The church of Agioi Anargyroi is located at the historical centre of Athens, at one of the oldest districts of the city, the area of Psiri.
The initial church of the 11th century belonged to a type that is rare in Greece, the complex four-columned cross-in-square church with its dome having the particular characteristic of being “diplotholikos”. i.e. having two floors. The fact that the church does not have a narthex indicates that it was not the catholicon of a Monastery.
Today, the church of Agioi Anargyroi in Psiri gives the impression of a more modern church due to the numerous changes that have been made through the years.
During the Greek revolution they buried Panagiotis Ktenas here, the commander of the Acropolis, while the important men of letters Alexandros Papadiamantis and Alexandros Moraitinis often came here. Furthermore, tradition has it that the Saint Nectarios of Aegina served as a deacon here (1882-1885).
From the initial stage of the church the larger part of the dome, the three barrel-vaults of the cross and the arches of the altar still survive today.
Church of Holy Unmercenaries (Agii Anargyri) at Psyrri
Grand, fraught with historical memories, a meeting point of freedom fighters and brilliant personalities; the Church of the Holy Unmercenaries, near Iroon Square, at the neighborhood of Psyrri, played a central role during the times of the Ottoman rule, but also the Greek Revolution.
In the courtyard of the church many heroes were laid to rest such as chieftain Panagis Ktenas, Nikolaos Sarris, Nikolaos Pittakis. In the later years, Saint Nikolaos Planas officiated at the church, while Moraitidis as well as Papadiamantis deaconed at its psaltery. In fact, our great litterateur lived in a cell at the rear side of the church for a time period, which has been preserved and is visitable.
The construction of the Holy Unmercenaries is dated in the 11st century and constituted a rare specimen of a church in Greece belonging to the architectural form of the complex four-columned cruciform church inscribed with a diplotholion (i.e. it had a two–floor dome). However, the historical value of the church was not assessed correctly and its expansion was deemed necessary for the satisfaction of the needs of the residents of the district. The result of this expansion which took place in 1908 was the defacement of the architectural and aesthetic character of the church.
The earthquake of 1999 caused significant damage to the murals of the early 20th century, many of which were overpainted immediately subsequently. The marble templon is low, tripartite with the central part elevated. It bears the icons of Saint Nikolaos, Saint Eleftherios, the Holy Unmercenaries, Virgin Mary, Saint John the Baptist, Saint Charalambos and Saint Stylianos. In the wooden carved gates are incorporated oval frames with depictions of the Apostles and of the Annunciation on the central bema doors. The icons are covered with a silver coating.
Over the gates of the Prothesis and the Diaconicon there are inscriptions carved in the marble. In particular on the gate of the Prothesis there is an engraved inscription: ‘WHOEVER EATS MY FLESH AND DRINKS MY BLOOD REMAINS IN ME AND I IN THEM’ and ‘I DID NOT COME TO ABOLISH THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS BUT TO FULFIL THEM’ on the Diaconicon gate.
On the side walls are depicted whole-bodied men and women saints, as well as scenes. The depictions are works by Ioannis Mavropoulos and are dated in the era of 1918 – 1920. Depicted are in total eight miracles of the Holy Unmercenaries in small dimensions. In-between and on either side of the central gate the following depictions are located: of the expulsion of the First Man and the First Woman from paradise, the sacrifice of Cain and Abel, Christ expelling the merchants from the temple and the widow’s two mites.
At the eastern sides of the two recesses and next to the templon, two large depictions are located as also two smaller ones just above them. At the southern side there is located the Descent of the Cross and just above the Resurrection. At the directly opposite position, in the northern recess, is located the raising of Lazarus and precisely above Martha’s and Mary’s welcoming of Christ.
In the conch there is depicted Theotokos the Platytera of the Heavens, on the dome of course the Pantokrator, and the four Evangelists on the pendentives. On the intradoses of the arches are located twelve busts of Apostles, per three on each intrados. In the western barrel vault hovers the depiction of the Holy Trinity within clouds and winged heads while the depiction of the Annunciation of Virgin Mary features at the western side of the two eastern piers of the dome.
Informations
Additional
Date:
11th century
Season:
Byzantine
Celebrates:
1 Ιουλίου, 1st of November
Holy Metropolis:
Archdiocese of Athens
Under the Supervision of:
Ephorate of Antiquities of Athens
Address:
Psyrri
