On this day (May 13th) we commemorate the consecration of the revered and divine Church of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos of Pantanassa on the Island of Hagia Glykeria.
The tiny island of Hagia Glykeria is located in the Sea of Marmara and is today known as Incir Adasi, though most refer to it as Koc Adasi, because it is owned by the Turkish businessman Rahmi Koc and is his own private island. It is a few hundred meters off the coast of Tuzla in Istanbul. Today the only Byzantine structure on the island are the well-preserved remains of the Church of Panagia Pantanassa, which at one time was part of a larger monastery complex. No systematic survey or study has been carried out on the building.
The monastery on the island of Hagia Glykeria, dedicated to the Panagia Pantanassa, was chosen by Emperor Leo V for the exile of Saint Niketas the Confessor in 815. It was re-founded in the eleventh century by a certain Gregory (maybe Taronites) and again by a certain Basil. The family of Zonaras had a special relationship with it in the twelfth century and had managed to have its properties confirmed with a chrysobull by Manuel I Komnenos in 1158. The canonist John Zonaras retired to this monastery after a falling out of favor with Emperor Manuel I and produced many of his writings there.
