Thessaloniki Church of Ipapanti

Location: Egnatia

The Church of Ipapanti is located on Egnatia Avenue, just opposite the Arch of Galerius. It was originally a monastery, thought to have been constructed in the 10th century. In the early 16th century, the church was a dependency of the monastery of Agia Anastasia Pharmakolytria in Halkidiki. By the mid-16th century, it was reported to have been destroyed. Metropolitan Theonas of Thessaloniki restored it, and further renovations in 1841 gave it its current form.

The church is a three-aisled, wooden-roofed basilica with a gynaeconitis, a section reserved only for women. The eastern wall consists of carved masonry of stones and bricks, while the columns that divide the aisles are made out of wood. Inside, there is a beautiful iconostasis, which includes an icon of Christ dated to the previous form of the church. Of major note is the representation of the annunciation that adorns the central doors of the iconostasis. Visitors will also see the despotic throne, the pulpit, and some shrines.