THE PATRONS OF ACHARNES

1o GYMNASIO ACHARNON

THE PATRONS OF ACHARNES

The patrons of Acharnes are

Saint Vlasios

Virgin Mary of Life-Giving Source

Saint Cahterine

Saint Vlasios

His life

Saint Vlasios was born and lived in the early 4th century AD in the Pontus region of Asia Minor. He studied medicine and took care of many patients without asking for money. In addition to medicine, he diligently studied the Bible. After a persistent demand from the people, he was elected bishop in Sebastia, Cappadocia.Shortly afterwards, Vlasios left his diocese and spent most of his life in a cave, where he devoted himself to prayer and practice.

His martyrdom

When persecution broke out against Christians, the ruler of the area, Agrikoulas, asked the Saint to renounce his faith and sacrifice to the idols. Saint Vlasios did not accept it and Agrikolas, after torturing him, beheaded him and his two children with a sword. Saint Vlasios is a saint for both Orthodox and Catholic Christians.

The festival

The celebration of the patron saint is brilliant. On the morning of 11th February, the day when his memory is celebrated, there is a religious service, followed by distribution of blessed bread to the congregation and a procession of the icon as well as the relics of the Saint that are kept in the church. All the town authorities are present in it, while honors are awarded by military units. Schools are closed in order to honor the patron.

Virgin Mary of Life-Giving Source

Zoodochos Pigi (Life-givning Source) is another name describing Jesus Christ’s mother. It came into use when a sacred spring was revealed to a soldier by Virgin Mary in Istanbul where numerous miraculous healings took place over the centuries. The Life-Giving Source is celebrated on Friday after Easter in the Orthodox Church. It is associated with Virgin Mary’s interventions in order to save faithful but afflicted people who invoked to her.

The festival

The greatest festival of Acharnes and Attica used to take place on the day when Virgin Mary of Life-Giving Source was celebrated. This took place in a chapel in Gatzana also bearing the name of Virgin Mary of Life-Giving Source, an area at the foot of Mount Parnitha from the time of Ottoman rule. Τhe nomination of the best horse rider also used to take place on that day. After all, the Acharnians have been famous since antiquity for their strong cavalry.

In 1845 the official celebration was moved to the center of Acharnes. The establishment of the festival helped both the social development and the economic prosperity of the region.

All the residents of Acharnes participate in the brilliant celebration.On the night eve, a service is held and a feast follows in the central square of the city in front of the church. On the day of the celebration a religious service takes place in which many clergy and residents of Acharnes participate. The icon of Virgin Mary, adorned with flowers, is exhibited for pilgrimage in the centre of the church, while at the end of the service, a procession of the icon takes place in the main streets of the town. Schools are closed because the celebration takes places during the 15-day Easter holidays.

Saint Catherine

St. Catherine or Catherine of Alexandria, also known as St. Catherine the Great Martyr was highly educated. She studied philosophy, rhetoric and many foreign languages of her time. From a young age she was attracted to the Christian doctrine. After becoming a Christian herself, she worked with enthusiasm for its dissemination. Apart from her wisdom and virtues, Catherine was also distinguished for her beauty. She became a saint because she remained loyal to her beliefs despite the pressures and tortures she suffered during the early 4th century.

The Cathedral- Saint Vlasios -

The old church

It was located in the main square, in front of the folklore museum. It was demolished in the early 20th century. His place was taken by the largest ‐ metropolitan church today‐ of Saint Vlasios, which was founded in 1886.

The modern church

The new church of St. Vlasios was inaugurated in 1900 by the Archibishop of Athens, Prokopios Economidis, on the day when the memory of st. Catherine is celebrated. The church is dedicated to three saints, Saint Vlasios, Virgin Mary of Life-Giving Source and Saint Catherine.

It has been built according to the standard architecture of the Orthodox churches (basilica with a dome). It is three-aisled and tiled. Its massive columns and many arches give it grandeur. It is large in size and meets the needs of the residents of Acharnes.

The foundation and relocation of the church was associated with many stories and events that took place in Acharnes.

• The demolition of the old church was connected with the death of a dweller of Acharnes, Mr. Karabelas, who first started the tearing down. While he was going to water his horse, he became entangled in the horse's bridles, which dragged him dead to the church. This was considered divine punishment and the foundation stopped.
• It was later built on the site of St. Catherine's, which was demolished and this was considered a bad omen.
• The haunted soils of the square, where various murders had taken place, were also considered a bad sign.
• The demolition of the new church that was about to finish was also considered a divine sign.

All of the above explain why the completion of the new church was delayed.

Superstitions

Thank you!