Hundreds of people visit every hour passing through Metropolis of Athensespecially in times of increased tourist traffic. Few, however, know that the “bolts” of the imposing temple can now go down. What is there?
The stairs to the left of the entrance of the temple lead to the recently renovated ecclesiastical heirloom, a priceless historical value that, presenting true “treasures”, narrates the course of the Church of Greece. The work, inaugurated in 2020 with the blessing of Archbishop Hieronymus II and the decisive donation of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (ISN), offers a unique journey through time.
The first ‘royal thrones’ and donations
As soon as it reaches the last steps leading to the Virgin Mary, the first to notice the visitor is the careful lighting. There are relics that link the Church to the history of the modern Greek state. The visitor can see closely the thrones used during the church of the kings, starting with the era of George I, but also a silver operating disc, donated by Queen Olga in 1862.
Archbishop Christodoulos through his personal belongings
Of particular interest are the personal belongings of the Archbishop of Athens and all Greece Christodoulou I (1998-2008), including the Metra’s Hierarch’s, a bishop and the bishopric of his rod.
Rare relics and precious vestments
The tour of history continues with earlier and equally important exhibits. It stands out a rare old Gospel printed in Venice in 1728, the first hierarchical throne of the temple (1862), as well as the first benches of the Synodical High Priests from the same year. A few meters next to it is the first Epitaph of the Cathedral to embroider in Vienna, with gold and silk, and was donated to the Metropolis in 1847.
The collection is enriched with precious vestments and personal belongings of hierarchs that marked the 19th and 20th centuries, such as Chrysostomos Papadopoulos, Spyridon, Chrysostomos Hadjistavrou and Neophytos, whose signature dominates the authentic plan of the Hierarch.
A hidden diamond in downtown Athens
It is a journey to the heart of Greece’s modern ecclesiastical history, a hidden diamond under the bustling metropolitan temple, waiting to be discovered by visitors to the city.
The site is open daily, except Monday, from 11.00 to 18.00 and there is a fee of 3 euros for the entrance.