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Panagia the Rethiotissa: The Highness and Lady of the Swamptranslated

September 8, 2026 · 1 min read

“…During my life, I committed many sins. Jesus Christ cleansed me of them through His sacrifice and my faith in Him. And from a man of perdition he made me an heir of eternal light and eternal life…”

Great Martyr Agios Arethas

Professor Christos Ger writes. Shias

Today, September 8, Tuesday, our church celebrates the Birthday of the Theotokos and the Holy Monastery of the Nativity of the Theotokos or Panagia Arethiotissa, the Lady of the Swamp, Retha or Aretha celebrates.

The monastery is located on a low hill of Makrynoros in a dense forest of oak and plane trees, in the province of Valtos of Etoloakarnania and is about 20 kilometers from the beautiful city of Amfilochia and 5 kilometers from the village of Agia Triada Valtos.

The Holy Monastery of Retha for the local residents or Aretha, as we find it in many Episcopal documents as well as documents of the former Municipality of Amvrakia, is the most famous monastery in the area, the Most Holy Pilgrimage of Valtos, it is "The Lady of the Marsh". It has a great historical and spiritual contribution to the region and, despite the signs of time, it still impresses visitors - pilgrims today. The tradition of the inhabitants…

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Νίκος Αναγνώστου

The article reminded me of when my wife and I went to the monastery years ago when our daughter was still young. The forest of oaks and plane trees that summer was so dense that you could not see two meters in front of you. It is true that Panagia Rethiotissa is the Lady of the Swamp, even the grandparents in Amfilochia say so.

Peter Johnson

That quote from St. Arethas at the top really hit me. I remember driving through that exact area a couple years back on a delivery run near Amfilochia and seeing the sign for the monastery but never stopping. Next time I'm in Greece I might make the detour into the oaks and plane trees. Thanks for the article.

Σπύρος Μιχαηλίδης

The article reminded me of where my son and I went some fifteen years ago, when he still had the bike. We walked through the forest with oaks and plane trees until we reached the Monastery; the sun was not shining at all. She was always called "Swamp Lady" by the grandparents in the village, and now I understand why.