Religious Tourism

Church of Prophet Elijah, is located in Ano Polis of Thessaloniki, in a natural hill at the intersection of Olympia, John Varvakis and Prophet Elias streets. Church of Prophet Elijah is listed amongst the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It was built during the 14th century (approx. around 1360-1370).

The building was belongs to an architectural style unique in Thessaloniki, known as agioreitiko or athoniko, which was used exclusively for catholics (i.e. centralized churches) of monasteries.

Photo Archive of the IAA – © Holy Archdiocese of Athens

Based on small-scale excavations and studies that have been contacted around the temple, the Church of Prophet Elijah, was probably built on the ruins of the Byzantine Palace of Thessaloniki. The temple is founded largely on rock and ruins of old buildings in an area that many marbles can be found even today.

Photo: religiousgreece.gr

The Church of Prophet Elijah, has suffered a lot of damages over the years, mainly because its foundation was not stable enough.

From the painting decoration of the church of Prophet Elias there are a few surviving murals, which date back to between 1360 and 1380. Despite they are kept fragmented and in poor condition, they are characterized by quality and they impress for their leading characteristics: an unusual sense of realism and depth to scenes, intense movement, exuberant mood and evident emotions of the figures.

Photo: religiousgreece.gr

The church originally was not dedicated to Prophet Elias, but – probably and according to the latest survey -it was built in honor of Jesus Christ, and was specifically the catholic of a monastery.

During Ottoman times, significant efforts were made to make the temple more stable and protect it from additional damages. They were though demolished after a meticulous restoration of the monument.

During the same period the area around Prophet Elijah Church was named “Balaat” which perhaps is translated into Greek as “Palati” which means “Palace”. This church was converted into a mosque during the Ottoman period and was known as Saraylı Mosque.Close to the Church of Prophet Elijah (from its west side) during the same period the “Government House” was built which is consistent with the fact that the area was meant to remind the old Byzantine Palace.

Liturgy in Prophet Elijah, in the Upper City of Thessaloniki, as shown by videos published in the social media:

“Τα καλύμματα τις Αγίας τράπεζας και ο επιτάφιος που φαίνονται είναι καλυμμένα με τζάμι ,πάνω στο τζάμι ρίχνουμε με προσοχή οινόπνευμα και αμέσως ανάβουμε από το άγιον Φώς που έχουμε πάρει από τα Ιεροσόλυμα την Αγία Τράπεζα και από την Αγία τράπεζα ανάβω τις λαμπάδες μου και το δίνω στον κόσμο”

Holy Fire symbolizes and reminds a miraculous resurrection of Christ. It is a providential miracle the ages of Ages, which is Christ in the world. Science can not explain this great miracle. In a miracle that science really decide? Many see every year the Holy Fire and feel the presence of God in their midst. This is exactly what the Holy Fire to illuminate all mankind for a better future.

Holy Fire symbolizes the victory of Christ and Christian life against death.
Holy Fire for a few minutes if you touch does not burn.

God is light, life is love, joy, everything. our life is empty without God. Look loneliness, the sorrow, the pain they live far from God.

Address: Olimpiados 52, Thessaloníki 54633, Greece
Phone: 0030 2310 273790

Religious Tourism