St. Demetrios receiving the staff of healing (Thessaloniki, Greece)
St. Demetrios is the patron saint of Thessaloniki. According to tradition, Demetrios was imprisoned in a bath complex in the city during the reign of Galerius (305-311). During a festival with games, Demetrios blessed his friend Nestor who challenged the renowned wrestler Liaeus to a match. When Nestor defeated Liaeus, Galerius was angered and had his soldiers spear Demetrios to death.
A basilica in honor of St. Demetrius was built on the site of the Roman bath complex in the fifth century. The church was destroyed by fire during an earthquake in 620 and rebuilt later in the seventh century. Converted into a mosque under the Ottomans in 1453, it was rededicated as a church in 1912. A fire in the city in 1917 devastated the ancient church, which was rebuilt according to its ancient structure.
Because of poor lighting, I had a hard time getting a good photo of this important panel from the basilica's earliest stage (fifth/sixth century). It is located on the west wall of the first north aisle, above the entrance to the narthex. The basilica served as a center for healing. An arch below this panel led into the chamber where the sick were brought for healing. In the crypt, the saint's miraculous healing myrrh periodically gushed from his shrine.
A youthful St. Demetrios is in the bottom portion of the panel wearing the military chlamys. His face is serene and his head surrounded by a golden nimbus. Above, an angel extends a gold staff to the saint, conferring upon him the gift of healing. The wings of another angel are also visible.
For more photos, travel, and religion, follow me on Twitter @arturoviaggia
St. Demetrios receiving the staff of healing (Thessaloniki, Greece)
St. Demetrios is the patron saint of Thessaloniki. According to tradition, Demetrios was imprisoned in a bath complex in the city during the reign of Galerius (305-311). During a festival with games, Demetrios blessed his friend Nestor who challenged the renowned wrestler Liaeus to a match. When Nestor defeated Liaeus, Galerius was angered and had his soldiers spear Demetrios to death.
A basilica in honor of St. Demetrius was built on the site of the Roman bath complex in the fifth century. The church was destroyed by fire during an earthquake in 620 and rebuilt later in the seventh century. Converted into a mosque under the Ottomans in 1453, it was rededicated as a church in 1912. A fire in the city in 1917 devastated the ancient church, which was rebuilt according to its ancient structure.
Because of poor lighting, I had a hard time getting a good photo of this important panel from the basilica's earliest stage (fifth/sixth century). It is located on the west wall of the first north aisle, above the entrance to the narthex. The basilica served as a center for healing. An arch below this panel led into the chamber where the sick were brought for healing. In the crypt, the saint's miraculous healing myrrh periodically gushed from his shrine.
A youthful St. Demetrios is in the bottom portion of the panel wearing the military chlamys. His face is serene and his head surrounded by a golden nimbus. Above, an angel extends a gold staff to the saint, conferring upon him the gift of healing. The wings of another angel are also visible.
For more photos, travel, and religion, follow me on Twitter @arturoviaggia