On Wednesday morning (6/5), a Patriarchal Divine Liturgy was celebrated with particular splendor and in an atmosphere of devotion at the historic Church of Saint Nicholas Ptochokomeiou, presided over by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at Saint Nicholas Ptochokomeiou
The Ecumenical Patriarch arrived at the church at 9:15 AM, where he was welcomed by a multitude of faithful who had filled the space early. Archbishop Ieronymos was ultimately unable to attend the liturgy due to an emergency schedule change, but the atmosphere remained festive, with the church packed to capacity.
The Midpentecost celebration
Today is particularly significant for the Church, as it celebrates Midpentecost – the Wednesday after the Sunday of the Paralytic. As its name suggests, this feast stands at the center of two great stations, Easter and Pentecost, uniting them and heralding the glory of the Ascension to be celebrated in 15 days.
In Byzantine times, Midpentecost was one of Constantinople’s greatest feasts, with official ceremonies described even by Constantine Porphyrogenitus in his “Exposition of the Imperial Order.”
Saint Nicholas Ptochokomeiou: A landmark from 1876
The church where the liturgy takes place is an architectural gem with a rich history. Built in 1876 within the grounds of the then Athens Poorhouse, which was founded by the “Charitable Society” thanks to a donation from Andreas Syngros. It is the work of the distinguished architect Panagiotis Kalkos and represents a cross-in-square church with dome, following the Neo-Byzantine style.
The church stands out for its visible stone masonry and brick decoration, while featuring notable proportions that Kostas Biris characterized as a source of aesthetic emotion. Its imposing presence at the corner of Queen Sofia and Plutarch streets remains unchanged, although the institutional building that once surrounded it no longer exists. Today’s liturgy by the Ecumenical Patriarch once again highlights the importance of this church as a point of spiritual reference in the heart of the capital.
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