Episkopi, Evrytania

Episkopi (Επισκοπή) Evrytania

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Episkopi is a village right on the border of Aitoloakarnania and Evrytania, next to the homonymous Episkopi Bridge that connects the two prefectures, and is administratively under the Kallikratian Municipality of Agrafa (formerly the Kapodistrian Municipality of Fragkista). Together with Pyrnos and Ftelia, they form the community of Episkopi. It is located in the western part of the prefecture, at an altitude of 300 meters[1], and is 46 km from Karpenisi.

Historical information

Episkopi was a large village, at the point where the Megdovas River passed. The area was flat, the most fertile in the prefecture of Evrytania, and the village was located right on the road that connects Karpenisi with Agrinio.

In 1965, the construction of the Kremasta dam began, which created the artificial lake of the same name, the waters of which flooded Episkopi and the other smaller villages in the area. The inhabitants of the village, after receiving some compensation for their lost property, abandoned the area and settled mainly in Agrinio but also in other cities such as Karpenisi, Lamia, Athens, and abroad.

Some residents, however, remained in the area and built the current small village located next to the bridge that connects Evrytania and Aitoloakarnania. Just opposite, on the Aitoloakarnania side, is the village of Psilovrachos.

Panagia of Episkopi

In the old village, there was the church of Panagia of Episkopi, one of the most important Byzantine monuments in Greece. This historic church was the seat of the Bishopric of Litza and Agrafa during the Byzantine period and testifies to the importance of the village at that time. It is estimated that it was created during the Iconoclasm period (8th - 9th century).

When the decision was made to build the artificial lake, investigations were carried out in the church and three layers of frescoes were discovered, from the 8th-9th century, the 11th and the 13th. The frescoes were removed and transferred to the Byzantine and Christian Museum of Athens, where they are still located today[2].

The historic church was lost under the waters of the lake, while, despite statements by state agencies for the construction of a new identical church, its construction did not proceed. With the efforts of the residents and the priest of the village, Konstantinos Georgopoulos, the new church was built, which is located in the current village and is celebrated on August 15, when a large number of people flock to Episkopi.

In May 2008, a team from the Tethys Amateur Divers Association located the old church at a depth of approximately 32 meters below the surface of Lake Kremaston, in very good condition[3].

Demographic data

At the 2021 Census, the village had 24 residents[4]. The population variation of the village is as follows:[5]
Year Pop.
1889 344
1900 236
1961 351
1991 54
2001 47
2011[6] 25
2021 24

References

Prefecture of Evrytania, p. 122
Evi Touloupa, Tripotamos of Evrytania, Newspaper "Ta Nea", p. 30, Thursday 24 September 1998
Ismailidou, Elli (28 January 2011). "An Atlantis in the Mountains of Evrytania". TO BHMA. Retrieved 29 January 2011.[dead link]
"Results of the Population and Housing Census 2021". Archived from the original on 13 November 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
Dasios, p. 260

"Population-Housing Census 2011" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 May 2017. Retrieved 27 March 2016.

Bibliography

Archimandrite Damaskinos - The Virgin Mary of Episkopi (1995)
Archimandrite Damaskinos Vassilopoulos - The Virgin Mary of Episkopi of Evrytania (2008) (ISBN 978-960-930782-6)
Collective work, 2006, Prefecture of Evrytania, volume 13, series GREECE, Athens, Domisi Publications
Takis Ntasios, 1999, St' Agrafa, Athens, Militos Publications, (ISBN 960-8460-13-1)

Municipal unit Fragkista
Community Anatoliki Fragkista
Anatoliki Fragkista (Ανατολική Φραγκίστα, η)
Community Dytiki Fragkista
Goulaiika (Γουλαίικα, τα)
Dytiki Fragkista (Δυτική Φραγκίστα, η)
Karakasi (Καρακάσι, το)
Peroulaiika (Περουλαίικα, τα)
Community Episkopi
Episkopi (Επισκοπή, η)
Πύρνος, ο
Φτελιά, η
Community Marathia
Amiriani (Αμίριανη, η)
Kato Marathia (Κάτω Μαραθιά, η)
Marathia (Μαραθιά, η)
Parkio (Παρκιό, το)
Community Palaiokatouna
Agios Prokopios (Άγιος Προκόπιος, ο)
Ampares (Αμπάρες, οι)
Tsoukka (Τσούκκα, η)
Community Palaiochori
Agios Georgios (Άγιος Γεώργιος, ο)
Neochori (Νεοχώρι, το)
Palaiochori (Παλαιοχώρι, το)
Community Tripotamo
Vrekaiika (Βρεκαίικα, τα
Kaipanaki (Καϊπανάκι, το)
Kopsaiika (Κοψαίικα, τα)
Μονή Τατάρνης, η
Tripotamo (Τριπόταμο, το)

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