The church of Agios Demetrios
The
cathedral of St. Demetriοs is located in the northeastern section of the Lower Town in Mystras, next to parts of the external fortifications. It is the
oldest church in Mystras, serving as the city’s cathedral and the seat of the Bishop of
Lacedaemon from the time it was
rebuilt. Tradition has it that in 1449 it hosted the coronation
of the last Byzantine emperor, Constantine XI
Palaeologus, then Despot of Mystras.
The
church was probably built between 1263
(;) and 1272 by Bishop Eugene, who is
depicted on the frescoes in the diakonikon, and in its original form was
a three-aisled basilica. Between 1286 and 1315 a narthex and a gallery were
probably added to the west. Nicephorus Moschopoulos was bishop at the time (1291/2-1311/2), as
evidenced by three surviving
inscriptions which mention him and his brother Aaron. In the 15th
century Bishop
Matthew added a tribune, in an attempt to adapt the church’s plan to that of Aphentiko. The church owes its
typological peculiarity to this drastic intervention, combining a basilica on the ground floor with a composite four-column cross-in-square
church above. However, Matthew‘s extension created a heavy building of clumsy proportions, which
the
subsequent addition
of galleries and a bell tower failed to improve. Worse still, it led to the partial destruction of the
fine wall paintings in the original
basilica, decapitating figures in the Christological cycle in the central nave. The surviving sections manifest diversity in performance and stylistic features, indicating that they were completed in stages.
The first phase (1272-1288) included the frescoes in the
half-dome of the sanctuary apse, showing the
Virgin Mary and a (deliberately
destroyed) prelate
at prayer, as well as most of the
frescos in the prothesis, in the north aisle
dedicated to Saint Demetrios, in the diaconicon and in the greater part of the south aisle, which
is dedicated to the Unmercenary Saints. The diaconicon has a noteworthy depiction of the Preparation of the Throne and Christ with angels, above
the figure of an All-Merciful Christ, which
reveal the high theological and artistic standards of the time. The second
phase (1291/2-1315) is associated with the work of Nicephorus, and
inclues the decapitated figures in the
Christological cycle in the nave, the figures in the western section of the south aisle, and an impressive Second Coming alongside
Ecumenical
Councils
in the narthex.
The burial representations of four Bishops on the outer north wall of the church probably
derive from the time of Matthew.
The surviving sculptural decorations largely consist of reused material. The
most outstanding of these are the sculpted
frames around icon stands on the sanctuary
pillars, which date to the
late 12th century and belong to the set of frieze fragments in Agia
Sophia and the Museum
of Mystra. On the other hand, the beveled moulding with floral motifs and monogrammed medals dates to the time of Bishop Matthew.
Glossary (11)
wall paintings or murals:
Painted scenes on a wall or ceiling surface.
diaconicon or diakonicon:
Chamber with a
niche,
usually
opening
off the
south
side
of the
church,
where offerings from the faithful, sacred vessels and
vestments
were kept.
In the
late
6th
century it
was moved to
the eastern
part
of the south
aisle,
next to the Sanctuary. Another similar room, called the
prothesis, was constructed on the east
side
of
the
north
nave.
Sanctuary
architecture as still seen today was established by the addition of these
compartments.
three nave basilica:
a basilica with three naves.
narthex:
oblong reception area
extending
along
the western side
of a basilica. Originally the east portico
of the atrium,
it was later
incorporated into the
church, and served
as a waiting area for catechumens, who were not allowed to
attend the Divine
Liturgy.
gallery or tribune:
upper story of a church above the side naves and the narthex.
basilica:
type of large church, divided internally into three or more naves. The central nave was usually covered by a raised roof with windows that illuminated the space.
bell tower:
part of a church containing the bells. Usually a square tower near or abutting the front of the church, often rising above the narthex.
Christological cycle:
scenes in the iconographic program of a church that depict the life of Christ, from the Annunciation to the Ascension.
conch (Sanctuary niche):
Niche
in the eastern end
of a basilica. Semicircular on the inside, with a horseshoe shaped, rectangular or polygonal exterior.
prothesis:
chamber to the
north
of the
Bema
which holds the Holy Gifts
before the Great
Entrance,
and
the Communion
after
Divine
Liturgy.
piers or pillars:
supports of square or rectangular cross-section. They are usually freestanding (not attached to a wall), made of built masonry.
Information Texts (0)
Bibliography (17)
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