Church of Elkomenos Christos, Byzantine church in Monemvasia, Greece.
The Church of Elkomenos Christos is a Byzantine place of worship in Monemvasia with a central dome and sprawling layout. The structure displays three semi-circular arches facing east, a vaulted entrance area, and a bell tower positioned on its northwest side.
The building was constructed over an older structure from the 6th century and took its current form in 1697. Additional changes followed with reinforcements added to the walls and later the addition of the bell tower across subsequent centuries.
The church keeps the 14th-century icon of Elkomenos Christ in the chapel of Agios Ioannis; it was stolen in 1979, cut into three pieces, recovered, and returned from the Byzantine Museum of Athens in 2011. The return is celebrated each 23 May, and the church's feast is on Holy Thursday. Other works of the 17th and 18th centuries are also kept here.
The place of worship is located in the old town of Monemvasia and is easily reached on foot. Visiting during daylight hours works best, as natural light illuminates the interior and makes details visible.
The icon of Elkomenos Christos, kept in the chapel of Saint John, was stolen in 1979 along with about 35 other icons; the thief cut it into three pieces. An Athens police officer posing as a buyer caught him, and the restored icon stayed in the Byzantine Museum of Athens until 2011, when it returned to Monemvasia. Its return is marked on 23 May.
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