The church of Ekatontapiliani

The church of Ekatontapiliani
This is one of the most important palaeochristian monuments in Greece. According to tradition, the emperor St. Konstantinos, who wanted to fulfill a wish of his mother St. Eleni, erected the first building. It is said that St. Eleni stopped on Paros on her way to the Holy Land because of rough seas. She prayed in a small church, which was devoted to the Assumption of the Virgin. She vowed to build a big temple, and devote it to the Holy Mary, as soon as she completed her journey. Her son gave shape to her solemn promise, building a three aisled basilica (4th century).
In the Justinian period (6th century) the palaeochristian parts were altered and the basilica was rebuilt, its roof being substituted by a dome and vaults. According to tradition, the workings were done by the apprentice of the architect of St. Sofia of Constantinople who surpassed the skill of his teacher. After all of the additions and alterations the Ekantontapiliani became complex as it had palaeochristian, Byzantine, and post-Byzantine cycladic architectural characteristics. The first Christians chose the area of the ancient temple to build the first building, even before Konstantinos and Justinian used some of its marble parts for their own building. As a result, the church bears evidence of all the eras of the Greek civilization, from ancient times to today.
The church is made up of the Temple of Holy Mary, the basilica of St. Nicolas, the temple of St. Theodosia, the chapel of St. Dimitrios and the cells that protected it. They were used as a bunker and the Vaptistirion, the place where the marble cross-shaped typescript is situated. Christians of old age were christened there until the 4th century. Later on, the christening of infants became a custom. This palaeochristian part was also enclosed within a dome and vaults during the Justinian period. The Vaptistirion of Ekatontapiliani is the oldest and best preserved in all orthodox East. Christenings are still held there today.
The faithful can admire the marble Kivorio, which is set on pillars of the classical period; the amphitheatrical Sinthrono, the sculptural decoration; and the marble carved iconostases, the portable icons. You can also bow before the grave of St. Theoktisti (in the temple) who led an ascetic's life, died and was buried in Ekatontapiliani. The main attraction of the church is the icon of Holy Mary holding Christ.
After you have visited the temple, you walk out feeling peaceful and relived. The atmosphere in the church is dominated by the presence and the grace of Virgin Mary. The ancient materials, the asymmetric shapes, the limestone and the shadings intensify the religious atmosphere and fill you with adulation