| Immaculate Conception Cathedral | |
|---|---|
Καθεδρικός Ναός της Αμιάντου Συλλήψεως της Θεοτόκου | |
 | |
 | |
| Location | Thessaloniki |
| Country | Greece |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic Church |
TheImmaculate Conception Cathedral (Greek:Καθεδρικός Ναός της Αμιάντου Συλλήψεως της Θεοτόκου) is aCatholic church located on Frangon street in the city ofThessaloniki,Greece. The church follows the Roman orLatin Rite and functions as the seat of theApostolic Vicariate of Thessaloniki (Vicariatus Apostolicus Thessalonicensis or Αποστολικό Βικαριάτο Θεσσαλονίκης).
In the 18th century, the Catholic community in Thessaloniki was served by theJesuits. In 1713, the Jesuits built St. Louis Church next to the French consulate. On 30 March 1740, it became aparish. Two years later, a new larger church, also named St. Louis, was built. In 1773, with thesuppression of the Society of Jesus, the Jesuits was banned from Greece and theLazarists replaced them. In 1839, a fire destroyed a third of the city, including the church. The church was rebuilt within a year and dedicated toMary, mother of Jesus and herImmaculate Conception.[1]
On 7 October 1896, the foundation stone of the current church was laid. The church was designed byVitaliano Poselli. The parish priest at the time was Fr Erique Heudre. Construction was financially aided by a French tobacco merchant, Frederick Charnaud. The crypt was completed and consecrated on 30 May 1897, it was dedicated to theSacred Heart of Jesus and decorated by Michael Bucar, a Lazarist brother from Slovenia. On 3 May 1900 the church was consecrated byArchbishop Augustus Bonetti of Palmyra[2] and Fr Francois Xavier Lobry, the Lazaristprovincial in Turkey.[1]
In 1926, the church became the seat of theApostolic Vicariate of Thessaloniki; which is composed of the Roman Catholic communities in northern Greece.
Although the church survived theGreat Thessaloniki Fire of 1917, it was heavily damaged during World War II. The roof, decoration furnishings and organ were all destroyed. After the war, repairs were carried out. The roof was rebuilt, the church was redecorated, and new furnishings, stained glass windows and an organ were installed.[1]
In the early 1970s, the altar was moved and in 1981 the crypt was renovated. In 2000, the church building was repainted. In 2008, new lighting, heating and air-conditioning systems were installed.[1]
The Masses are celebrated in Greek andEnglish. Sundays at 8:00 am and 10:00 am are offered in Greek and English at 7:00.
In the city there is also a Catholic cemetery inAmpelokipoi.
Media related toImmaculate Conception Cathedral, Thessaloniki at Wikimedia Commons40°38′14″N22°56′18″E / 40.6372°N 22.9383°E /40.6372; 22.9383
