Constallation of Greek islands or sailing vacation - Day 4

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Day 4, June 24 2013 - Monday

See Day 3 of our trip here.

Early in the morning - swimming in the most beautiful bay in Greece, Antiparos (2 hours).  
Breakfast. Then moving to the island of Paros (20 minutes). Lunch on board.  
On arrival tour, free time. In the evening sailing to Naoussa.

 Due to the flat topography and deposits of marble the island of Paros is called "white". Marble from Paros was used to build statues. Many well-known sculptors, painters and poets were born on this islands. Here you can find many beautiful beaches and small towns and villages.

Paros (194 sq. km., 8.000 inhabitants) is the third largest island in the Cyclades.
On this island, we will travel to unique Greek Orthodox "Hundred Gates Church" (Ekatondapilyani), the oldest surviving church in Greece. According to legend, it was built in the early III century AD by St. Helen, the mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine. Helen went to the Holy Land, and on the way she stopped in Paros. Here she had a dream related to the search of the Holy Cross on which Jesus was crucified. Empress decided to put the church on the island, but the good idea could be realized only in the VI century by Byzantine emperor Justinian. Officially the church called "Hundred Gates" although it has only 99 doors and windows. The legend said when 100th gate would be found then Constantinople (Istanbul) would again become Christian.

 
                  
Visiting this unique church we will see the Mother of God, created by St. Luke,  the Baptistry, ancient baptistery, the tomb of St. Feoktistos. She was the patron and protector of the island back in the IX century. It is associated with a mysterious legend. Young Feoktistos was kidnapped by pirates who demanded ransom from her family. Girl managed to escape and reached the island of Paros. Thirty five years she roamed the island, lived in caves, became a hermit and kept true commitment to the Christian faith. She was found in one of the caves by a local hunter. Enervated of starvation Feoctistos asked him to bring her some bread from Eucharist. When the hunter returned with bread hermit had died. Realizing that in front of him was a saint  he decided to take relics of the deceased and cut off her hand. When the hunter tried to leave Paros by ship storm waves forced the ship back to the island. He tried to leave this place seven times and every time his ship returned to the magical place. When he returned the severed hand of the holy body miracles ceased and he was able to leave the island. Here in "Hundred Gates church" you can find a footprint on a stone. This  is a trail of holy Feoktistos. According to legend the person who stands bare foot on this "trail" will be very lucky.

Later in the afternoon we will go around the island and visit the village of Naoussa.  Naoussa is one of the most popular resorts on Paros. Here, in the old port and the fishing area, you can find crowded taverns, cafes and great restaurants serving the finest seafood. Do not forget to taste the main Greek drink, brandy "Metaxa".Dinner (on your own). Overnight you sleep on board. In the pre-dawn time we will sail transition from Paros to Delos (about 3 hours).