Agios Spyridon in Sgournes is one of the oldest and most distinctive churches in the Argassi area, with a history dating back at least to the mid-16th century. It is first mentioned in a document from 1553, when its owner, Ioannis Kalandrinós, leased it for ten years to the monk Stephanos Liodorítis, on the condition that he would maintain it in good repair. The church was originally located in a key area for water supply and agriculture, as the surrounding fertile plain supported small rural communities that lived from fishing, farming, and livestock.
Throughout the period of Venetian rule (15th–18th century), Agios Spyridon played an important role in the religious life of the settlement, as well as in the protection of the area from pirate raids. Its location, close to the sea, made it visible to sailors and fishermen, and it became associated with various local legends. One of the most well-known stories concerns the so-called “blasphemous monk,” who, while fishing near the church, insulted Agios Spyridon and, according to tradition, his head turned into stone in the sea, leaving a petrified imprint on the seabed known as the “Monk’s Head.”
The current form of the church follows a single-nave architectural style commonly found in post-Byzantine island chapels. Although it has suffered damage from earthquakes, especially in the 19th and 20th centuries, traces of the original structure are still visible, particularly around the sanctuary and the foundations. Of particular interest is the western side, where remnants of a cell suggest that a small monastic community once existed there, along with spaces used for teaching and lodging clergy. In the courtyard, a stone-built enclosure defines the sacred area, while in the past there was also a circular cistern used for water collection.
Inside the church, despite later renovations, historical records refer to a finely carved wooden iconostasis of mainland Greek influence, decorated with despotic icons and possibly scenes of the Great Feasts. Inscriptions suggest it was built or restored in the mid-18th century. Near the sanctuary, a relief of the double-headed eagle has been recorded, a symbol commonly found in Orthodox churches of the period, often associated with the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
The feast day of Agios Spyridon was once celebrated with great devotion, as the saint was considered the protector of sailors and farmers in the southern part of Zakynthos. The church also preserved important relics and icons, some created by local icon painters and others donated by prominent families from Argassi and Sgournes.
Today, Agios Spyridon stands close to modern tourist accommodations and buildings, yet it still reflects the traditional rural character of Zakynthos. It is also a popular location for weddings and baptisms.
