Evia (Euboea)
Population: 191,206 (2011)
ISLAND OVERVIEW
Evia is the second largest island in Greece and linked to the mainland by two bridges. Its capital Chalcis is located at the narrowest point of the Evian Strait. The Sporades lie to the east of Evia and about 1km south are the small wooded Petali islands, reachable by regular boat trips.
Evia is a large, fertile, mountainous and beautiful island close to Athens, so great for those needing to be in touch with a city. It has a wild and windy east coast with cliffs and roller-pounded sandy beaches that are uncrowded even in August. The west coast creates the calm and pebbly inland sea between Evia and Athens.
The island is rich in mining and agriculture, but now encourages tourism as a new source of income as mining and agriculture are in decline. Athenians regard Evia as a convenient destination for a weekend break, with scenic mountain roads and pristine inland villages, where prices are low and the food is excellent.
The current in Evia’s narrow channel changes direction around seven times daily, if you have the patience to hang around and watch it! Evia is not very popular with island hoppers, lacking the beaches and sites, which would attract the crowds.
On the 27th May (St. johns festival) hordes of pilgrims come to worship the relics in the Church of Agios Ioannis Rosses.
The Island & Its History
click image to view in Google Maps
Originally part of the mainland, According to legend, Evia was blown from Poseidon’s trident and split from Thessaly and Attica. Logically however, it was separated from the mainland by an earthquake and subsidence! It was the longest surviving southerly outpost of the Ottoman Turks. The last Ottoman garrison was only evicted in 1833, hanging on in defiance of the peace settlement that was awarded to Evia by the New Greek state. Substantial Turkish communities remained on the island even until 1923.
The Island’s capital, Chalcis is located halfway up the West coast, it was an important centre in ancient Greece, due to its strategic position. Eretria was another major ancient city in the 6 C. BC, before Athens dominated the region. By the start of the 19th C. the population was so small that the houses were used to re-house the inhabitants of Spata that managed to escape the 1824 Turkish devastation.
Work in progress
For the past 25 years we have been sailing to and praying for these islands. We have a base on the mainland opposite Evia, where we moor our sailing yacht “Morning Star.”
During this time we have served the local church through numerous discipleship and leadership training trips. The Morning Star also reaches the community of Chalkidi through our annual Christmas Boat celebration. Click here to learn more about how you can be a part of our growing team.
Prayer Points
- Please pray for God’s people who will commit to this region.
- Pray for the locals that their eyes will be open to the truth and they will encounter a personal relationship with our loving God.
- That God will work in the lives of all the God-fearing people already living in the area, and bring healing & refreshment to their lives.
ADOPT THIS REGION
If you are committed to praying for this island region, please drop us a note, we would love to know about it and keep you posted with prayer updates!
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