Thessaloniki Church of Agios Minas

Location: Town Centre

The church of Agios Minas is considered one of the oldest churches in Thessaloniki. It dates back to the 5th century AD and, despite the rebuilding due to the fires it has suffered, its original design has been maintained. The last reconstruction took place in 1852, as evidenced by a built-in inscription above the main entrance.

The church is a three-aisled basilica, with a L-shaped women's loft on the north, west and south sides. The interior is covered with a false arch decorated with plastered and gilded strips. The central umbilicus has a painting of Jesus. Within ellipsoidal frames are painted the Evangelists, while lower down the prophets. The decoration is the result of Western influences and is reminiscent of Baroque and Rococo. The naves are separated by a colonnade, the capitals of which are two by two identical and decorated with floral and animal motifs. The temple's iconostasis and pulpit are carved in wood.

As apparent through various sources, the church was initially used as a monastery. In 1979, during the restoration of the damage caused by the great earthquake of 1979 (20/6/1978), a semi-subterranean vaulted crypt (ossuary) was uncovered alongside the Holy Step, in which boxes containing human bones were found. In many boxes, the bones were wrapped in tablecloth. These relics were placed in new boxes and kept in the chapel.

In most writings, Agios Minas is referred to as a burnt monastery. In at least five dates it is mentioned that it was destroyed by fires, and in one of them, it is even mentioned that it had an imposing dome, which was visible from the sea. During the Turkish occupation, it was not converted into a mosque by the Turks, probably because it was located at the city’s edge and Ottomans were afraid of various thugs. For this reason, the Greek community had created a hidden hospital in the women's loft of the temple, where the wounded Macedonian fighters were treated.

Behind the altar, there is a stone pulpit, on which, according to tradition, the Apostle Paul ascended and spoke to the locals during his second visit to Thessaloniki. Tradition also states that the place where the church is where the residence of Saint Jason used to lie. The church of Agios Minas also served as a Metropolitan Church. In this church, the praise was also given during the liberation of Thessaloniki by the then Metropolitan of Thessaloniki, Gennadios, before the liberator and heir to the throne, Constantine. The church was a center of charity and a great contribution to Greek national education during the Turkish occupation since almost all the income of the church was used for the operation of Greek schools.