The historic Church of Saints Theodoros, an emblematic 11th-century monument in the center of Athens, was officially inaugurated following its extensive restoration. The ceremony was attended by the Greek Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni.
"The Church of Saints Theodores was built in 1049 and is an emblematic monument of the 11th century," said Mendoni, according to Proto Thema. "Athens has a special place in culture throughout its great historical duration; therefore, its monuments should be restored and shining as befits the city's identity," she added.
Mendoni emphasized the importance of returning ecclesiastical monuments to their original use. "Our deep desire is for ecclesiastical monuments to be returned to worship, as this has been their essential use from the beginning," she noted. She highlighted the cooperation with religious authorities, stating, "We have a very close and constructive cooperation with the Holy Archdiocese of Athens and the Metropolises."
The church’s structure required extensive work. A crack in the western wall ran from the roof to the base, most of the vaults were cracked, and structural elements were missing. The base's mortars had been replaced with cement, and the tiles had almost disintegrated.
During the restoration, the original characteristics of the monument were revealed, including the sculptural decoration and ceramic bands. The facades were cleaned of soot, restoring the appearance of the monument from the late 19th century.
"With due respect, we ensure that the restored monuments will retain their light and brilliance, not as an end in itself, but because, through them, we are illuminated," Mendoni stated. "The completion of the church gives the public the opportunity to get to know this exceptional monument up close, to enjoy the work of the artisans and artists of the 11th and 19th centuries."
The roofs of the church were replaced, as were the marble elements of the dome. Metal reinforcements, most of which are hidden under the roofs, provide the church with static adequacy for its future security.
Copies of the original clay vessels that had been removed were placed in their original positions to the west and north, as they are particularly vulnerable. The inscription on the western side, one of the distinctive features of the church, was removed, conserved, and reinstalled. This embedded inscription provides not only the date but also the name of the founder, Nikolaos Kalomalos, who belonged to the middle rank of the administrative and military hierarchy of the Byzantine Empire.
The 20th century had left a black patina of soot and exhaust on the walls of the church, both inside and outside. The sculptural decoration was cleaned, and the missing structural elements, stones, and bricks on the facades were restored. Inside the church, the plastic covering that was over the marble floor was removed, revealing the original flooring.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.