“Mother of God” echoes in the air, a common dedication but here, it marks a landmark. This is the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Annunciation. Locals often shorten it to Metropolis or Mitropoli. It serves as the cathedral church for the Archbishopric of Athens and all of Greece.
Construction on this grand cathedral started on Christmas Day in 1842. King Otto and Queen Amalia themselves laid the cornerstone. Theophil Hansen began as the architect. Dimitris Zezos, Panagis Kalkos and François Boulanger then continued the work.
Imagine the scene. Workers hauled marble from 72 demolished churches. These stones formed the cathedral’s immense walls. It took three architects and twenty years to complete this vision. Finally, on May 21, 1862, the cathedral was dedicated. The King and Queen dedicated it to the Annunciation of the Mother of God.
The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Annunciation is a three-aisled, domed basilica. It measures 130 feet long. It is 65 feet wide and 80 feet high. Step inside to discover tombs of saints. Saint Philothei and Patriarch Gregory V are both enshrined here. Ottoman Turks killed them during their rule.
Saint Philothei built a convent. She was martyred in 1589. Her bones are still visible. Look for them in a silver reliquary. She is honored for ransoming Greek women. These women were enslaved in Ottoman harems.
Gregory V was the Patriarch of Constantinople. He was hanged by order of Sultan Mahmud II. His body was thrown into the Bosphorus in 1821. This was in retaliation for the Greek uprising on March 25. That uprising led to the Greek War of Independence. Greek sailors rescued his body. Eventually, he was enshrined here in Athens.
Notice the little Church of St. Eleftherios. It sits just south of the cathedral. People call it the “Little Mitropoli”.
In Mitropoleos Square, look for two statues. One honors Constantine XI. He was the last emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire. The second statue depicts Archbishop Damaskinos. He served as Archbishop of Athens during World War II. He was Regent for King George II and Prime Minister of Greece in 1946.
The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Annunciation remains a major landmark. Important ceremonies take place here. National political figures attend. Weddings and funerals of notable people are held within these walls.
Admire the Byzantine and neo-classical architecture. It dates back to 1842. King Otto and Queen Amalie laid the first stone. Once inside, note the ornate decorations. Paintings and lavish gold adorn the interior. The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Annunciation stands not just as a religious center. It stands as a testament to Greek history and resilience.