Church of Zoodochos Pigi in Dervenosalesi. View from E. (Photograph: I. Liakoura)
Church of Zoodochos Pigi in Dervenosalesi. View from E. (Photograph: I. Liakoura)
The yard entrance of the Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi in Dervenosalesi. (Photograph: I. Liakoura)
Church of Zoodochos Pigi in Dervenosalesi. View from S. (Photograph: I. Liakoura)
Church of Zoodochos Pigi in Dervenosalesi. View from N.-W. (Photograph: I. Liakoura)
Church of Zoodochos Pigi in Dervenosalesi. View from N. (Photograph: I. Liakoura)

Zoodochos Pigi, Dervenosalesi

Area: Pyle (Dervenosalesi)
Type: Octagon
Date: 12th century

Description:

The church of Zoodochos Pigi lies in the deserted Monastery close to Pyle village (former Dervenosalesi). Today’s church constituted the lite of the 11th century katholikon, out of which only the foundations have been preserved. Orlandos believed that the church was more recent and that it had been built on the old foundations. However, after 50 years the truth about the character and the age of the preserved church was established. The truth is that in 1890 (Orlandos’ date) the old katholikon collapsed. As a consequence, the renovation work transformed the spacious narthex into today’s church (naturally with modifications such as the new sanctuary). It is an octagonal building, while it presents common features with the katholikon of the neighbouring Monastery of Hosios Meletios. This second element led us to the conclusion that the church was identified with the second monastery built by Hosios Meletios in honor of the Virgin Mary. According to a series of elements, the church can be dated to the late 12th century.

There are neither inscriptions nor historical evidence on the church.

 However, it could have been known by the name Monastery of Sterna.

Koder J.-Hild F., Hellas und Thessalia, Tabula Imperii Bizantini 1, p. 284