Parecclesion
Many characteristics form a parecclesion, for instance, the church in which it is located, is an architectural aspect, most significant for its exterior and interior design.
[6] Most churches are sacred places considered to be a “Heaven on Earth.”[6] Because of its exterior and interior design, such as the inclusion of high ceilings and the iconography of religious figures depicted on the walls, it helps maintain a divine experience.
They are typically adorned with Frescos portraying religious figures, while addressing various themes such as resurrection, salvation, hope, Life after death, etc.
[12] Religious Icons such as the Virgin (Theotokos)and Child between saints (Theodore and George), as well as Jesus Christ, are depicted often.
[12] These illustrations of religious figures served a spiritual purpose, which was to encapsulate a heavenly realm in these structures[12] Middle Byzantine art was an era of the revitalization of classical forms and motifs.
[12] Finally, Late Byzantine art consisted of religious iconography and utilized symbolic imagery.
The exterior of the parreclesion incorporates middle Byzantine elements, such as a sloping site and its adding additional chambers.
[17][14] Byzantine art, characterized by their vivid colors, complex features, and realistic styles, demonstrate patron Theodore Metochites' optimism for redemption after death.
The Anastasis fresco is a symbol of resurrection or rebirth, depicting Christ diving down into the underworld and vigorously pulling Adam and Eve out of their tombs.
[20] It also demonstrates his victory over death, his triumphal resurrection after his crucifixion, his divinity, and shows the salvation of two human souls .
[20][19] These themes within the parecclesion frescoes are important not just because there is a religious figure in them that they worship, but also because it sheds a light on a morbid topic, bringing a new perspective to the viewer about death.
It depicts Virgin Mary holding Jesus Christ right in the center of the dome surrounded by a host of angels.
[24] The Church of the pammakaristos, (also known as All-Blessed Mother of God), is another well known Byzantine structure located in Istanbul, Turkey, that holds a parecclesion (an addition side chapel) within it.
[25] The parecclesion of pammakaristos was used as a monumental chapel, which was built by Martha Gabas, attributed to her late husband Michael Doukas Glabas Tarchaneiotes, a Byzantine general and aristocrat of the Andronikos II Palaiologos, who was buried inside the chapel shortly after it was made.
[30] The twelve prophets- Moses, Joseph, Zephaniah, Micah, Joel, Zechariah, Obadiah, Habakkuk, Jonah, Malachi, Ezekiel, and Isaiah, are the prophets circled around the dome.
