The church “Panagia ton Chalkeon in Thessaloniki”: a different approach of a monastic institution and its founder* di Melina Paissidou* * Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Abstract

Τhis paper concerns the most prominent church of the Middle Byzantine period in Thessaloniki (Greece), which is
dated to 1028 and is known by the modern name «Panagia ton Chalkeon». It is located in the middle of the lower part
of the Byzantine city, near the main road, very close to the ancient forum and the Byzantine “Megalophoros” and integrated
in the famous region of “Katafygi.” Our study focuses on two main topics: A. On the comparative examination
of the information from historical sources and archaeological data about the founder of the church, the “glorious
imperial protospatharios and katepano Lagouvardias” Christophoros and his family, his connection to Thessaloniki
and the South of Italy and the reason for his donation. B. On the mission of the church as part of an urban monastery
complex, contrary to the prevalent theory, according to which the church was erected as a personal ecclesiastic and
funeral institution of its founders. The argumentation supporting the new interpretation is based on historical, topographic,
architectural, iconographical and functional elements. The analyses lead to the conclusion that the Middle
Byzantine church of Christophoros, dedicated to the Mother of God, is the result of a substantial donation on behalf
of an imperial official, who imitated the imperial dignitaries of Constantinople, during an epoch of prosperity. The
stable status-quo lead to the realization of big public works in Thessaloniki, such as the renovation of the fortifications
and the erection of private monasteries founded by illustrious donors. Panagia ton Chalkeon, as part of the so-called
“Macedonian Renaissance,” functioned without interruption for four centuries and enjoyed renovations that only a
large independent monastery, in a predominant position in the city, could have had.