The Apostles (Elgar) many delays, Elgar finally started formal composition of the music in mid-December 1902. Composition of the work in vocal-score format was complete by the end of June 1903, with scoring complete on 17 August. "The Apostles "is a narrative work, dealing with the calling of the Apostles and their experiences of Jesus' preaching, miracles, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension. "The Kingdom" would carry the story onward. Elgar was more interested in human motivations than philosophical underpinnings, and two of the most prominent characters in the work are the two sinners Mary Magdalene and Judas Iscariot. Elgar's conception outgrew the confines of
Church of the Holy Apostles, Athens Church of the Holy Apostles, Athens The Church of the Holy Apostles, also known as Holy Apostles of Solaki () or Agii Apostoli (), is located in the Ancient Agora of Athens, Greece, next to the Stoa of Attalos, and can be dated to around the late 10th century. "Solakis" may be the family name of those who sponsored a later renovation of the church, or from "Solaki" for the densely populated area around the church in the 19th century. The church is particularly significant as the only monument in the Agora, other than the Temple of Hephaestus, to survive