Church of Analipsi

What I can see

It is a rare case of an Orthodox church that does not follow the usual neo-Byzantine church architecture of the last decades. The late modernist design has a neo-brutalist style, intense volumes, references to Byzantium (arches), plasticity and colours that refer to Cycladic architecture. Very interesting are the arched strips with coloured glass on the four sides of the church, through which the church is naturally lit. The dome is part of the church’s volumes and not a separate part that crowns it. In the same spirit as the glass arched strips are the vertical linear openings of the dome, which are in harmony with its shape.

What I can't see

Since 2008, this church has become particularly famous for an unusual custom. Every Easter and specifically on the night of the Resurrection, all regions of Greece have local customs, such as folk rituals, fireworks, firecrackers and other noisy – and often dangerous – activities. As soon as the priest of this church starts chanting “Christ is Risen”, Lagoumtzi Street is massively – but controllably – bombarded with Molotov cocktails. Often the police make arrests after a deliberate delay, but this new custom has already been established. Since ancient times, the use of loud cracks and noises has been considered a way of chasing away evil spirits. Similarly, with Christ’s resurrection, loud bangs symbolize the victory of life over death.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTpK8BUj4v0

Info

• Address: Lagoumtzi & Delacroix St.

Bibliography