Church of Aghioi Apostoloi(Holy Apostles) |
Location: | Pyrgi, Chios |
| Open: | From November
1st to March 31: Daily: 08:30 - 15:00, Monday: closed From July 1st to October 31: Daily: 08.30 - 15.00, Monday: closed |
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| The
church belongs to the insular octagonal domed type and is a small
reproduction of the catholicon (main church) of Nea
Moni. It is a very well preserved Byzantine monument, richly decorated
outside with brick patterns (denticulated bands, phialostomia, brick
arches). The interior is covered with wall paintings made by Antonios
Domestichos, Kenygos, from Crete, in 1665.
An inscription over the main entrance of the church informs us that monk Symeon, who later became the metropolitan bishop of Chios, erected the church "from its foundations" in 1564. This probably refers to a renovation of the monument, since its architectural and morphological features point to the conclusion that it was erected in the middle of the 14th century. |
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| Restoration of the wall paintings of the church began in 1985 and is still in progress. The monument is open to the public and it is used for religious purposes only once a year, on June 29, St. Peter and St. Paul's day. | ||
