Χρονολόγηση Restoration of the church during the last quarter of the 9th century. In use until 1923

Περίληψη : The earliest preserved Byzantine church in the city of Trebizond is the Church of St. Anne. It was in use until 1923. As for its architecture, it is a three-aisled, barrel-vaulted basilica of the Middle Byzantine period. The church was actually rebuilt c. 884/885. Its interior is adorned with wall paintings covering the period between the 12th and the 15th century, although they have not been preserved in good condition. Χρονολόγηση Restoration of the church during the last quarter of the 9th century. In use until 1923 Γεωγραφικός εντοπισμός Pontus, Trebizond, eastern suburb of the city 1. Historical Background of the Church of St. Anne The small church of St. Anne is in the eastern suburb of Trebizond, near the church of St. Basil. It is a middle-byzantine three-aisled, barrel-vaulted basilica with a clerestory. The three aisles lead to three vaulted semicircular apses to the east. 1 The interior of the church is adorned with wall paintings and devotional inscriptions dating to the period between the 12th and the 15th century, 2 while in the years of the Grand Komnenoi the church was used as a cemetery church. 3 Two inciced inscriptions have survived in the church. The first one is today exhibited at the Museum of Hagia Sophia in Trebizond and refers to a certain priest Gregory. It must be dated before the 10th century. The second inscription is situated above the southern entrance of the church and is of particular interest, since it provides information about the period when the church was restored. The inscription reads: Ἀνενεόθι ὁ ναòς τ[ῆ ς ἁγί ας] Ἀν[νη]ς ἐ πì Βασιλεί [ου] Λέ [οντος καì Ἀλε] ξάνδρου, στρατηγ[οῦ ]ντος Ἀλε ξί ου κ(καì) (πρωτο)σπαθ[αρί ου] τοῦ ἀνα[νεώ]σαντος τòν ναὼν ἔ τ(ους) ςτογ. ["The Church of St. Anne was renewed in the years of Basil, Leo and Alexander, when strategos Alexios and protospatharios, renewed the church 6393"(that is, the year 884/885 AD)] Actually, according to the masonry evidence, the church must have been completely rebuilt in 884/885. 4 As a result, the inscription provides the indisputable evidence that the church preserved today is the structure built in the last quarter of the 9th century, when Basil I was emperor and Alexios was protospatharios. However, it has been suggested that it was rebuilt on the site of a previous church. On the other hand, as regards the period when the original church of St. Anne was founded, there is deep disagreement among the scholars. Some assume that this must have happened in the 6th or 7th century, while, according to others, this happened in the 8th century. 5 But there is no solid evidence justifying any of these views. 6 Moreover, it is not clear whether the 9th century church followed the design of the original one. 7 Besides, the original church had probably been built on the site of an earlier, non-christian temple, 8 which was common at the time. At this point it should be mentioned that there is a crypt under the church, which is inaccessible and it is only visible through the floor of the main church. Although the crypt has not been fully investigated, 9 it is definite that it consists of quite large stoes, earlier used for burials. 10 2. Studying the Monument Δημιουργήθηκε στις 15/2/2017 Σελίδα 1/5

