BRIEF GUIDE TO THE KORINTHI

CHURCHES OF THE KORINTHIA:  

Naturally, there are many churches in the Korinthia that are still functioning.  All of them are Greek Orthodox.  Some of them are used every Sunday and on many holidays, but others seem deserted -- these have a service only once or twice a year, but they are carefully tended and maintained by people of the vicinity and many of them are places of special devotion.  You should be especially careful when visiting these out of the way churches, not to harm the building or the ikons in any way, and be sure to close the door when you leave.

In any case, you are welcome to visit these churches during the celebration of the liturgy; you should dress modestly, but remember that Greeks generally dress quite informally especially in the summer.  In addition, you will notice that there is much socializing and that most people come only toward the end of the service.  There are no chairs to speak of and men stand on the right side of the church, women on the left.  Most people come into the church, buy a small candle (for 10 or 20 drx), light it, and put it in the candle stand.  The Greeks are very tolerant of foreigners in their church (as long as you are decently dressed and do not harm the building) so you do not have to worry if you are unknowingly violating proper etiquette.

ANCIENT KORINTH:

Ancient Korinth actually has two main churches: the church of the Koimesis (Dormition) of the Virgin just above the plateia, and the church of the Holy Anargyri (Kosmas and Damian) in the village of Anaploga.  Normally, the weekly liturgy is held (from about 7:00 to 9:30 AM) in the Koimesis, but occasionally the celebration is transferred to Anaploga.  Both of these are basilicas without domes; the church of the Koimesis is in the (long) process of being painted on the interior with neo-Byzantine frescoes.

Ancient Korinth has two other churches, Agia Paraskeve on the western outskirts, and Agia Anna at the large bend in the main road coming into the village.  Both of these are cemetery churches and Agia Anna has just been rebuilt.  You are welcome to look around in the cemeteries.  The graves are generally carefully tended and the oil lamps above many of the graves are lit each night.

  AKROKORINTH:

As mentioned previously, the church of St. Demetrios is on the summit, and the small church of St. George is located on the northeast flanks of Akrokorinth.  Both of these are used only for holiday services.  The remains of an early Christian basilica lies over the remains of the Temple of Aphrodite on the summit of Akrokorinth.

NEW KORINTH:

  There are obviously many modern churches in New Korinth.  The most impressive of these is the cathedral, appropriately dedicated to St. Paul.  It is a massive, domed, imitation Byzantine style building and it stands in a large ecclesiastical complex just off the main road from Ancient Korinth (adjacent to the laiki).  The bishops of Korinth are powerful figures and they have built many structures in the city, including an ecclesiastical museum, a school that is now the center of the government, and several social centers.  A massive new basilica, dedicated to St. Nicholas, is located on the shore near the harbor.

  ELSEWHERE:

  Every village has its own small church and there are chapels located in various places.  Especially lovely is the private chapel on the Tripos estate near Hexamilia.  Modern monasteries are located in several places in the southern Korinthia, especially south of Hexamilia and near Mapsos (Agia Triada).  Another important monastery dedicated to St. Patapios, is located in a dramatic setting above Loutraki (well worth the trip).  Another large monastery (of the Virgin) can be found just north of near Sophiko and the Byzantine monastery of Agnoundos (Agnountos) is just off the main Epidavros road.  Near Sophiko there are several Byzantine churches, all of them still used for services.