The city of Thessaloniki was one of the first waypoints on the way of Apostle Paul, who came to the Greek land at the call of a man named Macedon that he heard in a night vision. Thus, in 49 A.D. the northern capital of Greece became “the Golden Gate” into Europe for Christianity.
Not far from the fortress walls of Thessaloniki, next to the Pasha Gardens there is a church of Saint Paul — one of the three cathedrals located in Agios Pavlos region and dedicated to Apostle of nations Paul.
Thessaloniki, which had a population about 200 thousand people by the time of Apostle Paul’s arrival, was an important economic and political point of the Roman Empire. A large port as well as the arterial road Via Egnatia that passed through the city were meant to help Christianity to spread fast to Asia Minor and Europe. There was a large synagogue here — a religious center for Jewish part of population of the smaller towns, which surrounded Thessaloniki and which had only church-houses. It was here where three Saturdays running Apostle Paul had been preaching though he did not manage to have a great success in converting Jews to Christianity. At the same time, many members of the Greek population accepted Apostle’s words and willingly christianised.
Such a success of the saint’s preaching was not to liking for the Jewish, who managed to turn hostile some part of the population, and the apostle had to leave the city and set under the cover of darkness to Veria and lately to Athens. In year 57, he arrived to the land of Macedonia again, having stayed for about half a year in Thessaloniki, Philippi and Veria edifying Christians.
The church of St.Paul is situated on the hill that is why it is not hard to notice it from afar off. The magnificent building of the temple is crowned by a flattened dome, a distinctive arch rises above the main building and decorates the central entrance. It is a new and modern church that was consecrated in honor of Apostle Paul in 1997. A little below the great temple there is a park and two more earlier churches dedicated to Apostle.
The main value and the most revered shrine of the temple are the holy relics of the saint preacher Paul that are placed in a beautiful silver chest decorated with enamel.
According to the legend, in this area, at the foot of the Kedrinos hill, there was a water spring by which Apostle Paul stopped on his way from Thessaloniki fortress walls to Veria. For many centuries, this spring was a place of pilgrimage, having received the name of Apostle Paul’s holy spring. During the Turkish occupation in 1875 the Greek community gave this place to the Thessaloniki philosophical fraternity, and after the liberation of the city in this place a first small church dedicated to Apostle Paul was built. It was opened in April 1922. Close to a chapel and the Holy spring there is a cave where the preacher stayed after he had left Thessaloniki.
Not far from this small church in 1950s a larger church was built — it happened after the local prefect had a night dream, in which Apostle Paul told him that the templet in the old park was too small. And a little higher, on the hill, the modern magnificent Church of Saint Paul is located.
In order not to limit the time of your walk and not to depend on the timetable of the city buses, it would be better to set to St.Paul’s church by car — you can rent a car, take a taxi or order a transfer for a selected route. Besides, there is an excursion bus No.50 in Thessaloniki, which makes a study tour around the city — you can get to the church by it, just ask the driver to stop at the nearest bus stop to the temple. The bus No.24 also arrives here.
The balcony of the temple offers a wonderful view of the city, and also you can see the cave where Apostle Paul stayed. Take a camera with you to make some exciting commemorative pictures.
For visiting the church as well as other temples and monasteries, you have to follow some simple rules of conduct and a certain dress code. You should choose such clothes that would cover your shoulders, knees and stomach — this rule is general for both women and men. Women are allowed to enter Greek churches not only in a skirt but in trousers as well, besides it is not accepted here to cover the head with a kerchief. It is desirable not to talk or move in the church during the service, and you can light the candles and leave the notes before the service begins.
