The use of architectural elements taken from ancient Greek temples in Orthodox churches is a frequent phenomenon of the past, with symbolic connotations. Thus, during the early Christian period and even until the modern times in Greece, people took parts from ruined ancient temples for the construction of a Christian church. These architectural elements were mostly used as building material. There are quite a few occasions that Christian churches were built on the ruins of pagan temples, maintaining some of their architectural elements visible. The re-use of material from older buildings basically served practical purposes, and it characterized the general trend of building in Greece until the recent past. In addition, this practice was symbolically associated with the dominance of Christian religion and its establishment on the ruins of idolatry, especially as regards the construction of churches over ancient temples.