Ss. Constantine Elena Chapel Thessaloniki

Opposite the Museum of Byzantine Culture, which every visitor of Thessaloniki is familiar with, there is a small modern church worth visiting. It’s the military chapel of Ss. Constantine (the first Christian Emperor) and Elena (Constantine’s mother).

What makes this church unique are the neo-gothic pointed arches and the luminous stained-glass windows, which depict Saints and biblical scenes. Although archaeological evidence suggests that Byzantines also decorated at least in two cases churches with stained glass, the latter does not seem to constitute an organic part of our tradition. So, it’s very beautiful to see this mixture of East and West in a city that has nothing to do with gothic art.

Moreover, you can admire the very beautiful murals painted according to the norms of late Byzantine art (13th-15th c.). When I recently visited the chapel, I had the opportunity to listen to an awesome musical recording of a female monastical choir from the loudspeakers. Byzantine music is so heavenly and uplifts the soul! For all these reasons, the chapel of Ss. Constantine and Elena should be included in your monuments-to-visit list!