Saint Lydia Baptistery

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About fifteen kilometers west of Kavala, the ruins of the ancient city of Filipoi, which in the early Christian times was the most important city in the area, built right on Via Egnatia, are preserved. In that place is where the Apostle Paul baptized the first Christian woman in Europe - Lydia, and it was here that the first baptismal ceremony was held in Europe. Today is the Baptistery where the christenings are held today.

Founded in 360 BC as a colony of Thassians under the name of Krinides, but only four years later was captured by the Macedonian king Philip and took his name. In Filipoi, the apostle Paul was first encountered in 49/50 AD., on his first trip to Greece, and returned four times, although it is remarkable that he founded the first church on European soil, with which he always had a close relationship. Due to the intense memory of their presence, the Filipinos in the 4th century became the seat of a bishopric and became a great religious center. According to the narrative of Evangelist Luke, the Apostle Paul arrived in Philippi, the most important city in the region in the winter of the 49 - 50 AD during his first trip to Greece. I have visited place where Jews gathered on Saturdays on the banks of the Zigaktis River. Here for the first time his sermons were listened to by women, among whom was Lydia who was engaged in the sale of porphyry for the coloring of fabrics.
Most of the ruins that survive today belong to the Roman era, but are found later in the time of the Apostle Paul. However, with the seasons of its action, the ancient Christian basilicas and the octagon are related. The octagon, which belonged to the complex of the Episcopal Church, was built in the fifth century by Bishop Philippi Porphyrios, where the first ecumenical house dedicated to the apostle Paul was founded in the fourth century, whose name refers to the inscription that has been preserved in mosaic floors.

The Basilica is one of the largest and most impressive of the fifth century. The reservoir of water that remains with its propulsion has been identified with the prison of the apostle Paul from the fifth century, while the passage that is on the north side of the later Roman market is believed to be the point where he and Silas They were punished. The huge pillars that always dominated the center of the archaeological site belong to the other great temple, the other basilica, which was built in the 6th century and has much to do with the architecture of Constantinople.
Lydia was the first Greek and first European woman, baptized by the Apostle Paul. She accepted Christianity and was baptized along with her whole family, and later did a lot to spread the new faith. In memory of this significant event was built the baptistery temple here. In the center of the Baptistery there is a marble font for infant baptism and on the sides there are rooms for dressing adults for the rite of baptism, which are held in a river flowing near the baptistery.
Inside the temple is decorated with a number of impressive works of art, icons, stained glass - works by famous masters who show of the events that occurred during the period when the Apostle Paul
visited Philippi. As well as an amazingly beautiful mosaic on the walls and arches, depicting scenes from the life of the Apostle Paul.
On the bank of the river in the place where Lydia was baptized according to tradition, there is an open baptistery in the form of a cross like those preserved in early Christian basilicas in Philippi. Here annually on May 20 - in the day of the memory are performed of Saint Lydia rites of adult baptism.





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