HOLY SITES OF MACEDONIA

Today Thessaloniki is not only famous for its monumental reminding of antiquity but also for being a largest center of pilgrimage in Europe. This is the place where around 50 AD, Paul the Apostle preached the Gospel about the Risen Messiah to the locals and sowed the seeds for Thessaloniki's first Christian church. From here, the Christianity seeds began to penetrate to the countries of Western civilizations. A pilgrimage tour of the city holy sites will take you over the wind-streets and avenues right to the stairs of the iconic churches. Thessaloniki for sure has something to surprise even the most fastidious explorers!

Holy sites

Thessaloniki will uplift your soul with its peerless architecture. The Christian "pearls" of the policy are embodied in the Cathedral of St. Gregory Palamas, the Agia Sophia, the Basilica of Great Martyr Demetrius, the Church of Panagia Ahiropiitos, the Monastery of Vlatadon, the Panagia ton Chalkeon. Each church has a unique fascinating history, gorgeous ornamentation and shrouded in ancient legends and mysteries. The visitors can also discover the catacombs of John the Baptist within the walls of which the first sermons of Paul the Apostle were allegedly heard. During your pilgrimage from one church to another, you will learn about real and mystical events. Each corner of the city is ready to share with its guests the stories of holiness and profession of faith, opposition of state paganism and "undermining the state structure" of Roman Empire Christianity.

Did you know?             

At some point of our history, Christians were much concerned about the city that deserved the name of “the world’s capital”. In the end, this privilege was given to Constantinople; however, many leaned toward Thessaloniki.

Shrines of Thessaloniki

The monasteries and churches of Thessaloniki treasure a lot of holy relics of the world-revered saints. The relics of a great mystic, theologian and archbishop Gregory are kept in the Cathedral of St. Gregory Palamas. Millions of people from all over the world come to Thessaloniki to worship his relics imbued with the light of goodness and love. The church of St. Demetrius built on the place of the saint’s death has a shrine with the relics of st. Demetrius, who suffered martyrdom during the persecutions of Caesar Galerius. The Convent of St. John the Evangelist treasures the relics of Arsenius of Cappadocia. In the Chapel of the St. Theodora Monastery, you will find the relics of the Saint in a silver feretory.

Pilgrims are kindely allowed to venerate the ancient artifacts, pray for salvation, having experienced the heavenly grace.

What else can you see?

As part of the pilgrimage tour, the city guests will have the opportunity to see the other sights as well. The most significant memorials of Thessaloniki include:

• The White Tower - the symbol of the city; 

• The Rotunda of Galerius - a Mausoleum of Roman Emperor Galerius, later the first Christian church in the city; 

• The main city square - Aristotelous Square and the Church of Panagia ton Chalkeon.

Did you know?

Thessaloniki is the native land of the famous preachers and Old Slavonic alphabet creators Cyril and Methodius. In their honor the golden-domed church was built here.