History
The capital of Macedonia and
second largest city of Greece. It was first established in 316 B.C. by Kassandros and named after his wife, Thessaloniki, sister of Alexander the
Great.
It is here that Paul, the Apostle of Nations, first brought the message of
Christianity (50 A.D.) and that Demetrius, a Roman officer died in martyrdom,
thus becoming the holy patron of the city for ever (303 A.D.).
Thessaloniki becomes the second important city of the Byzantine Empire, next
to Constantinople, ornamented with numerous majestic and glamorous
architectural works that display all forms of Byzantine art. After this
illustrious era, the enemies take over. But each time, after every
catastrophe, Thessaloniki reexalts her splendor, dressed in her eternal
garment of ancient and Byzantine glory.
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