“Saved!” they cried after King George I survived the assassination attempt. The Church of Agios Sostis stands before you. It is not just a church. It’s a testament to a king’s bravery and a city’s gratitude.
Agios Sostis Church has a unique history. It intertwines with King George I of Greece and an international exposition.
In 1898 King George I faced an assassination attempt. Two riflemen fired at his carriage. He shielded his daughter Princess Maria. Both were unharmed but the coachman and a horse were wounded.
This act of courage resonated with the people. Athens Mayor Spiros Mercouri proposed a church. It would honor the king’s bravery at the site of the attack.
Meanwhile Greece prepared for the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle. They would showcase a large Byzantine church. Lucien Magne a French architect designed it. It was to be Greece’s pavilion.
After the Exposition the Greek pavilion was dismantled. Mercouri arranged its shipment to Athens. The municipal council decided to reconstruct it. It would be a temple named Christ the Savior. This was at the site of the assassination attempt.
The church you see was originally built for commercial purposes. It served as Greece’s pavilion in Paris. Each country had its own pavilion. These represented characteristic monuments or buildings.
The Greek pavilion was designed as a Byzantine church. The pavilion showcased textiles wines and tobacco products. Paintings depicting local life were also on display. Iacovos Rizos and Nikephoros Lytras created some of them. Giorgos Iacovides painted children.
The Exposition drew over 50 million visitors. When it ended many pavilions were demolished. Some were transported home. Greece’s pavilion was one of them.
The church was reconstructed on Andrea Syngrou Avenue. This is where the assassination attempt occurred. Agios Sostis means Christ the Savior in English. The name honors the king and princess who were saved.
Agios Sostis Church is easily accessible by Metro. You can get off at Syggrou-Fix Station.
The church’s unique story makes it a special place. It blends royal history international exhibitions and Athenian gratitude. Take a moment to appreciate its significance.