Agios Andreas, the only Orthodox temple of Gothic rhythm in Greece

Athens has a rich history and cultural heritage, with amazing sights and monuments, as well as a multitude of historical, neoclassical mansions and churches. Several buildings may be forgotten in time and we do not know their history, however, stand out for their particular architecture, stinging the looks of passers-by. As is the case with the chapel of Agios Andreas, located on the estate Syngros. The Syngros estate is one of the few green lungs of the Lake of Attica and is a legacy to the Agricultural Society of Athens from Iphigenia Mavrokordatos – Syngros, wife of Andreas Syngros. The grove is full of pines, cypresses, olives, herbs, covering an area of about 950 acres between Kifisia, Maroussi and Melissia. The chapel of Agios Andreas is located right next to the once country mansion of Andreas Syngros (which dates back to the mid-1880s). Both the church and the mansion are works by the German architect, Ernesto Chiller, who has designed hundreds of iconic buildings in our country, and has also been a student of architect Theophilus Hansen. The rareness of the church lies in the fact that it is the only Orthodox temple of Gothic architectural rhythm in Greece. The chapel in Syngros grove follows the type of basilica, while at the same time it has several common elements in its architecture with the Catholic temple of St. Luke in New Heraklion, Attica. It is no coincidence that he too was founded on plans by Theophilus Hansen in 1842 and was completed in 1845. At the same time, there is a peculiarity within the church. As usual, on the right side of the icon of the Orthodox temples is the image of Jesus Christ and follows the image of St John the Baptist. Instead of the latter, however, there is the image of St Andrew in that church. It is recalled that Gothic architecture is an architectural style, which developed in Europe during the late Middle Ages. It evolved from Roman architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture. It appeared in the 12th century in France and continued to be used until the 16th century. The rhythm was originally known as a franchisor while the term gothic appeared at the end of the Renaissance. To explore Sygrou grove and visit the church you can go every Sunday, which is Mass.