The Church of St. Anne was in use until modern years. The first systematic research on the monument was carried out in 1895 by G. Millet, who recognised the architectural type and transcribed some of its written and incised inscriptions. When the French scholar visited the monument, the wall paintings of the interior walls were still in good condition. After Millet s visit, architectural members (such as columns, capitals and additions) as well as relief slabs, probably dating to the 13th-14th century, were added to the building. Some years later, in 1903, Papamichalopoulos, while visiting Trebizond, noted that the church was not in good condition. 11 However, in 1916, Meliopoulos had the opportunity to investigate, by order of the Diocese of Trebizond, the interior of the crypt. 12 Τhe metropolitan of Trebizond Chrysanthos also refers to the Church of St. Anne. 13 3. The Church in the 20th Century The church, according to an census carried out in the early 20th century, belonged to the parish of St. Basil and was still in use until 1923, while it was later used as a Turkish residence. The latter use probably accelerated the destruction of its wall paintings. While visiting Trebizond, in 1929, D. Talbot Rice noticed that several wall paintings in the interior of the church previously noted by Millet were by then destroyed. However, there were still traces of wall paintings in the exterior. When S. Ballance visited Trebizond in 1958, both the internal and the external paintings were damaged to a great extent. The church has survived until today, but remains closed. 1. Μillet, G., Les monasteres et les eglises de Trebizonde, BCH 19 (1895), p. 443, pic. 17; Millet, G., Mission a Trebizonde en 1893. Etude detaillee de quelques eglises, in Millet, G. Rice, D. Talbot, Byzantine Painting at Trebizond (London 1936), pp. 23 24, pic. 1; Rice, D. Talbot, Religious Buildings of Trebizond, Byzantion V (1929 1930) p. 57; Bryer, A. Winfield, D., The Byzantine Monuments and Topography of the Pontos, vol. I II (Dumbarton Oaks Studies XX, Washington D.C. 1985), p. 219, tab. 164. 2. Μillet, G., Les monasteres et les eglises de Trebizonde, BCH 19 (1895), p. 437; Millet, G., Mission a Trebizonde en 1893. Etude detaillee de quelques eglises in Millet, G. Rice, D. Talbot, Byzantine Painting at Trebizond (London 1936), pp. 23 39; Chrysanthos, metropolitan of Trebizond, Η Εκκλησία Τραπεζούντος, Αρχείον Πόντου 4 5 (1933), p. 377; Ξυγγόπουλος, Α., ʹG. Millet D. Talbot Rice, Byzantine Painting at Trebizond, London 1936. George Allen and Unwin Ltd. (Courtauld Institute publication on Near Eastern Art, edited by W.G. Constable and D. Talbot Rice, I), 182 σελίδες μετά 10 σχεδίων [εν τω κειμένω και 57 φωτοτυπικών πινάκων εν τέλει, Βιβλιοκρισία, ΕΕΒΣ 12 (1936), p. 463; Janin, R., Les eglises et les monasteres des grands centres byzantins (Bithynie, Hellespont, Latros, Galesios, Trebizonde, Athenes, Thessalonique) (Paris 1975), p. 257; Bryer, A. Winfield, D., The Byzantine Monuments and Topography of the Pontos, vol. I (Dumbarton Oaks Studies XX, Washington D.C. 1985), p. 219 3. Bryer, A. Winfield, D., The Byzantine Monuments and Topography of the Pontos, vol. I (Dumbarton Oaks Studies XX, Washington D.C. 1985), p. 219; Εγκυκλοπαίδεια του Ποντιακού Ελληνισμού. Ιστορία Λαογραφία Πολιτισμός, vol. I (Thessaloniki 1988), p. 21. 