Ave Aya Tekla
There was a temple in Silifke named after goddess
Athena in the dwelling place known as Kokysionoros in the Helenistic or Early
Roman era for the Christian Ave. Athena Kannetis and Aya Tekla must have been
identified, after the adoption of the Christianity. 24 September is the Holy Day
of Ave Thekla who is supposed to have lived around Silifke, according to East
Church. She was considered as the equal of Athena Kannetis, which was
widespreadly worshipped in Silifke in the previous eras; and even according to
the holy area of Athena – those of the Nazianus; the Ave was named “parthenon”.
(“Parthenon” means the
house of the virgins and it is used to identify the nuns of Athena. “Virginity”
here means the woman who owns herself.) It should not be forgot that many
churches of this type around Silifke were built on or next to the ancient Zeus
and Athena Temples. Worshipping Ave Thekla is done on 24 September in Istanbul
at Aya Yorgi church in Buyukada; that situation associates the applications
done in the honour of goddess and god in the pagan festivities, on 21 September
– prior and after it, which is the autumnal equinox.