Agios Ioannis Prodromos (St. John the Baptist) Verified

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It is a small, single-nave, barrel vaulted church, outside of which there is an arcosolium (an arched tomb – the dead body was placed at the bottom, surmounted by a large, deep arch). Two more tombs were found under the floor of the main church, but it is still unknown who they belonged to.

The church is fully painted. It is possible that there have been two different icon-painters, as the painting style of the sanctuary is somewhat different from the painting of the main church. More specifically, on the quadrant of the arch there is the depiction of Christ Enthroned, along with Virgin Mary and St. John the Baptist “Praying”. On the frieze of the east wall, the “Hospitality of Abraham” and the “Annunciation”, while on a lower level, two frontal parapet Deacons. On the arch that surmounts part of the sanctuary, illustrated are scenes from the “Ascension of Jesus” and the “Myrrh-Bearing Women at the tomb of Christ”.

On the arch of the main church, there are two supporting arcs. On the west one, there are frontal images of Saints, while, on the east one, the “Holy Shroud” with four full-size frontal Saints, two in each side. The iconography of the church is divided into zones. On the arch, we can see scenes from the Life and Miracles of Jesus: “Entry into Jerusalem”, “Baptism”, “Washing of the feet”, “Crucifixion”, “Birth of Jesus”, “Candlemas”, “Raising of Lazarus”, “Epitaphios Lament”, “Descent into Hades”, “Transfiguration”, “Pentecost”, “Feast of the Archangels”. On the north wall, there are images of full-size frontal Saints, as well as the great figure of St. John the Cefalophore (head-bearer). On the south wall, there is a scene of “Praying” with Christ Enthroned, Virgin Mary and St. John the Baptist. On the frieze of the west wall, there is the depiction of the “Preparation of the Throne”, while on a lower level, on both sides of the entrance, there are two Archangels.

Architecture: single-nave barrel vaulted
Dating: a little while after 1350
Location: Episkopi – in the village, south of Meidani Square
Celebration: 29th August
Hagiography: YES
Access: Easy
Visit Options: Open

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