4. Bryer, A. Winfield, D., The Byzantine Monuments and Topography of the Pontos, vol. I (Dumbarton Oaks Studies XX, Washington D.C. 1985), pp. 183, 246; Moreover: Chrysanthos, metropolitan of Trebizond, Η Εκκλησία Τραπεζούντος, Αρχείον Πόντου 4 5 (1933), p. 376; Ballance, S., The Byzantine Churches of Trebizond, Anatolian Studies X (1960), pp. 142, 145; Janssens, E., Trebizonde en Colchide (Travaux de la Faculte de Philosophie et Lettres XL, Bruxelles 1969), p. 225; Janin, R., Les eglises et les monasteres des grands centres byzantins (Bithynie, Hellespont, Latros, Galesios, Trebizonde, Athenes, Thessalonique) (Paris 1975), p. 257. 5. About the possible construction of the original church in the 6 th or 7 th century, see Millet, G., Les monasteres et les eglises de Trebizonde, BCH 19 (1895), p. 444; Chrysanthos, metropolitan of Trebizond, Η Εκκλησία Τραπεζούντος, Αρχείον Πόντου 4 5 (1933), p. 376; Rice, D. Talbot, The Messel Expedition, 1929. A Survey of the Monuments in Millet, G. Rice, D. Talbot, Byzantine Painting at Trebizond (London 1936), p. 107; Εγκυκλοπαίδεια του Ποντιακού Ελληνισμού. Ιστορία Λαογραφία Πολιτισμός, vol V, p. 311. About the assumption that the original church probably dates from the early 8 th century, see Rice, D. Talbot, Religious Buildings of Trebizond, Byzantion V (1929 1930), p. 57; Janin, R., Les eglises et les monasteres des grands centres byzantins (Bithynie, Hellespont, Latros, Galesios, Trebizonde, Δημιουργήθηκε στις 15/2/2017 Σελίδα 2/5

Athenes, Thessalonique) (Paris 1975), p. 257. 6. Millet, G., Les monastères et les églises de Trébizonde, BCH 19 (1895), p. 444; Chrysanthos, metropolitan of Trebizond, Η Εκκλησία Τραπεζούντος, ΑΠ 4 5 (1933), p. 375. 7. Ballance, S., The Byzantine Churches of Trebizond, Anatolian Studies X (1960), p. 154. 8. Millet, G., Les monastères et les églises de Trébizonde, BCH 19 (1895), p. 444; Chrysanthos, metropolitan of Trebizond, Η Εκκλησία Τραπεζούντος, Αρχείον Πόντου 4 5 (1933), p. 375. 9. Chrysanthos, metropolitan of Trebizond, Η Εκκλησία Τραπεζούντος, Αρχείον Πόντου 4 5 (1933), p. 375. 10. Millet, G., Les monasteres et les eglises de Trebizonde, BCH 19 (1895), p. 443; Μηλιόπουλος, Ι., Τό Ναΐδιον της Αγίας Άννης, Οι Κομνηνοί 1, 17 (1916), pp. 309 312; Chrysanthos, metropolitan of Trebizond, Η Εκκλησία Τραπεζούντος, Αρχείον Πόντου 4 5 (1933), p. 375; Bryer, A. Winfield, D., The Byzantine Monuments and Topography of the Pontos, vol. I (Dumbarton Oaks Studies XX, Washington D.C. 1985), p. 219. 11. Παπαμιχαλόπουλος, Κ.Ν., Περιήγησις εις τον Πόντον (Athens 1903), pp. 200 201. 12. Μηλιόπουλος, Ι., Τo Ναΐδιον της Αγίας Άννης, Οι Κομνηνοί 1, 17 (1916), pp. 309 310. 13. Chrysanthos, metropolitan of Trebizond, Η Εκκλησία Τραπεζούντος, Αρχείον Πόντου 4 5 (1933), pp. 375 378. Βιβλιογραφία : Janin R., Les églises et les monastères des Grands Centres Byzantins. Bithynie, Hellespont, Latros, Galésios, Trébizonde, Athènes, Thessalonique, Paris 1975 Bryer A.A.M., Winfield D., The Byzantine Monuments and Topography of the Pontos, 1 (With Maps and Plans by R. Anderson and Drawings by J. Winfield), Washington D.C. 1985, Dumbarton Oaks Studies 20 Bryer A.A.M., Winfield D., The Byzantine Monuments and Topography of the Pontos, 2 (With Maps and Plans by R. Anderson and Drawings by J. Winfield), Washington D.C. 1985, Dumbarton Oaks Studies 20 Παπαμιχαλόπουλος Κ.