Church of Saint Dionysius the Areopagite, Orthodox church in Kolonaki, Greece
The Church of Saint Dionysius the Areopagite is a cruciform Orthodox church with a dome in Kolonaki, Athens. Completed in 1931 to plans by Anastasios Orlandos with Dimitrios Filippakis, it shows neoclassical and neobaroque elements outside. Inside, Spyros Vassiliou painted the frescoes, while Theofanis Nomikos carved the wooden iconostasis, bishop's throne, pulpit, psalters and chandelier; Stefanos Xenopoulos made the mosaics of the exonarthex and interior, except the floor.
An earlier church built on this site in 1880 was demolished in 1900 to make way for a larger one. Anastasios Orlandos drew the plans with Dimitrios Filippakis, construction began in 1923 or 1925, and the church was consecrated in 1931 by Archbishop Chrysostomos I. It served as Athens' cathedral while the Metropolitan Cathedral was closed for restoration.
The church is named after Saint Dionysius, the first Bishop of Athens, whose conversion to Christianity after Paul the Apostle's sermon is remembered by worshippers today. His story shapes how visitors understand the spiritual identity of this place.
The church is located in central Athens and easily accessible on foot from the surrounding streets. Visitors can attend regular services or explore the interior with its religious objects and artifacts.
On 27 December 2018 a small explosive device went off near the church entrance, injuring a sacristan and a police officer; an anarchist group calling itself the Iconoclastic Sect claimed responsibility. The building had earlier served as Athens cathedral while the Metropolitan Cathedral was closed for restoration.
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