ELEOUSA - Arta - 2004

Eleousa, Arta. Church of the Koimisis of the Theotokou. B. Papadopoulou (8th EBA) reports a study of a large, single-naved church which is now serving as the funerary chapel of the village of Eleousa, on the opposite side of the river Arachthos from Arta. An inscription records the construction of the church in 1750, with the addition of wallpaintings a few years later. These paintings (now poorly preserved) are arranged in four zones: distinctive traits are the plaster-modelled halos of the full-length figures, with relief decoration. The plaster templon is more recent as are the icons with the exception of an icon of the enthroned Christ which is very similar to that on the episcopal throne of Vlacherna (recently conserved). West of the naos is a gynaikonitis on wooden supports.