Ekatontapiliani, the Hagia Sophia of the Aegean

The Holy Shrine of Ekatontapiliani is located in Parikia, just a few steps from the port. According to Orlandos, the church was founded by Agia Eleni and her son, Agios Konstantinos.
The Ekatontapiliani was undertaken by Ignatius, a disciple of Anthemios, the master builder of the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, and the plan was almost identical.
The church comprises a group of buildings, including the main cruciform temple with columns, an area for women, six chapels (Agios Nikolaos, Agios Anargyros, Agios Filippos, Agia Theodosia, Agios Dimitrios and Osia Theoktisti, the patron saint of Parikia), the cell enclosure, and the ancient Baptistery dating back to the 4th century, the best preserved in the Orthodox east.
Kimisi tis Theotokou (Assumption) is celebrated with great devotion and religiosity on 15 August, followed by the procession of the Icon through the streets of Paros and a large festival in the afternoon and evening.
Katapoliani is one of the post important Christian monuments in the Cyclades. The name probably derives from the place name Katapola (also present on other Aegean islands), while the word Ekatontapiliani, which is connected to the legend of the 100 gates, is probably a variant of the place name. Tradition connects the construction of the church of Panagia with Agia Eleni.