50. GEORGE, SAINT

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Near the south coast, 3.5 miles (5.5 km) south of Hagios Ambrosios (Limassol district) and 1.5 mile (2.5 km) southwest of the late medieval chapel of Saint Akindynoi [site of a medieval settlement: Papacostas (1999a) 6.C.92], next to ruined structures and debris (belonging to monastic buildings?), on a plateau overlooking the coast at 400m a.s.l.

Description: The vaulted single-aisle church was built in rubble masonry and is now in a poor condition [MKE 8, 351]. The barrel vault is supported by two round arches on engaged piers in good ashlar (perhaps representing later additions, although the masonry appears to be bonding). A Roman cippus and moulded slab were used for the altar table. There are much damaged and blackened fresco remains in the apse (Pantokrator?), on the central and east bay vault (eight scenes) and walls, including an (earlier?) Archangel dressed in imperial costume on the north wall of the east bay.

Dating: The structure probably dates from middle Byzantine times. The cleaning of the frescoes may provide a terminus ante quem for its construction.

Later additions / alterations: The west wall was demolished presumably when an extension was added in 1968 (by a donor from Koilani), and the west bay was white-washed.

Modern repairs: The walls and the roof of the modern west extension were repaired [ARDA 1984, 18].