A beautiful domed chapel is an embellishment to the town of Polygyros in Halkidiki. It’s the chapel of the Transfiguration of Christ and was built by people being held in prison.

It’s a small miracle which was accomplished in the 1960s, when the prison in Polygyros was still in operation. The driving forces behind the work were Father Agathangelos, the public prosecutor, Mr. Kalambokas and the architect (then prisoner) Heinrich Sotirios Schaeffer, as well as those being held in the prison.

The chapel was built with professionalism and pride. It was the everyday joy and concern of the prisoners, who gave of themselves to erect it.

The inside of the church has icons painted not in the Byzantine style, but in accordance with the artistic abilities of the inmates.

The icons on the iconostas are works by the prisoners.

The icons may not be distinguished for their Byzantine style, but they are unquestionable testimony to the aspiration of the inmates to deliver the chapel complete and decorated.

The depiction of the Resurrection, as painted by the inmates.

Our Lady Broader than the Heavens is a work by the German architect of the chapel, Heinrich Schaeffer.

Christ’s Baptism in the Jordan. It may not correspond to the Byzantine style of iconography, but it’s an example of the aesthetic sensitivity of the prisoners and of their love.

The inmates didn’t hesitate to decorate the dome, too, despite the inherent difficulties.

Saint Dimitrios.

Saint George.

The work was not restricted to the interior of the chapel but also included the surrounding area, where a park, with fountains, trees, grass and external lighting, was created.

When the late Bishop of Kassandria, Sinesios, first set eyes on the work he made the sign of the Cross and said, ‘God has sent you here’, in recognition of the fine outcome of the efforts of the inmates.

The surrounding area, with the trees, bushes and grass planted by the prisoners.

The chapel of the prisoners, as it’s usually known, has been a powerful example of the Lord’s saying: ‘I was in prison and you came to me’. The inmates felt the visitation of God Himself in their lives through the challenge of building a chapel to the Holy Transfiguration of the Savior and experiencing the transfiguration of their own lives.