Metropolitan Church of Saint Gregory Palamas, Thessaloniki

The Metropolitan Church of Saint Gregory Palamas, located in the heart of Thessaloniki, where Metropolis and Hagia Sophia streets intersect, is a significant symbol both religiously and architecturally. It is associated with the Metropolis of Thessaloniki and falls under the Orthodox Church of Greece. Dedicated to Saint Gregory Palamas, a respected theologian of the 14th century known for his contributions to hesychasm doctrine, this church holds great reverence.

The site where the church stands has a rich history, previously housing a church dedicated to Saint Demetrius, the patron saint of Thessaloniki, during Ottoman rule. This church also served as the city's cathedral. Originally built as a three-aisled basilica honoring the Virgin Mary between the late 13th and early 14th centuries under Emperor Andronikos II Palaiologos, it was tragically destroyed by fire on August 22, 1890.

Following the fire, Metropolitan Sophronios promptly began the process of constructing a new church in October 1890, receiving the building permit by June 1891. Renowned architect Ernst Ziller was entrusted with the design, and the church was inaugurated on April 21, 1914, by Metropolitan Gennadios. It was then dedicated to Saint Gregory Palamas.

Architecturally, the Metropolitan Church of Saint Gregory Palamas stands out from the typical three-aisled basilica style prevalent in 19th-century Thessaloniki and Macedonia. It follows the neo-Byzantine octagonal church type with a dome, a style that gained popularity in independent Greece. This architectural gem combines Neoclassical, neo-Romanesque, and neo-Renaissance elements, reflecting the diverse architectural trends of late 19th-century Thessaloniki. The church features a cross-shaped nave with a dome and is surrounded by four tall bell towers.

Inside, the church boasts artworks by Nikolaos Kessanlis, a painter from Constantinople who arrived in Thessaloniki in April 1911. Additionally, it houses the relics of Gregory Palamas, solidifying its status as a spiritual and cultural landmark in Thessaloniki.