Agia Lydia Baptistery

In Krinides of Kavala, near the ancient city of Philippi, is the unique, monumental pilgrimage of the equal apostle Saint Lydia of Philippia, a modern monument, inspired by the significant presence of Apostle Paul in the area. 

History of the Baptism of Lydia 

In 49 AD, the Apostle Paul founded in Philippi the first Christian Church in Europe, baptizing the first European Christian, Lydia and her family on the river Zygaktis. The inhabitants of Philippi were the first Europeans to hear the preaching of the new Religion. 

One day in 49 (or 50) AD a ship disembarked the Apostle Paul, Timothy and the author of the Acts of the Apostles - probably Luke - in Neapolis, present-day Kavala. From Neapolis through the Egnatia Road they reached the city of Philippi, where they were overthrown. Near the west side of the city wall, next to the river Zygaktis, it was the place where the Jews gathered. There, the Apostle Paul headed on a Saturday with his companions and addressed for the first time his sermon to the women present. Lydia from Thyateira listened carefully to him and was the first to accept the baptism of the new Religion. She then begged Paul to accept her hospitality. Lydia was the first European woman to be baptized a Christian. Many days the Apostle Paul and his companions walked the road from the gate to the Jewish quarter and proclaimed the Word of God. All the way he was followed by a female slave - according to the world of Philippi demonized - by the divination ability whose masters earned money. This "demonized" slave accepted the apostle Paul's sermon and showed faith in the new Religion. She proclaimed to the city that she was healed from the demon she had inside her. As a result, the interests of her masters were affected, who arrested Paul and Silas and led them to the Agora. There they abused them and then carised them in prison. For the night of their imprisonment, the strong earthquake that took place at midnight and for the baptism of the jailer and his family, there is a detailed account in the Acts of the Apostles.

Modern building development 

In Zygakti River, west of Philippi and at the boundary of the settlement of Lydia, began in 1972, after the inspiration of the then Metropolitan of Philippi, Neapolis and Thassos, Alexandros, the construction of the Holy Baptistery of Agia Lydia, which very soon became internationally known and was a pole of attraction for believers who came for pilgrimage or for baptism from every corner of the earth. The Church dedicated to St. Lydia, gathers the faithful to honor Isapostolos Lydia the Philippisia on May 20 every year, performing adult baptisms in the open-air Baptistery of Zygaktis river. 

The balanced building development of the Baptistery complex of Agia Lydia and the promotion to the European and global community of the spiritual radiance and the important historical role of Philippi imposed and led in mid-2011 to the construction in the wider area of the Holy Baptistery of another building suitable for the creation of a spiritual and scientific center,  with a building organization capable of holding international conferences. This building was named "Apostolos Pavlos Conference Center" and was inaugurated on May 20, 2011 by the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.] 

The prison of Apostle Paul 

According to the narration of the Acts of the Apostles, the Apostle Paul was imprisoned in Philippi when he healed the child who had a divination spirit. Today above the market of Philippi there is the propylon of the great Early Christian Church. A narrow corridor leads to the crypt of the Church in a small dark building with two spaces covered by arches. This building is believed to have been the prison of Apostle Paul.

Name: Agia Lydia Baptistery

All areas and features related to performing religious acts (icons, furniture with candles, pray spaces, etc.) are always at the viewing zone and at the reach of wheelchair users too.

There is space for wheelchairs to be situated within the congregation.

The sanctuary is not accessible to wheelchair users.

It is possible for all to reach the area(s) where various services and tasks take place (e.g., such as for paperwork of various religious ceremonies, communion receivings, etc.).

Ιt is not possible for all to reach, enter and sit in the exisiitng confession canopy.

There is a sound system used.

There is an induction loop installed.

There is good lighting to support those who lip read.

Assistant dogs are allowed and the congregation understand that they should not interact with the dog whilst it is working.

There is informational and/or religion-related material, such as timetable of the service, liturgy books, hymn books, notice sheets or other resources, that is made available in alternative formats (e.g. audible, large print, Braille, etc.).

There is a an outdoor area open to the public.

Accessible Restroom

The accessible restroom (lavatory/toilet) is gender-neutral

The restroom can be reached by wheelchair users

There is not a usage fee

The facilities can only be used during specific hours of the day / seasons of the year

There is proper signage marking (by the entrance) and for directing the users to the accessible restroom (lavatory/toilet), using the International Symbol of Access

There is not signage provided in Braille (by the entrance), at an appropriate height

Doors have always a sufficient colour contrast

The door is accessible to wheelchair users? (with at least 80-90 cm width, with an outwards opening, without steps and the door does not require significant force to open)The door is accessible to wheelchair users? (with at least 80-90 cm width, with an outwards opening, without steps and the door does not require significant force to open)

The door lock is user friendly and at a proper height (90-120 cm from the ground)The door lock is user friendly and at a proper height (90-120 cm from the ground)

There are proper handrails

(There is on one side of the toilet seat - the transfer side- a folding handrail and a minimum free space of 90cm width for the wheelchair user and on the other side a fixed handrail)There are proper handrails

(There is on one side of the toilet seat - the transfer side- a folding handrail and a minimum free space of 90cm width for the wheelchair user and on the other side a fixed handrail)

In case there is no basin by the toilet, the toilet size is not at least 1.50 x 1.50 m

In case there is a basin by the toilet set(s), the toilet size is not at least 2.00 x 2.25m 

(W x L) with a free space of minimum 150 cm diameter case there is a basin by the toilet set(s), the toilet size is at least 2.00 x 2.25m 

(W x L) with a free space of minimum 150 cm diameter

All basins are wall-mounted, with a minimum free height of 70 cm underneath

In case there is a soap dispenser, it is indeed within reach of wheelchair users

(preferably at a height between 0,75 to 1,20 m from the ground and never higher than 1.35 m))In case there is a soap dispenser, it is indeed within reach of wheelchair users

(preferably at a height between 0,75 to 1,20 m from the ground and never higher than 1.35 m))

In case there is a mirror, it is indeed usable to wheelchair users

(It should be inclined and/or starting at least from a height of 85 cm)In case there is a mirror, it is indeed usable to wheelchair users

(It should be inclined and/or starting at least from a height of 85 cm)

There is not an alarm/emergency system in place that it can easily be used

(It should contain a cordon placed around the room, parallel to the floor at a height of 10-15cm)

There is not a shower and/or changing room available

There is not an accessible baby care/diapering area available

It is not used for other purposes (e.g. for storing cleaning equipment)

The door opens outwards and to the left. Correct washbasin and tap handle. 50 cm wall-to-neptira distance. 72 million Distance of the floor infant. 50 million Distance handle-toilet (left). 53 cm handrail-floor distance. No free entrance stairs. Type of floor tiles.

Parking space(s) 

There is parking but it is alana. It has no specific seats for disabled people or other cars. It's quite a large space.

Outdoor area 

There is an accessible entrance for a person with a wheelchair. 

Corridors/paths are provided with fixed material at least 90-120cm wide so that a person can move in a wheelchair or a person with mobility problems. 

The corridors/paths are without obstacles and uneven weights.  

In any sheds, there is room for a person with a wheelchair to stand. 

Any benches and areas with table seats are accessible for a wheelchair person.  

Any bins and other items are at a height that serves a person in a wheelchair. 

It is allowed to enter guide dogs for the blind. Any trees have no protruding branches at a height of less than 2,20m. 

The corridors / paths, usually have at the end flower beds
 

• Lydia, 64003 Kavala 
• +30 2510 516944. 
• imphnth@otenet.gr
• www.im-philippon.gr