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Agia Fotini of Mantinia

Mantinia, Arcadia / Central Peloponnese

By Desolation Road

June 16^th, 2020

The most peculiar church in Greece, Agia Fotini, perhaps the only one that dares to escape the inalienable doctrine of the Orthodox Church and even adopt ancient Greek elements, stands next to the ruins of ancient Mantinia in Arcadia, central Peloponnese.

Founded in 1972, it combines different architectures and has multiple levels. Its upper end looks like a gable. Its visionary, the important Greek architect and painter Costas Papatheodorou, was also influenced by the simplicity of the straw-roofed huts of the surrounding plains, beneath the shadow of the mountains of Mainalo and Artemisio.

Christianity and antiquity, he argues, are related to the doctrine that the son of God was born to give us freedom in Christ. Such a freedom adorns the interior, where the typical silent Byzantine Saints meet ancient Greek philosophers, mythological figures like Medusa and Theseus in wonderful mosaics, and even writers such as Alexandros Papadiamantis.

The temple, Papatheodorou explains, depicts the Holy Spirit moving around its axis, according to Heraclitus’ saying that "God is found in motion." In the courtyard of the temple there are two more buildings with ancient influences: a monument for those who fought for Greece in the wars, and the "Well of Jacob" that symbolizes the meeting of Jesus with the Samaritan woman.

Agia Fotini of Mantinia

Agia Fotini of Mantinia

Agia Fotini of Mantinia

Agia Fotini of Mantinia

Agia Fotini of Mantinia

Agia Fotini of Mantinia

Agia Fotini of Mantinia

Agia Fotini of Mantinia

Agia Fotini of Mantinia

Footnotes

Text & photography Copyright: Panos Diamantis 2011

FootNotes

Text & photography Copyright: Panos Diamantis 2011

© 2026 Desolation Road

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