The Church of the Holy Power of the Mother of God is located literally beneath the building of the Ministry of Education and Religion. In ancient times, a temple of Hercules stood on this site. The Christian church here was built in the 15th century, and it acquired its modern appearance in 1912.
During the city's intensive development, it would have been demolished had it not played an important role in the Greek Revolution. The Turkish occupiers used the ancient church as a factory for producing bullets, but the women workers managed to secretly carry ammunition out and pass it on to the fighters for independence.
To preserve the historic landmark, it was decided to build a new building around it. It should be noted that this looks rather strange and unusual: the tiny church seems to be squeezed between the columns of an office building in the city's business district. Still, it is very convenient for officials and office workers to stop by here on their way to work to pray and light a candle.
It is believed that the Holy Power of the Mother of God especially protects pregnant women and women in labor, so women from all around the area also often visit this original church on the corner of Pentelis and Mitropoleos streets. Behind the modest facade there is a staircase leading downward - the main rooms of the church are underground.
