Panagia Krina Church

The church of Panagia Krina, at Vavili village, was built around the end of the 12th century. The church was built by Efstathios Kodratos and his wife Eirini Doukaina Pepagomeni who were members of the court in Constantinople.

The church has been well maintained; its architecture is that of the “island” octagonal type and resembles the main church (katholicon) of Nea Moni to a small degree. It is comprised of the dome, the esonarthex and the exonarthex.

The catastrophic earthquake of 1881 destroyed the hemispherical portion of the dome in addition to the smaller dome of the narthex, which was reconstructed shortly thereafter. The majority of the interior walls are covered with paintings, the first of which is dated to the 13th century.

Six different periods of wall painting and decoration are exhibited on at least two layers, thus depicting how Chian art progressed over time. The first illustration (dated around the 13th century) is directly across the entrance of the church, on the narthex and stretches into the main portion of the church where the more recent layer dating to the Turkish Occupation is apparent.

Also located on the narthex, is another example from the Byzantine period, yet of a completely different style. This illustration depicts various portrayals that are not clearly visible. The wall paintings that were detached from the second layer depict 12 prophets, dated to the end of the 14th century in addition to two marble blocks derived from the original iconostasis of the church are all displayed in the Ioustiniani Palace in the Castle (Fortress) of Chios. Portions of the murals painted by Michael Chomatzas in 1734 are also on display in the Byzantine Museum of Chios (Medjitie Cami).

The church is not open for visits regularly. It only opens during the summer period from Tuesday to Saturday, 08:00 to 14:00, or on appointment.

Source: www.chios.gr