“What’s in a name?” you might ask, but in the case of Agia Fotini, the name holds a story. Agia Fotini, or Saint Photini, stands as a testament to faith and history.
Welcome to Agia Fotini, a church with a rich past. It stands near the remnants of the Ilissos river valley. This location was sacred even in ancient times. A temple to Hecate once stood here.
During the Turkish occupation, a Christian church was built here. It suffered damage during the revolution in 1821. In the 1830s, this area served as a cemetery for Bavarian soldiers. Agia Fotini was reconstructed in 1872. It later became a parish church. The church suffered damage from a landslide in the 1980s. The Ministry of Culture renovated it. The Municipality of Athens covered the expenses.
Agia Fotini is a simple basilica with a timber saddleback roof. Before its renovation, its stone walls were covered in whitewash. This was done to preserve them. Inside, you can see murals from the 18th and 19th centuries. Additional decorative work took place between 1986 and 1992.
The wooden-carved screen is a replica. It copies the screen of Agios Nektarios church in Aegina. Portable icons of Agia Fotini, Agios Eleftherios, and Archangel Michael are highlights.
Agia Fotini is dedicated to Agia Fotini the Samaritan. The church celebrates her on February 26th. It also celebrates on the Sunday of the Samaritan Woman.
Saint Photini lived in 1st century Palestine. She was the Samaritan woman who met Christ at the well. He asked her for water. She accepted the “living water” offered by Christ. She repented her sins. Photini told the people of her town about Christ. She is sometimes considered the first to proclaim the Gospel.
She converted her five sisters and two sons. All became evangelists. The Church remembers her as a Holy Martyr. Emperor Nero ordered her torture. She was thrown into a well in the year 66. She is known as Equal to the Apostles.
Many young couples choose to marry at Agia Fotini. Its idyllic location makes it a popular choice. As you stand here, remember the layers of history. From ancient temples to modern weddings, Agia Fotini has witnessed it all.