“Can you feel it?” A visitor once asked, gazing up at I.N. Agiou Petrou. I.N. Agiou Petrou stands as a testament to time. It is a Byzantine church located in Kalyvia Thorikou. This area is also known as Ennea Pyrgoi, or Nine Towers.
Today, we explore the captivating story of I.N. Agiou Petrou. This church dates back to the late 12th or early 13th century. Its architecture and stone detailing offer clues to its age. It is a two-columned, cross-in-square church. Its dimensions measure 9.82 by 6.88 meters. Fragments of older buildings are part of its construction. Even tombstones have been incorporated into its rubble masonry.
Inside I.N. Agiou Petrou, the walls whisper stories through ancient paintings. These paintings are contemporary to the church’s construction. One notable portrait is that of Michael Choniates. He was the bishop of Athens. He is depicted with a halo in the altar. The north arch of the cross displays paintings of Hagios Mamas and Hagios Triphon. These saints are associated with agriculture. This reflects the agrarian nature of Mesogeia.
An inscription in the narthex reveals that a group of artists decorated I.N. Agiou Petrou. The sanctified portrait of Michael Choniates suggests folk worship. This worship was linked to the bishop’s activities and spiritual influence. Another inscription mentions the year 1232 CE. This was when the wall paintings were completed. The inscription also names St Peter and Paul as the saints to which the church was dedicated. It identifies the donor as Ignatius. Ignatius was the bishop of Thermia and Keos. This inscription provides the only evidence of a bishop named Ignatius in that region.
I.N. Agiou Petrou’s masonry contains spolia. These are repurposed architectural elements. A 4th-century BC funerary inscription commemorates citizens of Prospalta. A 4th-century AD funerary inscription shows the area was used for burials later on.
Sadly, an impost capital in the apse was damaged during an act of vandalism. Although it was conserved, the inscription was lost. Fortunately, it had been drawn by Orlandos.
Today, I.N. Agiou Petrou continues to stand as a reminder of the past. Its art and architecture whisper tales of faith, art, and history. As you stand before I.N. Agiou Petrou, consider its long history and the stories held within its walls. Let us carry its story forward.