AGIOS NIKOLAOS
Οrthodox
Agios nikolaos on the Map: Ladopoulou, Ermoupoli 841 00, Greece
The
Church
of
St.
Nicholas
is
a
magnificent
Byzantine
Church
near
Miaouli
square
that
began
to
be
manufactured
in
1848
according
to
the
designs
of
G.
Metaxas
and
the
consent
of
King
Otto.
The
church
was
finally
completed
in
1870.
Saint
Nicholas,
patron
saint
of
Ermoupoli
stands
out
for
its
lavish
interiors
and
impressive
architectural
structure,
the
icon
of
St.
Nicholas
that
was
silver-plated
in
Moscow,
the
despotic
marble
throne,
the
pulpit
and
the
marble
iconostasis
that
was
designed
by
George
Vitali.
This
is
a
two-storied
monumental
temple
with
marble
bell
towers,
an
imposing
marble
staircase
and
marble
propylaeums,
ionic
columns,
archaic
motifs,
arcades,
sculptured
decorations,
grey-blue
slates
and
a
unique
iconostasis
definitely
worth
seeing.
The
church’s
icons
were
created
by
some
of
the
best
hagiographers
of
the
time
while
many
Greeks
from
abroad
as
well
as
ship-owners
helped
for
the
construction
of
the
temple.
SAINT GEORGE
Catholic
Saint George is the Catholic diocese of Syros. Built in 1200 on the highest point of the hill of Ano Syros it has undergone numerous renovations and
reconstructions over the years, the latest being that of the Tinian architect Chatzisimos. It is a large complex including the Church, the Bell Tower, the
baptistery, the sacristy, the hospitality room, the historical archive building, the Episcopal Palace and an abandoned house. The Cathedral is a three-
aisled Basilica with marble columns. Statues of Saints by Italian sculptors of the 18th century dominate the entrance while on the inside visitors will
certainly be impressed by the wood-carvings and marble flooring inspired by a Tinian sculptor.
One
of
the
most
unique
characteristics
of
Syros
is
the
typical
coexistence
of
the
Orthodox
and
Catholic
religion,
a
truly
unique
coexistence
reflecting
the
island’s
cosmopolitan
and
liberal
character.
From
one
end
to
the
other
the
Catholic
cathedrals,
the
Orthodox
churches
and
picturesque
chapels
that seem to hover between Earth and sky invited pilgrims to pray and experience the ultimate spirituality.
