|
BYZANTINE MONUMENTS
ST. DEMETRIUS CHURCHSaint Demetrius, the Patron Saint of the city, was a general of the Roman army and being a Christian, he was martyred during the persecutions of Diocletian and Gallerius in 303 AD.
Twenty years
after his death, in 323, Christianity was recognized as one of the
religions of the During the great fire of 1917, the church was virtually destroyed. That was the time when the underground crypt was discovered, where the Saint had been jailed and martyred in the Roman baths. Today's church was inaugurated in 1958. It is a large rectangular basilica divided into five aisles by four colonnades. The church possesses some beautiful 7th century mosaics and frescos which survived from the fire and still decorate the surfaces of some walls. Look for the fine mosaic depicting Saint Demetrius with two children. Saint Demetrius Day is celebrated on October 26th. It is a great holiday as the entire city celebrates its Patron Saint. There is a ceremonial procession of the holy icon on the previous day. The public, civil authorities and bands accompany the icon through the streets of the city. SAINT SOPHIA CHURCH
This church is one of
the most important monuments built in the 8th century. It
is a monumental and impressive church and resembles the It is a large basilica with a dome. The superb mosaic of the dome is a work of the 9th century. It represents the Ascension of Christ. His figure occupies the center of the dome and is surrounded by the Virgin Mary and the Twelve Apostles. Saint Sophia's Day is celebrated on September 17th. The church, as almost all Byzantine churches of Thessaloniki, was converted into a mosque in 1523.
THE CHURCH OF OSIOS DAVIDThis small church situated in the old quarters of the city is considered to be a work of the 5th century. The humble tiny church possesses an excellent mosaic in the upper part of its dome. The mosaic portrays Christ as described in the vision of the Prophet Ezekiel. The figure of Christ appears in his glory and is surrounded by the symbols of the Evangelists together with the prophets themselves. The church was transformed into a mosque in 1430. According to oral legends the Christians, aware of the threat, covered the magnificent mosaic with leather and a layer of mortar in order to protect it. The mosaic on the dome was thus preserved in good condition throughout the years. The Turks altered the original form of the church when they decided to transform it into a mosque. They built a minaret outside the church and they also plastered the walls. In 1921, during restoration works, workers discovered the mosaic under the piece of leather.
THE CHURCH OF SAINT MINASThis church is the only one situated in the commercial center of the city. According to historical records there was an older church on the site, which was a building of the 8th century. This old church, as well as another one which was built later, were completely destroyed by a series of fires which broke out in that area. It was Ioannis Kaftantzoglou who supported the reconstruction of the burned church. Today's church was built in 1890 on an entirely new plan. Only two columns together with some marble sculptures of the previous church which had survived the last fire were incorporated into the new church. St Minas Day is celebrated on November 11th. When Thessaloniki was liberated from the Turks in 1912 the magnificent service celebrating this event took place in the church of St Minas.
Other
Byzantine churches in
FOR MORE INFORMATION |