A century ago a shepherd dreamt of a young woman. She warned him to stop using her church as a sheep pen. He ignored her. His sheep started disappearing one by one. The woman reappeared in his dream. She told him to ask two women to dig near the entrance. The two women found the miraculous icon of Saint Barbara. This is the Church of Agia Varvara in Athens.
The Church of Agia Varvara stands before you. Its story is one of perseverance and faith. This three-naved basilica was built in 1904. However the site holds a much older history. Tradition says a church has existed here for over 1000 years. This is almost as old as the nearby Daphni Monastery. The current building replaced a much smaller church. This earlier church was buried under earth and stones. It had been used as a sheep pen.
The discovery of the icon is a pivotal moment in the Church of Agia Varvara’s history. The shepherd’s dream and the women’s discovery brought this sacred image to light. The 37 x 26 cm icon remains a treasured relic. It is the heart of this pilgrimage temple. The main nave honors Saint Barbara. The right nave is dedicated to Saint Phanourios. The left nave is dedicated to Saint Mavra. These chapels were consecrated by Metropolitan Theokletos I. The sanctuary itself is called Euresis meaning Discovery. It marks the exact spot where the icon was found. An inscription on a mural inside the sanctuary dates a church to 1774.
The Church of Agia Varvara also holds a relic of Saint Barbara. This was brought from Venice in 2003. It had been in Venice since at least the 11th century. It is a fragment of the saint’s remains. A portion of the saint’s remains rests permanently in the Church of Agia Varvara. This is thanks to the Apostolic Diakonia of the Church of Greece. The Church of Agia Varvara continues to attract pilgrims. They seek Saint Barbara’s blessings and intercession. Countless miracles are attributed to her. The church receives daily offerings from grateful devotees.
One such miracle is that of Sophia Bella. In 1899 Sophia’s arm was paralyzed. Saint Barbara appeared in a dream. She told Sophia to play the piano the next day. Sophia awoke healed. Her parents donated a golden hand in gratitude. This miracle is recorded on the church’s iconostasis. The Church of Agia Varvara is a place of profound faith. Its history continues to inspire hope and devotion. It is a place where miracles are believed to happen. The Church of Agia Varvara stands as a testament to enduring faith. It is a living link to a rich history.