Messina, Sicily Italy
Greek Orthodox
Greeks have long lived in Messina, which was recognized as "the town of the Greek minority" in 2012, with linguistic and other protections since 1999. Following the fall of Constantinople the Greek diaspora added significantly to Greek population in Sicily. Migration continued, particularly in the 16th century. Chiesa Santa Maria degli Innocenti was granted for Greek Orthodox worship. The church was dedicated to St. Nicholas of Myra and became known as "Chiesa di San Nicola dei Greci" because of a St. Nicholas icon brought from Morea. The 1908 earthquake decimated the Greek community, and destroyed the Chiesa di San Nicola dei Greci. In 2012 a memorial shrine was placed on the site of the church.