Ν., Περιήγησις εις τον Πόντον, Αθήνα 1903 Χρύσανθος Φιλιππίδης, μητροπολίτης Τραπεζούντος, "Η Εκκλησία Τραπεζούντος", Αρχείον Πόντου, 4/5, 1933, 1-1070 Λαμπάκης Σ., Σαββίδης Α., Γενική Βιβλιογραφία περί του βυζαντινού Πόντου και του κράτους των Κομνηνών της Τραπεζούντας, Αθήνα 1992 Janssens E., Trébizonde en Colchide, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles 1969, Travaux de la Faculté de Philosophie et Lettres XL Miller W., Trebizond. The Last Greek Empire of the Byzantine Era, 1204-1461, London 1926 Rice D.T., Millet G., Byzantine Painting at Trebizond, London 1936 Δημιουργήθηκε στις 15/2/2017 Σελίδα 3/5

Ballance S., "The Byzantine Churches of Trebizond", Anatolian Studies, 10, 1960, 141 176 Millet G., "Les monastères et les églises de Trébizonde", Bulletin de Correspondance Hellénique, 19, 1895, 419-459 Millet G., "Inscriptions Byzantines de Trébizonde", Bulletin de Correspondance Hellénique, 20, 1896, 496-501 Winfield D., Wainwright J., "Some Byzantine Churches from the Pontus", Αnatolian Studies, 12, 1962, 131 162 Bryer, A.A.M. (ed.), The Empire of Trebizond and the Pontos, London 1980, Variorum Reprints Collected Studies Μηλιόπουλος Ι.Π., "Το Ναΐδιον της Αγίας Άννης", Οι Κομνηνοί, 1, 17, 1916, 309 313 Rice D., "Religious Buildings of Trebizond", Byzantion, V, 1929-1930, 47-81 Δικτυογραφία : Trebizond http://romeartlover.tripod.com/trebison.html Ο ναός της Αγίας Άννας http://www.ime.gr/choros/trapezounda/gr/webpages/602.html Γλωσσάριo : apse An arched srtucture or a semi circular end of a wall. In byzantine architecture it means the semicircular, usually barrel vaulted, niche at the east end of a basilica. The side aisles of a basilica may also end in an apse, but it is always in the central apse where the altar is placed. It was separated from the main church by a barrier, the templon, or the iconostasis. Its ground plan on the external side could be semicircular, rectangular or polygonal. clerestory Architectural term denoting the upper level of the nave of a church, the walls of which rise above the rooflines of the lower aisles and are pierced with windows. protospatharios The first spatharios. A higher byzantine official of the imperial hierarchy which usually permitted participation in the senate. It was awarded even to eunuchs. After the 11th century, it gradually lost its importance. It was also an honorary title. three-aisled basilica An oblong type of church internally divided into three aisles: the middle and the two side aisles. The middle aisle is often lighted by an elevated clerestory. In the Early Byzantine years this type of church had huge dimensions. vault A semi-cylindrical roof. Παραθέματα The text of the building inscription of St Anne of Trebizond Ἀνενεόθι ὁ ναòς τ[ῆς ἁγίας] / Ἀν[νη]ς ἐπì Βασιλεί[ου] Λέ[οντος καì Ἀλε]/ξάνδρου, στρατηγ[οῦ]ντος Ἀλε/ξίου κ(καì) (πρωτο)σπαθ[αρίου] τοῦ ἀνα[νεώ]σαντος τòν ναὼν /ἔτ(ους) ςτογ. Δημιουργήθηκε στις 15/2/2017 Σελίδα 4/5

Bryer, A. Winfield, D., The Byzantine Monuments and Topography of the Pontos (Dumbarton Oaks Studies 20, Washington D.C. 1985), p. 218, with earlier bibliography. The text of the inscription of the priest Gregory + Ὑπὲρ εὐχῆς καὶ σοτηρίας καὶ ἀφέσεος ἁμαρτιõν τοῦ (δούλου τοῦ) Θ(εο)ῦ Γριγόρι πρεσβυτέρου ἁμαρτολο(ύ). Ἀμὴν Millet, G., ʹLes Monastères et les Églises de Trébizondeʹ, Bulletin de Correspondance Hellénique 19 (1895), p. 437. Δημιουργήθηκε στις 15/2/2017 Σελίδα 5/5