With a long history stretching back to ancient Greece, Thessalonica (known today as Thessaloniki) is Greece’s second-largest city. The church of Thessalonica was the last congregation of the New Testament era to which the apostle Paul wrote two of his epistles. What were these epistles about and how did they influence the city’s history?
Where Did Thessalonica Come From?
Thessalonica was founded by Cassander of Greece in 315 BCE, one of the Greek rulers who sought to claim a part of Alexander the Great’s kingdom following the conqueror’s death. It was named for Alexander’s sister Thessalonike, who was married to Cassander. It grew to become one of the wealthier cities in the region, and unlike Colossae, Phillippi, or Ephesus, it did not suffer catastrophes from earthquakes nor had as many issues with outside invading hordes.
What Was Thessalonica Like During the New Testament?
During the New Testament period, Thessalonica was a major trade crossroads both by land and sea, as it was situated on the Aegean Sea. Due to its importance, wealth, and size, it was also the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia. The Apostle Paul would help found the Christian church in Thessalonica sometime before 48 CE on his second missionary journey. I Thessalonians may have been the first letter Paul wrote, and one of the oldest copies of any New Testament writing that currently exists is from I Thessalonians. In it, he would praise the Thessalonians:
“For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything” I Thess! :8.
How Did Christianity Develop in Thessalonica?
Christianity would continue to develop and thrive in Thessalonica throughout the years. The Basilica of Hagios Demetrios, which began in the 300s and reconstructed several times, still stands in the city. It was constructed in honor of St. Demetrius, a Christian soldier from the 300s who was brought before the Roman Emperor Maximian for preaching Christianity. He would be speared in 306 CE, and miracles regarding protection of the city would be attributed to him for years afterward.
One of the most important documents of early Christianity, the Edict of Thessalonica would be signed in the city on February 27, 380 CE. The Edict, signed by the Eastern Roman Emperor Theodosius I, the Western Roman Emperor Gratian, and Gratian’s subordinate, Valentinian II, confirmed Christianity according to the Nicene Creed as the official state church of the Roman Empire, condemning movements such as Arianism as heretical and promoting the Nicene Creed as orthodox throughout the now-Christian empire.
Gaius, a traveling companion of Paul, is held to be the first Bishop of the Thessalonian Church. The Eastern Orthodox Church there traces its history all the way back to its founding by Paul. Origen records two other figures mentioned in the Bible who were Bishops in Thessalonica, called Silvanus and Aristarchus.
Now known as Thessaloniki, or Saloniki, the prominent and thriving city is Greece’s second-largest city and contains significant ancient structures, some of which date to before the Roman Empire. The city also has several churches which were originally built before 1000 CE, and their construction was significant in the development of the Byzantine art and architectural style.
