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The church of Christos Elkomenos
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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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