Agia Marina Church
Agia Marina Church
Underneath the Acropolis, on the Hill of Nymphs, where the National Observatory of Athens is located, the Agia Marina Church (Saint Mary Church) is situated on Agia Marinas Street. The name of the street is derived from the beautiful and stately Church of Agia Marina.
In the courtyard, which is located in the Hill of Nymphs, exists a cavernous temple that is dated from the 12th Century. Agia Marina, which replaced an old Byzantine Church, was erected in 1922. It stands out for its impressive architecture, with an immense centric dome. The sacred monument is surrounded by an impressive churchyard.
Tradition considers Agia Marina as the patron Saint of the feeble and suffering children. In ancient Athens, mothers used to lead their children to the temple, adorned with new clothes and left them in the yard, praying for their cure. The hallowed hall depicts beautiful and impressive murals from the beginning of the 17th Century. Impressive paintings like the "Birth of Christ, Ypapanti and Baptism of Jesus, Jordan River, the Crucifixion, Transfiguration (Metamorphosis) of the Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ and Pentecost" are found here. Portrayed in the south-western section is the painting of Mark the Evangelist. Saint Marina Day, in the Orthodox Church, is celebrated annually on July 17th.
