Adorning the nave/naos of Chora Church, this panel is hung above the main door. Mary on her deathbed is accompanied by saints, women, apostles, angles and Jesus Christ.

Christ who is dressed in all gold is holding an infant with veiled hand, symbolizing the soul of Virgin Mary. Two angels above are waiting to receive her soul. At the center, Christ is surrounded by a double layered mandorla (a kind of halo). It symbolizes the light that leads to heaven. There is a seraph above Christ’s head whose two wings are ready to fly.

In naos, the mosaic panel describing the death of Mary is a masterpiece. The naos is also famous for its marble ornaments which include the onyx, red and porphyry columns that came from different places of the world.

The Virgin Hodegetria

Mary is holding the Child Christ. Christ is by her as the source of salvation. Above the panel, there are remains of a destructed marble engravings of Christ’s face and two angels.

Jesus Christ and Holy Book

In this panel, Jesus is holding the Holy Book with pages open: ‘’ Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give rest’’ Matthew (11:28)

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1- Anastasis Scene:

Meaning ‘’standing up again’’ in Greek, Anastasis is one of the finest example of frescoes in the world. It is located in the semi-dome of the apse.

The fresco symbolizes a physical resurrection of humankind.

In the center, Christ is depicted in a three layered mandorla – symbolizing trinity. In each layer, there are eight pointed stars. Christ wears white garments. He grabs the wrists of Adam & Eve by pulling them out of their sarcophagi. Eve is wearing red clothes. Inside Eve’s sarcophagus, Abel-her son is also standing.

The doors of hell is broken down under the feet of Christ. The locks, nails and chains are scattered around Satan whose hands, feet and neck are tied up.

While Abel is followed by a group on the right of Christ, on the left John the Baptist points Christ to the kings – including Solomon him.

2-Resurrection of the son of a widow.

3- The Judgement Day

Deesis

Seated in the center of a multi-layered mandorla, Christ is surrounded by Mary, John the Baptist, 12 disciples, martyrs prophets. Mary and John the Baptist are praying for the salvation of the humanbeing.

The Last Judgment

Under the Deesis scene, there is Hetoimasia Jesus on a throne (there is no image of him but a cloth of him) accompanied by 2 seraphims. Adam and Eve are paying homage, kneeling down on each side of the throne. Under them, two angels are weighing and recording the good works & sins of mankind. The sinners are depicted to be sent to hell.

Scroll of the sky

An angel carries the scroll of the sky with sun, moon and stars in it. It is surrounded by the choirs of saints, bishops and disciples.

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