Basilica of Saint Demetrios (Agios Dimitrios) in Greece, resort of Thessaloniki
Rating: 7,7/10 (1049 votes)  This five-nave Christian basilica was built in Greece, in the city of Thessaloniki, on the very spot where the holy Great Martyr Dmitry of Thessaloniki died. It is made in the Hellenistic early Christian style. The main building, which has the shape of a quadrangle, was later added with various annexes, such as the chapel of St. Euphemia in the 13th century and a vaulted peristyle to illuminate the water in the 15th century. During their construction, stones from early buildings and bricks were used. In the basilica, built on the site of the martyrdom of St. Dmitry, relics associated with the name and deeds of this saint were kept from the very beginning. The ciborium was originally the central place in the cult. In the life and miracles of the saint, it is described as a place from which Dimtirius communicated with Christians. Later, the relics of the saint became the object of worship. Since the 11th century they have been considered myrrh-streaming. Now the relics are in a marble civorium located in the northern nave. This ciborium was created to replace the one destroyed by the Turks in 1430. The first marble ciborium was created back in the 7th century instead of the silver one lost in a fire. Somewhere in the 12-13th century, the relics were taken from here to Italy. They were found in the abbey of the city of San Lorenzo in Campo in 1520. In 1978, an honest chapter was returned to Thessaloniki, and in 1980 - the main part of the relics. There are only 6 particles left in Italy. In 1988, the basilica was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.   We also recommend reading Kamiros town in Greece, Rhodes resort Topic: Basilica of Saint Demetrios (Agios Dimitrios) in Greece, resort of Thessaloniki. |
