Churches in Athens

Agia Dynami
(Holy Power)

Under the Ministry of Education and Religion on Mitropoleos street and squeezed between three supporting pillars, you will find the tiny church of Agia Dynami, dedicated to the Birth of the Virgin Mary. As the church has a significant history and therefore cannot be demolished, the ministry had to be partly built over it. According to legend, Agia Dynami was believed to protect women in labor. Women would go to church to pray for a safe and painless delivery.

This small barrel-vaulted church was built during the first years of the Ottoman rule and since the 16th century, it has been a parish of the Monastery of Penteli. Its present form dates from the renovations that were done in 1912. An inscription found on the site suggests that the church was built on the site of an ancient temple dedicated to Herakles.

It was in this church that, during the Greek War of Independence, the Greek ammunition master Mastropavlis had to make bullets for the Turkish. However, he also managed to make them for de Greeks freedom fighters. These bullets were smuggled out in garbage bags during the night.

The walls inside show signs of an old wall painting representing Saint Filothei, one of Athens’ patron saints. This tiny church is well loved by the Athenians and you will see many paying it a short visit in the morning on their way to work.

Corner Mitropoleos street and Pentellis street.
Syntagma
For typical words, please consult our Greek glossary.