The History and Development of Christianity in Greece: From Antiquity to the Modern Era

Greece before Emperor Constantine (49–325 AD)

By the time of Christ’s Resurrection, Greece had already been part of the Roman Empire for two centuries. Rome had absorbed the legacy of its past—that is, the remnants of the classical period. What we now call modern Greece had become a crossroads, connecting Roman-controlled Asia Minor, its European colonies, and Rome itself. All roads did not just lead to Rome; they were well-guarded routes reserved for privileged citizens—such as St. Paul. He traveled extensively through Asia Minor, Macedonia (today’s Greece), Rome, and even into Europe, preaching the Gospel of Christ.

Greek Christianity primarily arose through the missionary work of St. Paul. After his conversion on the road to Damascus, the Apostle traveled throughout Asia Minor—from Antioch to Cyprus and northward along the western coast of present-day Turkey—spreading the evangelical message. While in ancient Troas, he had a vision in which God commanded him to go to Macedonia. From approximately 49 to 52 AD, St. Paul preached Christianity among the pagans of Macedonia. He established small church communities in Greece—in Neapolis (modern Kavala), Philippi, Berea (Veria), Thessaloniki, Athens, and Corinth. These were the first steps toward the Christianization of the whole of Greece.

Other apostles and disciples of the Lord also labored among Greek-speaking peoples. Among them were St. Jason and St. Sosipater, two of the Seventy Apostles, who brought the light of the Gospel to Corfu in 37 AD; St. John the Theologian and St. Procopius, who preached on Patmos and in Ephesus; St. Barnabas and St. Mark, who, alongside St. Paul, converted the inhabitants of Cyprus; St. Andrew, who preached and was martyred in Patras; and St. Luke, who traveled extensively with St. Paul and later was laid to rest near the modern town of Thebes.

For three centuries after Christ’s Resurrection, the Church struggled for survival amid recurring persecutions throughout the Roman Empire. At times, these persecutions—especially those instigated by Emperors Domitian, Licinius, Hadrian, Diocletian, and Maximian—led to the widespread destruction of Christian communities. Sometimes persecution was localized. Although periods of repression alternated with times of peace, the threat of persecution was ever-present. Many martyrs from this era are remembered by name. Among the relics venerated in Greece today are those of Hieromartyr Hierotheus, Hieromartyr Dionysius the Areopagite, St. Jason and St. Sosipater, St. Eleutherius and St. Anthia, St. Polycarp, Martyr Paraskeva of Rome, Great Martyr Charalambos, St. Christopher, Hieromartyr Cyprian and Martyr Justina, Martyrs Timothy and Maura, Virgin Martyr Anysia of Thessaloniki, Great Martyr Panteleimon, Great Martyr Barbara, Venerable Parthenios, Bishop of Lampsacus, Great Martyr Demetrios, Great Martyr Catherine of Alexandria, Great Martyrs Theodore Tiron and Theodore Stratelates, Hieromartyr Blaise, Bishop of Sebaste.

The Byzantine Empire (325–1453 AD)

The beginning of the Byzantine Empire period is tied to the reign of Emperor Constantine the Great (306–337 AD). In 312, as Constantine rode into battle near a place called Saxa Rubra, about eight miles northeast of Rome, he saw a glowing cross in the sky along with the words, “In this sign, you will conquer.” Victory in that battle earned him the title of sole ruler of the Roman Empire—a victory he credited to the Christian God’s protection. The following year, he and his co-emperor Licinius issued the Edict of Milan, granting Christians protection from persecution. Constantine himself later embraced Christianity.