Decoration Hosios Loukas



virgin child mosaic


hosios loukas largest of 3 monasteries surviving middle byzantine period in greece. differs daphnion , nea moni in dedicated single military saint. st. lukes prophecy reconquest of crete commemorated image of joshua on exterior wall of panagia church: joshua considered model warrior of faith , effective in wars waged against arabs. katholikon contains best preserved complex of mosaics period of macedonian renaissance. however, complex not complete: original image of christ pantocrator inside dome missing, figures of archangels placed between upper windows.


there evidence monastery reputed on byzantium lavish decoration, liberally applied surfaces. apart revetment, carving, gold , silver plate, murals, , mosaics (especially imposing on curving surfaces), interior featured choice assortment of icons, chandeliers, silk curtains, , altar cloths. fraction of these items still in situ, notably colored marble facings , window grilles. notwithstanding losses, katholikon gives best impression available anywhere today of character of church interior in first centuries after end of iconoclasm .








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