Cathedral of Apostle Paul, Corinth

Cathedral of Apostle Paul, Corinth tickets: which one to buy

The Cathedral of the Apostle Paul stands in the centre of modern Corinth, on the Peloponnese coast about an hour west of Athens, and entry is free. It is the city's main Orthodox church, dedicated to the apostle who founded the Christian community of Corinth and wrote his two Letters to the Corinthians to it. Most visitors come to Corinth for Ancient Corinth, about eight kilometres away, with the Temple of Apollo, the Bema where Paul is said to have stood before the Roman governor, and the fortress of Acrocorinth above it, and for the Corinth Canal.

Biblical tours following the footsteps of Paul through Greece stop at the cathedral as well as the ancient site, and day trips from Athens combine the canal, the ruins and Nafplio or Mycenae. The cathedral is active, and visiting pauses during services. Modest dress is required. Buses and trains from Athens stop in modern Corinth, and taxis run to the ancient site.

Visiting Cathedral of Apostle Paul, Corinth: what to see

The present cathedral is a modern building, constructed in the twentieth century after earthquakes destroyed much of the town; the city was rebuilt on a new site after an earthquake in 1858, and again after the earthquake of 1928. The cathedral is built in a Byzantine revival style, with a large central dome, arches and bell towers, and a spacious interior that can hold a large congregation. Inside, the walls and dome are covered with icons and frescoes in the traditional Orthodox style, including scenes from the life and mission of the apostle Paul, and a carved and gilded iconostasis.

Relics are kept in the church, and the feast of Saints Peter and Paul is the main celebration. The square in front of the cathedral is a meeting place for residents, with cafes nearby. The cathedral is a reminder of the long Christian history of a city that Paul visited in the first century. The dome is painted with Christ Pantocrator surrounded by prophets and angels, and chandeliers hang beneath it. Icons of Saint Paul show him with a sword and a book, his usual attributes. Marble floors and carved wooden stalls line the nave. The bell towers ring for services across the town centre. The church's courtyard holds benches and trees where locals gather after the liturgy.

Cathedral of Apostle Paul, Corinth opening hours and the best time to go

The cathedral is open daily, with services on Sundays and feast days. The feast of Saints Peter and Paul on 29 June is Corinth's main religious celebration, with a procession and festivities. Orthodox Easter is celebrated with night services and fireworks. Summer is hot, and spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons for visiting the archaeological sites. The Corinth Canal, a few kilometres away, is best seen when a ship passes through. Allow about twenty minutes for the cathedral, and several hours for Ancient Corinth and Acrocorinth. The Archaeological Museum of Ancient Corinth displays statues, mosaics and finds from the Roman city Paul knew.