A significant historical event that led to the gradual Christianization of the city of philosophers—Athens—is presented in the temporary exhibition titled “In the Footsteps of Apostle Paul. Apostle Paul in Athens”, which will be inaugurated on Wednesday, July 2, at 8:00 p.m., at the Fethiye Mosque, in the Roman Agora, by the Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni.

Apostle Paul’s visit to Athens in 50 A.D. marked the beginning of monumental changes in the Greco-Roman world. His extensive discussions with philosophers in the Ancient Agora, and especially his speech before the Council of the Areopagus, contributed to the dialogue between pagans and Christians, bridging cultural gaps and offering an open platform for the new faith. Without rejecting the religious traditions of the polytheistic world, Paul addressed the Athenians by reminding them that the “Unknown God”, to whom they had dedicated altars and offered sacrifices, was his own God of Love.

The traveling exhibition “In the Footsteps of Apostle Paul” was designed as part of the project “Cultural Route: In the Footsteps of Apostle Paul”, carried out by the Directorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities of the Ministry of Culture, and funded by the Recovery and Resilience Facility. It was first presented to the public at the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, in January 2025.

With the support of the Ephorate of Antiquities of the City of Athens, the exhibition is now transferred to Athens and hosted at the Fethiye Mosque in the Roman Agora, showcasing new exhibits, with more than fifty ancient artifacts, under the title: “In the Footsteps of Apostle Paul. Apostle Paul in Athens.”

Following the inauguration, there will be an event featuring representative musical compositions from pagan, ecclesiastical, and Christian traditions, as well as from folk heritage.

In parallel with the exhibition, a museum kit will be made available to schools and educational institutions, bringing to life Paul’s Second Missionary Journey and his world through educational games and activities.