The church of Christos Elkomenos
Dedicated
to the name of Christ, the cathedral of Monemvasia dominates the central square
in the fortified town. Tradition associates the church with Emperor Andronicus
II Palaeologus. In an impressive chrysobull issued in 1301, which relates
to the Metropolis of Monemvasia and is now held in the Byzantine and Christian Museum in Athens, Andronicus II Palaeologus is shown
offering the imperial document itself to Christ, probably as patron of the
city. Yet the church is definitely older - Nicetas Choniates (12th c.) relates
that Emperor Isaac II Angelos (1185-1195) removed the icon of Christ Elkomenos (Christ in chains) from the church
and moved it to Anaplous Monastery near Constantinople. The
church is a three-nave domed basilica with three semicircular apses
to the east and a narthex to the west. The longitudinal naves are
divided by rows of piers covered with domes , while the course of the central higher
nave is punctuated by a newer dome. Inside the semi-cylindrical sanctuary
apse there is large semicircular synthronon and bishop’s throne.
The
present day form of the church is the result of alterations over various different
periods. Judging from the arches, the synthronon and the sculptures from the
same period dotted around the church, the initial building phase probably dates
back to Early Christian times . The chapel of St. John on the south side dates to the
Middle Byzantine period, in the 11th or 12th century. The south wall of the
church and some of the walls in the chapel are built of sandstone cloisonné
masonry decorated with dogtooth
courses . The marble sculptures above the west door of the church have been dated
to this phase. According to a now lost inscription, George Kouigkydos or Kougkydas
built the buttresses on the south wall in 1538. The dome and the narthex
were added in 1697. Repairs were carried out over the following centuries (18th-20th
c.); the early 20th century bell tower is the latest addition.
The
interior decoration is post-Byzantine, dating to the 17th and 18th
century. The marble sculptures now surviving around the monument or immured in
it date to Early Christian and Byzantine times. The marble templon was
constructed in 1901 in replacement of an older wooden one, now in the church of
the Virgin Mary Mirtidiotissa.
Following
a series of misadventures, an exquisite icon of the Crucifixion regarded as one
of the most important from the Palaeologan period has now returned to the
church. It was stolen in early 1979. When found cut into pieces it was sent for
restoration to the Byzantine
Museum in Athens, where it remained.
This unique work of art from the second half of the 14th century was
recently returned and placed in St.
John’s chapel.
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