ΧΡΙΣΤΙΑΝΙΚΑ ΜΝΗΜΕΙΑ Ι.Μ.Ι.Σ. ENG

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The single-nave church of the All-Holy Virgin, in the centre of the settlement, was
expanded to the west during a second phase. The two construction phases
correspond also to the two layers of wall painting decoration that adorn its interior. The
older, in the east and central sections, dates to the early
ALL-HOLY VIRGIN
THE MESOCHORITISSA
[‘of the Middle Land’]
AT MALLES
14th century, a period during which the church was founded.
Its iconographic programme includes Gospel scenes with the
cycle of the Passions on the north side. A large part of the
first layer has been hammered in order to achieve the better
adhesion of the next layer of wall painting. The peculiarities
in technique and iconography, especially of the scenes of
the Passions, have connected the painting of the church with an artist also knowledgeable
of the Venetian art of the 14th century, in relation also to a small group of similar
monuments of the island. The later layer, which
develops in the west section of the church and
appears not to have covered the east wall, was
painted in 1431/32 funded by of the family of
George Markatatos. An extensive Marian cycle
occupies a large part of it, which begins with the
scene of the Offering of Joachim and ends with
the Annunciation of the All-Holy Virgin in the Well.
The icon of the great painter of the Cretan School,
Angelos, of the second half of the 15th century,
which depicts Christ as the Vine according to the
relevant passage from the Gospel of John (15.1–
7), which is kept in the central church of the
settlement, may orginate from this church.
All-Holy Virgin ‘taking Seven Steps.’
St. George is located at the entrance of the deserted settlement of Apano [Upper]
Symi, and a little outside the settlement of Kato [Lower] Symi of Viannos. The
architectural plan of the church is the result of the addition of a spacious transept to the
original, single-nave church, which is not far in date from the erection of the original church,
as can be documented from the dedicatory inscription.
The inscription clearly distinguishes between George, the
sponsor of the interior church decoration, and the donor
of the transept, “Constantine Fourlas and his son, Thomas.”
The wall painting of the first church compared to other monuments, which were painted by
SAINT GEORGE
AT APANO SYMI
Right: Venerating Angels. Saint George.