In the early 1300s, Princess Maria Glabaina built a parekklesion (a small chapel) on the right side of the church to honor her husband, Michael Glabas Tarchaniotes.
Beautiful Mosaics
The chapel’s mosaics, which tell different stories, were uncovered in 1962. In total, there are 41 scenes.
Marble Decorations
Some of the chapel’s marble walls have survived over time. A carved marble frieze circles the building, decorated with vines, medallions, shields, and lions. These red lions may represent the Glabas family crest Private Ephesus Tours.
Unique Floor and Artifacts
The chapel had a special Cosmatesque pavement, which was a type of inlaid floor design. A small piece of this floor still exists in the northeast corner. Some carved marble pieces from the 14th century were also found and are now in the Hagia Sophia Museum.
The Dome’s Colors and Symbols
The chapel’s dome has a carved cornice (decorative border) with crosses and floral designs. It was painted blue, while the raised carvings were covered in red and gold. The crosses remained white The Book of Revelation and the Second Coming.
Christ in the Chapel
Inside the chapel, Christ is the only figure in the conch (a curved space), because the chapel was dedicated to Him.
An Ancient Poem and Tribute
A gold-lettered inscription was found on a blue background along the cornice of the chapel. The poem, written by Manuel Philes, is a prayer to Christ asking for peace for Michael Glabas Tarchaniotes’ soul. The poem continues outside the chapel on its north side. Glabas died around 1304 and was buried inside the parekklesion.
