The church of Panagia Protothroni
Τhe
Episcopal Church of Panagia Protothroni is located in the village of Halki
in Tragaia, in the interior of Naxos. The
church is dedicated to the Annunciation, and was probably an early Christian basilica,
of which only the synthronon and the episcopal throne in the semi-circular
sanctuary conch survive. In mid-Byzantine times the building was converted into
a transitional cross-in-square church. A domed narthex was later
added, flanked by the chapel
of Agios Akindynos to the north and a
vaulted rectangular room to the south.
According to
an
architrave inscription probably from the templon, the church was renovated
in 1052. The inscription also mentions the names of Bishop Leo, “Nikitas, Protospatharios
and Turmarch of Naxia" and Count Stephen Kamilaris. Other 16th
and 17th century inscriptions refer to subsequent repairs. The
church interior is decorated in five successive layers dating to the early
Christian period; the 9th century (non-figurative decoration); and the 10th, 11th,
and 13th centuries. Some of these were detached and then repositioned once the earliest
layer had been removed, so frescoes from different periods are now visible.
The
first layer of frescoes dates to the 7th century - apostles adorn the bottom of
the conch, while the side of the window has a depiction of St. Isidore.
The second layer painted over the Apostles in
the conch consisted of non-figurative decoration, with crosses in the arcades,
and dates to the Iconoclast period in the 9th century.
The
two superimposed layers uncovered in the dome have been dated to 1052 and 1056
respectively, as they have been linked to the architrave inscription and a
further inscription in the north chapel, commemorating the Assumption of the
Servant of God Anna in 1056. All the same, it is also believed that the first layer
detached from the dome, along with other wall paintings in the south antenna,
date to a slightly earlier period, in the 10th and 11th century. The depictions
of Saints George, Nicholas, Dimitrios and Theodore incorporated in the eastern
section of the second layer date to 1052.
According
to another view, the depiction of the Annunciation on the south wall of the
sanctuary is later, dating to the 11th or 12th-13th
century. In the late 13th century the lower part of the sanctuary conch was
re-decorated with co-officiating bishops, only one of whom has survived in
detached form. The Supplication depicted in the apse was painted later.
Glossary (12)
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.
synthronon:
semicircular stone or marble tiered structure of benches within the apse of early Christian churches, serving as a seat for the clergy. The episcopal throne was placed at the center.
semi-complex-cross-in-square church:
Type
of church
where the
central dome
is supported
by four
arches
covering
the extremities
of an equilateral
cross.
Lateral compartments,
covered with
small
domes
or
barrel
vaults,
are formed at
the four
corners
of the cross
and thus the church forms
a cross
inscribed
in a square
or
rectangular
area. Externally the
sign of the
cross is also prominent because of this unique way of covering
the roof.
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.
chapel:
small
sized church, either
independent, belonging
to a religious foundation, or part of
a larger
church.
In Byzantium chapels were often
used for burials.
altarscreen or templon:
screen separating the
altar area
from the
rest of the
church. This
can be
of marble
or
wood,
adorned with
wall paintings
and icons depicting Christ,
the Virgin Mary, St. John
the Baptist,
the saint to
whom the church is consecrated,
the Apostles
and other saints.
protospatharios:
head of a military unit based at the imperial palace. In later periods the title
became an
honour
awarded to generals,
and
was finally abolished
by Alexius
Comnenus.
turmarch:
military commander of the turma, a unit in the Byzantine army. Turmas were first established during the 7th century and were related to the development of the Themata administrative system. Originally the strength of a turma was 3000 men, but in later periods it became an administrative unit, a subdivision of the Thema.
nonfigurative decoration:
decoration without depictions or representations of persons, usually consisting of vegetal or geometric patterns. Such decorations are commonly found on early Christian floors, mosaics and tomb frescoes. Also found on various early Byzantine monuments; enjoyed a revival in momumental art during the iconoclast controversy.
The Annunciation of the Virgin Mary:
one of the major celebrations in the Virgin Mary feast cycle. Celebrated on March 5, it refers to the announcement brought by the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary that the Son of God would be incarnated through her.
Deisis(Supplication):
Artistic rendition of Jesus flanked by the Virgin Mary and John the Baptist. Referred to as the Megali Deisis when Archangels, Apostles and Saints are also depicted.
apse or conch:
Semicircular
structure
at the east end
of a basilica. Internally covered by a semidome,
while externally
with a tiered
roof; can be
horseshoe shaped,
rectangular or
polygonal.
Information Texts (1)
Iconoclast Controversy :
movement that condemned the worship of images depicting God or the
saints. Initiated in 726 or 730 by Leo III, temporarily halted in 787 by
Empress Irene, resumed again in 815 by Leo V and finally ended in 843
by Empress Theodora. During the two periods of Iconoclasm, the
iconographic programmes in churches were replaced by geometric shapes,
floral motifs, the sign of the cross, etc. Iconodules, those remaining
true to the worship of icons, suffered persecution.
Bibliography (4)
1. Νάξος, Μέλισσα, Athens, 1989
2. -------------------, Η βυζαντινή τέχνη στο Αιγαίο. Το Αιγαίο επίκεντρο πολιτισμού, Μέλισσα, Athens, 1992
3. Panayiotidi Μ., La peinture monumentale en Grèce de la fin de l’Iconoclasme jusqu’à l’avènement des Comnènes (843-1081), 1986
4. Υπουργείο Πολιτισμού και Τουρισμού | Ναός Παναγίας Πρωτόθρονης, http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/2/gh251.jsp?obj_id=1718
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