 One
of the foremost Palaeo-Christian monuments in Greece, the
Church of Ekatontapiliani is a place where history leaves
and breathes through its very walls. According to legend,
Saint Konstantinos erected the first building because he
wanted to fulfill a wish of his mother, Saint Eleni. Tradition
dictates that Saint Eleni allegedly stopped by Paros on
her way to the Holy Land because of the rough seas. She
prayed in a small church that was devoted to the Assumption
of the Virgin, and vowed to build a big temple devoted to
the Holy Mary as soon as she completed her journey. Her
son eventually made her solemn promise come true, building
a three-aisled basilica during the Fourth Century.
During the Sixth Century, in the Justinian Period, the Palaeo-Christian were changed and the basilica was restored, its roof substituted with vaults and a dome. Legend says that the workings were done by the apprentice of the architect of Saint Sofia of Constantinople, who afterwards surpassed the skill of his teacher from then on. Once the alterations and additions were done, the Ekantontapiliani became a complex monument of many origins, its structure filled with Paleo-Christian, Byzantine, and Post-Byzantine Cycladic architectural influences. Even stranger still, early Christians picked the area of the ancient temple to erect the first ever place of Christian worship even before Konstantinos and Justinian used some of its marble parts of their own building. As a result, the church currently holds aspects of all the eras of Greek civilization, from ancient times to the contemporary period.
The faithful can also come to the church to admire the Kivorio marble, which is set on pillars made during the classical period, served as sculptural decorations for the amphitheatrically constructed Sinthrono, and carved as marble iconostases or portable icons. People can also pay their respects to the grave of Saint Theoktisti in the temple, who led an ascetic's life, died, and was buried in this church in recognition of his accomplishments. However, the main attraction of the church remains the icon of Holy Mary holding Christ.
The Church of Ekatontapiliani is composed of the chapel of Saint Dimitrios and the cells that protected it, the temple of Saint Theodosia, the basilica of Saint Nicolas, and the Temple of Holy Mary. The above chambers were used as bunkers from time to time and the Vaptistirion of the Ekatonpiliani—the area where the marble's cross-shaped typescripts was located—serves as the oldest and best preserved part of the monument. The first Christians were christened there until the Fourth Century. Later on, infant christening became the norm. Christenings are still held there up to the present times.
Once you're done visiting the temples, peacefulness and calmness will afterwards soothe your soul as you're filled with feelings of joy and adulation. The ambiance offered by the church is punctuated by the grace and presence of the Virgin Mary. The asymmetric shapes, limestone walls and shadings, and asymmetric decor should all assist in intensifying the spiritual atmosphere and reaffirm your faith in the Lord
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