ΧΡΙΣΤΙΑΝΙΚΑ ΜΝΗΜΕΙΑ Ι.Μ.Ι.Σ. ENG

THE CHURCHES
AT STAVROS
56
Asignificant number of churches, with wall paintings and without, are preserved
in the surrounding area of the settlement of Stavros (Kapistri).
Lower (Kato) St. George is located on the south side of the settlement, a single-nave
church to which was later added a transverse, barrel-vaulted narthex. The main church,
which is dated, on the basis of its wall painting decoration, to the 14th
century, is shaped in its longitudinal sides with blind brick arcades that
have zigzag ceramoplastic decoration on their intermediate surfaces as
well as on the apse of
the sanctuary. The iconographic
programme that does not survive
intact includes scenes from the
Christo logical cycle and the cycle of
St. George with emphasis on scenes
of his martyrdom. Special reference
should be made to the full-length figure
of St. George with the relief wreath that
Lower (Kato) St. George.
has the place of a pilgrimage icon on the south wall next to the altar screen as well as to
the partially surviving Evangelists on the north wall that are depicted seated, writing
their Gospels.
Three kilometres to the northwest of the settlement, the twin-naved church of the All-
Holy Virgin at Gourni, dedicated to the Dormition of the Theotokos (August 15) and the
Transfiguration of the Saviour (August 6),
may have been the catholicon of a small
monastery as we can determine from the
ruins of one-storey buildings to its north
and west.
Its architectural plan is the result of the
addition to the original single-nave, small
church of the end of the 14th– beginning
All-Holy Virgin at Gourni.
of the 15th century, of a barrel-vaulted
aisle to the north and of a narthex,
probably of the late Venetian occupation period. At an even later period, the narthex was
demolished, the two arches connecting its aisles were walled in and two rectangular
doorframes were built in their place. The good quality, partially preserved, wall painting
decoration that is dated to the beginning of the 15th century, has scenes from the
Christological cycle in its eastern section, in which the large scene of the Ascension
dominates, and scenes from the Marian cycle in its western section. The single-nave
church of St. Mamas, with an expansion to the west, is located close to the All-Holy
Virgin. It preserves parts of high quality wall decoration of the beginning of the 14th
century. Of interest are the depictions of the two donors, facing each other in the corners
of the north and south walls of the original church, St. Mamas on the south wall next to
the sanctuary, in the usual place where the eponymous saint is presented, and, in the 57
Joseph thinking, from the Birth. Lower (Kato) St. George.
Christ Enthroned, detail. All-Holy Virgin at Gourni.