The Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens

MariaTava March 03, 2023

Metropolis and Palaia (old) Metropolis

Two unique Christian buildings

An immense church

Built in 1842

Devoted to the Annunciation of the Virgin

A tiny church

Built in 1200

Devoted to Saint Eleutherius

They are both built from the ruins of other churches or ancient temples. They stand on the fountainhead of the river Heridanos.

The Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens.

It is a well-known church in the center of Athens. It was dedicated to the Annunciation of the mother of Christ. It was constructed of items from 72 demolished churches. Its construction began in 1842. King Otto and queen Amalia laid the cornerstone. It is a three-aisled basilica. The tombs of two saints are inside the church. These Saints are: Saint Philothei and Gregory V the Patriarch of Constantinople. Three architects worked to finish the building: Theophilus Hansen, Demetrios Zezas, Francois Boulanger.

Saint Philothei.

She was born in Athens in 1522 Her family gave her the opportunity to help other people because her parents were very rich. She took up the monastic life and established a women’s monastery. On October 1588 she was beaten by the Ottomans. She died on 19 February 1589.She is considered a martyr of the eastern Orthodox church.

Entrance, columns with Corinthian capitals and five crosses into circles.

Pulpit made of marble silver decoration golden-plated decoration

Icons

Palaia Metropolis.

It is located near the new Metropolis. It was built at the end of 12^th century in honor of Panagia Gorgoepikoos and Agios Eleftherios. For its construction, many ancient and byzantine bas-reliefs were used. On its front, there is an ancient frieze that comes from a monument dating back to the 4^th century. This small but elegant church was built on the ruins of an ancient temple dedicated to Eileithyia who protected the women in labor. Its dome is supported by four columns. The wall construction is quite remarkable. Up the higher zones, there are pieces of roman, early Christians and byzantine sculptures about 90. The dome is built according to the cloisonné masonry. Around the church, there are the graves of noble family members of Athens. King Otto the first king of Greece was saved here and the church was named Saint Savior. It is a cross in a square church in a four column type.

Peacocks: symbol of immortality, beauty, power and knowledge. They were the sacred birds of goddess Hera.

Embroidered epitaph.

Shrine

Candelabrum.

Saint Eleutherios and his mother Antia.

He was born in Rome. His father died when he was very young. He was taught the divine scriptures by the Bishop of Rome. He was ordained deacon at 15, became a priest at 18 and bishop at 20. He finally became Bishop of the Illyricum province. He was subjected to dreadful tortures in Rome by emperor Hadrian and finally beheaded. He is regarded as a protector of pregnant women.

Panels parapets symbols.

There is an interesting relief of the Eleusinian mysteries. The basket of the high priest the papaver somniferous or opium poppy the head of a bull the torches.

The Christian sculptures depicted crosses trying to Christianize the pagan tradition of the monument.

We can clearly see a naked Satyr, a lion attacking a deer, birds drinking water griffin’s snakes peacocks an eagle Leda and the swan a funeral relief of two women and lion-like animals with a human head.

The two churches are links between the past and the present, places where Gods were venerated for centuries sources of divine power and natural power as they were founded on water flows.