Monemvasia Church of Elkomenos Christos

Location: Kastro Monemvasias

The Church of Elkomenos Christos in Monemvasia, Peloponnese: The small church of Elkomenos Christos located in the Old Town of Monemvasia, and particularly in the quarter of Kato Poli, is the most famous church of the castle town. It is dedicated to Christ and particularly to Christ who was lead chained to Crucifixion, which is why it celebrates on Holy Thursday, in Easter.

A carved inscription at the entrance of the church indicates that it was constructed in 1697, probably on the site of a former church founded in the 6th-7th century. On the left and the right side of the entrance, there are two thrones, dedicated to the Byzantine Emperor and the Empress. Inside this small church, there are rare Byzantine and post-Byzantine icons, including the icon of Christ in chains before He was crucified and the Crown of Thorns on His head.

This temple was frequently damaged by invasions from enemies and pirates and many of its icons were stolen or transferred somewhere else by order of Byzantine emperors. The beautiful bell tower was constructed in the 18th century and the marble iconostasis was created in 1801 by the Tinian artist Yorgios Kaparias on the site of a former wooden iconostasis, which has now been transferred in the church of Panagia Myrtidiotissa.