Church of the Ascension of Christ (Anapipseos Kyriou) in Agios Vartholomaios

In a lush, green natural setting in Agios Vartholomaios, Florina, lies the sacred church of the Ascension of Christ, a place of faith and healing with a rich history. The sacred site was built on the location of an old miraculous spring with sour water, which was believed to have healing properties. Tradition tells that pilgrims from distant places would visit the spring in search of a cure.

A touching story testifies to the power of the place: a Muslim woman, after initially not being healed, converted to Christianity and was baptized. Later, Penelope Mystakidou, a local resident, was miraculously healed and decided to build the church with the help of the community.

Today, the church celebrates the feast of the Ascension (40 days after Easter) with great splendor, including a ceremony of the sanctification of the waters of the spring. The combination of natural beauty, miraculous stories, and religious tradition makes the site a popular destination for both the faithful and visitors, who continue to seek comfort and spiritual renewal in this unique sanctuary of faith.