In the heart of Arta, in the Trigono area, stands the imposing Holy Church of Maximos the Greek, the first to be founded in honor of the Saint in his birthplace. The inauguration took place in June 2016, following years of planning and donations from the faithful, marking a new spiritual era for the local ecclesiastical community.
The church is directly connected to the life and work of Saint Maximos the Greek, an eminent figure of the 16th century with international influence. The Saint, also known as Maximos the Vatopedian or Maksim Grek, was born around 1470 in Arta with the name Michael Trivolis.
He came from a scholarly family of Mystras, studied in Florence, and mastered languages such as Greek, Latin, Italian, and French. Later he became a monk at the Vatopedi Monastery on Mount Athos.
He was invited to Russia to translate and correct liturgical works, contributing to their theological accuracy. For this reason, he was named the "reformer of the Russians." Although he suffered imprisonment and exile, he eventually ended up at the Saint Sergius Lavra, where he passed away in 1556.
His memory is honored every January 21st, and in 1988 he was officially recognized as a Saint. His relic is kept in the Holy Church of Arta, offering the faithful an opportunity for pilgrimage.
The construction of the church was chosen to honor the local identity and to connect the architecture with the spiritual heritage of the Saint.
The church follows the model of the domed basilica with a central dome, referencing the Orthodox tradition. In its interior, the hagiographies stand out, presenting scenes from the life of Saint Maximos, as does the wood-carved art of the iconostasis (altar screen).
In the religious and social life of Arta, the church already holds a leading role. As the parish church of the Holy Metropolis of Arta, it hosts daily services, feasts, and festivals, constituting a center of spiritual gathering. The presence of the relic attracts numerous pilgrims, especially during the annual feast of the Saint.
Despite its young age, the Church of Maximos the Greek in Arta constitutes a living monument of faith, a bridge between local tradition and ecumenical Christian identity.
