Holy Church of the Nativity of Christ (Christokopidou) - Christokopidou 2

Από τις λίγους Ι.Ναούς στην Αθήνα αφιερωμένους στην γέννηση Του Κυρίου μας,αξίζει να τον επισκεφθείτε!

Πρόκειται για σχετικά άγνωστο ναό. Όμως πρόκειται για μια πολύ ξεχωριστή εκκλησία με υπέροχες αγιογραφίες. Αν σας φέρνει ο δρόμος σας από το Μοναστηράκι, επισκευθείτε το οπωσδήποτε.

Υπέροχος χριστιανικός ναός. Σε αρχιτεκτονικό επίπεδο (αναπαλαιωνεται τώρα) και εσωτερικά με ωραίες αγιογραφίες, φορητές εικόνες της Γεννήσεως του Κυρίου. Κατανυκτική ατμόσφαιρα. Ηρεμία. Ενατένιση.

Ο υπό αναστύλωση ιερός Ναός της Γεννήσεως του Χριστού ο οποίος συνδέεται με την οικογένεια Κοπίδη και λειτουργεί υπό τον πατέρα Θεοδόσιο.

Σπουδαίος ιερέας ο π.Θεοδόσιος με ένα εξαιρετικό έργο στη ιστορική εκκλησία της γεννήσεως, προσεγγίζοντας νέους και νέες στη καρδιά της Αθήνας.

If it's Friday Easter go visit, pay respect and mourn.

The church of the Nativity of Christ is located in a neighborhood near the Jewish quarter, very close to Monastiraki Square. It is one of the oldest churches in the country, a three aisled basilica with a dome and two belfries incorporated on the west side. It was built in 1860 where there was previously a post-byzantine church in the same place, as well as ruins of an ancient temple probably of Athena Pallas. The post-byzantine church belonged to the illustrious Kopidis family, to whom it owes its name Christokopidis. According to tradition, the earlier post-byzantine church had served as an underground school during the time of the Turkish occupation. The church’s unusual orientation facing north is due to these successive architectural phases. After the restoration of the roof, the church was used as a temporary home for the Areopagus during the time of the regency. It was consacrated in its current form in 1912. The elaborate frescos date from 19th and early 20th century. The Pantocrator and the Virgin Mary Platytera (“More spacious than the heavens”)-lovely name and dedication! in the apse of the sanctuary, where she is depicted in throne with angels kneeling on her left and right, are notable. The artistically significant sculpted decoration dates to the same era and it’s attributed to Nomikos. The fresco of the prophets Elijah and Elisha in the north aisle is a dedication of the great writer Alexandros Papadiamantis. Several old icons have also been preserved including St.Spyridon, St.Panteleimon, the heading of Saint John the Baptist and others. I loved the icons dedicated to the name of the church, of the Nativity of Chist-two of them, really really nice. It was a lovely visit. I felt at home. When the priest saw me entering the church he came to give me a small paper with information of the church, where I have copied this information. I had time to be at peace at the church, pray, and be amazed by the orthodox traditions that I really like although I am catholic. I have to thank him because we do not get this treatment in all churches...its rather the opposite, we seem not to be welcomed. It is worth a visit. Opened in the mornings, but be aware that the entrance is from a small street and you might think it's closed (some papers at this door are in greek and couldn't understand) but its not-be sure to see all the way around.

You can feel it's so much energy in the church. It's very old and icons are old and very unique.