs by the Samiot painter Nik. Sitaras. A major place of worship and reference for residents, Saint Kirykos celebrates on 15 July, a date that coincides with festivities for the Ikarian Revolution. The church is the seat of the Holy Metropolis of Samos, Ikaria, and Korseon and a symbol of the island capital’s identity.