Church of Panagia Ekatontapyliani - Hundred Doors (Paros)

The Church of Panagia Ekatontapyliani is one of the most significant Byzantine monuments of Greece and is situated in Pirikia, the capital of Paros island, a short distance from its port; east of the old town of Paros. It is one of the oldest Christian temples which is to be found in Greece. It's real name is Katapoliani which means kata and polis - "towards the city"; or towards the ancient city. Its official, and more common name, Ekatontapyliani is a creation of 17th century scholars who wanting to give it more worth named it like the ancient hundred gates of Thibes in Egypt. The church commemorates is main feast day August 15.

History

Many stories circulate regarding the construction of the temple. The more common identifies St. Helen as the founder. On her way to the Holy Land to find the Holy Cross, her boat docked in Paros. Near the port, there was a small temple, and inside this temple she prayed and made a vow that if she should find the Holy Cross, she would build a big temple on that site. She did find the Holy Cross and fulfilled her vow by building the temple. The other story mentions that St. Helen could not fulfill her promise and instructed her son, Emperor Constantine the Great to do so and he fulfilled her wish. A third version, narrates that no temple existed on this site prior to the 6th century. However, Emperor Justin wanted to strengthen the religious sentiment of the island and built the temple.

In c. 1962, the church was renovated by the renowned professor and academic Anastasios Orlandos. His research proved that the rightful constructers were indeed Constantine and Helen. He also proved the existence of a temple dating from the 4th century.

Professor Orlandos commenced refurbishments of the church which required seven years to complete. This was achieved by 1966.

The Main Temple

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The Iconostassis

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Chapels

• The Chapel of St. Theoktiste of Lesbos.
• The Chapel of St. Nicholas
• The Chapel of the Holy Unmercenaries Ss. Anargyron
• The Chapel of St. Philip
• The Chapel of St. Theodosia
• The Chapel of St. Demetrios

The Baptismal Font

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Portable Icons

• The "Praying Virgin" (circa 15th Century)
• The "Pure One" (circa 16th century)
• The "Holy Trinity - St. Zion"
• The "Panagia Eleousa"

The Old Monument Gate and its Legend

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See also

• Metropolis of Paronaxia
• St. Theoktiste of Lesbos (November 9), - she lived inside the church before dying martyrically at the hands of pirates.

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