Archdiocese of Athens

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The Archdiocese of Athens is located in Athens, Greece, and is under the jurisdiction of the autocephalous Church of Greece.

Hierarchy

See also List of Archbishops of Athens

The current Archbishop of Athens is His Beatitude Ieronymos II (Liapis), Archbishop of Athens and All Greece.

History

  • Roman Athens
  • Byzantine Period (Athens)
  • Ottoman Turks Invade Greece (Athens)
  • War of Independence (Athens)
  • World War II (Athens)
  • Post World War II (Athens)
  • Military Dictatorship (Athens)
  • Modern-Day Athens

Orthodox sites of pilgrimage

  • Metropolis Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Monastiraki
The 1862 Metropolis Cathedral dominates Mitropoleos Square, which is in the heart of Athens, Greece, and is the archiepiscopal Greek Orthodox church of Athens.
The decision to move the capital of the young Greek state to Athens in 1834 made it imperative to build a large new cathedral here. Construction started in 1839 and was completed in 1863. Since that time, this building, decorated with fine murals and icons, has been Greece's most important church, used for official occasions.
Far more significant historically and archaeologically is the small 12th century church of Panagia Gorgoepikoos ("She who is Swift to Hear"). It is known as the Little Metropolis and is a cruciform-style church built from marble and using reliefs and pieces of ancient and early Christian monuments. It is also known as the church of St. Eleutherios.
This tiny little church is often referred to as the "little Metropolis" since it is next to the Metropolis church of Athens.
  • Byzantine Church of Kapnikarea
Right in the middle of a pedestrian shopping strip of Ermou is the Byzantine church of Kapnikarea, which is dedicated to the Presentation of the Virgin Mary. It was completed in the 13th century, and is a cruciform-style domed church which now belongs to the Athens University.
  • Monastiraki
  • Panagia Grigoroussa, Taxiarhon and Fanouriou, Plaka
Famous for its special blessing of the Fanouropita cake every Saturday afternoon.
  • Church of the Holy Apostles of Solakis, Agora
One of the oldest churches in Athens, built c. 1000 AD in the ancient Agora.
  • Church of St. Nicholas Rangavas
This 11th century Byzantine church was part of the palace of the Rangava family, which included Michael I, Emperor of Byzantium. The church bell was the first installed in Athens after the liberation from the Turks and was first to ring in 1833 announcing the freedom of Athens from the Turkish rule. It is now rung every March 25 and is hung inside the church.
Dafni Monastery is one of the most splendid Byzantine monuments in Greece. The 11th century mosaics are considered masterpieces.
An 11th century monastery located on the slopes of Mt. Hymmetos, this monastery was devastated by a huge earthquake in 1999 which damaged the cells of the monks and the bathhouse. In its peak, this monastery had over 300 monks.

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