Greece is the country where the concept of democracy was birthed (Pericles) and philosophy was developed (Socrates, Platon, etc.). She gave birth to Alexander the Great of Macedonia (330 BC) who spread Greek literature throughout the whole world.

    The Lord honored the Greek language with the New Testament being written in it.

    The apostles Paul, Silas and others who were also Jewish disciples of Jesus, along with the Greek disciples, Titus and Timothy (Titus 1:5; 2 Corinthians 7:6), brought to Greece the message of the Crucified One as well as the experience of Pentecost (Acts 16--18; 1 Corinthians 12--14).

    They first visited northern Greece (Macedonia) by way of Neapolis (modern day Kavala) Acts:16:11. They preached the Gospel in Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea. From northern Greece they traveled to southern Greece and ministered in Athens and Corinth.

    John, the Jewish apostle of Jesus Christ, was exiled to the Greek island of Patmos (Revelation 1:9). He was among the 120 who were all baptized with the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. Even though he had been laughed at and rejected by many, he preached the Gospel of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Pentecost in Greece in the 20^th century.

Founders of the Work in Greece
Dimitris Katrisiosis	Mihalis Kounnas	Charalambos Mamalis	Aristotelis Dictiopoulos

    Pentecost spread throughout Greece in the 1st century and then outward to Europe by both Greeks and Jews (Illyricum, Romans 15:19; Dalmatia, 2 Timothy 4:10). Pentecost came again to Greece through Greeks in the 20th century.

    The first Greek pioneer for God was Dimitrios Katrisiosis. In 1924 he left his home village of Vagia and traveled throughout Greece preaching the message of God's salvation through Jesus Christ and His work on the Cross. He was persecuted and exiled.

    Mihalis Kounnas preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Athens in 1927. During this time the first Greek Pentecostal church was established in Athens in the Petralona area.

    In 1930, Charalambos Mamalis preached the Gospel with miracles following throughout Greece. In 1931, Aristotelis Dictiopoulos also preached the Gospel with miracles following throughout Greece. Both emphasized the Baptism in the Holy Spirit in their preaching.

    Mamalis eventually became the pastor of the largest Pentecostal church in Athens, which was located on Aiolou Street. Dictiopoulos established the Pentecostal church in Katerini, which is in northern Greece.

    In 1950, Theodoros Davis and his wife Mary established a Pentecostal church on Sofokleos Street, Athens. God blessed them because they worked with dignity and sacrifice.

    Many Greek servants of God were persecuted for their faith. Some were beaten, some imprisoned, some exiled and there were those who were martyred. These servants of God all played a very important role in building the work of the Pentecostal Church in Greece. Some of these were: S. Konstantinidis, H. Kourpas, P. Zachariou, A. Samalis, T. and J. Sidiropoulos, T. Dimitriadis, E. Fotiou, and C. Papaloukas. They are now in the presence of the Lord!

    Today the Pentecostal Church in Greece numbers about 12,000 members. There are approximately 200 churches along with an equal number of house churches located throughout the villages and cities of Greece.

    The Pentecostal church includes the following:

1. Apostolic Church of Pentecost, which is affiliated with the Assemblies of God worldwide.

2. Apostolic Church of Christ, which is affiliated with the International Foursquare Church.

3. The Church of God of the Full Gospel, which is affiliated with Church of God worldwide.

4. The Church of God of Prophesy, which is affiliated with the Church of God of Prophecy worldwide.

(The above churches are in fellowship with many other independent Pentecostal churches in Greece.)

5. Free Apostolic Church of Pentecost. These churches do not fellowship nor cooperate with the other Pentecostal churches in Greece nor abroad.

    The "belief" of the Greek Pentecostal Church is based upon the Bible. It is in agreement with the “Approved” Creed as determined by the two Ecumenical Church Councils.

    The first 30 years of the Pentecostal Church history (1926--1956) tell a story of persecution. Many were imprisoned and others were exiled to the island of Makronisos.

    Today, we enjoy more religious freedom. Previously the official church, Eastern Orthodox, and the State reluctantly gave permission for Pentecostal churches to operate legally. The process of receiving permission from the Ministry of Education and Religion to operate as a church is becoming easier.

    The preaching of the Gospel is taking place in churches, houses, city squares, through local TV stations and also through radio. Many newspapers and magazines are being published as well. Most of the country has the potential to be reached through the media. There are also two Bible Schools in Athens. One is the Hellenic Theological School and the other is “Domata”

    Missionary work and mercy ministries are currently taking place in the Balkans, Honduras and Nepal. Missionary D. Peponis served in China for many years. Today, Missionary Chris Moukas is serving in Bulgaria.

    Many churches help the poor and the refugees by giving them clothing, food, and places to stay. Visitation takes place in prisons, orphanages, and homes for the elderly, and to the earthquake victims. The Pan Hellenic Mission assists and takes care of the outcasts, drug addicted, etc. The Pentecostal church also gives to humanitarian aid associations such as UNICEF and "Doctors without Borders."