Page:Travels & discoveries in the Levant (1865) Vol. 1.djvu/244

194 wooden screen which separates the templum, or chancel, from the church, are two curious paintings; one representing our Saviour, the other the Virgin with the infant Christ in her arms. The Saviour hokls a book in his hand. Under this picture is the following inscription in Byzantine Greek.

The letters are in brass, ornamented with a kind of fleur-de-lys. The features are coarsely shaded. The face of the Christ has probably been repainted. The eyebrows of the Virgin meet. The nimbi, extremities, and dress of these figures, and the book held by the Savioiur, are relieved in metal, which appeared to be silver-gilt.

From the style of the painting and metallurgy, I should infer that these pictures were perhaps of as early a period as the 12th century, though it is very difficult to judge of Greek paintings in churches, as they are constantly renewed and beautified, to repair the damages sustained by the intense kissing they go through at the feasts.

On one of the walls of this church is a fresco representing a number of angels playing on musical instruments; a figure is lying down, to whom they are ministering.

On the south side is a rude relief, of Roman times, representing a palm-tree, above which is a rosette.

Within the castle are many marbles from the ancient Acropolis, among which are a number of inscriptions discovered and published by Ross. They contain numerous dedications to Athene