Visiting the Church of 100 Doors in Greece
It seems like every time I log in to social media, there’s another person visiting Greece. I can’t blame them, it’s an amazing country. From the food to the history, there’s something for everyone. This past month, I visited Greece and wandered the grounds of the historical Church of 100 Doors.
The Church of 100 Doors
If you’re island hopping — or considering it — Paros is a small island in between the popular destinations of Mykonos and Santorini. In Paros, visitors typically stay in the towns of Parikia or Nauossa.
The Church of 100 Doors (Ekatontapiliani) is located in Parikia, which is the port town of Paros. It only takes a couple of minutes to walk from the ferry to the center of Parikia. Within the center of Parikia are the ancient grounds of the church.
When you enter the courtyard of the church, you can instantly see the beautiful architecture. The church is surrounded by doors — where it derives its name.
According to aboutparos.gr, the church is one of the most important and best-preserved Christian churches in Greece. It was built in the 4th century by St. Helen or by Constantine the Great, who fulfilled his mother’s vow. There are 99 visible doors with one secret door being the 100th. The 100th door is sealed and will only open when Constantinople becomes Greek again.
The views within the church are stunning. The many gold and silver artifacts depict the religious figures of Eastern Orthodox churches. As you walk around the church, there are many rooms of worship, which are accessible to visitors.
It’s important to be respectful when visiting the Church of 100 Doors. Admire the history and traditions but remember the significance of the church’s impact on Greek history.
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