Octagon

Abstract

~The cathedral church of Philippi, dedicated to St Paul, and its adjacent structure and marble sarcophagus containing the relics of a martyr, possibly of St Paul himself, occupied the first building east of the Agora. The nucleus of the whole structure was the subterranean vaulted pagan tomb-heroon of the late Hellenistic period. The first Christian place of worship was built beside the heroon in 312-342/3 AD and dedicated to St Paul. This is confirmed by a mosaic inscription from the donor decorated with symbolic representations of birds, trees, and geographical motifs and was placed by the Porphyrios, bishop of Philippi (312-342 AD). The small Christian assembly hall was replaced by an octagonal church around 400 AD and with various modifications survived until the beginning of the 7th century. The sanctuary's apse projected on the east side and an internal colonnade, supporting the upper gallery and dome, rested on an octagonal stylobate. The church possessed two pulpits and its propylon opened onto the Via "Egnatia". The three-aisled portico led to the Octagon's narthex, and to the west of here were rooms for pilgrims and a richly decorated courtyard which connected with the Commercial Road.